Unsolicited Testimonial for W3

We were checking in on a Yoga instructor who sprained her wrist and was supposed to be out for 2 months. During that time, she originally thought she would be able to still come to the gym and do cardio. Unfortunately, her doctor told her otherwise, and here was her email to us expressing how much she will miss W3 for the 2 months she won’t be able to come in! This is a true testament of who we are…. you can be a part of it, too!

Hey, Jamie –
Thanks for checking in! I’m hanging in there. I saw my doctor yesterday who told me I couldn’t do any sort of cardio (no dancing!) for 3-4 weeks. That’s really bumming me out. Like, alot. He might as well confine me in a windowless shack, that’s how depressing this will be. 🙁

The next few weeks will be challenging, but I’m determined to keep my mind and spirit strong so that when it’s time, I’ll be ready to werq!

Actualy, your timing is pretty good. I wanted to send you a note expressing how much I miss everyone at W3. Consider this an unsolicited testimonial:

Several years ago I made a committment to make better, healther choices. I didn’t go on a diet: I started eating mindfully. I didn’t just get a gym membership: I made a lifestyle change. I treated my gym routine like a second job, and I held myself accountable for showing up. (Eventually, it literally became a second job! Technically, third since I was already hosting movie trivia as a second job… but I digress.)

The more effort I put into my workout, the more results I saw. As my strength grew, so did my drive to get even stronger. I began to understand that my body is a strong, powerful machine. And I truly believe that I would not have been able to reach my fitness goals – and maintain my enthusiasm when that goal seemed unreachable – if not for the tremendous team at W3. We truly are a team: with members as the players; Cassie, Sheeba, Susan, Reina, Toya, et al as our coaches; and Juanita, Jamie and everyone else as our cheerleaders. Everyone does their part to stay positive and to encourage everyone else on the team. The team at W3 is not only supportive, it’s empowering.

As I recover from a fractured wrist, my doctor has ordered NO CARDIO. Which means no Zumba or Werq. You know,only my primary source of endorphins and stress relief. No big. (!!!) But I’m staying positive and looking at this as an opportunity to explore other avenues of wellness, like meditation and restorative yoga. And I have the all-clear to do floor work, so I can focus on abs and lower body. But for me, those options are actually easier to do at home; which means no – or very limited – visits to W3 over the next month. And that, too, is a depressing thought.

I already miss everyone so much. The life-changing concepts I’ve learned at W3 (proper alignment, breathing techniques, pacing) have provided a good foundation on which to build an effective home practice. But nothing compares to the palpable comraderie and sisterhood one feels just walking into W3. From Juanita greeting “Hello, beautiful!” to Cassie screaming “Get lower!”, and every interaction in between,I know everyone there has my back. I miss my sisters in fitness!

I know that becoming too active too soon could exacerbate my injury; so a few weeks on the sidelines is worth a lifetime of wellness. I just have to remember that allowing myself proper time to heal is part of that committment I made to making healthy lifestyle choices. I may be an injurred wallflower now, but I’ll be tearing up the dancefloor in no time.

Thanks again for reaching out!

Miss you,
J

Inspirational Email from a Member

Opening up my email on Monday, June 4th, I saw I had an email from Jenny, the manager at the Monroe St. location. The email was titled “FW: Beginning Marathon Today!!!!!” I opened it and saw it was a heart-felt email from a member at the Monroe St. and Lawrence location. As you’ll see, she was so excited to start her training for the Diabetes 5K, a goal she wrote on Monroe’s bulletin board back in January. Well, she has accomplished her goal and feels better than ever! I personally wanted to share this email (after receiving full permission for the email and pictures) because it truly touched me that our members are not only seeing results but also realizing that our trainers and staff at W3 truly care about our members’ goals to make them future success stories. I told her that her email embodies the message that W3 tries to convey to each member and prospect every day, and I felt compelled to share it. Please take the time to read the email below (and reply); maybe you’ll feel inspired, too.
Thanks again, Butterfly, for allowing us to use your story. Your dedication is an inspiration!

Thank you for being there this morning, Judy.  I can’t tell you how
much W3 has significantly change–improved my life.  Today is the
first day of training for the American Diabetes 5K Marathon (October
7, 2012).  If they still have the board up at Monroe, you’ll see way
at the bottom I snuck my goal “to run for diabetes”.  I needed to hear
your voice and/or Jenny’s voice today.  Needed.  I was so nervous this
morning.  It’s a reality!

I lost 37lbs, went from a size 18 to a size 10 in jeans and 12 in
regular clothes.  My medication has decreased and for the first time
in life, I can run.  Thanks to Janice (Lawrence location) I can run.

Thanks for letting me share how much fitness and health has become
daily dialogue with me and my children.  As I said, my brother, who is
deaf and a year younger than I saw me after 6 months and was inspired
to run track.  We went to the grocers and went over labels (sodium
intake) and discussed healthier foods (Jenny and Janice and you are
just. . .I won’t start crying again, but I mean this when I say it
from the bottom of my heart–God Bless You.

Jenny, you prepped me for functional training–the best thing anybody
can do to learn about themselves (physically, mentally, etc.) !!!!  I
truly, truly miss you and I remain grateful for your advice.  Janice
Desiderio (personal/functional trainer is absolutely amazing!!!!).
I’m running.  I’m running!!!  I know she’ll say its all me, but nope.
She gives us all her undivided attention and constantly encourages.

I have been at the Lawrence location religiously, but will be coming
to the Monroe due to my job.

The photos attached are preparing for a dinner, in front of my
artwork, something else and my sister.  I have 13 more pounds to go,
but today, finally, I put the scale away.  My focus has shifted more
to strength training.  Okay. I know I’m babbling.  I’m not as bad as I
was this morning, thanks Julie and Judy for listening.

I don’t care if you all are tired of me saying thank you, but thank
you, thank you, thank you.

Sincerely,

Butterfly Harris

And her reply back to my email:

Good afternoon Jamie:

Thank you so very much for your kind words.  You have my permission to print my letter and use which ever photos I sent you deem suitable.

If I may make one request. . .   W3 at both the Monroe and Lawrence locations were significant to my positive results. Jenny Hagen, Manager, Monroe location and Janice Desiderio, Personal and Functional trainer, Lawrence location. I had my functional training with Janice.

The thing that’s so great about W3 is how great these women collaborate and promote each other and each others location; I love that.  When I talk about W3, I speak of both.  I’m a result of a collaboration. They’re as different as siblings within a “family” and being a part of W3 family has and continues to be one of the best investments of my life.

I’m sure you receive countless letters of gratitude from members; thank you for your feedback from mine.  I have to tell you, when I walk through those doors–at both locations, the staff of trainers, instructors and front desks always make me “feel welcome to achieve”. I (like I’m sure many of your members have their impacting W3 person) will probably remember Jenny and Janice for the rest of my life. I look forward to becoming a long time member like so many.

Continued success.

___________________________

Continued success indeed! Thanks again. Only at… the W3.

Jamie