Ever walk into a gym and feel intimidated when you see extremely fit or buff people working out? Are you thinking they're judging you because they don't know what it's like to be overweight?
"Don't judge a book by its cover!" said One Life Fitness instructor Cassie Reamy, who has lost 100 pounds over the last three years.
"I was once in their shoes, at 250 pounds, and thinking that everybody`s looking at me," Reamy said.
"So many of us have a story behind it all," said One Lift Fitness instructor Becky Baker Stephens, who is down 85 pounds.
"I was around 200 pounds and I was that back row person also," said Stephens. "Didn`t want anybody to look at me. Didn't want to be noticed."
These days, Reamy and Stephens are front and center, showing off their results from years of taking action.
"It was a struggle. Let me tell you," said Reamy. "You have to have your food right. You have to have your cardio, and you have to have some kind of strength training in there."
Now, Reamy competes in fitness competitions.
"I never thought that I would ever do competitions. It feels great!" Reamy said.
Stephens may teach 20 classes a week now, but at her heaviest weight, she said "I used to be able to eat four Big Macs at one time and fries with soda."
Stepping into a gym was one of Stephens' biggest fears.
"I didn`t want to walk into the gym without somebody with me," said Stephens. "So when I see somebody in the class and they`re by themselves, that to me is inspiring, because I know how hard it is and how intimidated they are by seeing somebody that`s fit."
"If you only take half of a class, that`s more than not doing it," Stephens said.
"Don`t think about what everybody else is thinking about you," said Reamy. "At least you`re in here doing something."
"It`s hard work, but if you really want it, you can have it," Reamy said.
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