Jesse: Progress Update!!!

Who wants a progress update? Raise your hands!

Did you seriously just raise your hands? This is a blog. Now look around and see who caught you looking like a fool. :)

Ok, so I have been blogging for a few months now telling you all about the things I have done at the gym.  Now I will fill you in on my actual measurable progress. No pictures just yet that’s another couple months away.

Weight

Starting: 270lbs           

As of May 27^th: 239.3lbs

Height

Did you think I would shrink or grow taller?

Pant Size

Starting: An uncomfortable 42in waist.

As of May 27^th: A comfortable (maybe a little loose) 38in waist.

Shirt Size

Starting: A tight in the belly 2XL

As of May 27^th: I wear an XL that still is a little tight in the belly, but it is getting there!

Body Fat Percentage

Starting: 34%

As of about a month ago: 27.2% (I will make sure I take a new measurement soon)

Along with the changes in weight and size, I have increased both my strength and stamina. Every single week I am beating the level of weight I have lifted the week before and it feels AWESOME! I am also very nearly able to run a 5K without having to slow down or walk. I expect to fully be able to do that by the end of June.

All these changes keep me coming back (and I actually like exercising now) and keep me going.

See you in the gym!

Jesse: Week of Inspiration!

Last week was a great week for inspiration.

It started on Monday, when my best friend of 18 years and his girlfriend went in to the hospital to deliver their baby boy. I stayed with them through Monday into Tuesday when the little guy was born. I got to witness the agony that she had to go through (except the delivery…. NO WAY was I going to be there for that!) and ladies….Holy CRAP!! That is some terrible stuff. But it all was worth it when that little butterball was born. It was one of the happiest days for my best friend and his girlfriend... and yes for me too.

After the little guy was born there appeared a look of inspiration in my friends face as well as a look of “OH CRAP”. Understandable, he has a child to take care of and raise. One of the first things we talked about after the birth is both him and his girlfriend getting back in shape. He said to me “I need to make sure that I am always here for that little ham bone, I gotta get back into the gym.” That was it... that was the moment of realization and inspiration.

There are many reasons to get back into shape, but love is the greatest of them. That’s part of why I am doing this fitness thing. Not only am I doing it so I can feel better, I am doing it to help ensure that I am here for my nieces and nephews and maybe one day a child of my own (whoaaa, let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves here). For my best friend who, along with me, has struggled with weight to look at his son and know that he has to do something is inspiring.

Now we jump to Saturday. That was another day of true inspiration. It was the day that all the folks who did the Body in the Works Physique Challenge got up on stage and showed off what they spent 12 weeks working towards.

There were folks there that I saw working out and training like crazy people every single day. Dieting, lifting, cardio. Folks who didn’t know what the weight room was to people who have always used it. They dedicated 12 full weeks to changing their bodies and for many changing their lives. We even got to witness a marriage proposal; he pulled the ring right out of his undies. That was funny.

But to see these folks, who don’t compete in shows, get up on stage and show their transformation is about as inspiring as it gets. It makes me want to drive even harder and maybe (That’s a BIG maybe) one day I will do the same thing.

See you in the gym!

Sandy: Muscle has Memory… Right?

Muscle has memory….or so I hope.  In case you didn’t get to read my history, I started lifting back in the 80’s, the LATE 80’s that is, when I was 15 years old.  Sure, I wished I was one of those petite, waif type people, with thin arms, and slender build, but alas, I was not.  I was built like a brick house.  I had (have) broad shoulders, and thick legs.  And I was strong, I mean really strong.  I was probably the strongest of all my female (and some of my male) friends at the time.  I embraced my build and my strength, it was the only thing I could do because if there is one thing I knew for sure, a person cannot change the structural build they were born with. 

Fast forward to my late 20’s.  I was going to the gym consistently 6 days a week, waking up at 4:30 am to get my two hour work out in before my day began.  I remember my late 20’s, when I was tough, and buff.  My arms were pretty cut, though I was a far cry from having six pack abs, because THAT required me to eat really lean, and I just didn’t have the discipline to do it.  I could jump on a bike and just ride for four to six hours at a time.   Physically, I was a powerhouse of energy.   However, I remember seeing some older women and men, with their stomachs expanding outward, apple shaped.  They looked soft, and I said to myself, “I would NEVER LET MYSELF get to that point”.

