..I want to take this post to focus on a fantastic young woman I have had the privilege to work with over the past year. Her name is Brandy Cantrell. I could do my best to tell you her story, but I feel she does a better job.
My story starts like most everyone else’s. One day I looked at the scale and realized I was the heaviest I had ever been in my life, tipping the scale at 240lbs, and on blood pressure medication at the age of 25 was no way to live. So after a few trial and errors with some minor success I finally decided enough was enough! No more yo-yo dieting! I tried everything you can think of from No carb to weight loss programs to the latest diet supplement, with minimal, if any, results.
After trying a few other gyms and feeling out of place, I felt it was time to truly invest in myself. As a Valentine’s Day gift to me, I began working Jeremy Rochford. From the start, he never made me feel out of my element. He has shown me so many things (believe me, I’ve done some exercises I never even knew existed!) not only with my fitness, but also with nutrition. As we have just past the one year mark of working together, I have lost a total of 55lbs (4 dress sizes!), and I am still losing! He set up a routine that fits around my lifestyle is easy to maintain. No gimmicks, just a lot of sweat and newly formed muscles!
As of February 2009 I have competitively run in 5 races (ranging from 5k to 5 miles), with more planned including the Music City Half Marathon in April 2009. This is still amazing to me as before I began working with Jeremy, I could barely even run for more than 1-2 minutes before I had to stop. Now I can run upwards of 75 minutes!
Jeremy has been a blessing in many ways to me. I have more energy now that I had when I was in high school! I have more self-confidence than I think I’ve ever had in my life! I’ve also learned that it’s okay to not have the answers, the key is to ask the right people!
www.facebook.com/GlitteryGirrll
Two things encourage me most about Brandy’s success. The first is the amount of effort she has put forth. Her and I meet only once a week. The other 3-4 times she is working out, either in the gym or outside, she is on her own. Pulling from her own motivation, her own strength and applying her own faith. The second is that I get to see the application of “The Gospel According to Chubby” come to life as she redefines herself and becomes the person she knew she could become. Brandy, thank you so much for allowing me to not only share your story, but be apart of it.
As always, Jeremy, my thanks goes to you. Without your guidance, I would not be where I am. Thank you for letting me be a small part of your ministry, and I’m truly blessed to have found you.
Those out there that wondered if what he said works, just look at me. His story is my story, as is many others.
I have changed more in the last year than I ever thought possible. I was slowly starting to lose hope that I would improve my health before working with Jeremy, yet another blessing from God to keep me going on the right path!
Jeremy has taught me that it’s okay to talk about my weight loss efforts (ups and down) something that before I could never do, as I was always too self-consious to do so.
I thank God constantly for bringing this man into my life. He has truly been a blessing in more ways than I could ever say!