From Out of Shape to Feeling Great – Caring Community Helps Anthony Thrive
Tiffany Anthony has always enjoyed exercising. She even was a runner when she was younger.
“Back in the day when I was concentrating on my health I used to do sprint triathlons, I’ve done the Riverbank Run a couple times,” Tiffany said.
Sometimes, as life happens, health stops being a priority.
Tiffany decided in the spring of 2023 that she wanted to feel better and live a healthier lifestyle.
So she joined the Over 40 Personal Training program at PowerStrength.
“I was extremely out of shape when I started but they meet you where you’re at, they didn’t put these outrageous expectations on me at first, but at the same time, it made me want to strive to do better and be better and try harder,” Tiffany said.
Tiffany was invited to try PowerStrength by a friend who knew that she had tried a few different things in the past when it came to fitness. While nervous to give PowerStrength a try, Tiffany is thrilled that she did.
“I’m trying to get back in shape. That’s my biggest thing. The biggest goal is weight loss. I started about a year ago and I’m down 40 pounds! I still have a good ways to go, but this has just been a huge encourager along my journey, and I’ve had some ebbs and flows, but I just fell in love with this place from the time I started coming,” Tiffany said
FEELING GREAT
Tiffany overcame her initial apprehension and is now thriving. She still has goals to lose more weight, but feels much better and credits PowerStrength’s expert coaches and the others that trains with for much of her success.
“The staff here is so encouraging and I think that’s one of the things that really draws me to this place. I’ve done some other programs and I know they teach them how to interact with members and things of that nature, but I feel like places I’ve gone before they were just doing it as part of the process where I feel like these people genuinely care, yes, they’re doing it as part of the process but they truly care about you. That’s just a huge difference for me. It’s always nerve-racking coming in when you know you’re out of shape and you’re working with some fit people and things of that nature.
That’s always a scary piece, but that really has never even crossed my mind since day one. Because you’re so focused on yourself. You’re so into what you’re doing that you don’t even notice other people. Beyond that, all the other people that come here are so friendly, truly, there’s people introducing themselves here right away, and encouraging, and the ‘good jobs,’ and just getting to know other members.
Really, there is not one negative thing I can say about this place. It is just truly something that I’ve needed for myself for a long time. And when you’re coming in and you have to work hard and you want to work hard because you want to reap the benefits. That’s exactly what this place does for me.”
TAILORED TRAINING
Tiffany is taking advantage of PowerStrength’s personalized training. Each person has a program that is customized to their goals and ability level. The sessions are never more than 6 people per expert coach to allow for plenty of one-on-one attention, while gaining the camaraderie and energy from the other like-minded people in the group.
“I like just kind of like a small group, individualized focus, because even sometimes in our small group, they’ll have some people doing this and some people doing that so they get to know you and what your needs are, and kind of go from there, but still push you. So just that pleasant, inviting environment in general, I wanted to come back. I’m kind of klutzy sometimes and there was a time that I got in something backwards, it was embarrassing, but they laugh with you. When I first came I couldn’t even balance doing split squats, and I kind of forgot about that, but now it’s not a problem. So it’s just amazing how these little things come together.”
NUTRITION NEEDS
PowerStrength offers a variety of challenges for members throughout the year, this is where Tiffany has shined the brightest.
In May 2024 she was able to drop 8.5 percent body fat making her one of the top finishers in the PowerStrength member-only challenge.
“Sometimes I waver but the other things that really keep me motivated are the challenges that they do here,” Tiffany said. The last challenge was last month and I need that motivation to keep me going and keep in check. I did very well on that challenge, so I kind of joked that I need a challenge every month. So we kind of made a deal where I am going to start checking in with Sylvia (expert coach at PowerStrength Alpine) once per month. I need somebody to help me because, yes, fitness is super important, but nutrition is super important too, and I struggle with that a little bit. I know what I need to do, but always doing it is the hard part and I’m an emotional eater, happy, sad, mad. So I’m a work in progress, that’s why I have ebbs and flows.”
