Farrell’s Got Me Off the Hamster Wheel I Was Stuck In
By Joy LeTendre, Farrell’s 2020 National Challenge Finalist
At the close of 2018, I felt like I was stuck in a rut. I had been working the same job for 18 years, my husband and I lived in a little townhome with our two little girls, and I kept losing and gaining back the same 20 pounds. After having our two beautiful girls, I never dropped the extra baby weight. I felt like a hamster stuck in its wheel, not making any changes to truly better my life.
I had tried a couple Farrell’s classes in early fall 2018, and I will never forget my first kickboxing class. What surprised me most was that even though I was red in the face and sweating profusely, it felt like the 45 minutes just flew by. I enjoyed the classes, but I wasn’t yet fully ready to make the investment in myself.
A little while later a friend shared a Farrell’s Facebook post. I thought “I know this will work if I commit to it.” As the calendar turned to 2019, I was ready to start a new adventure. I went to orientation and was so excited! I was amazed that the coming 10 weeks came with a meal plan too, I thought it was just a workout. At Orientation, they asked, “Who’s going to win the $1,000?” Everyone was quiet, but slowly some hands started going up, including my own. I felt like I had everything I needed to succeed – a meal plan, a workout routine, and a friend in my class.
Those 10 weeks were a challenge. I attended every day the first week and got an attendance sticker. Those stickers were great motivation as was my coach! Weeks went by, I turned in food logs, got more stickers, and I was noticing my clothes getting baggier.
The instructors really help you to push yourself and try things you don’t believe you can do. On week 4 I was encouraged to try a push-up from my toes. I was hesitant but tried and did 10! Farrell’s gives you confidence and the drive to not make excuses. I was building trust in my instructors and wanted to hit the studio every day. I was following the meal plan and at the end of my session, I lost 20 pounds. After I was announced as the 10-Week winner, I thought “I did this in just 10 weeks. If I stick with it for a whole year, what else could I accomplish?”
I enrolled in the year-long Farrell’s National Challenge, and it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I was reclaiming my life – I was changing and gaining more confidence! My coach throughout this journey was/is incredible! Although I was intimidated by her at first, she never put me down for failing – instead she encouraged me and told me I’m stronger than the temptations. She was right – I can say NO! She helped me unleash my inner strength – that mental toughness you need to change your lifestyle. Farrell’s became a support system as well as a home away from home.
This new empowerment helped me take on other challenges in my life. With my growing confidence, I decided to step up to a new position at work and became the bank manager of the busiest branch in my state. My husband and I put our townhome up for sale and made an offer on our forever home. Shortly after that, the Farrell’s team approached me to become an instructor. It looked fun, so I said yes! I was excited to share my enthusiasm for Farrell’s – praising others for their achievements, letting them know they are missed when they’re away, and encouraging others to try push-ups from their toes.
Looking back, I hardly recognize the old me. I was overweight and complacent. Now I’m strong and confident, willing to take risks and grow in every area of my life. Being a working mother, I used to feel guilty about taking extra time away from my kids to go to the gym. When I asked them about how I’ve changed over the past year, they say I am happier now. In the beginning, it was hard to justify the 45 minutes for me each day. Now I KNOW 45 minutes dedicated to myself is well worth the investment so I can continue to be that “happier” version of myself when I am with them. My girls love the changes and that I’m a #strongmom. Farrell’s changed my life in every way, and I’m so thankful to finally be off the hamster wheel, for good.
Strong is the new beautiful.
