“In the Nourish & Flourish class Emily helped me with using substitutions in cooking and baking. That has made all the difference in helping me keep my fat and sugar levels low and fiber and protein high. I also learned better strategies for ordering food when out at restaurants. Honestly, I learned so much in that class that I can’t list it all in a testimonial. It is a very worthwhile class for anyone, and money well-spent.”  —  Learn more about Nourish & Flourish below!

What aspects of your health and wellness have changed since joining Carle Health & Fitness Center?
Since joining Carle Health & Fitness Center, I have built muscle tone and lost 64 pounds of fat. My joints no longer ache, and I have more energy to walk farther and take the stairs more often, which allows me to supplement my health journey outside the gym, too.

What triumphs are you most proud of?
Before joining Carle Health & Fitness Center, I hated lifting weights. I am surprised to learn that it is not as bad as I thought. I was surprised to see results faster than when I was concentrating only on cardio, or doing mostly cardio while skimping on weight training. I was able to lose weight after entering menopause when I was prepared to accept a larger body as a fact of my stage of life. Surprise!! I lost several clothing sizes and feel better than I have in decades.

What have been your biggest challenges?
The most challenging part for me is learning to listen to my body and know when to take a break and let it rest. I am one to push myself when I see that my efforts are yielding results. My weakness is sometimes pushing too hard, which can lead to injury. Thankfully, I have people to help me understand how and when to listen to what my body needs.

How has Carle Health & Fitness Center helped you accomplish these triumphs?
I could not have gotten this far without my fitness coach, Taylor. In our first meeting, we discussed my physical limitations, including aches, weak grip strength, and my inability to comfortably walk even moderate distances without back and hip pain. Together, we created a weight-lifting program at a beginner level, not too challenging. We also measured my waist, hips, and grip strength to track my progress. She met with me to show me how to perform the movements safely, so I would not hurt myself. At our next meeting, about two months later, I had mastered the beginner program and was ready for a more challenging one. Taylor created a more challenging plan with higher weights and showed me how to safely do those, too. My measurements showed much improvement, so I knew the plan was working. Now, I am on my third workout plan, which is even more challenging, and I have exceeded my original weight loss goal and built muscle, too!

What do you look forward to about coming to Carle Health & Fitness Center?
I enjoy going to Carle Health & Fitness Center to burn off steam and maintain my current level of health and physical fitness. I know that seeing a fitness coach was where I started, and I will still visit my coach, but I also know that my commitment to being consistent in the workouts is what enables me to maintain the body and mindset I built over the past 18 months.

Nourish & Flourish 2.0