SPOTLIGHT ON…… Brenda Barnhart!
My name is Brenda Barnhart. I’m 55 years old. (When did that happen?) In June 2016 I
experienced a low period after a year of several deaths of family and friends,
a slowdown of business and the pressure of being the sole caregiver for the
last 12 years of my parents, a father with dementia and a mother with a form of Alzheimer’s. During this time, I realized that
everything else had stopped in my life except what was just in front of me,
work and being home. I had stopped
going out, going to the movies, or anywhere that didn’t involve work or the
entire extended family. No time,
no energy, no one to cover me at work or home for an occasional respite were by
excuses. Maybe this is my mid-life
crisis, a little late.
I decided that something needed to
change. I’ve always been a
competitive over achiever when it comes to everything except for caring about
myself. Now I have turned that
compulsion to myself. I knew I
needed to do some major changes.
Over the last 15 years, I had gained over 100 pounds. I had no energy, and seemed to always
run on adrenaline. I had tried to
lose weight before but would get to a certain point and I would gain it
back. So I decided a goal was in
order. Some carrot to hang in
front of me to push me on and keep working toward a goal.
About the same time, I stumbled
onto a television show called Outlander.
I was hooked after binge watching several episodes and have now read the
series of books too. The
story is good, and the scenery of Scotland re-awakened a passion for Scotland
and its history that I’ve had since childhood. I found my carrot, a trip to Scotland in the fall of 2017.
Yes, I can go without losing
weight, but I want to hike the Highlands.
I want to bag some munros. That’s a Scottish term for reaching the peak
of a mountain. My physical state
could never do that. So I started a diet.
After about 6 weeks, I spent 2
weeks playing with the same 2 pounds.
It was time to start exercising but I know myself. Any excuse to skip exercise, I take it.
I decided to try using a trainer.
I didn’t relish going to a chain
fitness center and the Y seemed like too many people. I found Pumps Fitness.
I started working with Ian on August 22. I went in with the idea of
doing hard core, 1 hour sessions several times a week. I WANT TO BAG SOME MUNROS! Ian walked me through the testing of my
physical capabilities, and suggested a half hour session, 3 days a week. I was disappointed but he’s the
expert. Fifteen minutes into my
first session, I was looking at the clock. ONLY 15 MINUTES? OK, Ian IS the expert.
I’ve been attending 3 times a week for
10 weeks. 40 pounds and 4 pants
sizes down since June, I’m starting to be self-motivated with nightly cardio
walks. I’m no longer drinking 8-10
Diet Cokes a day (gosh I miss those but water is my friend). I monitor by food intake and try to
make take out a once a month treat not a nightly event. Ian’s mantra of “get your mind right”
has spilled over from my workout sessions to home and work. My impatience to lose 20 pounds a month
is morphing into satisfaction when I can lose 1-2 pounds a week and dig out
clothes from my past in smaller sizes.
My goal weight should happen about
December 2017. Scotland is only
10-12 months away. I can now walk
several miles and not feel like my legs are falling off after only walking half
a block. I can carry on a
conversation while walking, instead of gasping for air every 3 steps. People have started to notice the
weight loss and body changes. I
even got carded last week!
I still have a long way to go to
reach my goal. Probably even longer before exercising is a joy instead of a
must do chore. I still give Ian the side-eye when I have to do squats. I still need the universe to push me
sometimes to eat right or do my cardio.
But for now, I am satisfied and sort of enjoy the
feeling of sore muscles knowing that the feeling means my body is getting
stronger. I push every session with Ian.
Anything less and I won’t be able to bag those munros.
Call today for a consultation and assessment!
Phone: 219-548-3480
Web: Pumpsfitnessinc.com
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