What motivated you to start?
I have always been motivated to work out because I was diagnosed with hypoglycemia at age 19 with Diabetes looming around the corner if I didn't change my diet and exercise. Everyone on my biological father's side of the family has diabetes. They all lived long lives. However, they lived well into their 90's dealing with a multitude of chronic illnesses. I decided that this is not how I want to live. I don't want to live into my 90's and be wheelchair bound or live my life being bound to pharmaceutical medications to survive another day. My motivation is having a better quality of life as I go up in age, by taking charge of my health. Western medicine has failed me more times than I can count, therefore working out is always going to be a way of life for me. Over the years I would always go to the gym or go dancing at Zanzibar or Club Shelter NYC for hours and that would keep me fit and in shape which helped me in working with Special Needs Children who have behavioral crises. I lost interest in going clubbing after I had my daughter 16 years ago, I had to find other ways to keep my weight down and stay in shape. I would usually find a trainer to work with me for just a month, and I would just replicate whatever they had me do with them in that month on my own. Most trainers seemed like they would exhaust their usefulness quickly because there would be no rhyme or reason for what they would have me do during training. I have never continued working with the same trainer for more than a month until I met Moe.
What were some of your goals when you started?
My main goal at first was to take the weight off after a string of pregnancies which led to miscarriages, and recurrent weight gain due to being so hungry during each pregnancy. My weight went as high as 190lbs. and I wanted to get back down to between 135-140. When my weight goes above 160's I am more at risk for losing control of my blood sugar, so to continue to stave off diabetes, I have to keep my weight under control.
What are your goals now?
My goals now are similar. I am closer to my goal of 135-140lbs. then I have been in a while, but I also want to still have the strength to be effective with de-escalation situations with students at my school, especially if I must restrain students who become violent. I want to keep increasing my overall strength as well so I can remain strong and train even harder the closer I get to retirement. I want to maintain my health, strength, and energy, and be able to increase my ability to run in marathons eventually. I want to be able to get back into running after I graduate from my Rutgers MSW program this May!! It's my last semester and I can't wait until it's over!!
What have been your greatest achievements?
My greatest achievements have been my weight loss, strengthening my core, being able to finally do a single leg dead lift without falling (even though it took me 4 and a half years to do so), and being able to adjust my diet to all the changes. I have more endurance, and more strength when dealing with students in crisis, and I can chase children who run off in the school building when they are in crisis and catch them before they put themselves in danger. I was also able to hold a plank for 3 minutes on a challenge.
What were/are your biggest struggles?
Over the years my biggest struggles have been recurrent pregnancies in my 40's which have caused me major setbacks towards meeting my weight loss goals. I have suffered with migraines, I have IBS, and I struggle with insomnia at times, and not sleeping makes it harder to lose weight too.
What advice would you give to new clients/members?
The advice I would give to new clients or members, is to be honest with Moe, and be honest with yourself about where you are at with your health and fitness, because Moe will meet you where you are at. When I first started training with Moe, I had placed limitations on my own abilities. I used to only use the 5lb weights, and never imagined that I would ever be strong enough to do a one arm row with a 30lb weight, but it happened. I can curl 20lb weights, and I have been using a 30lb weight to do goblet squats. This increase in weight took time for me to be able to build up my strength to do it, but my peers in the gym motivated me to keep trying and challenging myself. I appreciate them for that push. We are a great group of clients who motivate each other to continue working on ourselves. Also, be honest and let Moe know if you are hurting, ask for modifications in the exercises to meet you where you are at, and never be ashamed to be starting with 5lb weights if that's what you must do. You will know when the time is right to move up in weight and challenge yourself because those 5lb weights will be too easy one day...you will know when.
What is your favorite thing about your workouts?
I love the boxing and kickboxing the best, and I used to really love doing cardio, but now I find that I get that good sweat more so from the weightlifting than the cardio. I also like when it's over. LOL
What were your greatest frustrations before you started training with me?
I realized that the workouts I was doing weren't working anymore, and that I had hit a brick wall with weight loss as I advanced in age into my 40's. My metabolism took a nosedive, and I didn't know what to do anymore to fix it. I also missed boxing but didn't want to go back to work with the creep trainer I used to work with in Irvington in the past. I also used to get frustrated with trainers who were not able to explain the science behind what we were doing, as well as the science behind food intake and our metabolism.
What is your favorite result that you’ve experienced so far?
My favorite result is my increased strength, decreased insomnia, weight loss, and the best is the strengthening of my core. I'm always surprised when I make it through workouts wven when I am exhausted.
Did you have any fears or apprehension before you started working with me?
I didn't have any fears at all because I figured that I would work with you for a little while and move on, but you had so much to offer besides just empty exercises, you provided the rationale for why we do what we do each day, each week, and you have challenged me beyond what I believed I could do. I also liked how you worked withe and ignored all my complaining. I also love that after 5 years, you have still managed to make up new exercises, no 2 workouts are ever the same...and I mean never, there are times I must try to figure out what we are supposed to be doing because you keep everything fresh.
If someone is debating whether to work with me or not, what would you tell them?
I would tell them that there is no other trainer out there who will provide challenging workouts at a comfortable pace, along with dietary advice, and a community of peers on the same journey as you for the price he is offering. It's affordable and worth it. It's like taking out insurance on your health.
What is something you can do now that you weren’t able to do before you started?
Single Leg Deadlift. Go up the stairs without being winded.
How would those close to you describe the difference they’ve seen in you?
They have noticed that I have lost weight.
What has surprised you most since you started?
That I'm still here and that I've decided that Moe is stuck with me as a client for life!!!
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