
I didn’t stick with it.
I trained with her sometimes at 5:30 am when she moved to Shoppingtown (I think my arms are still healing from army crawls on that rough floor!)
I followed Trish to Fayetteville, met the TRX and Real Ryder, but the "schedule didn't work for me,” I claimed.
The truth is, I didn’t make it work. I viewed myself as a failure because I never stuck with training. I now realize that I never set any goals for myself and never told anyone what I wanted. This was my safety net. I couldn’t fail if I didn’t set goals, if I didn’t tell anyone. That would mean I would actually be held accountable.
The physical work was hard, but modifications were always provided (which I relied upon for quite a while.) However for me, the psychological benefits far outweighed the physical challenge. For the first time in my life I learned how to fill my tank and keep it full for more than an hour.

And how could I commit when I had no idea when the hell was I going to fit training in? I work full time, am a mother of three young boys, have a husband with a hectic, seasonal job, and my favorite hobby is napping. I already tried 5:30am at Shoppingtown and was not a fan. I also had no interest in running around like a crazy person after work to fit everything in. It would have been easy to say, “the schedule doesn’t work for me.”
My husband saw the impact that training had on me and offered to help out however possible. He committed to making the boys’ breakfasts, packing lunches, getting them ready in the morning so I could train at o’dark thirty. At first I used the time as a treat for myself. I set the alarm for 4:30am, allowing just enough time for me catch up on a DVRed show before class. This was just the carrot I needed (Project Runway, anyone?) The truth of the matter is, I am tired whether or not I get up at o'dark thirty.
In fact, I have more energy on the days I train. It feels good.
Sometimes it’s not even about the workout, but about the Method community within its walls. They are positive, encouraging, empathetic beacons of light on dark days. The owners, employees, clients, EVERYONE.
Because I have found that training no longer feels like a commitment, but more like exercising with my friends (think basketball, volleyball or golf league,) it’s something I look forward to. Do I have bad days? Absolutely, but I know I am not a failure and neither do the people around me.
Am I "skinny"? No.
Am I getting stronger? Every day.
Do the people training with me inspire me every day? Totally.
Is my house sparkling clean? No.
Is it worth it? Abso-freakin-lutely.
Oh, and Emily, you'll find a body composition assessment in your account as a thank you for your fantastic work!