After recovering from a pretty serious bout with sciatica caused by a L4 herniation, I finally started to get my legs back underneath me. I knew time was of the essence with respect to how long the injections in my spine would last, so I had to act quick and take the weight off my spine. I have battled with my weight my entire life and this injury had pushed me over the edge. Pre-existing terrible eating habits were intensified by my inability to stand or walk for long periods of time and I slipped further into an eating frenzy from the feelings of being broken and useless. But I pushed forward and in November I started feeling my mobility return. I immediately started changing my diet and restricting the amount of food I was eating daily. After two months of dieting (through the holidays) I found that I had only lost 10 lbs, but my mobility continued to improve. At the start of the new year I decided to make the jump back into the exercise world.

I started off taking 1-3 classes per week at Bayshore Fitness Kickboxing. I personally hate the monotony of the gym and I definitely despise treadmills and ellipticals. I’ve never been able to get motivated to just run in place with no purpose. I had lost over 100 pounds in 2011-2012 by lifting and doing a cardio kickboxing classes and so I knew that the group inspiring class structure is what i ultimately needed to help me stay focused. I personally love building relationships with other like minded people struggling to conquer the same goal. I wanted to be healthy again, but this time the weight loss meant so much more to me because it symbolized getting my life back. The majority of 2021 was spent in doctors offices and physical therapy facilities and for a long time I saw no end In sight. But in a few short weeks of taking these classes, I was invigorated by my successes and have continued to push my limits week after week.

Jump to April 2024. I have now lost over 67 pounds since November and I attribute a great portion of my success to the family environment that I have at the studio. My classmates are always pushing me and making sure I make it to class. We all are in it together and we all push each other which is a huge key to success. The instructors are all amazing. Each one specializing in kicking your ass in a different way, and they are all truly committed to your success and genuinely care about you reaching your goals. I have never been more motivated for change than now. And I can’t be anymore thankful to everyone at BFK.

The physical progress my body has had in the past 5 1/2 months proves to me that this healthy lifestyle is critical for me to be able to stay physically healthy but mentally healthy as well. I haven’t been happier in years and don’t plan on ever going back to the self deprecating and mentally destructive old and tired version of me. That me is gone