JoAnn Harper will never let anything bring her down. She has overcome too much. She has seen too much possibility. She feels too strong.

She wrote her story for us. And we have loved reading it. We have loved seeing JoAnn love her lifestyle.  

Have you ever felt like a duck out of water?

I’m about to share an incredible journey that has brought healing and life to my body and spirit….no longer a duck OUT of water but a duck IN the water!!

At the beginning of 2015, I was discouraged, more like depressed, sharing with a friend about physical issues and other challenges in my life. My friend said “JoAnn, you need some passion in your life. What are you passionate about?” That took me by surprise and I wasn’t able to come up with an answer.

I went home and gave thought to what would bring passion and joy into my life. A few days later, I made a decision to tap into my creative and decorating skills and opened up a hobby business with my sister called the Sister Act. Not too long after that decision, I set a goal to begin an exercise program in the fall and since I live so close to Lancaster Courthouse, I would go check out their facility and what they might have to offer.

For many years, I have struggled with physical issues that kept me in chronic pain and limited physical abilities. Every time I would try to do exercise, I would end up hurting myself, get discouraged and fizzle out. Over the past three years, I had three falls due to balance issues. I was gaining weight at a rapid pace and becoming more limited in my movement such as having to go up and down stairs one step at a time. My pain level was most of the time between “very painful” and “extremely painful.”

September came, I stayed true to my commitment and drove over to the Courthouse to sign up. I was greeted by Kyrianna, a young positive caring enthusiastic Fitness Coach. When I shared with her that I had made the decision to sign up in the fall, she said “do you realize today is the first day of fall.” That put a smile on my face. She convinced me to sign up for the four-week Kick Start as well as have weekly sessions with a trainer. This was one of the best decisions I have ever made in life.

I nervously met with my trainer who very confidently and patiently guided me through some very simple stretch movements (not what you would call exercises) in the pool. I appreciated his positive spirit, treating me with dignity as I was reluctant to try what he was suggesting. Sure enough, several hours later, I was experiencing the beginning of muscle spasms and pain. I panicked, called Kyrianna who calmly suggested several things to do and said she would be willing to meet me the next morning in the pool and do some stretching exercises with me. This was the beginning of overcoming fear as she helped me work through the pain and bring it back into control without having to get doctor assistance. My trainer continued building me up as I chose to stick with the program and work through my fear and pain.

In the beginning I had several flare-ups and continued to pull out of them with the assistance of my trainer. Each time this became successful I became more confident and less fearful! I started out with 2 days a week in the pool and by the third month was ready to do 3 days a week, 1 day in the gym and 2 days in the pool. I am now ready to begin 2 days in the gym and 1 day in the pool.

• During the past 8 months I’ve had tremendous growth in mobility, strength and endurance.

• My chronic pain has decreased from 6-10 level down to 0-2 level.

• I can walk up and down stairs without pain.

• My feet are pointed straight vs. my toes pointing outward when I walk.

• I have not had to have doctor care during this past 8 months.

• I have lost 25 pounds.

• I have lost body fat, gained muscle mass, all numbers moving in the right direction

• My confidence in life has increased tremendously

• I have applied principles from my trainer to everyday life situations

• I have concentrated on my own health and as a result have been an inspiration to several others who have begun their own health program

• The decision to go to Lancaster Courthouse has been one of the most transforming decisions I have ever made in life. Believe it or not, I look forward to my health program, getting up 3 days a week, entering a clean, welcoming facility and greeted by positive staff at the front desk.

For a woman who truly hated exercise all her life, to be this engaged in exercise at age 67 is truly a “duck out of water”  

Kick Start is the way we help our Strong Moms become strong moms. Get a free consultation.