Theresa’s Take – “Take 2”

Brian says, “Personal training is about relationships.” I value the connection to my Personal Trainer. As with any healthy relationship, there comes a time when the folks involved just don’t agree. Last week, I was spitfire mad at Brian. He left me a voice message canceling my workout session and I instantly went into a one-sided tirade with my Blackberry serving as Brian. “What is he thinking?” I yelled.  “Doesn’t he know I have goals?  He should, and isn’t that the reason I’m subjecting myself to this personal torture?  Does he care that I’ve got body parts that are going to droop across the state line into Pennsylvania?  How could he do this to me!” 

When I finally spoke to him two days later, he sounded so happy on the phone. He didn’t even know I was mad at him (and women really don’t like that).  He expressed excitement about kicking my workout into high gear and apologized that my previous training sessions were cancelled because he had taken sick. Boy, did I want to crawl under a rock. I remembered my grandmother’s words, “Tooth and tongue fall out sometimes, but girl, don’t cut your nose off to spite your face.” I was so glad that my Blackberry got the brunt of my selfish tirade and not Brian.

 Some folks are unaware that the C in YMCA stands for Christian. The Y seeks to place Christian principles into practice through its programs for the community to build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all.  Although Brian is the Lead Personal Trainer at the Carlson Metro YMCA with a degree in physical education and health in addition to many exercise-related certifications, his greatest credential to me is that he is a Christian (i.e. demonstrating joy and humility) and this week, and he gave my spirit quite the workout!

I’m reminded this week to appreciate the relationships that I have in my life, and to keep my dreams and goals in perspective. I don’t want to be known by what I achieved (i.e. fabulous abs). I only want people to know that the four chambers of my heart have enough room for someone other than me. Until next session Ladies, Gents, and Janet Jackson wannabes, Brian and I survived and so will you!

Sparks of Hope

It’s a busy time here at the YMCA of Greater Rochester. We’re smack-dab in the middle of our Invest in Youth Campaign, which is smack-dab in the middle of our Maplewood Capital Campaign. Yes, you guessed it, we have A LOT of fundraising going on around here!

While we never forget why we raise money, sometimes we get wrapped up in the technicalities of fundraising campaigns – pledge cards, meetings, thank you letters, phone calls, visits, etc. In the midst of all the “busy work”, it’s always good to pause, take a step back, and truly recognize why we do what we do; why we are the Y!

This video, which shows the importance of the Maplewood Branch renovations and the community it surrounds, will do that. Watch it. We guarantee you’ll love it. 

WARNING: Grab a tissue, you may tear up. You may get a chill or two as well. And you’ll definitely want to watch it again!

Theresa’s Take – “Biography”

For those of you who want to learn more about Theresa from “Theresa’s Take”…

From Buffets to Bikinis! That’s the name of the article that Carlson MetroCenter member, Theresa Lou Bowick submitted to become a Grand Prize winner for Weight Watchers magazine. As a contest winner, she won an all expense paid trip to New York City where she participated in a photo shoot for the January/February cover of Weight Watchers magazine. Inside the issue, Theresa tells her story.

Six years ago, Theresa made a commitment to herself and to her daughter that she was going to lose weight. As a self proclaimed buffet queen, she knew she was in for a battle to get control. She looked to Weight Watchers to help her find balance in her diet, and turned to the YMCA to help her get active. “I had tried to do both before,” says Theresa, “but not at the same time. For me, that was the winning combination.” Two years and 68 pounds later, Theresa hit her goal – and the beach – in her brand new bikini!

“To lose the weight was hard enough, but keeping it off takes just as much work,” Theresa continues, “and that’s where my support system comes in.” Theresa credits her success to people like Julie, her Pilates instructor at the Y. “Julie is a constant source of inspiration for me and keeps me committed. She is always asking me how I am doing and is willing to share with me her struggles as well.” Theresa also enjoys group cycling class and walking on the track. “I can even do the chin up bar now, so of course I think I’m all that!” she laughs.

What Theresa likes most about the YMCA is that it’s a great place to get control and provides opportunities for the whole family to get involved. Theresa likes to bring her daughter with her to work out when she is home from college, which was a big part of Theresa’s determination to change her lifestyle. “I want to be a good example for my daughter and show her how to get healthy, to show her it’s hard but you can do it. We can do it together.”

Theresa’s Take – “A YMCA Member’s Blog on Personal Training”

 Smudges of Mary Kay Foundation and strands of Indian Remi* strewn throughout Carlson MetroCenter YMCA is the evidence that I, a self-proclaimed recovering Buffet Queen, completed my first session of personal training with Brian.

Prior to this session, I attended a personal training orientation in which I had to discuss what I wanted to achieve, so of course I brought in a picture of Janet Jackson. I figured if I’m going for the gusto, I might as well be all that I can be!  Brian, my trainer, took one look at that picture and suggested plastic surgery.

Nonetheless, here are my goals:

1. Arms that don’t move unless I am moving them
2. A chest and butt that don’t droop
3. And most importantly – Janet Jackson abs. You know, the ones she sported during the Rhythm Nation tour? I don’t know if she bought them and had them sewn in like my hair, or if she worked out to get them, but with Brian’s help – those abs are mine!  

Throughout my first workout session, Gloria Gaynor’s song, “I Will Survive” kept playing in my head. The 30 minute cardio (Treadmill) portion was the least taxing. In fact, I asked Brian to kick it up a notch, to give me a steeper incline or a faster pace. He declined, warning me that there was more to come. On my second set of leg lifts using 50 pound weights, I wanted to do as Gloria instructed in the song and, “Go walk out the door!”

I know that you all are wondering about the self-proclaimed recovering Buffet Queen. For many years, I had a weight problem. I enjoyed consuming large quantities of food, so buffets were my restaurants of choice. “All You Can Eat” was my former theme song. When the scales tipped 243lbs, I knew it was time for a change. I made that change using the YMCA for fitness and Weight Watchers for weight management, and have sustained my weight loss for over four years. I chose personal training to complement the weight loss and build a stronger body.

Until next session, Ladies, Gents and Janet Jackson wannabe’s, “I Will Survive,” and so will you!

*For those of you unfamiliar with black women’s hair, Remi is a brand of human hair sewn into my own hair to complement my hair style.