November Client Spotlight – Julie Ward

November Client Spotlight

November’s Client Spotlight has such an inspirational story that you are going to want to read it!

Julie usually attends our 5:15 pm or 9:15 am classes and her journey reminds us that anything is possible when we set our intentions and follow through with action!  Past injuries don’t have to keep any of us from succeeding.

Julie works unbelievably hard and with a positive attitude. We have enjoyed watching all of her successes.  What is really awesome is that she takes the time to acknowledge all of her improvements and shares them with us.  We are so happy you are a part of our No Limits Fitness Family!

 

Q: What is your favorite inspirational quote?

A: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” -Lao Tzu

I have always liked this quote, because it is so true. I have found that when I set out to do something that will be difficult or challenging that the hardest part is getting started, committing to taking that first step.

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Q: What are your personal health and fitness goals?

A: To be at a healthy weight that I am comfortable with for my body type and my age. Also, to maintain a healthy lifestyle that includes exercise, strength training, and a healthy and clean balanced diet.

 

Q: What ONE thing keeps you most focused and motivated to continue to work hard to reach your goals?

A: Definitely the progress I am currently making and have made keeps me motivated every day. However, from the very beginning I made a decision, and I created a vision in my mind that I was going to do this NO MATTER WHAT.

 

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got started with us?

A: In April of this year, the 10 th to be exact, I decided I was going to change. I started walking my neighborhood every day and eating clean.  I had put on even more weight after a very bad fall in the mountains in July of 2017, breaking my ankle in three different bones. I had two procedures done. They inserted a titanium plate and three huge screws. I became a robot! I was non weight bearing and in a wheel chair. When I started walking in my neighborhood in April, I still had ankle pain. My ankle was tight and a lot of my muscles were deconditioned.  I lost muscle memory for sure.

So, I was doing well and had a good start. I lost nearly 30lbs walking in my neighborhood but I needed to do more. A friend of mine found No Limits Fitness online, and I was at her house.  We decided to try the free one week trial. I was apprehensive. I wasn’t sure if this type of group was the right fit for me. However, I figured I can do anything for one week. We all can.

I did all five days in the week trial, and by the fifth day I signed up. At first, I thought I might not be able to do this, because it is too hard. I thought I wasn’t in good enough shape to even do these types of exercises, and then I had so many limitations from my injury. However, the trainers were all very good with me and I was able to modify my exercises as needed, and then increase when I was ready.

We all have decisions to make every day of our life. Some decisions are small and some are big. Some are important. Some are not. This was one of those decisions that looking back to the month of May I think, wow thank God I chose to try No Limits Fitness. What if I decided not to do this?   No Limits Fitness has played a pivotal role in my return to good health as well as a huge improvement in my quality of life.

 

Q: How has No Limits Fitness made a difference in your life?

A: My overall quality of life has improved because I can do so many things I used to be able to do, I have way more energy, my mental health is better, and spiritually stronger.  I actually feel like I found something that I can maintain once I reach my final goal, which is very important. I have had to push people, events, and things back, from May to October, to get to class and make this a priority in my life but it can be done.

This is an investment into my health and my longevity. The cost to attend NL Boot Camps every month is worth every penny. It’s money well spent for having personal trainers every session and nutritional support if you need it. Also, working out with others in a group setting makes you feel supported and keeps you motivated.

 

Q: What kinds of milestones have you accomplished and what specific results have you achieved so far?

A: My major milestones are that I have lost 56lbs of fat, and I’ve reduced my body fat percentage by 6%! I have gone down 6 clothing sizes. I have gained many pounds of muscle (not sure how much), and lost a lot of inches, well EVERYWHERE.

 

Q: What made you decide to want to join No Limits Fitness?

A: I liked the fact that the trainers tell me what to do every class and help me modify my exercises as needed. I also like the flexibility. There are many classes in the morning and a bunch at night too. I needed it to be doable in my schedule. I am a home school mom with a very full schedule of activities/sports and I work per diem as a speech therapist in rehab hospitals, so I needed this to work into my life.

 

Q: What kinds of results have you achieved so far?

A: Well I will try to keep it short. Of course the weight loss is great, and I am not done yet. I still have more to lose, and I will. However, what has been really exciting for me is all the things I can do now since my injury in July of 2017 that I discussed earlier. This is where my “quality of life” really got better and this is because of all the strength training and exercises I’m doing here at No Limits Fitness.

 

As of October, the PHYSICAL changes I’ve noticed include: standing on one foot to stretch; doing a dozen or more girl push ups and four half dozen real push ups; running like normal; flipping the largest tire Mike has out there repeatedly; doing 40lb med ball slams and throwing them; stepping up on the wooden boxes with both legs; doing a real burpee or two; swinging from the bars; doing squats; using 15-20lb weights in my arm exercises now; using kettlebells with combined weight up to 70lbs, and jumping and now  jumping  rope (jumping was very hard since injury).  These are a few examples.

Now on a PRACTICAL side: I have range back in my ankle I had lost and no ankle pain to speak of anymore. I can easily get up and down without holding on to anything. I can now carry my own 40lb dog food bag in the store. I can walk around Lego Land for two days with my kid without pain or difficulty. I can go up and down stairs the normal way. I can climb up and down ladders as needed. I can give my seven year old a piggy back ride. I can walk my high energy bull dog alone. These are just a few examples.

 

Q: What would you say to someone on the fence about making a change & committing to their goals?

A: I would ask them why? Why are they on the fence? I would tell them to get off the bench and get in the game, lol. Just kidding. I would tell them to try it for a week because you CAN do anything for a week and then make a decision. I would tell them that my only regret is that I didn’t join No Limits Fitness sooner.

 

Q: What is your “word” of the year?!

A: Burn!

We are incredibly proud of you, Julie! Keep up the amazing work.

About No Limits

No Limits Fitness provides step-by-step programs to help busy adults get the body they’ve always wanted, without restrictive diets or time-consuming workouts, so they can lead more fulfilling lives. Life is a much better experience in a strong, healthy body!

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