Connie Rose McGougan, Madison

I have been overweight most of my life. Exercise has never been a part of my life except during rare times when I was in one of my lose weight phases and it was usually short lived. The weight crept higher and higher as I got older and when I was pregnant with my first child I was well over 300 lbs…I lost some but not all after delivering him and then got pregnant with my second child. I was once again over 300 lbs.

After having my second son, I was determined to get healthy for my kid’s sake. I lost 49 lbs by the time my son was 6 months old and decided to have Lap Band surgery. Most people think it is the easy way out to have some sort of surgery, but let me tell you-that is not the case! Lap Band is merely a tool to help you feel full by restricting your stomach when you eat bulky food, but you can still eat soft foods with no restriction like ice cream! So it’s hard work.

I started exercising by walking almost immediately after surgery. As the weight came off and I built stamina, I started running and even did a 5K! I was excited and proud but it was still hard to make myself workout and run. A good friend convinced me to join Ladies Riviera…I was hesitant because I didn’t want to spend the extra money and wasn’t sure that I could make the commitment to go since I had never successfully done it before. I bit the bullet and decided to join.

Here’s where I learned to LOVE exercising. Let me say it is one of the best decisions I have ever made. I started off doing the machines and was enjoying myself but I started to see how many people were doing the classes and the music was so much fun…I tried Zumba with Michelle and even though it was hard…She kept saying “you are doing great things”! She motivated me to keep doing it! Then I decided to try Body Pump! I had never lifted weights before and Oh my…I sure was sore after the first time but I went back two days later and 4 months later am hooked! Everyone is amazing and motivating! They all care about you. I decided to try Combat and am really enjoying that too! I was doing it wrong initially and my knees were hurting. Sue saw me rubbing my knees and came up to me to help. She has been so supportive and caring to ask me how I am doing all the time! Amber, Tiffany, Evie, and Rachel are equally as great. They really know how to make you feel good about yourself and motivate you to continue and not quit. I can honestly say I am addicted and am loving it. I go every day for at least an hour. When I miss a day it is only because I am out of town for work. I rarely miss! I have found a great positive place that I feel at home at. Thank you and all of your team for making my experience a great one!!!