Shout out to Cathy for being February’s Rebell of the month!! Cathy has been kicking ass and taking names this past year with committing to her goals. Cathy is always showing up and ready to go, it’s a lot of fun working with someone who is making great changes.
Here is her story!
Cathy doing rows
Tell us about yourself
I was born and raised in the Marshall area. Grew up on a farm with my Parents and 2
brothers/2 sisters (I was the poor neglected middle child)—then married a farmer and
raised 3 wonderful children, who now have kids of their own. Today I have 5 wonderful
grandkids – that this grandma needs to keep up with.
My training background did really start until later in life, when my 3 kids were starting to
leave the house and were off to college. I did dabble a bit in different YMCA classes,
and grew up in the era when Richard Simmons was hot—so started with step aerobics
and just moving/grooving to the music.
Thoughts about strength training before/after SMART Fit
Before doing SMART Fit:
I had a desire or passion to learn strength training but was concern with not knowing
how to do it right and would hurt myself. Also, back then was a little intimidate to even
venture in a weight room to use the equipment because of the muscle men/women to
share the equipment with someone so much out of their league.
My daughter was the one to introduce me to Restore Strength—which was the best
decision that I ever made. Remembering that first one on one training session and how
good it felt afterwards. It was not easy but at a pace that I could handle, along with
feeling like I have a personal trainer but, in a group, setting. From where I started to
now, my mobility as drastically improved; I’m able to keep up with those grandkids and my
strength/stamina have increased due to the support that each member of Restore
Strength receives from William, Sarah and Jen (all great trainers and the best support group
in town).
Restore Strength has also encouraged me to get outside my comfort zone and
challenging you to continue to get better for the right reasons. They have a way to
know if you are not challenged with the weight you are at or the movement you are
doing to modify it in a way that will feel great, but also continue to improve your
strength. Every time in class, when I see William heading my way with a heavier weight, I
put a smile on my face and laugh a little. He’s intention is not to see me struggle but to
continue to challenge myself and that he has confidence in me that I can move up to
continue to improve my strength.
My family with Kids and grandkids.
Obstacles you overcame
Oh, this is a great question in which I feel I am not alone, that others also have these
same barriers or mindsets when working out or strength training:
· Feeling so sore the next day you can’t even get out of bed
· Not being able to do even 1 push-up or pull-up
· Kettlebells –took a class once, which was quite scary because afterwards I was so
sore right after class I could barely walk and had bruises up/down my arm. But I
survived and vowed never to go back, or I won’t come out alive. Restore
Strength teaches it in a way that you want to continue to challenge yourself and
learn more moves. Along with making you feel great afterwards but having a
sense of accomplishment and rewarding feeling afterwards.
· The feeling you must catch up to the class, with individuals that have been going
for a longer time then you. Restore strength starts you out at a level that is right
for you!!
· What if I injure myself do, I must fully recover in order to attend a class? No,
Restore Strength will modify the exercise to get your back to working out like
nothing happened.
Cathy doing lateral lunges
Achievements accomplished from doing SMART Fit
From where I started to where I am today. My strength, mobility, balance and overall
health has improved. Doing daily task around the house and strenuous chores –seem
to be easier. Playing with the grandkids and being able to pop up off the floor to beat
them to the kitchen, which I haven’t been able to win for some reason or another.
Increased balance that has helped me enjoy hiking, cross country skiing and just being
able to catch yourself when slipping on ice or tripping while trying to walk across a
bridge.
Changes others have noticed
My increased strength, better way to handle the day to day stress that we all encounter
at work and at home. More energy to get out and explore new things.
Latest family adventure –sliding down the Ice slide in Stillwater with the Grandkids
What do you tell your friends about RS
Absolute best place to start your strength training journey and improve your quality of
life. Restored Strength allows you to overcome those physical challenges that we have
as we grow older, making you feel better about yourself. Also, the great feeling you
have that you belong and would do anything for you to continue to improve yourself.
Favorite thing about us
It’s fun, not something you can say about working out allot until you experience a
working out at Restore Strength. Along with challenging yourself without being
overwhelmed and love the Geek out moments, it’s amazing all the new things you learn.
Results SMART Fit has gotten you
Mobility; working out can be fun, which just makes your whole day better and all the
different discussion topics/podcasts etc. that make me reflect on where I want to go in
setting new goals/challenging myself with new opportunities.
Has this improved your life? Absolutely—it’s helped me work out the growing pains and
little kinks/quirks as our bodies getting older. Along with improving my outlook and
attitude on life, especially in today’s challenging environment.
A wise Nurse Practitioner said don’t ever quite working out, it will certainly make a great impact on your wellbeing, also keep you feeling young and energetic to continue to enjoy those special
things in life.
Cathy working shoulder mobility
Why is RS Different
Knowing you care and concern that the execution of the exercise movement totally
makes a difference. Other trainers I have had the pleasure of working with just allow
you to complete the reps and moves in anyway or fashion, which is not always the best
and to the greatest benefit to improve your health/wellbeing.
Making exercise not seem like a dreaded task, having fun while you are working out at a
pace that is right for you. Other programs my mind set was to get through the exercise
as quick and pain free as possible to move on with your day.
I encourage others to give Restore Strength a try or see what it is all about. It certainly has made a difference in my life!!!!!