Member Spotlight: Charity C
What brought you to SPENGA? What's your favorite part?Funny Story, I live really close to Pelham Road and while you guys were building, I was like "What in the world is SPENGA? What kind of name is that?" And for some reason, God kept bringing my eyes to it EVERY time I passed it on Pelham Road. So one day, I finally looked it up on google and read all about it. And it was all in His timing because I was just starting my health journey and thinking how I longed for an accountability group that I had to show up for. I had another fitness routine, but it wasn't enough. It was like it was a calling and I listened. And then I found out when I requested a tour, that it was just about to start! After two weeks of classes, I was sold. God brought me to where I needed to be.
What has your fitness journey looked like?
Well, I was 18 months out from ending my breastfeeding phase, and my weight just was out of control. My hormones were all over the place. And since my child had just turned 3, I could no longer blame it on "the baby weight." Also, my doctor had said that it was probably a good idea for health reasons. So, I knew it was time to change my diet, really buckle down, and get to work. Even with going to SPENGA 8 times a month, I was seeing results, slowly but they were there!! Weight was coming down, I could see my muscles toning and my skin getting tighter, and more energy. 1 hour 8 times a month was just mine. For the first time in my life, I was consistent longer than a season. So now, almost a year later, I have lost 24 pounds!!!! And I am only 8% away from being my ideal body fat percentage. And I feel good! And being a soccer player in my past, flexibility has never been a thing for me. Now, I am the most flexible I have ever been and still have a ways to go! It's amazing though and I am so happy. And the SPENGA community absolutely plays a HUGE role in this journey. I honestly don't think I would have kept it up if it wasn't for their challenges, accountability, and encouragement. I feel like I am part of a team again.
What keeps you motivated? What are your goals?
Motivated....is that really a thing that lasts? Motivation comes definitely from the SPENGA community every class while I am there. I laugh, I sweat, I dance, I high-five, and I get that "high" while I am there. But, really every day, I have to make a choice to be consistent. Motivation only lasts for a season or short time (during class), consistency is by choice. You have to make the choice to invest your time in things that make you grow and become a better human being. And when you start feeling good, that's what keeps you going. And grace. Meaning, "I didn't get to do all the things I wanted today, buttttt tomorrow is a new day. I can try again tomorrow." My goal is to get down to the healthy fat% percentage range, get stronger, and more toned. But honestly, because I feel so good now, my goal is to keep going. Just keep going, just keep going (singing like Dory). And to keep sharing how awesome the SPENGA community is so that I can continue to be a bridge to someone who might need life changing results so they can be healthy and happy too.
What words of encouragement would you give to someone just starting out?
Stick with it and you will see results. Even if you don't feel like working out, count down. "5, 4, 3, 2, 1" and then get up. Get dressed. Drive....and just do it for 5 minutes. If after 5 minutes, you want to stop, then stop, but I bet you won't! You'll give it another song, or another round, or another stretch, and the next thing you know, you're done. Make the CHOICE to get yourself there. Make the CHOICE to push yourself. Consistency is what will get you results, not seasons. And go ALL IN. The more you give yourself to this community of WONDERFUL people, the more you will LOVE it, and the more you will show up for not just yourself, but for them too. You'll want to see them, say hi, give hugs, and just share. Life is short, why not get healthy and have an amazing community to be a part of too??? "Just keep going, just keep going, going, going, going......"
