Together We Are Stronger

In December of 2016, at age 38, Shannon Dalley made the troublesome resolution to depart a wedding she describes as “unhappy and unhealthy.”  And then she made one other daring resolution:  to take accountability for her personal health and happiness.

“I joined Anytime Fitness in Glendale, AZ mostly to lose weight,” Shannon stated. “I was not happy with my physical self. I really never have been. I always had a weight problem – even as a child.  This time, I knew I wanted to hire a trainer because I have tried gyms before and just lost interest after a couple of months.”

Shannon and the coach whom she met on the health club, Alli Crosby, linked on a private stage virtually instantly.

“I was surprised with how open Shannon was with me, and her willingness to submit to a process,” Alli stated.  “She had tried a variety of diets and applications prior to now, so I used to be frightened that she could start off robust and burn out.  I made a decision to start specializing in why all these different applications didn’t get Shannon the outcomes that she wished and to make use of these failures as classes. The majority of her objectives, to start with, had been aesthetic, which I can respect. But as an athletic efficiency coach, I’m at all times making an attempt to encourage my shoppers to even have purposeful and health objectives. I remind them to belief the method, train for the health, and the aesthetic adjustments are a pure by-product.”

“My first impression of the gym was that it is small – which I LOVE,” Shannon stated.  “I’ve been to bigger gyms and I just prefer a friendlier, family vibe.  I love Alli.  She is well-educated, experienced and down-to-earth. She is really a strong woman and has helped me physically and emotionally this last year.”

Shannon started exercising on the health club three days per week, often two days of cardio work and someday per week on the strength-training machines.  Then Alli launched Shannon to the game of energy lifting.

“Very early on Alli told me, ‘Motivation will last you two weeks. What will keep you going is discipline.’  So, I just remember that when that alarm goes off at 5am.  What I really enjoy is lifting heavy weights.  I also enjoy the acquaintances and friends I have made at the gym.”

Where diets and exercising alone had failed prior to now, Shannon says understanding with a coach has been the important thing to her success.

“Alli is always changing things up and helping me work on my weaknesses,” Shannon stated.  “At age 39, I’ve competed in two power lifting meets and I have another coming up in June. I have some awesome goals I need to accomplish.”

Alli remembers seeing Shannon’s face mild up the primary time she realized that she may carry 100 kilos.

“I enjoyed watching her discover her strength,” stated Alli.  “Shannon has learned to be strong, and if she misses a lift, we sit back and analyze and try again.”

Shannon says she’s additionally benefitted enormously from a dietary help group lead by the proprietor of the health club, Natalee Sticht.

“It is amazing,” Shannon stated.  “It’s takes effort. Planning, prepping, self-control, discipline, etc. But it is worth it. I have gained so many physical and emotional benefits from it. I participated in the Whole30® program for about 38 days. I know how my body responds to certain foods. Eliminating foods from your diet and paying attention to your body really improves your self-awareness. I’m sleeping better, my skin is healthier, I lost 20 pounds (mostly inflammation), I have energy, I’m happier, I fit into smaller clothes, and my body looks and feels better. I actually stopped eating when I was hungry. I realized how much of an addiction I had and now I’m more aware of what I have to do to regulate my body. When I eat ‘non-compliant’ foods, my body feels bad. I was always concerned about losing weight, just to lose weight. I now want to change my diet to fuel my body to perform better in the gym.”

Natalee says disciplined realized within the health club can positively have an effect on eating habits.

“I’ve noticed a lot of people are either really good at sticking to a workout routine, but eat crappy, or people eat well but don’t invest in a good workout routine,” Natalee stated.  “But when you combine the two, people gain results much quicker and it becomes more sustainable. A good workout routine encourages someone to eat healthier, and when you eat healthier, you become stronger and more energized in the gym.”

Shannon says she’s come to understand that investing in a private coach, and a dietary help group, is de facto an funding in herself.

“Even if you think it’s expensive, give it a month or two and see how it goes,” Shannon recommends.  “I know, for me, I am more successful when someone is tracking my progress and holding me accountable. My life has completely changed in the last 14 months!  My self-esteem and confidence have improved. I am more aware of myself as a person and what I need and WANT. I am physically stronger than ever. At the gym and in my personal life I have grown and tried new things. And every new thing you try and do on your own, for you, empowers you like nothing I’ve ever experienced. I’ve traveled alone – out of the country!  I bought my own home, I made most of the repairs on my home. Every positive step you take is a snowball effect. You just have to take that first step.”

Alli believes different ladies can be taught quite a bit from Shannon’s expertise.

“Find your passion, take risks, they don’t need to be big, have a small goal, and get professional help,” Alli stated.  “It may sound clichéd, but try new things, find your ‘tribe’ of people.  Find other women that are encouraging and are doing what you want to be doing.”

Shannon’s recommendation to others, in the meantime, is straightforward:  “Make that first step a positive one and it will continue.  When you have no motivation, remember that motivation lasts a couple weeks. Discipline will get you through it.  And any morning when I did not feel like going to the gym, but I went anyway, I NEVER regretted it. I ALWAYS felt better (physically and mentally) walking to my car after my workouts.”

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