Member of the month

Member of the Year 2011

Congratulations to the Melissa Labiza

I wasn't coping with anything in my life. I'd moved back to the Central Coast, after almost 20yrs, with two small children in tow. Although i knew my move was the right one, I found myself lonely, isolated and completley overwhelmed by everyday. My day would begin by using all the energy I had, just to get out of bed, only to then flop on the lounge, where (most days) I'd cry. I would dream of a good night sleep and for a just moment of personal space. As much as I love my gorgeous boys and my very patient and understanding partner, I was not happy with my life. I was on the brink of (my second) nervous breakdown. The idea of another stint in hospital was almost appealling! At least I'd get to rest. Then Mum joined Oxigen.

Mum persuaded me to go and have a look around at the gym, which I did. Everything she had told me about the place was true. The staff and partons were all warm and welcoming. There were young and old people with different shapes and sizes... Still, I was a little sceptical. I'd been a member of some 'womens' gyms over the years. My experience of a gym was boring to say the least. With little, if any, results, I was left feeling that it was only another scheme to get money out of people. I'd made a vow to never join a gym again... But... there was a creche and the promise of time, and a shower, to myself. I joined.

My membership came with 6 free personal training sessions. It took all of my energy just to turn up to my first assessement. (In fact, I think I actually cancelled my first one) This is when I met my trainer "Chantale, but you can call me Chonni". Although I didn't know it at the time, my life was about to change. Chonni ran through the standard questions... "how tall are you", "how much do you weigh" (I weighed in at 109.4kg, but I really didn't care at the time. I was so weighed down by everything else in my life, it didn't occur to me until months later that my weight was actually contributing to the way I felt...complete denial) She asked me if I wanted to loose weight and how much. I said I knew I needed to loose 40kg to get back into a healthy weight range. She told that in her own journey she had lost 22kgs, and that she could help me to loose 20kgs too, and by Christmas!! I said "OK", but in my heart I didn't think I would even loose 5kg. Then she asked me what my motivating factor was for joining the gym. The response she was after was something like, "my clothes don't fit anymore" or "it's hard to walk up stairs". My head was realling with all the things I hated about my life. I felt so overcome with fatige and was so frustrated by my inability to cope, with anything, I burst into tears. She acknowledged my tears and we moved on. I'd gotten through the hardest part.

We made our way to the weight resistance machines. Our first session gave me my biggest lesson. It's one I use all the time now, in everyday 'non-gym' life, when it's all getting too much, "head up, chin up, shoulders back, chest out, look forward... breathe". That phrase gave me enough confidence to come to the gym for a 2nd visit. And when I felt/feel selfconscieous, that phrase would become my mantra. And there was always "how are you?" or "workin' hard" from Chris and Danielle. Or a hello, wave, or nod from any one of the staff... The weeks that followed would push me harder than I ever thought imaginable. I would hyperventilate, heave, sweat like I was in a sauna, and leave every session looking like a giant beetroot (in fact, I still do all of these things, lol) No one ever made me feel bad for doing these things. Quite the opposite happened. I was praised for trying to do my best. No matter how long it look me, Chonni would always make sure that I would finish the task. She was/is teaching me that "I can and I will".

The 6 P.T. sessions gave me a taste of what the gym could be, And the boys had begun to ask to go to the creche! Without the wonderful patience of Jenny, Lauretta, Moddie and the other ladies taking care of the kids in the creche, my gym experience wouldn't be possible. It has been so invaluable. And it had become clear to me that if I wanted to get the most out of 'my time' at the gym and 'make it count', that I needed constant help. I decided to add personal training to my weekly program. At first I thought I could not afford it... now i know I can't afford not to.

Chonni slowly introduced me to a new way of eating and explained what foods I should avoid and when to avoid them and why, and understanding sugar and it's many guises. The weight started to come off! And I started to feel better!! I have come out of my denial and now know that I need to loose weight if I want a healthy mind as well as a healthy body. They are not two separate entites, they influence each other. And now, when I eat the 'wrong' foods (because old habits die hard), my body has an almost immediate response and I almost feel as though I've consumed some kind of poison.

I had no idea how much my diet could effect my mood! It's in those weeks where I eat the 'wrong' foods, or the weeks where I don't feel like I have the energy, that I get the most from having a personal trainer. She is the firm but gentle hand at my back, keeping me going, stopping me from falling, pushing me further. And sometimes there is critism, but it's always constuctive, like "you can't out train a bad diet". I try to eat up as much advice she is willing to offer. Chonni is a never ending source of support and information. I trust her implictiley. I know that she does not push me harder than she thinks I am capable of. I believe in Chonni's belief in me, until I can believe in myself. And she proves to me, after each session, that I really CAN!

Now, at 85kgs, I know I still have a long way to go in terms of weight, but I am well on my way towards, my now, 40kg goal. And I know CAN do it...unimaginable 10 months ago! I have learnt that if I use the same tactics that get me through a PT session that I will get this done too. It's one rep at a time/one kilo at a time, and no matter how long it takes. And if I struggle to do something, I'm learning not to give up..."acknowledge the struggle and continue anyway" and "just get it done". The weightloss though is just the icing on the cake, an affirmation that I'm on the right track. The biggest changes have been psychological ones.

Aside from letting go of the weight, other changes have happened... at home. My relationship has new life! Things were going so well and future had begun to look so bright that in July, 5 months after joining the gym, my partner and I decided to get married... after an 8yr long engagement! The ceremony is next month!! I am so very gratful to have had such a positive 'gym' experience. It is giving me the tools to live, to challenge, to work for want I want and to accept help when it is offered. Chonni has been profoundly influential in helping gain control of my life. There is no possible way I can thank her enough... as well as being my trainer, she has been a guidance councillor and life coach.

It is so clear that for all the staff, Oxigen is a way of life... this is how to live a good, long life. They are all so inspired and geniune about their practise. I have learnt and am inspired by them and by the other patrons. I have observed that people who have a happy, healthy, fit life actually work really hard at it. It isn't because they have been blessed by the god's, as the old me would have thought. They are constant in their efforts, they enjoy what they do and the pay-off is a great life and a great attitude! Nothing beats learning from example!

I go to the gym to get time to myself, but now I go for more than just that. I love every second that I'm there. As trainer Bek says, I use my time at the gym as a meditation. Whether I'm doing a yoga class, a PT session with Chonni, or following the weekly program she has written for me, I spend my time focused on strengthening my body, clearing my mind and letting go. By making sure my posture, technique and breathing are correct, I zone out almost everything else. I don't have to worry about the kids... they're safe in the creche, or what's for dinner, or how messy the house is, or worry about my weedy garden and bindi lawn...this is my time, my body, my mind, my life and I just try to improve on what I was capable of last week or last month. It isn't about anything or anyone else but me. Thoughts of the future are exciting now! I cannot wait to reach my goal and to set new ones. I am loving my life more than ever. Thankyou Oxigen Mind Body Fitness, you're my Life Support Machine! xxx



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