Confessions of a Health and Fitness Freak

My name is Anabela, and I was not always a fitness enthusiast.

I loved the idea of exercising, being fit and strong, but I was never consistent or motivated. I would get into the latest fitness craze but it would wear off. Can you say TAEBO and Billy Blanks? Staying motivated and disciplined seemed impossible.

Getting pregnant changed all of that for me.

The first time I was able to sustain a pregnancy; my doctor ordered me to keep my activity level to a minimum because I was considered ‘high risk’ due to my many previous miscarriages…basically I was allowed to walk, but that was all. I gained close to 45lbs during my pregnancy, but it didn’t bother me, I was in love with being pregnant.

Once I gave birth to my beautiful baby boy though, I was in for a shock.  I wanted that extra weight off.  After my 6 week post pregnancy checkup I started exercising.  I loved walking and being outside with Alex, and he loved being in his stroller taking in all his surroundings and napping.  I needed more though, so I joined a fitness class with another mom at a community centre. I fell in love with fitness mostly because it helped me clear my mind, and it felt so good to have ‘me’ time. With the help of breastfeeding, and exercise, the pregnancy weight came off easily.

My second pregnancy was completely different, not only was I put on limited activity right from the beginning because of some unexplained bleeding; I was also put on bedrest at 19 weeks. This was one of the most difficult times in my life. I had a very active 19 month old running around, and I couldn’t take care of him. I could do nothing but lay on my side as the weeks slowly passed.

At 36 weeks, the baby was doing well, and it was safe to start walking and moving around again. It is difficult to describe how painful it was to move or just walk after being taken off bedrest. I lost all the muscles in my body…Alex, my little 23 month old, could now run faster than I could walk; it was the worse feeling of my life. It hurt to walk, I had lost my muscle mass, and I wanted to feel strong again.

Bryan was born two weeks later, and once again I had a lot of weight to lose – over 60lbs.  This time though I hit the gym and I started training consistently.  I loved how strong I felt even if my knees and hips still hurt from the extra weight I had put on. I was able to lose the weight once again.

I needed more though. I wanted to know exactly what I was doing, and how to do it correctly. I also wanted to share my passion for fitness and health.   With the encouragement and support from one of my favorite group instructors, I decided to complete my FIS course.

I was ready to start teaching group fitness at different gyms 1 year later.  I immediately knew that it was what I was born to do. I loved the energy I got from the room of women who came to be inspired and motivated by me. They would come to thank me after each class.  It was so gratifying.  I knew that this was something I was meant to do.  Women kept asking me if I would take them on as personal training clients, but I would turn them down because I knew I didn’t have a personal training background. I could not in good conscience pretend I was a personal trainer. I was smart enough to know that teaching group, and one- on- one training was very different.  I knew that personal training was more complex and I wasn’t qualified to do this-yet. I continued taking certification after certification in group training. My goal was to better myself and continue to learn in order to lead my groups safely.

When I unexpectedly became pregnant with David a little over 2 years later, I couldn’t train anymore, and I could no longer teach group fitness. I was on limited activity once again.

With my doctor’s permission, I decided to complete my personal training certification.  I didn’t want to stop learning.  I couldn’t participate physically in the courses, but I loved reading and taking in all of the theoretical part.  Unfortunately at 34 weeks, I was put bedrest for two weeks.  I had to patiently wait until my doctor said I could move again.  I became depressed. It was so hard to do nothing but wait and pray that the time would pass quickly and that my baby would be born safely.

Thankfully David was born safely at 40 weeks, and once again I was on a mission to get back into the gym with over 40 lbs to lose…

I have been in this field for a little over 12 years, and I don’t claim to be an expert. I am constantly completing certifications, conferences, seminars, webinars, and reading because fitness and nutrition is forever changing.  My goal is to always to learn more in order to help people get results while moving better to feel better the safest way possible.

Another confession: I am not always motivated to exercise; it isn’t always easy just because I am in the field of fitness.  I do however have to constantly discipline myself during busy times. Being a mom of three active boys requires time management to squeeze in workouts and meal planning. I feel a huge responsibility to stay true and authentic to what I preach to my clients, family, and friends.

How can I motivate and inspire people when I can’t walk the walk?

My hope is that as you follow me on my journey you will realise that fitness and nutrition does affect your mood and the way you feel.  You do have control over certain aspects in your life. It is never too late to start exercising in order to move better and feel better through safe and efficient workouts.

Stay tuned…

ANABELA SOUTO 

YOUR HEALTH & FITNESS COACH