When I began my training with Jennifer in January of 2010 (back in her LA Fitness days), she turned just about everything I thought I knew about fitness on its head. She coaxed me out of the bright lights, away from the fancy (aka highly inoperable) cardio machines, and threw me into what most women would consider the “man-cave” of the gym (which is otherwise known as the free-weight room). In a matter of weeks, I was the queen of that man-cave, lifting as heavy and hard as the guys, although sometimes I felt more like the maid (the concept of returning items to their proper places apparently evaded them). I soon became stronger and more empowered than ever before, as I noticed transformative changes both inside and out.

A few months into my training with Jen, however, my husband returned from his deployment, and (sticking to the military stereotype of course) we soon discovered that we were pregnant. While I was immediately overcome with joy at the thought of a brand new life growing inside me, I also became instantly concerned about how to stay as fit and healthy as possible throughout the coming months (…and beyond! Yes, I was already dreading the weight I was inevitably going to gain, and have to lose afterward!)  Throughout my pregnancy, I continued strength training at TAISO at least three days a week, pushing myself during my workouts, while also recognizing my own personal limits- which meant modifying movements and taking breaks whenever I felt like I needed to. Jen and Butch helped make this possible by providing alternate exercises as they became necessary.

I honestly believe that lifting weights (and getting my cardio in simultaneously, of course) allowed me to battle fatigue, manage stress, and also prevent excessive weight gain during my pregnancy  (and I could still eat my mini mint chocolate chip Oreo Blizzards without feeling guilty!) However, the most important benefit I gained from strength training (up until the day I went into labor- no joke- I was literally walking into TAISO when my husband convinced me that we should probably head to the hospital) was the ability to power through the birthing process. Building muscle and maintaining core strength while pregnant prepared my body for the “labor of labor,” so to speak. Within fifteen minutes of being told to “push,” my healthy and beautiful daughter, McKenzie Rose, was already in my arms (in our birthing classes, we were told that a typical first pregnancy requires anywhere from 1-3 hours of pushing!) With no complications or problems during the birth, McKenzie and I were both given clear bills of health, and returned home the very next day.

While I had been mentally preparing myself throughout my pregnancy for how my body was going to look and feel post-baby, I never thought that I would walk out of the hospital almost as big as I was when I went in! After gaining 35lbs (which is in the healthy “normal” range), I figured I might have had about ten pounds to work off once all was said and done… The reality was quite different, though because I still looked at least six months pregnant, and left the hospital only about 15lbs lighter than I had been with a full term baby in my belly!

After five weeks of enjoying new mommyhood, I decided that it was about time to get off my butt, and get back in the gym. Luckily breastfeeding had helped me lose about five more pounds, but I still had about 15 left to go. While I was excited to get back to my pre-baby weight, I had quite a full plate already, as I was finishing up my Bachelors degree, writing an undergraduate honors thesis, and battling the challenges of newborn life (which basically meant that I wasn’t sleeping at all!) Jen and Butch helped me overcome the obstacle of new mommy time management by allowing me to bring McKenzie along to my workouts, and most of the time she just slept right on through them!

Within 12 weeks, I was back to my pre-baby weight of 140lbs, but I didn’t want to stop there. Jen had been thinking of taking her fitness journey to the next level as well, so we soon began preparing for a low-level bodybuilding bikini competition. Since I was still breastfeeding, diet manipulation could only go so far, so I had to pump up my workout regimen by adding some high intensity interval training and steady-state cardio, but mainly stuck with the TAISO method of full body heavy lifting circuits. I felt like I barely had time to blink, and another 12 weeks had passed. By the end of July, I had already graduated from UWT Summa Cum Laude with Global Honors, raised a happy and healthy six month old, and walked on stage in front of hundreds of strangers in a teeny weeny bikini! And it felt good. I felt good.

Back in February (2011) I was 153lbs, 36% body fat and 30% muscle. By the time I entered the WA NPC Bikini Competition in July, I was 128lbs, 23% body fat and 33% muscle (what this equates to, ladies, is going from a size 9-10 to a size 3-4). Not only did I meet my original goal of getting my pre-baby body back, but I exceeded that goal beyond the realm of what I thought possible. Most importantly, I had laid the foundation of an active and healthy lifestyle that my husband and I can continue to build upon, that will become a model for our children in the years to come. The TAISO community (comprised of both trainers and members) helped provide me with not only the tools I needed in order to arrive at this current juncture in my fitness journey, but also the social and emotional support that was critical to my own personal success. Being surrounded by a network of friends whose goals and lifestyles were similar to my own not only made me feel accountable to something bigger than myself, but gave me the strength to battle through my failures, and the reassurance that I could fulfill my own potential.

What sets TAISO apart from more “traditional” gyms is not just their killer workouts, but their level of commitment to individual personal growth in fitness (and in life!) through small group training classes. By creating a tribe of healthy and active individuals, TAISO has provided their members with a “fitness family,” so to speak; the TAISO family is a tight-nit community of friends who support and propel one another through the ups and downs of diet and exercise, while having fun and working hard. Throughout the process of beginning to build my own family at home, I have also been blessed to have the immense support and encouragement of my TAISO family at the gym. While I believe that my own personal background, lifestyle and belief system would have led me to lose my “baby weight,” and get back in shape eventually, I attribute 100% of my ability to obliterate my fitness goals in such a short period of time to the special group of friends and trainers at TAISO Fitness & Nutrition.

Kayla D. Pevehouse, 24

(Proud TAISO member since August 2010)

Taiso Fitness and Nutrition

If you are looking for a unique gym experience try Taiso Fitness and Nutrition. We are Tacoma’s fitness and nutrition gym for people who want to get out of pain or improve performance, who need immediate, measurable results, and want to make educated decisions to take control of their health.

Ready to get out of pain or improve performance? Looking for a gym, personal trainer, or unique boot camp experience? Set up a complimentary consultation, or start a 21 Day Risk Free Trial. Stay up to date on the latest information through our website at www.taisofitness.com