A question I get occasionally is why did I become a personal trainer? Most people assume that I was an athlete in high school or college and have been a fitness buff my whole life. The truth, however, is very different from that.
I come from a family of dancers. I started dancing at a young age which made weight a central focus of my upbringing. I was weighed by my ballet instructors each week which made food and weight an issue at home. No desserts. No seconds. There always seemed to be someone watching what I was eating. I became silently rebellious by sneaking food and scarfing it down behind closed doors.
When I stopped dancing at the age of 15, I made an honest, verbal vow never to exercise again. I was a self proclaimed exercise hater. I proceeded to eat everything I could get my hands on to make up for the previous 10 years of deprivation. During my high school years I ate what I pleased and didn’t move a muscle (except my overused jaw muscle so busy chewing and swallowing). I quickly put on weight.
This prom pose is cracking me up.
From that point on, my weight officially jumped on the weight management roller coaster and was a permanent rider for many years. I got married and struggled to lose weight and finally got down to 155 to squeeze into my beautiful dress. Then the weight shot up fast.
I started to teach kindergarten and quickly my overwhelming job consumed my days. I had no balance in my life, never exercised and tried to give myself the energy my job demanded by filling my body with sugar. I also noticed around this time that I had become “the fat sister” in my family. I had gained too much weight to enjoy many of the things I used to like snow skiing, hiking, swimming, water skiing, etc. I just wanted to sit and eat. I was miserable, often sick, and unable to sleep well. I was now well over 180 pounds, hated my job and hated myself.
I sought out my parents for help. They recognized my desperation, so they sent me to a personal trainer, Ben, for six weeks. I was primed and ready to do anything Ben the Trainer told me to do:
He told me to drink a gallon of water a day—I did it.
He told me to lift weight three times a week—I did it.
He told me to do cardio five times a week—I did it.
He told me to cut out sugar and white flour 100%–I did it.
He told me more vegetables and fruits—I did it.
I honestly quit all my old habits cold turkey and in a day was a changed person. The six weeks of a personal trainer turned into 2 ½ years of three visits a week with Ben. I dropped 50 pounds, 6 dress sizes, and gained my life back.
Since my days with Ben the Trainer, I have gone through three pregnancies (where I gained and lost 70 lbs each time), more trainers, stayed at home raising my children, moved four times, seen my husband start and finish medical school, and supported him during his residency here in San Antonio. Throughout all of these changes fitness and health has been central to who I am and become my hobby and passion. Last year I decided to finally fulfill a goal of mine and became a NASM certified personal trainer. It has been so fulfilling to be able to work with my clients at the JCC and see them reach their goals, gain strength, and lose weight. Despite the crazy workouts I put them through, they still come back with a smile!
I have also taken my obsession with fitness to the internet. I have a website called “Trainer Momma” (the website is www.trainermomma.com). I write daily fitness and nutrition tips for women and completely committed to helping mother realize that fitness CAN fit in their busy lives. Trainer Momma was also recently featured on WOAI’s San Antonio Living show in a segment about Online Fitness Training.
After working with clients as a personal trainer for the past 18 months, it quickly became obvious that nutrition is paramount to their success. I am currently studying to become an AFPA Certified Nutrition Consultant to meet the needs of my clients and readers of Trainer Momma even better.
I look forward to coming to work each morning, seeing and working with my clients and in turn fueling my love for fitness.
–Mandi Reading is a certified personal trainer and a certified nutrition consultant. Check out her website Trainer Momma at www.trainermomma.com for daily fitness and nutrition tips. For any other questions, email her at trainermomma@gmail.com.
Wow, what an inspirational story! You are seriously AWESOME. I’ve always been super impressed by your healthy lifestyle and rockin’ body every time I’ve been around you, but hearing your story I’m now even MORE impressed. And what a difference you can make in others lives with your story. I know when I have gained weight I’m often embarrassed to even show up at the gym because I feel like every other girl there has been a size 000 their whole life, or a college athlete. It’s really nice to have a REAL person to relate to. Thanks, and way to go Mandi, you rock!
I loved reading this story and I love your blog. You look fabulous!! I have some work to do. I just had twins (o.k well…… 18 months ago…..) and I have baby weight to lose. I also need to take hold of my bad eating habits. I love the recipes you have and will be making a stop to the grocers today! I already have my empty milk gallon filled with H2O started drinking. I will look forward to reading your blog with all your great tips. Keep it up…. and THANK YOU!!
You are seriously my hero. When I read your blog I think, this is the person I'm meant to be. I'm pretty good with exercising. I started teaching aerobics and am training for a RAGNAR race in Feb. I've lost most of my baby weight, but still trying to tone up and I'm having a hard time with that. I have a really hard time with eating good foods regularly. I love your recipes and I'm trying to incorporate them into our diets. Thanks so much for being an inspiration to me. You totally rock!
Ok, I love you. No really i do! haha! Well I love your story. I can see a lot of myself in you. I am in the midst of the never ending weight struggle. But i will make it! I am really interested in becoming a personal trainer/ group fitness instructor. Do you have any advice that would be helpful? Thanks in advance! beckyjones356@hotmail.com
btw you look fabulous- (you always have in my eyes) but i know what it's like longing not to wear mom jeans anymore after baby's. thanks for all the tips.
Thanks for your inspring story. I love that you made a decision of how you wanted your lifestyle to be and you did it without looking back.
I have struggled with weight most of my life and even started a weight loss website Thintopia.com but I still ride the roller coaster. The site was originally for family and friends to manage weight loss competitions but his grown to over 4000 users.
I want to continue to grow the site and offer more than just competitions since that can be less effective for permanent loss. I look forward to following your blog for ideas and inspiration.
