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Editor’s Note: I am currently going through the Farrell’s Extreme Bodyshaping 10-week program. I introduced my reasons previously, and this is part nine in a 10 part series following me throughout the program.

It’s unbelievable that we only have a few days left in our 10-week program at Farrell’s Extreme Bodyshaping.

When Rhea Friederichs and I first had the idea, I didn’t think there was any way possible that I was going to be able to do this program, and if I was going to do it, I’d just cheat and slack my way through most of it and not see any results and slink away embarrassed.

I know I’ve said it before in this space, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. I’m excited to end our 10 week program for two reasons, but they aren’t what you’d think.

The first reason I’m excited for it to be done is I get to see the results on Saturday at our final testing. I know what type of work I put in throughout the 10 weeks. Not every one of the 60 workouts was my best one, but I was there every day, and it’s all culminating in this 10 week testing to see where I’m at.

The second reason I’m excited is that Aly and I get to move on to our FIT membership and continue on the path that we’ve started. I know that sounds cheesy, but once you start making improvements and seeing change, you crave more of it.

I see a scale that says I’ve lost 30 pounds, but I want to see a scale that says I’ve lost 100 pounds. I see my sit up and push up numbers ballooning and I want to see them swell even more.
I’ve even been kicking around the idea of entering the national, year long challenge that Farrell’s sponsors, where the winner earns $10,000. Even if I don’t win at our specific gym, it’s still something I’ve been interested in. It will be another way to keep me motivated after this column/diary ends and another way to push me to higher goals.

Past winners have shed upwards of 150 to 160 pounds in a year, and although that is a monster number, it’s a brave goal to shoot for.

It’s not all excitement, however, for our class to be ending. Although many of my fellow classmates have also committed to the FIT program and will be there still, I’ve made some friends and built some relationships with people who I won’t see at the gym anymore. It’s weird when you think about it. You end up seeing these people at the gym more often than you see co-workers, friends and family. They become another subset of people that you look forward to seeing.

When I walked into that gym for the first time, I was ready to be judged, snickered at, told I needed to change and just generally looked down upon and none of that happened.
 
I was welcomed with open arms and understanding minds. All anybody wants to do there is help you in any way they can. There is a lot of motivation and a lot of kind people to be found at the Farrell’s Extreme Bodyshaping in Forest Lake. And no matter how much it might sounds like it, that’s not a plug, or an advertisement or anything. To me, the gym used to be a scary thing. Something that I was apprehensive about going to and confused about what to do when I got there. At Farrell’s, I’ve felt welcome throughout the whole journey from the owners to the instructors to fellow gym members. I never thought I’d be at a point where I looked forward to going to a gym, but Farrell’s has changed that attitude in me, and in turn, has changed my life, no matter what the results are this Saturday.

Next week, we’ll all get the big ‘reveal’ as they say, in my results. I’ll be testing in weight, body fat percentage, inches, sit ups, push ups, sit and reach for flexibility and the one mile run.
I vaguely know what some of these numbers are, but haven’t gotten an accurate measurement on most of them for 10 weeks, or in the case of sit ups and push ups, five weeks. But I know no matter what the final tallies look like and I know no matter who wins the prize (There definitely are some serious contenders at the gym who have made drastic changes too) I’ll have won something, and that’s getting my life back on track and under control.

If you ever see me out at your business, your kids sporting event, or just at a meeting in town, don’t hesitate to ask me about my journey and the program itself. I’ll be glad to talk about it and encourage you to join me at the gym. With me being a FIT member now, like I said, anybody can show up and say hi to me and I’ll be glad to work with you and keep you motivated. I’ll be at the 5:30 p.m. class most nights!

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