This month, we celebrated Dottie’s 50th birthday, HardStyle, with a Fabulous 50 kettlebell workout.  50 Burpees, 50 Snatches, 50 swings, 50 Clean & Presses and 50 Goblet Squats. It was definitely fabulous.

These ladies put a lot of sweat into the celebration!

Today, We are proud to feature the birthday girl.   After 9 months of training at Fulton Kettlebells {Now ForeverStrong} , her story is both inspiring and motivating. You can read what she has to say about her experience so far. View her fabulous transformation at the end of the interview:

 

What were your initial goals, and did you accomplish them? 

The initial goal was to be able to move better, keep up with my husband, who still looks like he did when we married 26 years ago and be able to say yes to more of what life has to offer. I feel like I have accomplished those goals.  My husband and I regularly go for four and five mile hikes and are planning a bike trip soon.  This is a great thing for me and for our relationship. 

What kept you motivated and inspired to stick with us?

The environment at Fulton Kettlebells is motivating.  I look forward to the sisterhood that has developed with the “four o’clock” group of women.  We encourage each other and share our triumphs.  Kelly and Brian are very focused on helping me reach my goals.  They both have very different styles and both styles seem to hit the mark more often than not.  For the first time I find I am look forward to working out as a reward for getting through the day.   In the past, with other programs I would start to come up with excuses for not working out.

How would you compare your energy now versus before?

I had no energy before.  I came home from work and would sit on the coach and it would be all I could do to fix dinner and grade some papers. Now, I work out three times a week before going home.  On days I do not have kettlebells, I feel restless and almost always end up doing something, a walk, or a chore or something.  I am way more productive now.

How would you compare your body and physical health now versus before?

I am beginning to enjoy my body.  I have had fun shopping for smaller sizes and  I really enjoy all of the positive comments from family and co-workers.  I was really fortunate in that I did not have any identified weight related health issues (no health issues).  However, I really feel it was just a matter of time before my body did start suffering from the extra pounds.  I am glad that I was proactive about getting into shape.

How would you describe your overall transformation?

Amazing and motivating. I have come this far and feel and look years younger and better. (What better way to embrace 50!?).  I am about half way to what I thought was an unreachable and unrealistic goal.  Now not only do I think I can do this, I think I can do this this year.

How would you describe your experience with kettlebell training?

Kettlebell training is different from any other program I have ever tried.  I never really did much with weights before.  I always thought it was about aerobics and sweating.  I sweat but it is a different kind of sweat.   One thing I find challenging, but also find to be important for me is all the thinking and concentrating that goes on.   My body and mind is involved in Kettlebell training and I think that is an important link.

What was the most challenging aspect of Kettlebell Training?

Starting kettlebell training is hard because there is a large learning curve before you feel like you are doing anything.  My first few work outs exhausted me because I was so out of shape, but I didn’t not really think of them as work outs.  Sticking with something that is so new, that needs a lot of leanring and instruction is hard once you decide you just want to get on with it.  I am glad I stuck with the learning curve.

What was the easiest aspect of Kettlebell Training? 

The easiest aspect was how quickly I felt like part of a community of people all working for the same outcomes and all focused on the same basic goals.   The community at Fulton Kettlebells is really important and Kelly and Brian are key in making that happen.

What was the most fun and exciting part so far? 

The blast classes, especially the birthday blast classes are the most fun.  The most exciting part was deadlifting 106 pounds and beating all my 13 year old students in plank endurance.   My students were surprised and now when they need to wake up or refocus we will all do planks or push ups together and they really like it.  The me of just six months ago would no way be able to do that.

What’s the next goal you are working towards and how to you plan to tackle it?  

I am about 50 % of the way towards what I originally thought was pie in the sky.  I would like to get out of the obese category and maybe even borrow a t-shirt from one of my daughters.   I plan to keep coming to Fulton Kettlebells, find other ways to get moving with my family and friends and I will definitely continue to food journal and work on making healthy, life-long life style changes.

 

Motivated and inspired? Find out if kettlebell training is right for you by calling for a free consultation 301-200-2223.