Living Fit For Life: Success Story: Tonya

I had the privilege of meeting Tonya when I was in the hospital with our daughter Angelina. We were a few doors down from their sweet family. We instantly bonded and occasionally hangout during our hospital stay.

When we were in the hospital Dennis and I would bring out resistance bands and workout together. Tonya spotted us one day and contacted me when she was interested in coming up with a workout plan she could do at home. Tonya shares here:

I met Michelle through our daughters-Angelina and Harper, in 2014. I learned she was a personal trainer and would see her working out in the hospital sometimes.  I thought, “Wow-now THAT is commitment!”  My husband ended up getting deployed in February of 2015 for nine months.  I knew that there was no way I could go to the gym.  I contacted Michelle and she came up with plans every month for me to do at home”.  

When Tonya’s husband was deployed she didn’t have a lot of time and needed quick effective workouts. She wanted to get back into shape after having her daughter and needed a workout plan that could work with her lifestyle. Tonya expands on this here:

” I was completely out of shape after having my daughter and I knew I needed to get back into the swing of things. I had always been in okay shape, but after spending many months in the hospital with Harper, the stress and hospital food had gotten to me.  I am a person who gets bored easily with workouts.  I told Michelle this and when she made my plan each month, every week was different.  It was perfect!  I had also mentioned that I didn’t have a ton of time.  Most of my workouts happened after 8:30 pm when the kids had all gone to bed.  I was usually exhausted but knew I needed to workout.  She tailored them so that most of the workouts could be completed in thirty minutes.  After a few months, I was running some 5K’s again.  I began to lose weight, was getting stronger and fitting back into old clothes again. When my husband returned home, I needed to continue to workout.  Now that he was back, I was able to join a gym again, but I continued to use some of the workouts Michelle had made for me on the days I couldn’t make it to the gym.   Just this past April, I ran my very first half marathon in under two hours”.  

Michelle provided me with support by: “I loved the text check-ins every week.  I knew she was just a text or phone call away too if I had any questions about the workouts or moves.  I also like the little challenges she does throughout the year.

One thing I learned while working out with Michelle is how to lift weights. Michelle continues to motivate me and help me reach new goals by helping me understand the important components of an exercise program. Tonya expands about the components of a well-balanced workout routine: “I had never really lifted before working out with Michelle.  She taught me that a good balanced workout routine included lifting.  I lost weight but I also gained muscle (and definition!).  She is very encouraging and willing to help at any time”.  

Tonya learned to implement fitness and turn it into her daily routine by: “Once my husband returned home, I needed to get out of the house to workout.  It was my time to unwind and focus on myself again.  I can tell the days I don’t get a chance to workout-I am cranky, irritable, and just feel “blah”.  Even if all I can fit in is a walk with my family, I try to do something every day now”.   

One other important aspect of a living a fit lifestyle that Michelle incorporates when working with clients is the online Facebook group is about eating healthy. Tonya learned about healthy portions and nutrition by: “The quick articles she posts or the pictures of her own meals are very helpful in seeing what is a healthy portion”.  

My name is Tonya.  I am an elementary teacher.   I have been married to Aaron for almost 8 years.  We have three kids; Kaitlyn (11-his from a previous marriage), Landon-6, and Harper-3.  Harper was born with Down syndrome and is the reason Michelle and her family came into our lives. ❤