Lost: 22 lbs.

I came to The Studio (MDR) in the summer of 2011. I was out of work, I hadn't been physically active in about six months, I'd gained back more than half the weight I had worked so hard to lose previously, and I desperately needed to feel good about myself again. I weighed 145 pounds and was a size 30 jean. I found out about the Studio (MDR) because I had taken classes from Ky at a couple other studios in the area.

I definitely faced a few major setbacks along the way. I lost focus and stopped working out, gaining back weight I'd worked so hard to lose. But after a few weeks at The Studio (MDR), I started seeing little successes. For example, I started noticing that I was changing the way I thought: It wasn't about being a certain number (weight on the scale or size clothing); it was about feeling strong, physically and mentally, adopting a healthy lifestyle, and feeling confident about the way I look.

I celebrated small, personal victories in class. At first it was things like making it through one movement without stopping; now it's holding plank for 2 minutes -- YES! I started focusing on the movement/contraction of muscles we were working instead of what was going on in my mind (which always went something like, "This burns too much, I have to stop.") And I've started to leave self-judgment behind, and to focus my emotions into strength during class.  I changed my thinking and my body followed. Now I'm working at an awesome company that lets me combine my career and my love for working out and looking good. I love it!

Everyone at The Studio (MDR) keeps me motivated: Lisa, Ky, Lindsay, and everyone in the classes. It's so motivating to see confident, strong, positive people next to me working hard, and it makes me challenge myself to keep up the same strength! When I feel like I can't keep going, I focus on my breathing, the muscles I'm working, and I try to clear my head of any thoughts - especially the negative ones.

I'm excited to keep challenging myself in classes, and to keep motivating others to live a healthy lifestyle!