My
Personal Weight Lost Story:
After
years of going to the gym, losing & gaining the same pounds over & over,
I decided in April 2005 that it was time for me to get serious & get control
of my health through my eating & my exercise routine. What an unbelievable
challenge I thought I was about to undergo, I tipped the scale in April 2005 at
287lbs. with more doctor visits than you could imagine. I was put on medications
for high blood pressure; acid reflux (twice a day); depression; over the counter
pills for back, feet & joint pains; & possible sleep apnea. That’s
when I said enough is enough; I can’t live like this anymore. As I started my
weight lost journey, I felt the need to do more than just cardio 6 days a week.
I needed strength training but was not fond of lifting weights; I was scared of
building more fat on what was already there. After training with several
personal trainers, I never felt the connection or the passion needed from these
trainers. There motives appeared to be money & not my individual needs so I
stopped and allowed many years to pass before my interest sparked again. As I
started to lose the weight & shared my desire with a friend, she recommended
I go & speak with Mr. Reginald Allen of Mind B4 Body Fitness.
When I
first met Reggie, I could feel the passion he had to teach people (of all ages)
on how to live a healthy & balance life style that incorporated vitamins
& minerals; good eating habits & exercising. & whether he know it or
not, his spiritual gifts made room for him to be a witness for the Kingdom of
God, sharing the good news & using God’s word as a place to go and obtain
balance. In July 2005, I started personal training sessions with Reggie &
weighed in at 253lbs. That was a 34lb. lost without a balance meal plan, &
only cardio 6 days a week. I had no upper or lower body strength & was
unable to do a squat or even lift 10lb weights; Reggie helped me bring balance
in this area & strengthen those areas that were weak. I don’t always get
it right but I thank God that today I no longer take high blood pressure; acid
reflux; or depression medication. And if I take an over the counter pill, it’s
for the GOOD
pain inflicted on me by my trainer, Reggie.
It’s
been 2+ years later & over 100 pounds lighter from my initial weight lost,
so I thank God for what He has invested in Reggie & his willingness to share
his gifts so that others may benefit. I have so much I could say but I want to
tell someone reading my story that it wasn’t an over night quick fix. It took
19 months of struggling & fighting with ME
to incorporate better eating habits along with cardio & weight training.
This is a lifestyle change so take it from me as I continue to learn &
elevate my mind to this way of living, it’s not easy BUT if you hang in there it will be worth it when you reach
your goal. Believe me, I am a living testimony with pictures to prove it (see
them below), through lots of tears, sweat & pain, Reggie has helped me go
from a size 22 women to a size 10/12 regular.
Keep God first & His favor
will continue to be on your lives, love you both Reggie & Jackie!