Hello! My name is Crystal Reiber. You are most likely wondering what I could possibly know or say on the topic of motivation/self-improvement that you have not heard before. Perhaps some of that is justified and, certainly, it is a human reaction. However, let me simply tell you that I know because I am living proof of what motivation/self-improvement truly means. No, I am NOT perfect and I am the first to admit that!

Who I am is a married woman of 26 years with a husband, two young adult daughters, the family’s cat, an active volunteer in my church (chancel choir member, bell choir member, substitute pianist and song leader, and worship leader.) I have a full-time job and have attained my CFT (certified fitness trainer) certification.

Growing up, I was always one of the smallest kids in my class. That remained a constant, even into my married life, until after the birth of our second child. After which, “life happened”! As a result, I found myself in a body I no longer recognized. Yes, I knew I had gained weight(when you do, you know!), but it wasn’t until I stepped (and re-stepped several times…because I could NOT believe that number!)on the scale. I was heavier than I ever had been!…EVEN when pregnant…YIKES! That was the defining moment that I became determined to change! I had hypothyroidism(under-active thyroid)and high cholesterol along with a terrible medical history and family medical history. So, if I was going to sweat and grunt, it was going to be for as many benefits and correcting as many problems as I could!

I started my “fitness quest” on October 1, 2000. I was about 160 lbs., wearing a size 16, and ALL of that was NOT pretty on my 5’1”, 45 year old frame…trust me! I started doing weight training, working out six days a week. By the time Christmas rolled around, I was thrilled to find myself wearing a size 12. I did not want to go back to a larger size, which I felt if I slacked off, would be where I would find myself! Therefore, I kept going with changing out one of my workouts for another.

I noticed as I started to feel and see changes, that I naturally gravitated toward healthier eating choices andlifestyle changes in ALL areas of my life. That continues even today!

By mid January 2001, I was wearing a size 10 and actually was dropping sizes too quickly…my $$$$ supply couldn’t afford to keep buying clothes (for I could no longer have size 16 altered to fit me) Honest, it happened! So, I lowered my intensity, working out 5 days a week and lifting lighter.

The end of February, about five months after starting, I reached a size 8 and 135 lbs. I felt I had enough muscle mass at this point and switched my emphasis on attaining better overall proportion and definition. If I went down into another size, fine, but I was okay with size 8 and thrilled to again see a single digit size!

I kept working out and upon getting a job that found me having to be at work by 7:30am, meant getting up by 4:45am so I could be working out by 5am, have time to eat, shower, dress, see my daughter off to school, and make it to work on time. I managed to whittle off a few fractions of an inch here and there, attain some definition, and by my “anniversary date”, one year since I began my “fitness quest”, I reached a size 6 and 130 lbs.

I have continued working out…it is the way I start and get energized for my day! I am still redefining workouts that I have designed to continue attaining better overall proportion and definition. I even added kickboxing to my regimen in the summer of 2002! I am now a size 4 and 128-130 lbs. I wear a smaller size than over 26 years ago on my wedding day and I only weighed 109 lbs. then! You see, although muscle takes up a lot less room than fat, it is more dense and you’ll weigh more, BUT wear a smaller size…GREAT! So, let me ask you: “Does this stuff work?!” I’ll be 48 years old in May of 2003. What do you think my answer is? Ha ha, you’re right if you said, “YES!” Let me also add, I do ALL my workouts in the comfort of my own home. I have not ever worked out in, or had memberships to, a gym or health club. This is a terrific time-saver!

Unfortunately, I have witnessed society’s cruel standards: the snide remarks, the discrimination of not being hired for a job that I was more than capable of doing, and sadly being misjudged. If we could be seen for what we are inwardly (who we are), society would be much more understanding and accurate upon meeting us. However, that is NOT the case. You only have ONE chance to make a first impression.

I have had my own organization & time management business. I had to be a good motivator to work with my clients. I am sure that was a great asset for me as I embarked upon the start of my quest. Couple that ability with the fact that I have lived through what many others need/want to overcome, and you’ll see I’ve been led a different direction for the “calling” in my life. I have lived through: being fat, hypothyroidism, depression, multiple surgeries, discrimination, the heartbreak and stress of raising a physically handicapped daughter, and so much more. As I have shared, I do NOT claim to be perfect. I still have “areas of discontent” and that’s okay! I am not, nor do I plan to be, a competitive bodybuilder.

I no longer have any larger clothes available for my use than the size I currently wear. I am NOT going back to that neighborhood! I have found my calling and WILL become a motivational speaker and personal trainer, because I KNOW what it is like and can relate to others facing where I was, where I am, and everywhere in between. I currently have 25-30 people I help in just that fashion, via online. I guess there are not too many others who take to age 47 to finally know what it is they are suppose to/want to be when they grow up!

Remember, everyone deserves to be his/her best! You deserve to be your best for yourself, those you love, and those who love you! You are NOT alone….EVER! I’m here for you!