I am so happy I discovered Margie at Spectrum! I have never had an interest in kickboxing and only tried one of her classes because I happened to be at the gym at that time. I thought I was going to die! But strangely, something kept pulling me back to the classes. I then realized that that something was Margie! I have seen many instructors, but Margie is one of a kind. She cares about each and every one in her class. It is going to a group class, but like getting a personal training experience. I joined Spectrum in December after many years of being away from disciplined workouts. I have 2 young boys, a busy husband and a stressful job with long hours. Over the years, juggling work and children, my health took a backseat until I finally came to the realization that if I wasn't taking good care of myself, I really couldn't do much of a good job with anything else. And so I started Kickboxing with Margie- tired, completely out of shape and flabby. A month later, I am stronger, less flabby, more confident and happier than ever! Because of her, I am determined to make it to her classes at least 3 times a week, no matter what my schedule. Thank you, Margie. You are a rare gem! You are gonna be seeing me with my gloves on very soon!!
Date of Posting: 24 January 2012
Posted By: Vinita Nair Pediatrician,wife,mom of 2 little boys
All of my life I have been plagued with being overweight. I can not remember a time that I was not on some sort of a diet and of course (for me) that did not involve a hunger for a treadmill or weights, but instead a hunger for fatty foods and sweets that led me to an unhealthy lifestyle. When people meet me they see a friendly, bubbly and full of life person who is able to talk to and befriend anyone she encounters on this journey called life. Although this is one of my greatest joys there is something buried deep inside of me that has been slowly tearing my self worth and confidence levels down. This brought me emotionally to a point where walking into stores, restaurants, schools, and especially the GYM was absolutely terrifying. The way others would stare at me and move out of the way so that I could fit through the aisle made me feel so self conscious and insecure. At times I would trick myself into believing they were staring at me because they thought I was beautiful just so I would make myself feel better.
It was not until a year ago July that this roller coaster ride of unhealthy habits and thoughts came to an end when I walked into Spectrum and took my first kickboxing class with Margie. This happened to be the part of the summer that the floors of the gym were being redone so all the classes were held outside in the hot Texas summer HEAT! Sure, the first time I took the class my heavy body only lasted 20 minutes, but I hung around and introduced myself to Margie. She was awesome, she did not judge me on not being able to finish the class, but instead did the opposite and encouraged me to keep coming back and told me that I would get stronger. I took her advice and did just that. Boy was she right, I kept coming back to the class and was able to last longer and feel stronger each time. After only one week of exercising I had my yearly check up, a time that I dreaded because I would have to face the SCALE. At this appointment, the scale turned out to be the least of my worries, but instead I was faced with the diagnosis of being pre-diabetic. Knowing that both my parents are on 5 insulin shots a day my heart fell to the bottom of my stomach and my anxiety levels went through the roof. She gave me a small machine that checks blood sugar levels and asked for me to check it several times a week, upon waking up and several hours after eating. Medicine was prescribed and I signed up for a diabetic class and would have to return for another check up in three months. On the way home tears were rolling down my face because I was so scared about what the future had in store for me.
The next day, I walked back into Spectrum and into Margie's class, but this time with a different attitude. I realized I needed to make the commitment, that I had the power to breakdown the years of bad habits and no exercising and turn my life style around and make the scale and inches go down. From that day until the present I have committed myself to doing Margie's class at least 4 times a week and making smart food choices. I cut out a lot of carbs and found a new love for whole grains,vegetables and fruits and found a new appreciation for sports bras.
With the love and support of my family and friends, I have lost 55 pounds thus far. I attribute this weight loss to one of the greatest motivating classes and instructors you will ever meet... Margie. Her kickboxing classes empower me, make my mind and body feel stronger. That beast inside of me that was tearing my self esteem down is no longer tearing it down, but instead building it up. Margie helped turn on the light switch to my transformation. I am so thankful for her energy and the gift she brings daily to the classes and those kickboxing pads too. I will continue with this journey and although there are days that I do not want to get up at 4:40 in the morning to make it to the 5:15 AM class - once I see that my supportive friends are there and that spunky Margie is up there instructing me, all my thoughts are refocused on the way I feel when I am done. I feel like a winner. Not only because I have been taking kickboxing for a year, that I have lost 55 pounds and gone from a size 24 to an 18, or because I am stronger emotionally and physically than I have ever been before, but because I am proud to say that at my 6 month check up, my doctor was able to lower the dose of not only my diabetes medicine, but my high blood pressure medicine too. Although I am not at my goal weight, or the size I would like to be, or completely taken off medication, there is one thing I know for sure: that thanks to Margie's motivation and my dedication to this class it has, and it will continue to, help me change my life forever.
Date of Posting: 06 July 2011
Posted By: Pepper Arguello I have been happily married for 18 years and a proud mother of 16 year old twin girls. I have taught kindergarten for the past 15 years and now I am proud to say an avid kickboxer!
I started Kickboxing with Margie back in January. I was really timid about trying her class because I had been away from the gym for so long after having two little ones. It had been years since I had been to the gym. It wasn’t easy but I finally got the nerve to get up early and get my health and body back into action. Margie has always been so motivating! Her smile, enthusiasm, style, and energy are so infectious. Every class became easier to attend and it was never the same. She plans these routines with different music and different routines. I immediately started to see results. By March I had lost 11 pounds! I was so excited and wanted more! I was and still am addicted! Unfortunately due to a running injury I had to stop and restrengthen myself in order to get back into kickboxing. I finally returned after a month of missing her and the class. I haven’t missed a class since. I have two boys at home (a 3 year old and a 1 year old) and having kids takes a nice toll to a woman’s body. I thought I would never wear a bikini again. After all this work with Margie I am very proud to say that I am currently down from a size 13 to a size 8! And yes I am wearing bikinis again! My body and mind have been transformed and I will continue to work with Margie to see more results. Thank you Margie and BRING IT!
Date of Posting: 14 June 2011
Posted By: Melanie Gray
