Kathryn joined Body + Soul Fitness when she realized it was time to take control of her health and happiness. Coming in with a goal of losing weight, her story is not just about weight loss; it’s about overcoming personal obstacles, rekindling passions, and discovering the power of tailored fitness with the help of her trainer at Body + Soul Fitness.
About Kathryn
At 32, Kathryn recognized she wanted a change in her life. She found herself discontent with various aspects of her life – she had gained weight, had a negative relationship with food, and began withdrawing from hobbies, like paddleboarding, which had become more challenging for her. Coupled with a family history of diabetes and concerns about her blood sugar levels, Kathryn set a goal to lose weight but overall wanted to reclaim her happiness and health.
Before joining Body + Soul Fitness in 2022, Kathryn’s experience with personal training had been frustrating. Despite working with numerous trainers, the generic and non-customized programs left her without meaningful progress. Kathryn saw little to no results.
Then she met her Body + Soul Fitness trainer, Nolan.
The Challenge
Kathryn came into Body + Soul Fitness with one goal in mind: lose weight. “I need to lose weight. I need to get this blood sugar under control.” But in addition, she just wanted to feel better.
When she was matched with Nolan, Kathryn was initially intimidated by his experience training athletes. However, she quickly warmed up to his vibrant, charismatic personality and his genuine commitment to setting specific, intentional goals for her. This newfound understanding left Kathryn feeling both excited and confident about her fitness journey.
“It’s fun! It makes going to the gym a little easier. If I didn’t like talking to him, I wouldn’t still be going.”
Nolan transformed Kathryn’s broader goals, such as “I want to lose weight” and “I want pointy shoulders”, into goals that are specific, measurable, achievable and realistic. As a starting point, Nolan guided her through a fitness and lifestyle assessment to learn where Kathryn’s training should begin.
The Program
When Kathryn first began training with Nolan her program was simple but intentional. The full-body program was aimed at getting Kathryn moving while focusing on the 5 main movement patterns (squat, lunge, push, pull, hinge), building on her previous knowledge of major lifts, like squats and deadlifts. They were working towards heavy PRs, and by January (three months into her training), she achieved a 300lb box squat.
Throughout her training Nolan explained that her program would be adjusted according to her needs and progress, ensuring she continuously advanced towards her goal of losing weight. “Her goals meant a lot to her”, Nolan explained, “so keeping her on track with being consistent at the start was the biggest priority.”
Although Kathryn was hitting PRs and progressing well, this didn’t come without challenges. She expressed that even through her training now, she continues to struggle with holding herself accountable outside of the gym with healthy habits. Nolan is helping Kathryn to create micro-goals, sustainable actions and habits that she can realistically take. He wants her to meet herself where she is now. He’s helped her to understand that she can’t expect to adopt new habits overnight, and big changes, like healthy eating for example, take time, hard work and patience.
Throughout her program Nolan has been helping Kathryn to build healthy habits in a way that fits her lifestyle, only adding to her healthy “toolbox” once she’s adopted the previous habit.
The Results
Kathryn came to Body + Soul Fitness with the goal of losing weight but has accomplished so much more than just that. Thus far she’s lost over 30 pounds, but has also achieved goals that she didn’t set out to accomplish like:
- Achieved a 300lb box squat
- Mastered a full bodyweight pushup, now capable of completing 15!
- Managed an overhead press of 75lbs
- Working towards a complete bodyweight pullup
“The day I did a full pushup I lost my mind. I got so excited I just stopped.” Kathryn recalls. “I was so shocked I could do one. Nolan was saying you can keep going!”
Beyond the gym, Kathryn sees her strength and fitness achievements in her everyday life. She can enjoy activities with her friends and her dog more with ease and has rekindled her love for paddleboarding. Simply put, she just feels better overall.
Moreover, Kathryn is crafting a sustainable, healthy lifestyle. While she admits she may never “love the gym”, Nolan’s positive, motivating guidance has inspired her to persist and develop healthier habits.
Conclusion
Kathryn’s fitness journey thus far highlights the importance of personalized training and the profound impact it can have on one’s overall quality of life. Through determination, guided support, and a series of sustainable habits, Kathryn continues to prove that with the right mindset and support, anyone can redefine their health and happiness.
Start Your Own Story
Sometimes, the hardest step to take is the first one. If this story has made you feel hopeful for your future, we would love to meet you. Book a complimentary consultation with one of our passionate personal trainers to get started.