To start, I considered myself a very active person who loved to run and would sign up for any race that I could find. I loved the way running made me feel, releasing the stress from the day and trying to get better with each race.  However, over time my back started hurting and I could barely run or walk without pain.  That started my downward spiral.  After MRI’s and X-Ray’s, bulging discs were found and I was told that I could no longer run.  That of course didn’t sit well with me because in my mind I just knew this was a temporary issue and if I ignored it long enough it would go away.  Well that was not the case because as I continued to run even though I was told not to, the pain got worse and was to the point I could barely function I was in so much pain.  Running was what I did and loved to do, so now what?  Well, unfortunately, I decided to just give up and hid myself in my work, eating anything I could get my hands on because I’m a stress/emotional eater and no longer enjoyed the outdoors.  After about 2 years of being unhappy and just wanting so desperately to feel like myself again I decided it was time to get my act together.

Here enters, Suzie Debar, the most amazing woman, trainer, friend, lifestyle coach and supporter I have ever known.  It was going be a challenge for me to step outside of my comfort zone as well as being limited to what I could do with my back issues but I was willing to give it a try.  I’m pretty stubborn and had already set the bad habits in motion with no exercise and bad food choices so I was going to give Suzie a run for her money.  We started working together in Nov 2015 and it was a slow process for me which was very frustrating because I felt like I had taken 10 steps backwards and was angry that I couldn’t do what I had been able to do before.  Some days were harder than others but Suzie was so patient and supportive that I started feeling more and more comfortable going at my own speed.  Suzie came up with modified ways for me to exercise, re-train the core and fuel the body with healthier food choices.  It’s amazing what the core can do to support your body when used correctly and how your body reacts to fueling with healthier food choices versus Taco Johns.  It was baby steps with little changes at a time so I could learn that it was my choice to live a healthier lifestyle, have fun and enjoy being active even if I was limited.  Suzie has taught me it’s not “I can’t” but it’s “I can and I chose” to do what is best for me and my body.  I am my own person and it’s ok.  Her energy and NO judgements attitude has kept me motivated to keep learning and to realize that each day doesn’t have to be perfect, mistakes will be made but tomorrow is a new day and I am ok with the limitations of my body and feel great about what I have accomplished.  I’m lifting weights again (woohoo!! I never thought that would happen again) and without Suzie and Debar Fitness I would not have been able to complete the Rock N Roll ½ Marathon in Raleigh, NC with my new “2 Cool for School” walk.  Suzie helped me find a way to love being active again and to have fun with it.  I finished the ½ Marathon under the 4-hour time limit and with no back pain. It was awesome! I couldn’t stop smiling that day.  Suzie has been there supporting and helping the whole way.  She is a “tell you how it is” kind of trainer which is what I love about her so we get along great. My back issues will always be there but they don’t define me and I chose to live a healthier lifestyle because it makes me feel good not because it’s what I think I have to do.  Suzie definitely challenges me every day and I can’t wait to keep working with her at Debar Fitness and training for my next ½ Marathon in March 2017.  Thank you Suzie! You Rock!