For the last seven years, I found myself keeping up with the Silicon Valley hustle. As I pause and reflect, I realize now that I quickly forgot who I was and where I came from. I lost sight of the fact that I was an athlete —I played basketball and used to wake up at 6:00 am for water polo practice. Over time, I didn't prioritize physical care and instead always had an excuse for not working out. I continued to complain about my weight gain and always being tired during the day.
“I found myself keeping up with the Silicon Valley hustle. As I pause and reflect, I realize now that I quickly forgot who I was and where I came from.”
During the 12-week program with IMAGO I remembered how much physical activity not only helped me lose weight but also brought out my fearless spirit. Now, don't get me wrong, it's satisfying setting a fitness goal and accomplishing it. But it's even better when you and your loved ones recognize your energy level and zest for life is back. Before this transformation journey, I was hesitant to go beyond my comfort zone and pursue new challenges. I realize my resistance was from feeling uncomfortable in my own body —the body I knew was strong, didn't always have back pain, and was willing to try new activities.
“…it's satisfying setting a fitness goal and accomplishing it. But it's even better when you and your loved ones recognize your energy level and zest for life is back.”
I'm forever grateful for my trainer Sarah for encouraging me throughout the sessions. She always explained the workouts well and helped me build my strength. I have a new love for weightlifting and feel motivated to push myself beyond what I think I'm capable of. You'd be amazed at how those endorphins not only make you feel happy but also more available to be there for others. I've also loved meeting women with different backgrounds —especially the working mamas who still make time to get to the gym! It's inspiring as I want to be a parent someday and keep these habits.
As for the food journey, it can be emotional because sharing a meal can bring joy to our lives. I wanted to find the right balance for learning how to eat well while still maintaining some flexibility. The beauty of the IMAGO program is you have a chance to incorporate long-lasting eating habits that go beyond a temporary diet. By the right habits, I mean not only grabbing cocktails or dessert with your friends (because, yes, that's important and fun too!) but also balancing it with taking care of your health. My husband and I love visiting new restaurants and I thought this program was going to interrupt our fancy dinner dates. We ended up cooking more together, which has given us a new way to enjoy our favorite food. IMAGO was also flexible with modifying the meals depending on my preferences. I loved learning about the optimal foods and vitamins to fuel my body before and after a workout. IMAGO is one of the few programs I've found that integrates a workout routine and nutrition to feel strong and see a physical change.
I encourage you to think about why you want to pursue your own goals. I've learned everyone is different and you can't always compare your journey to others. If you feel that your health or body-consciousness is getting in the way of pursuing relationships and being fully present in life than try out IMAGO. I promise it's more than losing weight and will impact you and others more than you expected.