This girl came to me very unexpected.  She wanted a change. Time for herself and time to get her life back.  Like many others, she just wanted to tone and lose some weight.  She was about to get more than she asked for.

She was my friend before my client.  She was someone I trusted and her honesty and friendship meant more than she knew.  We spent many hours together doing community service, having dinner with one another’s family, sharing birthday parties, etc.

I was going from friend to coach.  That was a Mitzi she had not met yet.  I would push her to limits she didn’t know she had.  I would challenge.  I would show her someone she hadn’t seen in the mirror in years.  I would show her how strong this girl really was.  I would show her how to live again for her.  I would reintroduce her to Mimi Kirzner.   The person I saw every day. The strong , talented, beautiful, caring, best friend, and listener I had always known.

You are a rock star.  I will always be here for you one burpee at a time.

Mimi Kirzner, thank you for sharing your strength with us. STRONG.

I have volunteered a lot!  I enjoy giving back to my community.  Not all leaders are the same.  However, when the leader of the organization you volunteer for inspires you, and wants you to be a better person, you take note of who it is, and you stand next to them.

Surround yourself around those that know more than you do.  It will make you a better person.

When I met Mitzi, I knew instantly that I liked her and that she inspired me.  She was the leader of that organization.  She used to start every meeting with something inspirational.    She pushed us to want more and do more.  She does this for me in the gym and outside the gym.  I don’t wow easily.  She wows me.  I am also one that chooses friends carefully.   She has become a dear friend and confidant.  For me, going to the gym is just as much about my mental health as it is my physical health.  Even if I am having a bad day, if I can push myself to finish the workout then I leave the gym better than I started.

It is never easy.  It doesn’t get easier.  As much as you want it to, YOU DON’T WANT IT TO.  I have learned that. 

There are so many selfless stories that I could share about Mitzi.  Like the time she told me that she wanted to run the Crescent City Classic with me.  ME? I had run it two years prior.  I hadn’t run in a while and I wanted to start training again, but I needed that extra push.  I felt guilty for weeks leading up to the race.  I didn’t want to slow her down.  I knew I couldn’t run as fast as her.  I told her the day of the race that she could run ahead of me.  She wasn’t there for herself.  She was there for me.  She stayed by my side the entire time.

A few months ago, I was having a rough morning.  I wasn’t as strong as I wanted to be.  I was feeling down.  I was having a hard time finishing the workout.  I was embarrassed, and just wanted to sit down and cry.  Everyone else was finished.

Mitzi looked at me and said “WE HAVE GOT THIS” – She took off her jacket and finished that workout with me.  I was so emotional and felt so much gratitude.  That’s the kind of person she is.  She could have said…..”You’re Done”.   Nope…She knew what I needed.  That was huge for me!  I don’t know anyone else that would do that.

Four years ago I decided to put ME first.  I knew that if I wasn’t strong, then my family wouldn’t be either.  It was time for me to take back me.  I learned that no one is going to make me happy.  It is my job to make me happy.  It is my job to eat right, and my job to workout.   I am in control of my own destiny.  Growing up I was always the skinny kid.  I never had to workout or think about what I ate.  The day that I got married my eating habits changed and my body changed.  A few years later I had a baby.  I needed to find that will power.  I needed strength.  I needed someone to tell me what to do.   I wasn’t strong enough on my own to do what I needed to do.  I needed mental clarity and I definitely needed to be stronger.  When I feel healthy and look healthy the confidence radiates.   I am a completely different person than I was 5 years ago.  I am older, stronger, healthier and much happier.  Personally I like this version of me more. 

Nutrition is a constant battle for me.  I LOVE FOOD!!  I love it so much that I opened a kitchen shop and restaurant!  I think about it all the time.  We go on vacation and I have every meal planned out.  It’s quite the obsession.   I am stronger in the gym when I eat right.  I know this.  I pay for it dearly when I over eat or eat the wrong things.  I know this. I am constantly looking for that healthy balance.  Food is a drug and I have an Addiction to it.  I love it when I am on my A game and eating right.  I choose a Paleo lifestyle and enjoy rounds of Whole 30.  Enjoy?  YES! I really do enjoy it.  I love how it makes me feel.  I love that it makes me have more clarity.  I love that my skin is clearer.  It makes me stronger.  I know for me that I need rules.  Otherwise, I loose control.

I have to remember that the taste of food however good it is, it is temporary, but the bad feeling that comes with it lasts much longer. It is not worth it.

I cannot out train bad eating habits.  Do I splurge?  Sure probably more than I need to.  I am human.  I am learning it is all about balance.

Over the past four years I have learned what works for me. I like working out in small settings. I have had the same workout partner for the past four years.   I am grateful for her.  Support is huge!  I know that if I didn’t have Mitzi waiting for me at the gym I would not show up.  Relationships and trust are key.  I know that she has my best interest in mind all of the time.  She knows more about me and what I am capable of in the gym than I do. Is Mitzi tough??  Sure.  Will you sweat more than you ever had in your life?  Sure.  Will you walk away feeling accomplished?  Absolutely.   Will you be strong?  Yes! Will you be happy?  YES!!   It is all about finding out what works for you.   Some days I don’t even recognize myself.  I surprise myself all of the time.  Six months ago I decided to start playing tennis.  If you would have told me 5 years ago that I was going to play tennis I would have laughed at you.  I am not naturally athletic.  I have to work really hard at it.  You know what…I love it!   I have found a sport that I enjoy working at. I am able to play and keep up because I workout, eat right (most of the time), and thankfully my husband is a Chiropractor!

I am forever grateful.

Mimi