"Five peanuts were walking down the road. One got assaulted."
This is the kind of stuff I hear during training sessions with my clients. Don't get me wrong. My clients work their booties off, but not without a little fun and laughter here and there.
The teller of the peanut joke happens to be this month's Client of the Month, Natachia Laurendine. Natachia has been a client since August 2017. She consistently shows up week after week and isn't afraid to make lifestyle changes to achieve her fitness goals. We recently took progress photos (since the scale is sometimes a liar) and she wasn't happy with her progress. So, she created a My Fitness Pal account and started logging her food to make sure her nutrition was on point. With a couple of little nutrition tweaks and exponentially increasing her water intake, she was back on track. Three weeks later her progress pictures made her smile! High fives all around!
We have a lot of fun during our sessions, but I have learned not to ask Natachia if she is ready for another round, because her answer might be "No! I'm definitely not!" That's when I laugh out loud. She is a hoot and makes my job so much fun.
Did I mention that Natachia has a creative side? It's a good thing, since she's a Multimedia Designer/Art Director.
Check out her skills here: https://www.natachiadesigns.net
We all have stories to tell and experiences that can help each other. With that thought in mind, here is what Natachia had to say in response to a few questions about her life and her fitness journey:
Please share a little bit about yourself, for example, family (including the furry ones), job and/or how you like to spend your time outside of the gym. Include anything personal that you want to share.
My name is Natachia Laurendine. I am originally from New Orleans and I have been in Dallas for about 17 years. I have a beautiful and amazing 22-year-old daughter who is a recent college graduate and lives and works in New York. I am a graphic designer and wine enthusiast. When I am not in the gym (and when I have the time), I enjoy painting, gardening, yoga and traveling.
What led you to invest in your fitness?
I had just turned 50, I was perimenopausal and my metabolism had come to a halt. I needed a change and I found Angela.
How long have you been working out consistently, and what were your initial goals when you started? Are they different now? If so, how?
I have been working out most of my life. Over the years, I tried Jazzercise, Zumba, kickboxing and dance aerobics. I have been with Angela a little over a year now.
What are some of the challenges you’ve encountered throughout your fitness journey so far, and how did you deal with them?
Waking up for a 7 a.m. workout on a Monday morning has been the most challenging for me. LOL! And dealing with some pain in my upper body, particularly neck, shoulder and wrist pain due to repetitive movement and working on the computer all day.
What is something you have accomplished during your fitness journey that you are proud of?
I pushed a 225 lb. sled across the length of the gym. That was AWESOME!!
And I am very proud of the fact that I have vastly increased my daily water intake. That makes a huge difference.
How would you encourage someone who is considering starting a new fitness program?
I would say just to “Wake up. Show up and get moving.” Start off slow and set realistic goals for yourself. Most of all, DON’T GIVE UP!!
What are a couple of your favorite exercises? Why?
I like wall balls because they incorporate squats and an upper body workout. It’s also one of the first exercises that I did with Angela. I also like ring rows and surprisingly, I like the sled push because it makes me feel like a BAD A#@!
Is there a favorite book you’ve read recently/movie you’ve seen lately? Why is it a favorite for you?
Honestly, I am not current on my reading but my boyfriend gave me the book The Art of Racing in the Rain. I promised him that I would finish it.
Are you serious, silly or somewhere in between? Share a joke that makes you laugh out loud.
I would say that I am somewhere in between. I have learned, with age, to laugh at myself quite a bit. Here is a joke that I heard in high school and I still think it’s funny today.
“Five peanuts were walking down the road. One was assaulted” (teehee)
Is there anything else you would like to share?
I was a member of the Carpenter Park Rec Center and happened to see Angela’s flyer for personal training posted on the wall. I was feeling a little bored with my workout and my progress, so I decided to give her a call. That was over a year ago, and I am so glad that that I am one of her clients. She motivates (pushes) me and encourages me to keep on going, especially on Monday mornings. She is always positive and a great listener, too. Thank you Angela!
