Week 46

This journey is about more than just weight loss. This journey is about quality of life. I am amazed when I watch Briana in our sessions together. Her quality of movement, her strength, and her endurance are so far ahead of what they were nine months ago. Nine months ago, it took Briana five minutes to get from the car into my front door. Now when she gets dropped off, she is out of the car and in the door in less than two minutes. Nine months ago, I supported fifty percent of Briana's body weight to help her down the stairs to work out. The journey down took us five minutes. The journey back up took almost three minutes. Now, Briana is able to walk down the stairs on her own. It takes her less than one minute. As part of her work out, she goes up and down the stairs three times. The entire set of three takes her five minutes. Nine months ago, I had to help Briana take off her shoes and put them back on at the end of her Pilates exercises. Now she can do both all by herself. Nine months ago, it took a lot of work on my part to help Briana lay down for her Pilates exercises. She was very weak and complained about her back hurting and her stomach hurting all of the time. Now, Briana can lay down and get herself situated without my help. Occassionally, she will complain about her back when I increase the intensity of her workout. She never complains about her stomach hurting anymore. Nine months ago, I had to use all of my strength to pull Briana up from a lying position to a sitting position. Now she sits herself up quickly and easily without my help. Nine months ago it took Briana a full hour to get through a handful of exercises. Now she does two complete sets and several different rotations of different exercises in one session. Her rest time has drastically decreased, and she works hard in every exercise. Nine months ago, Briana would call me to ask if she could have a cookie, or pizza, or cake. Now she makes healthy choices when they are available, and she is beginning to understand the importance of moderation with "treat" foods. So, this week I celebrate Briana for all she has learned and all she has gained on this journey. The value of her efforts is priceless.