Some of you may remember me from my “Homecoming” article in the Spring Edition of Fit to Print, but for those of you who don’t, let me introduce myself. I’m Theresa, and I’m one of the newest cycling instructors at Fitness Incentive. It feels good to write that because if you had asked me who I was just a year ago, my answer would have been completely different.

This November marked an important anniversary for me. Just one year ago, I was having surgery to correct a debilitating heart condition that often left me unable to do the simplest of tasks. This was no easy way to get through my days as a mom to a baby and a toddler. I also run a successful fine art business, and I was having trouble meeting deadlines and getting my work done. After my surgical procedure, I felt better, but I still did not feel like myself. I had a big art show planned for September of this year, and although the issue with my heart had been corrected, I was still tired all of the time. I didn’t feel good about myself. I was stressed out a lot. I was at my heaviest weight. In fact, I weighed almost as much as I did when I was nine months pregnant with my son. I had done the work to fix one problem, but I was letting another problem take over – my physical fitness (or should I say lack of!).

I was a member of Fitness Incentive from 2005 to 2012. I stopped going when the issue with my heart started becoming more symptomatic. I had an episode during a spin class where my heart started racing so rapidly I almost passed out right on the bike. That was enough to scare me from going back. Now that the issue was fixed, it seemed like a no-brainer to go back to FI. I love the people there, it’s close to home, and they have a great class schedule. I figured I would squeeze in 2-3 sessions a week, try to lose 15-20 pounds, and try to just “feel better.” I went back in February of this year, and boy did I catch that Fitness Incentive fever that I hear so much about. I found myself going every day. I would go to spin often, as I never really lost my love and enthusiasm for that. I even started weight training, which is never something that I thought I would like to do. I’m obsessed with Carol’s Strength Challenge and Pushing Plates classes. That 15-20 weight loss goal soon became a 50-pound goal, and now an actual loss of 55 pounds! I feel the best that I have ever felt in my life.

One day after Spin, Carmella approached me about becoming a certified cycling instructor. I couldn’t believe that she thought that I could accomplish something like that in this stage of my life, but that’s what the wonderful team at FI is great at…motivating and inspiring people to get out of their comfort zone. I signed up for the Spinning Certification test and had two months to prepare. Carmella and Carol were so helpful in letting me get up and teach portions of their class. Cor was my biggest cheerleader. Sal, Iris, and Jourdan gave me great tips on what to expect and also how to run a successful class. I completed my certification this past October, and here I am – the newest cycling instructor at Fitness Incentive! What a year it has been! Hope to see you in class soon!

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Theresa Christensen

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