With the help of Wilson’s Fitness, we invited three individuals with three different goals to share the fitness journeys that have put them on the path to better health — inside and out.

A New Positive Body Image

Eric Luebbert, age 47

As far back as I can remember, I have always wanted a perfect body. That was my wish when I blew out the candles on my birthday cake as a kid. I have always been self-conscious about my body and am my own worst critic. Is creating a great body image the answer I’ve been searching for? When am I going to make it happen? Well, I wasn’t getting any younger, so I guess it was now or never.

Working out in a gym with a trainer and with weights was new to me. It required me to give it all I could. In the beginning I had to do things I wasn’t very good at and, in some cases, was uncomfortable doing. Sometimes it was painful. It made me sore. I was stubborn, and I even got angry a couple times, but having a trainer definitely kept me on track and forced me to dig deeper for strength I didn’t know I was capable of.

The past few months have forced me to address my body image, and I realized that a lot of what I feel was wrapped up in fear: how I present myself to the world and what I think other people see. Silly, right?

Exercising has forced me to take a good look at my physical appearance. Training with Tracie Mathews has helped get me through the rough parts and hold me accountable to my exercise goals, and stepping outside of my comfort zone has required me to change my attitude toward the fear I’ve felt all my life.

Throughout this journey, I have found that patience, acceptance and accountability are key. A great workout or incredible yoga class does wonders for a positive attitude, and a regular exercise regimen inspires greater confidence, self-esteem and an overall healthier lifestyle and attitude.

Thanks, Tracie!

Fitness goals: Slim down and shed the excess 20 to 30 pounds while gaining healthy muscle tone and mental clarity.

Favorite trainer quote: “No more stinkin’ thinkin’!”

Finding Myself Again

Jodi Winegar, age 35

My story is likely very similar to other women my age who are learning what motherhood is all about. I realized after having my third child that I needed to find myself again. Through juggling it all, I had lost my energy, my mind, my spirit and my body. I needed to focus on ways to be a better wife to my patient husband, Darryl, and to be a better mom to our wonderful children.

I knew the first place to start was to become active again. Finding a gym that was right for me was easy. Getting to the gym to work out was not as easy. So I signed up for a trainer, Tracie Matthews. She greets me at the front desk with a smiling face and enthusiastic encouragement during each workout session, throws my excuses out the window and tells me to work harder. For this I am thankful, as I now have my life back in shape. My husband has his wife back, and our kids motivate me to be an active mom.

Wilson’s Fitness makes my trips to the gym convenient and efficient by offering extended child care, and they keep up with the latest trends in classes and ever-changing times to fit my busy schedule. And if Tracie has not seen me in a week, I usually get a “friendly” text reminder that she is waiting for me at the front desk.

Fitness goals: Get healthy!

Favorite trainer quote: “Are we excited yet?”

Making Fitness A Way of Life

Linda Samson, age 69

My family has many heart problems. My father died when he was 39 from a heart attack, my mother had three open-heart surgeries, and 20 years ago I had open-heart surgery. I knew then that exercise was important if I wanted to enjoy life.

I’ve been going to Wilson’s now for more than 10 years, and it has become a way of life for me. I highly recommend personal trainers. I’ve had several throughout the years, and I still refer back to the techniques and training I’ve learned. When I retired, I made it a priority to always try to work it in, and I find that if I go first thing in the morning, then I have the rest of the day for other things. Working out at Wilson’s has certainly paid off for me, and my doctor is always amazed at how well I have done.

I enjoy the classes offered, and I also work out on my own a couple of days a week. Monday, Wednesday and Friday are my class days, and on Tuesday and Thursday I go solo. But I always try to change it up so nothing gets too routine or boring.

Wilson’s offers a variety of ways to challenge yourself, and the trainers are there to help if you have any questions. It’s a wonderful family atmosphere, which makes it much easier to work out.

The classes may be hard, but they keep me challenged even when I can’t always do all the moves. I won’t let age stop me. Even on the days when I don’t want to go, once I get there, I am motivated by others. That keeps me pushing to the limit.

Fitness goals: Maintain my shape, firm and tone up to look good in clothes and, most importantly, stay hearth healthy.

Trainer nickname: “I call Tracie ‘Killer Tracie’ because she teaches a tough class.”

Need Motivation?

If you’re struggling with motivation, hit a plateau or having difficulty lifting more and eating healthier, “Don’t give up,” encourages fitness expert and personal trainer Tracie Matthews from Wilson’s Fitness in Jefferson City. Be willing to push yourself in the gym. Be consistent with your workouts, and make better food choices to improve your physical strength and fitness.

Like two of the individuals mentioned above, sometimes people can benefit greatly from the help of a personal trainer who can provide additional education, motivation and support needed to reach your goals.

“A typical first appointment includes us sitting down and taking you through our Visual Fitness Planner,” Matthews says. “It calculates everything from your likelihood of getting diabetes to heart disease or having a stroke or getting cancer.” The VFP even creates a 3-D image of your body now and a preview of what your potential body can look like by following a specific customized fitness plan.

“Once we have a plan formed, we take it into action,” Matthews says.

Wilson’s Fitness trainers then take clients onto the fitness floor and develop a program that will give them the results they are looking for. “Most people come into a gym because they want to lose weight, and that does happen,” Matthews says. “What really occurs is that they feel better, have more energy and can go up that flight of stairs and not think they are going to pass out anymore.

“This is your health,” she continues. “And without that what do you have?”