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Sose Tokatlian

It sounds almost cliché when you hear the phrase “I’ve tried it all…” but what can I say “I’ve definitely tried it all.” Growing up I was always the chubby kid, constantly being made fun of. The being told I was fat and that a pretty girl like me shouldn’t look the way I did. As the years went by, this stigma associated with all those comments led to becoming constantly self-conscious. I wasn’t happy with the way I looked, the way I felt, and more so how those feelings carried through in the way I carried myself. Over the years I went through countless diet programs, like Jenny Craig, South Beach & Weight Watchers, and even got to the point where I found myself ordering things you’d normally see on infomercials from diet pills to exercising equipment, you name it and I’m sure I owned it at some point in time. However all of that was as a mere band-aid to this underlying problem I had created within myself from a young age and carried around like a “backpack” until present day.

The gym had always been this place I was dragged to; by no means was I ever happy about going to work out. The slightest mention of going to the gym, and I would find every and any excuse simply to not have to go, exercise and sweat. Nevertheless it came to a point where I realized that what I was doing to myself was in no way proactive to my life. I realized at 25 years of age I had to finally do something once and for all, stop the denial, stop the excuses, and make a lifestyle change and for once in my life be in charge of my own body. I searched deep and hard within myself and decided that this was it. Meanwhile my sister had set me up on this “blind date” at BB3 Performance and Training Center with one of the trainers. The day came and I went into the gym and met with Steve Van Zandt. He asked a lot of questions about what my goals were and all I remember thinking was “I just want to buy a pair of jeans without going to 15 stores to find one that actually fits…” Ten months later, I’m still here, I’m still motivated, and definitely loving the fact that I work out with Steve. I couldn’t have been set up with a better trainer if I had picked myself. He’s an amazing trainer, highly qualified; he answered all my questions and always had a solution when it came to something I didn’t think was possible whether it be in regards to training, my eating habits, and how to manage my crazy, unpredictable schedule that changes by the minute.

I came in overweight, out of shape with knee injuries, definitely in no condition to lift more than 5lbs, and couldn’t even do one lunge. Not only was I physically not capable but mentally I had set myself up to believe that I couldn’t do it either. As the months went on and the sessions kept getting harder and harder I was amazed by the changes I was seeing. I went from lifting 5lbs to 30lbs and from not being able to do a single lunge to dong multiple sets of them in one session. I would walk into BB3 three times a week, not believing I was there yet again but always left with this awesome feeling inside knowing that I had accomplished something that day. Each and every day I saw myself getting a little stronger, a little faster, and I owe it all to Steve. He pushed me when I thought I couldn’t do it anymore and kept me motivated day in and day out. The words “GET SOME!!” that I heard so often during my sessions, is undeniably Steve in a nutshell. He’s definitely been the one thing I owe all my success to, the reason I didn’t give up. When I started working out I was 210 lbs, I’m now 190lbs, my body fat has gone down, and went from wearing a size 18 to a 12. I can finally go buy those jeans I was thinking about that first day without the trip. More than the numbers though, what really counts to me, personally, is the way I feel now; the composition of my body has completely changed. I feel so much stronger, my posture has improved tremendously, and I even catch myself walking by a mirror sometimes and actually liking what I see.

Coming into BB3 only ten short months ago was the best thing I could have ever done for myself. I love the gym and more so I love the people there. Everyone has a positive attitude. You feel this energy when you walk into that place, and know everyone is there for one thing and that’s to kick some ass, to get healthy and take control of their body’s. It’s by the far the best gym I’ve ever trained at. I realize now after months of training with Steve, that nothing is impossible. The idea that I had led myself to believe for years was no longer a contributing factor. That “backpack” weighs a lot less now. I absolutely appreciate everything that Steve has done for me and can’t wait to see all the changes and challenges in store.

Sose Tokatlian – April 2010

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