Being under stress for too many years had taken its toll on me. Making really bad lifestyle and nutrition choices had become an all too familiar routine in my everyday life. The fact was, I stopped loving myself and I hated who I had become. My self esteem was at an all time low and I couldn't find anything to be happy about.

My mother had recently passed away. I had been her primary full time caregiver for the last 2 years of her life. I no longer had time constraints, so there were no more excuses I could make to myself or my family as to why I couldn't start working on taking care of me. At first I thought, I'll join a gym but, I knew I needed more help than what a gym could offer me and, I knew myself all too well..I would only go if the spirit moved me.

I sat down at my computer and typed into Google 'Personal Trainer, Uxbridge' and that's when Momentum Fitness popped up. I laid it all out in my letter of introduction! I couldn't have been more honest had I been injected with sodium pentothal. I figured whoever reads this is either going to tell me to go see a shrink or take me under their wing and teach me how to fly. It was actually in writing that letter, that I finally became honest with myself. I was out of control and committing slow suicide. I needed help and making contact with Rachel Howe was the first positive step I had taken in a long time.

I met Rachel the very next day and I was damned nervous and filled with anxiety at the thought of facing a total stranger I had been so blatantly honest with the day before. Once we sat down and chatted a bit, the nerves subsided and I was eager to hear how she could help me turn my life around. She mapped out a plan for me that was more than realistic and I left with a feeling of confidence that I could turn things around.

That very same day, I came home, got rid of all the junk food and took my first walk. The next day, I took another walk. I went to see my Doctor to get medical clearance to begin the program and I then found out the results of my blood work. My cholesterol was 264 and the triglycerides were a whopping 394...OUCH! After getting those results, fearing heart attack or stroke it became increasingly more important to follow through with the plans.

I left for a 2 week vacation and managed to get myself to the local gym to use their treadmills. Rachel made it a point to check in with me to see how my progress was going and how things were in my head. Every email was motivating and encouraging and it just made me want to succeed more and more. The goal was to get my cardiovascular working and come back from vacation with the ability to walk 1.5 miles. Those emails were so motivating that I came home with the ability to go 3.5 miles. No one has ever been able to motivate me like that!

With hard work, positive reinforcement and motivation, goals can be met! I cut out the bad foods and other toxins in my life, and incorporated daily exercise. My cholesterol is now 105, triglycerides are 150 and I am 65 lbs lighter. My journey is far from over though. I still have more pounds to shed and cigarettes to give up but, I am confident that I can continue the good work and succeed in reaching my goals.

Meeting Rachel and starting her program was the kindest thing I have ever done for myself and in doing that, I have gained back some of that lost self esteem. I can't imagine I would have achieved all that I have, without the caring support she's given to me.

Theresa