Meet our Superhero of the Month for September: Lauren Lloyd!
Our incredible superhero of the month for October, Laruen Lloyd, found Mo-Mentum Fitness through the Fit4Mom Body Back Transformation program in May and June 2018 with Nikki Butler here at Mo-Mentum Fitness.
Lauren started taking classes at Mo-Mentum with the goal of getting back to her pre-baby weight. She was absolutely determined to stay on her weight loss, strength-building, and energy creating path despite the many obstacles that presented themselves.
Lauren signed up for a nutrition program with me (the same program Charley Hajduk signed up for here at Mo-Mentum.) She made gradual changes in her lifestyle. She asked me and Mo-Tribe members, who had already successfully lost weight, questions when she ran into obstacles.
Lauren is a perfect example of the power of (the right) community and finding the right coaches when you are on a journey to transform your life. She was transparent and shared her struggles along her journey instead of trying to muscle through these struggles on her own.
For example, before having guests come to town this summer, Lauren shared with me and a few of our Mo-Tribe members that she was used to focusing on eating and serving food when guests came into town. She comes from a family, like many of us, who LOVES food! For so many of us food is the main event when we have guests, it’s the main event at parties and it’s the main event on vacation.
But if you really think about it, we have guests in our homes because we want to spend time with them (most of the time at least.) We go on vacations to experience other cultures, incredible sights, and different foods. It becomes a problem when we focus on food and alcohol, and we gorge ourselves with food and alcohol, when on vacation and with guests. If we dig deep, the truth is, vacations and guests become an excuse to eat “everything we want.” Lauren figured this out and transformed her thinking and behaviors.
Lauren also shared her successes with us. When you have guests over and you plan your TREAT meals, and you actually follow through, it’s an incredible feeling! Lauren was really good about celebrating her successes with her tribe. It’s always better to celebrate your successes with people who have watched you struggle and grow. Too often we accomplish small or big feats only to skip over the celebration and focus on the new goal.
We chose Lauren as the superhero of October because losing 40 pounds is NOT easy! It takes courage, commitment and willingness to learn new habits and accept help from people who have your back.
We also chose Lauren as our superhero of the month because she is a bright light. She is on of our most consistent cheerleaders for others. Lauren is on a mission to create her most extraordinary life, and at the same time she shares her light with the people around her.
Over the past year, we have observed Lauren as she walks into her group fitness classes a little smaller, a little stronger, and a little brighter. She is so fun to be around. Lauren is dedicated to her own success and to sharing what helped her reach her goals as well as cheering on others.
Lauren you are an incredible woman and we are so honored that you have shared your journey with us and inspired more people than you know along the way. You are a Wonder Woman!
Q & A with our Superhero herself:
Q- Describe what your life (and your health) was like before Mo-Mentum.
A- I was a new mom struggling with weight gain during my postpartum days. I stayed pretty healthy during my pregnancy, but I found myself back at a weight that I hadn’t seen since losing 60 pounds in my early twenties. It was time to get back to me.
Q- Was there ever a low point or an experience that made your priorities change?
A- Having a podiatrist, HA! During my postpartum days, I developed plantar fasciitis in both feet, then peroneal tendonitis in my left ankle thanks to not treating the first issue. I thought, hold up, I have a foot doctor in my mid-thirties. That extra weight needed to come off.
Q- How did Mo-Mentum Fitness come into your life (or back into your life)?
A- I did the Fit4Mom Body Back Transformation in May-June 2018 that took place at Mo. I really liked the gym from the start—it had that intimate boutique feel with a strong sense of community, plus a variety of classes. I needed to continue my ass-kickings, so I joined for a couple months. I left when my untreated feet and ankle issues escalated, but once I’d healed a bit, I came right back.
Q- What kind of results have you seen since becoming a member at Mo-Mentum?
A- I finally hit my pre-baby weight with a 40-pound weight loss! I’m definitely the strongest I’ve ever been. I don’t think I ever did a legit squat before Mo. Much of that strength is thanks to Mo, and also from carrying and chasing my 30-pound weight all day, every day.
Q- Please talk more about the actual changes in your life.
A- Now that I’m healthier, I’m so much happier. It’s impossible to be the mom, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, etc., that I want and need to be when I’m unhealthy and unhappy. And I was. There’s still work to do, but it’s getting easier to stay on track and hit my goals with this extra pep in my step. Amanda and Colleen at Mo introduced me to the 2B Mindset program, which is helping me build a healthier relationship with food. It’s a total life-changer.
Q- Let’s focus in on the blood work. What kind of changes have you seen? What do these changes mean for you lifestyle, longevity, finances, etc.?
A- I never had any bloodwork done related to Mo, but I did have a food sensitivity panel done over a year ago, which came back with a slew of reactions. My naturopath said this could point to leaky gut, which grossed me out and scared me. I wonder how that panel would look now.
Q- Why do you make Mo-Mentum Fitness a priority in your life?
A- Juniper. I want to be the best version of myself for her. I read something today that resonated so strongly and deeply within me: “Be who you needed when you were younger.”
Q- These days, what makes truly happy and feel at peace?
A- Knowing that I gave every moment of my day my all, even if it wasn’t “perfect.”
Q- How do you feel compared to 1 year ago?
A- I feel human again.
Q- Specifics: age, job title, children, spouse?
A- 36; Freelance Writer/Editor; my darling daughter Juniper, who will be 2 on October 6; and my darling husband Hudson whom I have been with for 13 years and married for 2.5.
Team Mo and I choose our SUPER HERO OF THE MONTH based on several important factors that we believe reflect the values on which the Mo-Mentum Fitness world-class culture has been built upon.
Mo-Mentum’s Core Values Include:
· Mindset for Growth, constant never ending learning….if you’re not growing you’re shrinking
· Over deliver on all we do
· Tribe we all need a supportive and inspiring tribe, people we can be ourselves around and who nudge us to be one percent better everyday. We are the average of the five people we spend the most time with.
· Transparency We believe in honesty with ourselves and with others of course.
· Vitality- we believe in living vibrantly and living all out with courage and passion