What I've noticed in 4 months at WILCOX - #MattsStory

Here I am 4 months into this program and as I sit here writing this I realize I am 35 lbs down from when I started. I can truly say I am seeing the inches fade way and that is quite the inspiration to keep on rolling! But that is not the only thing I have noticed! Since I have started this program, I have noticed some incredible things!

1. I notice that I miss the gym and my routine when I’m away from it.  
I went on vacation for 2 weeks to sunny Florida. (Although my vacation involved yard work and not sitting on a beach!) I was getting some good physical exercise in and plenty of sweat - 85 degrees plus on most days! - pheww!  While it was nice to get away, I noticed that I missed my routine and going to the gym. So I made an effort to do things while I was away to try to make sure that I did not totally go without doing some physical activity. I kept up with yard work, watched what I ate for the most part, and did pushups, squats, and a few other exercises I learned from WILCOX. To be honest, I was afraid of stepping backwards in this ”new life regimen” if I strayed too far from it so I did what I could to the best of my ability. ​

"After my vacation was up, I never thought I would be so happy to get back to the gym and my routine!"

2.  I notice my WILCOX family has become an inspiration and motivation for me.
The best thing I’ve noticed that  motivates me and gives me inspiration more than anything (even more than losing the inches and weight), are the people and trainers at WILCOX. I have met so many people that are so nice, so helpful, and so encouraging. It totally blows me away! You see I am a people person, and the power of kindness is undeniable. I try to be good to everyone and by doing that, you see them all respond back with niceness. I love how I talk to a lot of people at WILCOX and they talk to me. Some on a first name basis, others not, but we see each other weekly- sometimes more than we see some of our own family! We all say “hi”, we all high-five each other at the end of the workout, we all put out the best we can and work our butts off to accomplish our individual goals. Talk about inspiration! I look at the group at the end of our workout and see how hard everyone has worked, each and every one of us. But all-in-all the people, the trainers, and even the owners, are all a part of this inspirational family. One that I am proud to be a part of! To know I have made new friends and family at WILCOX is such a bonus!
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3. I notice that we all have our own goals, but we also all share the same goal of wanting to live a healthier life.
Before I first started I thought most people there would already be in great shape and were working out because they enjoyed it, and that their goals would be very different from mine. But after getting started I was surprised at how many people from all walks of life come to WILCOX to workout and why they go there. I have known some of these people for years and surprisingly did not even realize that they came to WILCOX until I started here! People of all ages and professions, whose paths might never cross outside of the gym, come here and workout together and become part of this special group working towards their individual goals and a common goal. Whether it be to run a race, to lose weight and inches, or to just be able to play with their grandbabies a little longer, we all put out 100% to achieve our common goal of ultimately living healthier lives. This truly drives me and I feed off of my fellow gym goers and their energy. It inspires me to try to be healthier, to do more pushups, to hit harder and with better form in boxing, to push my cardio, to slam the ropes harder, to do more crunches, to try more reps, to push myself harder, and to strive to accomplish more every time I go to the gym! My WILCOX family does this magical thing for me called INSPIRATION!

4. I notice that this experience is unlike any other gym experience I have ever had.
The trainers at WILCOX are amazing, both old and new, each and every one of you look to keep us motivated and going. I have trained with all the trainers here now, even the owner, and I will tell you nothing compares to the leadership we get. I can’t help but feel inspired, when I hear my trainer telling me “You’re doing great” and calling me by my name as I’m working out. That really boosts my motivation!! That inspires me to give them more, dig deeper, and go further than I ever had before. So here’s to you Mike, Katie, Nick, and Adam! Keep up the good work! It keeps me striving to give you guys more! And Paige and Katie Rey, thank you for talking to me 5 months ago and getting me motivated to start this challenge! Without that inspiration you gave me to try this, who knows where I would be, but I guarantee - it would not be here, not feeling as good as I am right now!!

To all of you, you make this place feel like I’m part of a family. Thank you all so very much!!

-Matt