I knew why I loved you! I love trainers who knows what it's like to be fat and become skinny again. Those are the people I respect the most, the people that can relate to me, and you are one of them.
After losing 170lbs (yes that's what I said) I feel so good. I'm training for my first full marathon and all I want to do is eat healthy, and your recipes has helped me to do this. I feel so good and I am so glad to have found your blog.
love your before and after pics andlove your story. Glad I found your site as I have a good 10kgs to lose after my 4th baby. I'm finding it harder to lose than after my other pregnancies as now i have 4 children but am sure your blog will inspire me!
Just stumbled upon your story. What a gift you must be to those around you. Great inspiration. Thank you for sharing. I have lost 29.5 pounds in the last 15 months by changing my relationship with food and doing Bikram yoga…I too feel like a new person.
Your recipes look great, I am in need of some new ideas. I look forward to reading more of your blogs…..Happy New Year.
I found your blog site on google and verify just a few of your early posts. Proceed to maintain up the superb operate. I simply further up your RSS feed to my MSN Information Reader. Seeking forward to studying extra from you later on!Ö
I just found you throuh a friend’s blog…you are my new inspiration! I, too, had a screwed up relationship with food growing up, lost a bunch of weight with exercise and diet shortly after college, just had baby number three with about 50# to lose, hubby just finished residency and we are moving next week to start fellowship! You are where I want to be in a year (but not pregnant again for a year and a half) LOVE your site…I’ll definitely be a regular!
Trainer Momma is a fitness and nutrition site for women and their families. There's no agenda other than sharing effective workouts, terrific food, and WHAT WORKS.
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OK Mandi… I hear your story. I had no clue you were that size! Definitely my inspiration now!
Wow, what an inspirational story! You are seriously AWESOME. I’ve always been super impressed by your healthy lifestyle and rockin’ body every time I’ve been around you, but hearing your story I’m now even MORE impressed. And what a difference you can make in others lives with your story. I know when I have gained weight I’m often embarrassed to even show up at the gym because I feel like every other girl there has been a size 000 their whole life, or a college athlete. It’s really nice to have a REAL person to relate to. Thanks, and way to go Mandi, you rock!
I loved reading this story and I love your blog. You look fabulous!! I have some work to do. I just had twins (o.k well…… 18 months ago…..) and I have baby weight to lose. I also need to take hold of my bad eating habits. I love the recipes you have and will be making a stop to the grocers today! I already have my empty milk gallon filled with H2O started drinking. I will look forward to reading your blog with all your great tips. Keep it up…. and THANK YOU!!
You are seriously my hero. When I read your blog I think, this is the person I'm meant to be. I'm pretty good with exercising. I started teaching aerobics and am training for a RAGNAR race in Feb. I've lost most of my baby weight, but still trying to tone up and I'm having a hard time with that. I have a really hard time with eating good foods regularly. I love your recipes and I'm trying to incorporate them into our diets. Thanks so much for being an inspiration to me. You totally rock!
Ok, I love you. No really i do! haha! Well I love your story. I can see a lot of myself in you. I am in the midst of the never ending weight struggle. But i will make it! I am really interested in becoming a personal trainer/ group fitness instructor. Do you have any advice that would be helpful? Thanks in advance!
beckyjones356@hotmail.com
Inspiring. Way to go Mandi!
love this mandi!
btw you look fabulous- (you always have in my eyes) but i know what it's like longing not to wear mom jeans anymore after baby's. thanks for all the tips.
nic
Thanks for your inspring story. I love that you made a decision of how you wanted your lifestyle to be and you did it without looking back.
I have struggled with weight most of my life and even started a weight loss website Thintopia.com but I still ride the roller coaster. The site was originally for family and friends to manage weight loss competitions but his grown to over 4000 users.
I want to continue to grow the site and offer more than just competitions since that can be less effective for permanent loss. I look forward to following your blog for ideas and inspiration.
I knew why I loved you! I love trainers who knows what it's like to be fat and become skinny again. Those are the people I respect the most, the people that can relate to me, and you are one of them.
After losing 170lbs (yes that's what I said) I feel so good. I'm training for my first full marathon and all I want to do is eat healthy, and your recipes has helped me to do this. I feel so good and I am so glad to have found your blog.
love your before and after pics andlove your story. Glad I found your site as I have a good 10kgs to lose after my 4th baby. I'm finding it harder to lose than after my other pregnancies as now i have 4 children but am sure your blog will inspire me!
well done, you look fabulous:)
Corrie:)
Just stumbled upon your story. What a gift you must be to those around you. Great inspiration. Thank you for sharing. I have lost 29.5 pounds in the last 15 months by changing my relationship with food and doing Bikram yoga…I too feel like a new person.
Your recipes look great, I am in need of some new ideas. I look forward to reading more of your blogs…..Happy New Year.
http://www.heartwriter.wordpress.com and http://www.mamaneedsarefill.com
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I found your blog site on google and verify just a few of your early posts. Proceed to maintain up the superb operate. I simply further up your RSS feed to my MSN Information Reader. Seeking forward to studying extra from you later on!Ö
Very good publish, thanks a lot for sharing. Do you happen to have an RSS feed I can subscribe to?
What a great story! Just what I needed to motivate me and give me the extra push today:). Thanks! You look great!
I just found you throuh a friend’s blog…you are my new inspiration! I, too, had a screwed up relationship with food growing up, lost a bunch of weight with exercise and diet shortly after college, just had baby number three with about 50# to lose, hubby just finished residency and we are moving next week to start fellowship! You are where I want to be in a year (but not pregnant again for a year and a half) LOVE your site…I’ll definitely be a regular!
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