Nutrition is often an important factor in tailoring plans for people to reach their goals. Each PowerStrengths location has certified nutrition coaches on staff and discuss options for making good choices when it comes to what to eat and drink.
An option that is often implemented is the 80-20 rule where people are encouraged to eat healthy 80% of the time and allowed to indulge in less healthy foods the other 20%.
“They give great tips and they’ve given me all the right tools that I need even down to recipes and things of that nature,” Tiffany said. “But it’s like a partnership and it’s got to be on me to implement that. During the challenges I have really focused on those things because in order for me to reach the goal that I have for myself, I need the nutrition piece. You can’t out exercise a bad diet, as we all know. Really I’m working on finding that balance.
Realizing you can’t ever not cheat, but it’s just finding that healthy balance like an 80-20 and that’s what Sylvia and I have talked about. She says an 80-20 is a good rule to have, but just their encouragement for protein is a huge piece and just making sure you’re getting enough of that and I just purchased my first round of supplements. She gave me some suggestions on that so I can continue my journey. So just so many tools, I’m just excited to continue on. I can’t say enough good things about this place.”
INVESTING IN HEALTH
Accountability is something that we all need, especially when it comes to exercise and eating right. Tiffany is achieving remarkable success in her fitness journey and is committed to working with expert coaches at PowerStrength to make it happen.
“Some people have said to me that the cost is high, and I said, if you break it down by session, it’s really pretty reasonable, and it’s about what’s important to you,” Tiffany said. “I am not the person that’s going to just go to the gym and do these things on my own even though they’ve given me some tools. I need somebody to say go do four sets of this and your form is off. I need that and there’s just nothing better because you can’t not do it. It’s so easy to just be like, oh, you know, if you’re on your own, that’s good for the day, but you can’t just say that’s good for the day here. You’ve got to follow through with the program they put in place for you.”
BETTER IN ALL ASPECTS
Tiffany doesn’t just look and feel better, she is also seeing benefits of being healthy in her job. She is a teacher working with special needs students, and her PowerStrength experiences have provided lessons that she can pass down to her students.
“I work with special needs students, and the last three years I’ve been working with 18 to 26 year olds and we work on life skills,” Tiffany said. “Your health and nutrition, all that is part of the process and that’s one of the other things that’s been kind of cool as I’ve been able to incorporate some of that into my classroom. We’ve done some fitness stuff and talked about nutrition, so definitely, if I can be an example for them. I mean, that’s the best way.”
MENTALLY TOUGHER
Of all the benefits to living a healthier lifestyle, perhaps none are more important than the mental aspect. Tiffany has been able to use her sessions at PowerStrength as a stress reliever. Coming in after a tough day and moving around even more weight to take out some frustration.
Her all around experience is making her a better version of herself.
“My why is just to be the best version of myself physically, mentally and emotionally,”. Tiffany said. “I feel like those things all work together and physically is a big piece of it and especially for me and mentally I’m happier and in a better place when I physically feel better about myself.”
She has some advice for anyone else that may be struggling with their fitness and desires a healthier lifestyle.
“If Tiffany Anthony can do it, so can you. I came in, super out of shape, and not to say by any means that I’m close to my goal, but they will work with you to help you get where you want to be. It’s not a race, it’s a marathon and I know that’s a cliche, but it is so true. I look back at what I’ve done this year, and of course we always want stuff instantly, but it’s a process and that takes time. I would encourage not to give up and say you’re going to have some weeks that you fail and some weeks where you get sick and can’t make it at all, but you can’t let those things deter you from continuing on in your path. And Power Strength is a great path to go down. Because they aren’t going to make you do anything you can’t do but they’ll push you to do things that you know you can do.”
READY FOR A STRONGER, HEALTHIER, MORE ACTIVE LIFESTYLE?
Men and Women over 40 seeking a stronger, more energized lifestyle can join the personal training programs at PowerStrength at anytime. No previous workout experience is required as each program is customized to the fitness and ability level of each individual.
Multiple small group and private sessions are offered in the early morning, mid-morning, late afternoon, and evening.
Click HERE to learn more program details and schedule your risk-free consultation.