Client Success Story: Jenna
Today’s client success story features Jenna, a dental hygienist who I actually met in-person because our children were in the same class in school!
Jenna is a very petite person – only five feet tall. While she was by no means overweight by BMI standards, I understood what she meant when she described the fact that she “wasn’t fully showing up” for herself. As a working mom, getting to workout classes consistently was a challenge, and as she approached 40, her nutrition habits weren’t effective for her anymore.
When she told me that she wanted to improve her habits as a working mom (focusing on something sustainable), I set her up with simple resistance training workouts for home, and we also discussed savvy nutrition changes that would help her get leaner again.
In terms of results, she…
- gained 2 pounds of lean mass
- lost 7 pounds of fat
- lost 0.5 inch off waist
- lost 1.5 inches off hips
- is ~5 pounds down total
But the most important thing can’t be captured in metrics – she felt more like herself again!
I am so happy to feature Jenna today, because she did a great job of balancing (1) her goals to improve herself with (2) the reality of her life and (3) a healthy sense of self-esteem. When you come from a mentally positive place and make self-care (and healthy aging!) central to your goals, that is a powerful combination!
Now, I’m going to let her share her story in her own words…
“I wasn’t fully showing up for myself…”
Before I started working with you, I felt frustrated by my lack of true commitment to myself. For the past 14 years, I had been dedicated to my health—exercising regularly and making reasonably good choices with food. It had become a part of my life, but after having a baby, my priorities shifted. While I continued to exercise and eat fairly well, I wasn’t fully showing up for myself. Eventually, I realized I needed a push in the right direction, and that’s when I reached out to you. You gave me exactly what I was looking for.
“I could achieve the same results with at-home workouts…”
Before working with you, I relied solely on attending fitness classes to get my workouts in. You helped me realize that I could achieve the same results with at-home workouts, which was a game-changer. I knew it was no longer realistic to make it to 4–5 classes a week like I used to before having a child, so I needed to make a change—and you showed me how. I am confident that I can do at home workouts with weights in order to still get the results I was looking for and also still be challenging.
Rachel here… I fully endorse using a blend of independent resistance training workouts and fun, high-energy workout classes. The benefit of doing some independent workouts (aside from the obvious time management issue that you can do it on your own schedule) is that you tend to follow more logical, “progressive” strength training programs, which means that you’ll get better results over time. Many of my clients use my workouts as the cornerstone, and pepper in exciting group classes for social/enjoyment reasons, and this isa. wonderful balance! Back to Jenna now…
“I’ve started paying attention…”
I’ve started paying attention to what I’m eating instead of just grabbing food when I’m hungry. I’ve started meal prepping again but my attention to the amount of protein I’m eating has definitely changed. In two months, I’ve dropped 4-5 pounds, and I have gone down in inches.
Rachel here… it’s incredible what the combination of harder strength training and higher protein intake will do. Even though Jenna “only” lost 4-5 pounds (which, when you’re five feet tall, isn’t nothing anyway), she actually lost 7 pounds of fat because she gained 2 pounds of lean mass. This is the difference that strength training and protein make, compared to just “dieting.”
“I’m doing something for myself again…”
I feel better overall—whether it’s from the physical changes or simply from feeling proud of myself. I’m especially proud to be gaining my strength back and doing something for myself again.
I’m a dental hygienist, and in my profession, physical movement is essential. Dental work often involves long hours in static, awkward positions, which can lead to chronic aches, pains, and even long-term musculoskeletal issues. Prioritizing regular movement and strength training not only helps me stay healthy and pain-free, but also supports my ability to perform my job efficiently and with longevity.
Rachel here again. This is a great point, and is often overlooked! A healthy lifestyle shift isn’t just about the numbers on the scale, or even about confidence – it’s also about function. Staying “fit” doesn’t just mean “lean” – it also indicates performance. If you have better endurance, improved mobility, and stronger recovery from challenges, you are setting yourself up for sharper (and longer) job performance and increased enjoyment in daily activities.
“You have to make time for yourself…”
I think the biggest change has been my overall commitment to myself. I wasn’t in terrible shape before I started working with you, but I was stuck in a slump—and you helped me refocus on the right things to pull myself out of it.
You have to make time for yourself. It may feel impossible at times, but small changes and a reminder to prioritize your well-being can make a big difference.
I love Jenna’s commitment to the holistic picture of self-care, and I am really impressed with her results!
If you are in a slump, and want to get help pulling yourself out of it and designing a lifestyle that works, apply now for 1:1 coaching! I’m currently accepting new clients.
