Tamie Asa

“I’ve always been ‘the big girl’. That was the role I played all my life and for the most part I had accepted it. I try not let my size stand in the way of me enjoying life. Every so often I’d decide to lose weight and I’d go on whatever diet was popular at the time and lose a little bit then get tired of following the program and gain back anything I lost plus some.
I knew my weight wasn’t healthy but I didn’t have Diabetes, high blood pressure or any of the other health problems associated with being heavy, so I convinced myself that it wasn’t hurting me. When I entered my 30’s, I started to feel the pain of carrying so much extra weight for so long. I was sore and tired all the time and would get winded walking short distances or up a few stairs. I kept telling myself I needed to do something about this, but my ‘plan’ would last a few weeks and then I’d be depressed because I failed yet again.
Towards the end of 2010, I was looking ahead to my goals for 2011. I knew I wanted this to be the year I stopped the ‘diet mentality’ and make real, permanent changes to improve my health. I wrote out the steps that I was going to take to make these changes. I remember reading them and thinking that these were the same things I’ve tried so many times in the past, what would make this time any different? In the back of my head I kept hearing “How can you expect to keep doing the same thing and get different results?” But what else was there?
I was chatting with a friend about our plans for 2011. She suggested we try a fitness boot camp. “Yeah right….I’m gonna die!” But, I had heard about Victory Get Fit Club a while back from a different friend so thought I’d check out the website. Looking at the pictures and watching the video on the site confirmed to me what I thought I knew to be true: that I couldn’t do it, that it was too hard for me. I’m not sure what possessed me to agree to go, but I signed up for the New Year’s mini session. I was so scared that I would literally shake every time I thought about going, but at the same time I was excited because I knew this was something different than anything I’d ever done before and maybe, just maybe this would be what would work.
My first week at fit camp was a big turning point for me. I went in hoping I could do it, but really didn’t think I could. I’d watch as Clem showed us the exercises and think to myself, “Please, that is NOT gonna happen”. But, there was something about this positive, encouraging environment that made me feel like giving up was not an option. Failure was not an option. Clem and the other ladies in the group are amazing cheerleaders! They expect me to succeed. Yes, it was (and still is) very difficult for me…but not impossible. Every day I’m doing things that I never imagined I could do. I’m amazed at how much stronger and self confident I have become in such a short time. I’ve only just begun this journey but I am learning skills and developing habits that I know will help me to reach my goals. For the first time in my life, I truly feel like I deserve the success I desire.” ~Tamie Asa, Feb. 2010

Check out how hard she works in Fitcamp and Zumba and why I chose her to be my “Star Kent FitChick”. I never hear her make excuses or blame others (eg. trainer, the workout, spouse, kids, or LIFE) She’s attended every single day since January except for when her car broke down, then she rallied the support of her family to drive her from West Seattle to Kent at 5am for a week while they wait in the parking lot during her workout. She’s lost close to 30 pounds so far & owning every drop of sweat and every choice she makes.