One of the first pieces of the puzzle . . . A ReFit Revolution.

Many years ago, the physical aspect of my fitness journey started with a group of young ladies who would later start their own fitness business called Refit. It started with one of those instructors, who saw me in the gym and remembered my name. I know that seems silly but in a world where I had been overlooked or only seen in a negative light it was a breath of fresh air. She then invited me to her classes at a local church which was a little less intimidating than the gym that I was trying to navigate with eyes closed and tail tucked. So despite it being in a church, I said yes and i showed up. I had met the other ladies in this group of instructors while attempting to stick it out at the gym and I made some quick judgements. Lets just leave it at those judgements were not very nice. As i began to attend their classes however, what I saw was that even though they looked like “the others” to me, their heart was to love on each person who walked through the door and they helped me see success even in the midst of the fat sweaty mess that I was. 

And when I say fat sweaty mess I mean it! We did Zumba and in a humorous attempt to deal with what i was experienced i referenced it being easier for me because once you got my fat moving it just didn't stop because there was so much of it. But I did it. And I kept coming back and kept moving. I wasn’t losing weight but I was taking steps towards health. I transitioned with these ladies from church gym to their own studio; I might have been their biggest fan. But it wasn’t the workout alone but the knowledge that they knew my name, they cared about who I was and that I was getting physical and social needs met in this place. I began to breathe a little bit easier and move with a little less pain. I knew that I would not be judged for having two left feet or missing the beat. Walking into the studio was a little slice of home every time. All shapes and sizes were in that place. I was accepted with what I had but pushed to do more. This was the first place where i felt like i fit and had the freedom to give my all, whatever that looked like. 

These ladies wanted me to succeed and they still cheer me on to this day. They are not my primary fitness source in this season but I still "go home" every once in a while because I miss it and it is fun!