Several years ago I was in a bad car accident that shattered my pelvis and collar bone and as a result had to have total spinal fusion with titanium rods.   I was in great shape and worked out regularly prior to the accident.  After the accident and surgery, I had a major paradigm shift.  I felt very blessed to just be alive!  I had survived this horrible accident and was able to walk again; I could be a good wife, take care of my four children and their challenging needs.  So, being physically fit seemed unrealistic and unnecessary at this stage in my life.  So it wasn’t a goal or even a priority!  I had become very complacent and at ease with the fact that a busy mom of four ( and two of them affected with autism) was supposed to be soft, snuggly and have to squeeze herself into spanks before any function or event.  Right?  I felt that with my busy life, crazy family dynamics, scar tissue, arthritis, etc…who has time to work out? I felt like I was doing ok if I was not in chronic pain and could make it around the block on occasion with the dog and the kids.

Recently I received some bad news.  All of the sudden they have a recall on these titanium rods and tell me that I need to have them removed and have a double osteotomy surgery…..Oh! And it’s a 13 hour surgery and one year recovery.  And if I don’t have the surgery, I could suffer a stroke and lose 10 to 15 years off my life!  Bad news, right?  And, it’s not exactly good timing for this stage in my life so I ask about my options.  My only options are to buy some time; however, the surgery must be done while I’m still young enough and healthy enough and cannot be on any medications due to the length and severity of the procedure.  So, the doctor recommends that I lose a few pounds giving me a better chance of staying off diabetic and blood pressure meds which I have a genetic propensity for.  Most importantly, I need to get my core strong so that I can better tolerate the awkward and heavy titanium rods for a while longer in hopes of buying myself a few years and holding off surgery till a better time.    I’m not sure if there is ever a better time for major surgery, but it would certainly be easier when the kids are older, my twins are more independent and “recovered” from their autism and my husband isn’t traveling so much with his job.

The doctor recommends that I find a very knowledgeable trainer or therapist that understands my issues, restrictions and limitations so that I don’t hurt myself.  My beautiful and extremely fit friend, Katina, highly recommended Michelle Diaz at BB3.   So I signed on to attempt to commit to a few months of working with Michelle to strengthen my core and lose those few pounds.  I was also lucky enough to time it with being able to attend the Billy Beck seminar that Michelle told me I had to go to! It was extremely inspiring and I walked away with a feeling of empowerment and determination; however, still a bit concerned about my limitations.

Fast forward a few months later and here we are.  Working with Michelle has been life changing!  Not only have I accomplished my goal of losing some weight and strengthening my core, but found a way to believe that I can do so much more!  I was convinced that there were things that just didn’t work anymore as a result of my injuries and surgeries.  Michelle somehow “woke up” these muscles that haven’t worked in years with her “magic muscle testing” and miraculously fixed me!  I don’t feel broken and limited anymore and I am stronger and leaner.   My faithful 5 am workouts two days a week have been such a much needed stress reliever, giving me a little well deserved “me time” that makes me a better mom and wife.  I never thought I could carve out the time since I am running around like a crazy woman from 6am till 9pm…. but there’s not a lot going on at 5am! And at least for the next few months, my husband isn’t traveling as much as is usually home to be with the kids.  Michelle has educated me on being prepared, eating clean, eating often, which has boosted my metabolism and given me the energy to get through my sometimes very hectic and exhausting days.  She’s been a mentor, coach and kindred spirit….holding me accountable, sharing resources to help keep me successful and encouraging me all the way.   My days of yo-yo dieting are over and I’m committed to a lifestyle of healthy eating and exercise with the occasional splurges, of course.  I often complain that I don’t have enough time with my husband, and as a result of this new lifestyle, I’ve convinced him to get up with me at 4:45am on the days that I’m not working out with Michelle to work out together in our new make shift “garage gym”.  It’s great to have that time together and a great way to start out the day!  My twins not only affected with autism but also very low tone and have been inspired and somehow encouraged by my example and have been getting on the treadmill and elliptical machine for regular supervised work outs.  So the “Do as I say …not as I do” wasn’t working so well in the past.  But the “lead by example” method is much more effective!  It’s contagious and is spreading through the whole family blessing us in many ways that I never could have imagined!  Thank you, Michelle!

Rachel Ireland