Tra Blake
UBC Orlando

I have to admit that at first I wasn’t very excited about starting a workout program. But after some convincing from my fiancé I agreed to give it a chance or just go to support her.  The notion of starting an intensive 10 week, 6 days a week workout program after letting myself turn into a couch potato was a little intimidating. Especially starting off with a mile and a half timed run and fitness assessment was not something I wanted to do. 

Once we went to UBC and met the staff some of my initial concerns were somewhat relaxed.  The staff at UBC was very different from other training programs that I’d experienced.  Everyone was very friendly and eager to help you reach YOUR goals of fitness, not to show off how fit they were and make you feel bad. 

Once we started our initial assessment and I was surprised by how out of shape I really was, and at that point, it wasn’t something that my fiancé wanted me to do, but something I needed to do for myself.  My goal wasn’t to be the fastest or strongest person in class, but to challenge myself and see how far I could push myself and what results I could obtain.   I started to pay attention to the nutrition plan that was presented and try to follow it closely. 

In the past I have tried numerous times to set my own plan and do it by myself, but of course this did not work.  With UBC this time was different.  I not only had the support of my fiancé, but the support of UBC as well as the other 20 or so people in our class.  I have to say that going to UBC became like a second family.  Everyone was very support and always had an encouraging word.  When someone was having a bad day or missed a day or two, there was always someone there encourage you and help motivate you to keep pushing.  Several times during the program, I have to admit that I didn’t fully follow the nutrition plan, but UBC instructors always encouraged us to not dwell on it and just pick back up and move forward from today. 

It got to the point where I felt bad if I didn’t workout and was missing something for not showing.  While in class we supported each other and learned from each others experiences on things like nutrition and healthy places to eat.  But the biggest motivation came when we could start seeing results in each other.  That really made you want to push harder and stick to the program. 

After the first couple of weeks I started to get into a routine and looking forward to pushing a little harder each day.  That also transitioned over to other parts of my life.  It was easier to wake up each morning and I physically felt better and was more energized throughout the day.  One of the biggest things I noticed was that because I felt better, I was generally in a better mood and had a more positive attitude.  As the weeks progressed, even though we were working harder, classes became easier.  Now, I was looking forward to the mid evaluation and the final evaluation. 

Near the end of our program I began to return to other activities that I hadn’t done in years.  When out of shape, I wasn’t able to do a lot of things that I loved to do.  One of the biggest things for me was playing basketball.  Since I didn’t have the stamina to run up and down the court, I just stayed away from playing.  Basketball had been a huge part of my life and by being lazy I’d let it go.  Well near the end of our program, I went to the gym and joined some games.  It was great!  I was very surprised and excited to see that I could run several games and play full speed and not be exhausted.  For the first time in years I felt great about playing the game I love again. 

Now after the 10 week class has finished, I feel like I have just started a new chapter.  I am extremely happy with my results, but that has now motivated me to push for even better results.  I do not ever want to return to the type of sedentary lifestyle that I was leading before.  UBC has started me on a new path and changed my outlook on fitness and leading a healthy lifestyle that will last for a lifetime.