Milestone member Shannon Jacobs-Valdes has a complete support system here at the Club. She, her mother Sonia, and her daughter Cidney are all members! We met them while they were taking Interval Inferno with Rebecca Wine. Here is Shannon's fitness story!
- What is your main health and wellness goal?
My main health and wellness goal is to lose weight, get healthy, and tone up. I have several medical conditions that require I take medication on a regular basis and I want to get healthy, so that I can come off the medications. I also want to feel more confident with myself and I way I look.
- What do you love about Milestone?
I love Milestone, because it is always so clean and welcoming. Everyone there always has a smile on their face and says “Hello” whenever you see them. I like how the members get to know you and engage in conversations. I also like how people start to recognize you and if you have not been there is a while, they ask how you have been and let you know that you were missed. It is more than a gym; it is a community of friends.
- How long have you been a member of Milestone?
I have been a member of Milestone since January 2023, but I have been coming to Milestone since August 2022. I started out doing the Fitness Challenge that was going on at that time and loved it so much I decided I wanted to join; however, I was scheduled to have surgery so I wanted to wait until after then to sign-up. As soon I was cleared to start working out, I signed up.
- What is something we would be surprised to know about you?
Something you would be surprised to know about me is, that I really love Christmas and had my Christmas tree and decorations up inside my house on November 6th. The decorations outside went up shortly thereafter. I will also leave my Christmas tree and decorations up until the end of January.
- What is your piece of advice you would give to others getting started on their fitness journey?
The piece of advice I would give others is to just do it. Stop making excuses for why you cannot get healthy or in shape and take the necessary steps to start. I would also suggest that you share your journey with others, including your accomplishments and setbacks. Being able to share your journey, knowing there are people who support you, and that you are not alone in your journey makes it easier and more fun. By talking to others about it, when you do have a setback, you don’t feel so bad, because you see that everyone has setbacks. All you need to do is acknowledge you got off track and then take the steps to get back on track.
- What are your guilty pleasures/ indulgences?
My guilty pleasure/indulgence is chocolate or anything sweet. Since I have been trying to lose weight, I am not eating as much sweet foods and after a while, I didn’t really miss to too much. However, Halloween and the holidays make it harder for me not to overindulge. I guess I’ll just have to spend more time at Milestone.
- How has all being members together enhanced your workout routine?
Being members together has enhanced my workout routine, because I always have someone to workout with me. There have been times when I have not felt like going to workout or attending a class that I normally do, but then when I find out my mom is going or my daughter wants to go, then I will find myself at the gym. In the end, I am glad that I went, because I feel better and happier afterwards, plus I get to spend time with people who mean the world to me.
