For the month of July, I asked Lynnette a series of questions to get to know her better, celebrate her accomplishments, and allow her to give others a little behind-the-scenes look at training with me at JM Health and Performance.
Build a picture of your time at JM Health and Performance (When did you start? How did you find JMHP and what were your feelings that first day?)
I started training June 2023. I heard about JM Health from a friend who had recently started training. Trying a trainer had never crossed my mind- I thought it was for fitness fanatics. To be honest, I was too afraid to even call and make a consultation so I made my husband do it for me! My feelings the first day were all over the map: terrified, insecure, highly skeptical, maaaaaaaybe a little bit excited… Talking about weight/body comp/relationship with food aren’t topics I was used to discussing. When I started, I was not eating much protein and my total caloric intake for the past 15 (?) years was under 1,000 calories a day. Jeremy really had to work hard to convince me to EAT, teach me what to eat, and promised me I wouldn’t gain weight by eating. As much as I hate to admit being wrong, over the past year, in addition to weight training, I have radically changed what food looks like in my life. And I can say, he was right!
What was your “why” when you first started and how have you made progress toward that?
When I started with JM Health, I was focused on losing weight and changing my body. I am turning 40, and I have four beautiful kiddos that I homeschool. I tried to exercise, and eat healthy, but I thought my body was broken. I had tried so many things, and in my mind, my self-imposed 6 week trial with Jeremy was just one more thing I was going to add to the list of things that “didn’t work”. There are so many things I could share about my year, but I think it’s so very important to say that I came in wanting to change my body and now I see that while yes, there is change (NOT BROKEN!) the most important thing is really that I have exchanged my future for a BETTER one. Each day that I show up I am working for today’s results, but I am also making deposits into my future in a major way! I farmer’s carry so when I am old I can carry my own groceries and not hurt myself. I squat so I can live independently later in life. I used to think 30 min at the gym was SO LONG, and wondered what on earth people did for so long at the gym and good grief- every day? Slowly but surely, I can honestly say that I love the gym. It is my priority each day, and I enjoy the work and focus I have there (another bonus to having Jeremy as a coach are the workouts he programs for me on days we do not work together. I always know exactly what to work on). My husband and I get to enjoy the gym together- at least once a week we have a date at the gym. I promise you, if you had told me 2 years ago I would be doing this I would have laughed at you.
In what way has Jeremy supported you in achieving your goals?
I’m just going to say it. I am an emotional human. And I was so nervous and uncomfortable and new at everything! I am pretty sure I cried the first time I was asked to do push ups? Jeremy is so patient and supportive. Having a coach ready and waiting for you at the gym makes such a difference. He is genuinely happy to be there and to see you. He is a gifted teacher, and he is careful not to push you too far too fast. I continue to be surprised at how much “mental energy” is involved with training. He has had to gently teach me to rethink so much of what I thought success/failure/progress are.
Tell us something that most people don’t know about you or a fun fact?
These questions always make me feel lame because my whole life has really been focused on one thing since I was 4: MUSIC.
My nickname in school was Thumbelina because I am small. I was a violin major in college and I have been performing since my earliest memories. Disneyworld asked me to audition to be Ariel (my favorite!) and that was a pretty epic moment for me.
What are some of your favorite lifts or movements?
Surprisingly, I really enjoy the things I was the most scared of: the bar in particular. I feel like I can get a lot of good work on it consistently. I have hot pink straps and they make me happy. But, if I am being honest I was afraid of absolutely everything. I also really love the pit shark. Oh! And the bodysaw!
What PRs or accomplishments are you most proud of?
My trusty little app has told me that this year I lifted over a million pounds and… that’s pretty darn awesome. Without sounding corny, I am pretty proud of everything: from just learning to be comfortable around people who are so much farther along than I am, to showing up more than I thought I would. I really like being at the gym and I get all antsy if I miss more than a day. I still find it difficult to be excited about body scan days, but I am really proud of the work that I have done this year, and the example I am setting for my kids.
What’s on your fitness bucket list?
Pull ups. I also have a body fat percentage goal I am working towards.
What are your hobbies? What’s on your general bucket list?
I love to love on people. I am a bit of a “foodie” and I adore music and theater. A bucket list item for me would be going to the World Pryotechnic Festival- fireworks are my FAVORITE!!!!
What would you say to someone on the fence about joining or just starting with JM Health and Performance?
I would encourage them to take all their past “fitness experiences” and pack them up and put them in memory storage for a bit. Start fresh. Expect to work harder and longer than you think to see results. I had really unrealistic expectations (and still struggle sometimes). There isn’t really a fast lane. BE HONEST with yourself and with Jeremy- you won’t scare him and it works better for everyone. Just speak your fear or failure. No big deal. For me, there is no comparison so going to gym vs working with a trainer. You will get SO MUCH MORE out of it.