At O2 Fitness, our incredible team of personal trainers work hard every day to help each of their clients transform. But did you know that some O2 trainers have undergone transformations themselves?
Meet Bernadette Quattlebaum, Personal Trainer at O2 Fitness Goose Creek in North Charleston, South Carolina. Since joining O2, Bernadette has lost 90 lbs and feels stronger than ever. Throughout her journey, she became inspired to help others in the same way. She's sharing her story in the hopes of inspiring you to get started on your goals today, not tomorrow!
What was your ‘rock bottom’ or your ‘aha’ moment that made you decide to make a change?
I had tried several different ways to lose weight. I did extreme calorie restriction (which is very unhealthy), home workout DVD’s, biking up to 20 miles a day and other forms of cardio. I was tired of being unhappy in my skin and wanted a way to lose weight, be healthy and be happy.
How did you begin to make the change? What worked for you?
My change started with my husband getting us a gym membership at O2 Fitness Goose Creek. I wholeheartedly believed I’d quit going after a week or two, but I used my program design sessions and decided that working with a personal trainer was the best option for me to stop the cycle of losing weight then gaining it back. I started with small changes in my diet and simple but challenging workouts. Making small dietary changes helped me stay on course because it’s easier to maintain. In the past I tried to change all my bad habits at one time and would give up too easily.
What was the most significant or surprising change you felt?
I never participated in any sort of sport so the first time I was referred to as an athlete was surprising to me. That made me feel like I had really succeeded in changing me and how I am perceived by others and myself. It made me feel empowered and strong.
What is your maintenance plan?
My journey has led me to kickboxing, which I do three days a week, and I lift three or four days a week. I tried not tracking my food intake but that did not work for me. In order to maintain what I’ve accomplished I must also maintain a consistent diet to go along with my exercise regimen.
What was O2’s role in your transformation journey?
I met with a personal trainer when we joined. I knew I had no idea what to do and that I’d just be spinning my wheels on my own, and I didn’t want that to happen. I worked with a personal trainer for eight months. He taught me about effective exercise, form, diet, and pushed me past what I would have ever accomplished on my own.
What have you learned through the process?
Aside from the diet and exercise information that I learned, I learned that I am capable of more than I imagined. If you told me when I started that I’d come as far as I have, I wouldn’t have believed you. I learned to believe in myself.
What would you tell someone who wants to make a change? How would you inspire them to finally go for it?
I have several cliché-type things I’d say - don’t wait for Monday, every day is a good day to start, if I can do it, you can do it. The thing that motivated me the most was being told that I was the only person who could make the change happen. I couldn’t wait for someone else to do it for me. That inspired me to take charge of my diet and exercise habits. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it!
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