Karla DeFreitas Finds Success and Never Gave Up

Meet Karla DeFreitas.  I have had the privilege of working with Karla for almost three years and it has truly been a blessing to know her.  She is beautiful inside and out! Not only is she a wonderful client, she has become a great friend in the process.  The changes she inspires in those that meet her are too many to count.  I do know though, that I can include myself in that countless number of people that she touches.  Read her journey in her own words and I know that it will change you too.

BEFORE HER JOURNEY

My journey to fitness began about 3 years ago after I had my little girl, Jasmine.  I was very fortunate to have had a wonderful pregnancy with hardly any sickness at all. But, one thing I realized was how much change my body had gone through during this miraculous process.

As I share this time in my life, the one thing that resonates in my mind is how vulnerable and overwhelmed I felt after realizing how heavy I was after having Jasmine.  You see, I have always been physically active, but had never felt so out of shape and  weak as I did at that very instance. The challenge I faced was to get back to where I was.  I had bins of clothes put away that I could not fit into and I was determined to fit into them once again.  I knew that I had a lot of work cut out for me and it wasn't going to be easy.  I also knew this wasn't going to be a fast fix.

 THOSE TOUGH, DEFINING MOMENTS

As I decided to no longer wear maternity clothes, I knew I needed to feel uncomfortable to remind me of what I needed to do.  At this time, I had no idea what size I was wearing.  I remember clearly the first time that I stepped foot into a store to find out my size and see where I was.  My husband was the sweetest thing and kept reassuring me that I would get back into my clothes and that I was still beautiful.  I picked out some size 12 and 14 clothing.  Both sizes didn't fit.  By this time, my eyes started to water and I remember feeling so sad.  The sales girl then brought in a size 16.  I tried it and it fit.  I was wearing a size 16.  The clothes I stored in bins before I had Jasmine were 6 and 8.

Shortly after, my family and I went back to Miami, Fl to visit with family.  This was the first time I would see them after the birth of Jasmine.  This moment stands out in my mind.  I came to learn a family member commented on my appearance and how they couldn't believe how I had let myself go.  This hurt.  But it also motivated me to prove to everyone, including myself that I was going to do this!  IT WAS AT THAT VERY MOMENT WHERE IT ALL BEGIN AND I NEVER LOOKED BACK. 

THE DIFFICULT JOURNEY BEGINS

I had the pleasure to start training with the best trainer in the whole world, Robin Dayer. She was very encouraging and really motivated me after I shared my goals with her.  I remember our first workouts were very painful.  I remember how hard it was to simply do a squat! How could my muscles feel so weak?

The hardest part of my workouts with Robin was the time of the session.  We met 2-3times a week at 4:45 am!  This was the only time that worked in my schedule for me during this season of my life! I had just gone back to work and was commuting to HP in Little Rock.  I did not want to cheat my little girl of time with me when I got home from work, so I knew that working out in the evenings was clearly not an option.  My workouts had to come before work. 

I remember my routine clearly.  Wake up at 4am, get moving and drive to the gym.  I would meet Robin and begin promptly at 4:45am for a 30 minute session.  Making it back home by 5:25am, I would rush to clean up and eat breakfast to make it out the door by 6am.   THIS WAS THE HARDEST THING I HAD EVER DONE.  There was nothing easy about this schedule . Finally the schedule changed when HP moved their facility to Conway.

THE HARD WORK STARTS PAYING OFF

Robin helped me out of a size 16 and eventually I fit into a size 12! I began to feel much better about myself. I had gotten stronger and had begun to see definition in my legs.   After reaching this first milestone though, I felt like the weight stopped coming off like it did at first.  I understood that this was a process and this it would take some time before I could get where I wanted to be. I decided it was time to ask myself what other changes did I need to make?   I decided to look at my eating habits and made the commitment to eat well 90% of the time instead of half the time.  With added discipline to my eating, I knew more changes would begin.

I was still working out with Robin.  I never stopped as I could not see myself doing this without her. I got the coolest phone app to help me monitor my food intake.  I went back to the basics; portion control was key!  I was soon in a size 10 and then a size 8!!!  I COULD NOT BELIEVE THIS, IT WAS WORKING!!  I had been missing the biggest chunk of the pie----my eating.   I had the workout part down, but not the eating.  My body began to transform in ways so that the results I had wanted, started becoming reality!  THIS MAGIC ONLY CAME WHEN I AGGRESSIVELY DID BOTH!

KARLA MAINTAINS HER SUCCESS AND CONTINUES TO SEE RESULTS

Since my journey began, I continue to workout with Robin.  I have stuck with my eating.  It has become a lifestyle. This wasn't a temporary way to live just to get results.  It is who I am.  I am now in a size 6.  My body continues to get stronger and stronger.  I see myself doing the craziest exercises  Robin throws at me.

I thank my loving husband for encouraging me to continue on my journey. I couldn't have done this if not for his support.  I also want to thank the one lady that has made this a reality for me, Robin Dayer.  She believed in me all along. As she saw the changes take place, she continued to encourage me and always realized the true potential in me.  She continuously pushed me to get that last push up in when I had nothing left in me.

I am in better shape now than before I had my little girl.  I have more energy and stamina.

HER INSPIRING MESSAGE TO YOU

My goal now is to help others in attaining their goals.  I want to share my story so that you can become inspired to keep going.  I know that it can be done because I did it.  I have been through it and I know how hard it is to start the journey and stick with it.  It is not easy.  It will hurt and at times, it will make you feel sick.  Obstacles will present themselves!  Don't give up on yourself and always make time for your workouts.  I know that I am a better mom, wife and person because I make my exercise a priority.  During this journey I can think of THOUSANDS of obstacles that tried to come between me and my workouts......but I wouldn't allow it.   This meant having to get my workouts even when my family was still asleep in those wee morning hours!

I want to encourage you the way that Robin encouraged and helped me.  She helped change my life and gave me the perspective of living a life of fitness and well being.