cover story
I said , ‘ I ’ ve got to
change something .’
22 HACHEALTHCLUB . COM
HAC MEMBER
PAIGE BURCHFIELD
Over the next few years , she became a member at other gyms , but would never go . Without an arranged time forcing her to be there , and with her busy schedule , she found it hard to get there on her own . “ I would always talk my way out of it , saying ‘ you ’ ll do it tomorrow , you ’ ll do it tomorrow ,’” but rarely ever did . Eventually , Paige became a full-time nanny for a HAC family , and they added her to their membership .
With her two free training sessions as a part of her Fitness Health Appraisal , Paige made an appointment with a trainer and started training with her every week . As time went on , the two had trouble matching their schedules , and Paige felt that her trainer wasn ’ t the right fit for her , so she stopped personal training . Without a scheduled time , Paige again didn ’ t make it to HAC .
It wasn ’ t long after she stopped training that Paige entered into a new relationship . Dates were often accompanied by fast food , soda , and sweets , sometimes up to four times a week . She knew she wasn ’ t eating healthy , but she admits she stopped caring . She was happy , and he accepted her as she was . “ So for almost six months ,” she says , “ it was pizza , cake .” And 30-some pounds .
“ That summer , June 2016 , I just remember going to the Italian Festival with my friends and my boyfriend , and I was disgusted with myself .” After eating and drinking so much , she started to realize just how unhealthy her habits were . “ And then I had bought this dress , and it fit , but I didn ’ t like how I looked in it . I still wore it , but then I saw myself in pictures and thought , ‘ this is not okay .’ 200 pounds – it was just bad . I didn ’ t like my body . It was hard . And so I said , ‘ I ’ ve got to change something .’”
Her friend Lacy was training with HAC Personal Trainer , Ron Shoop , and suggested Paige try training again , but with a different trainer . She said Ron was awesome , and so Paige decided to take her up on her suggestion . More than that , she decided to prioritize her health and make her wellbeing become a part of her busy schedule .
GOODBYE , OLD PAIGE
In July 2016 , she made big changes , and she committed to them . She knew 200 pounds was unhealthy for her , especially at her short height . Her doctor said as much as well , which was devastating to hear , but drove the point home even more . “ I wanted to lose 50 pounds ,” she says . “ I wanted to be at a healthy weight .”
She set a goal for herself to lose the weight and started training with Ron . Within the first week , she cut out almost all sugar ; she stopped drinking soda ; she cut out all the fried food , pizza , and sweets she ’ d