Fast forward to my mid 30’s, I had my second child and I fell into a rut.  A rut of poor eating, very little exercise, and a whole lot of depression and frustration.  My schedule was no longer mine to do with as I pleased.  I had two children’s schedules to maneuver through my own life and work schedule.  I was no longer was my own first priority.  The weight started to creep on, slow, then quickly bouncing up 25 pounds above my comfort zone, where I leveled out for a while.  Then, within the past two years, I bounced up ANOTHER 25 pounds (much to my dismay) and it seems to continue to rise no matter how hard I work out, or how much I try to fight the battle with diet.

This 8+ year long rut has lead me to the point where I am today.  My metabolism has slowed down, WAY DOWN (which is typical after the age of 35… I guess) My poor eating habits are deeply ingrained, and shifting them has proven to be a ruthless battle, where I am fighting miserable episodes of being “HANGRY” (hungry which leads to angry).  I panic when I get hungry and my stomach doesn’t seem to want to be satisfied till I’m over full, since I have trained it to expect that. 

“It isn’t that easy, is it sweetheart?”  Says my subconscious self.  “You thought you were above the odds didn’t you?  You thought that the older generation of people that you once feared you would become were just people who weren’t trying hard enough.  Well take a good look in the mirror darlin.  You have become one of those “Older people” with the expanding apple shaped waistline, and soft hips.  And you thought you could easily maintain your 20 year old physique forever.  HA!“ 

My, my how times have changed.  There was a time when I could sign up for any class without a second thought.  I knew I could handle it no matter how tough it would get, I loved the challenge.  I used to be one of those people in the fitness classes who would whoop and holler for more, getting bouncy and peppy (or down right annoying, depending on how you look at it) in the back of the class.   

Now I worry if my knees will buckle when I walk down the stairs!  It’s crazy how age changes not only our bodies but our minds in a very short amount of time. 

Here are the lessons I want to share.   If you are young, stay consistent and true to remaining a healthier you;  through working out and eating right.  You have to fight for your healthy physique, or it will slip away like sands through the hourglass, right before your eyes. 

The other lesson I have learned is that as I age I can no longer eat the way I once did.  I have to realize that I don’t move as much, and I have less muscle mass, so I can’t justify the big meals anymore.  Also, that I have to put all else aside and once again make myself the top priority.  I have to keep myself challenged and have fun when I am working out, or I will not want to come back. 

My most significant lesson is the acceptance of change.  Acceptance, by the way,  is NOT settling.   I am not settling with my current weight or lack of muscle, but I will love it as I am working on shifting it.  As hard as it is, I will love every curve and every ounce.  I will not be so quick to judge as I once did in my 20’s, when the world was my oyster, fitness came naturally and I had all the time I wanted to work on myself. 

We are all built differently, and we all have our own challenges.  I want to look like me, beautiful, unique and wonderful me! 

I love sharing the world with all the fantastic, wonderfully diverse people around me.      

Sandy: Happy Belated Mother's Day!

Happy Belated Mother’s Day to all of you lovely moms out there. 

I gave myself a tremendous gift on Mother’s Day, and I wanted to share a little of my journey with you, to let you know how I got there.  My gift was of self love and acceptance.  I know, that may sound a little weak or hokey when you read it, but if you really give it some thought, it is a very significant gift. 

I’ve been a little quiet lately, and I apologize for that.   You see after many weeks of reflection, I’ve been studying my habits and attitude shifts and I’m seeing a definite pattern of ups and downs that are brought on by emotional stress.  We all have these situations, when life sneaks up and bites you in the rear just when you think you got the ball rolling.

I was getting into a good trend of getting to the gym 5 days a week, even if it was just for 30- 45 minutes, I would get there and I would move.  Then Easter came, and it seemed to knock me off balance.  Also, as the weather gets better my neighborhood friends start getting together once or twice a week, which is GREAT, but….   Now, don’t get me wrong, I love my neighborhood!  The problem is that I’m a social eater, and that puts a big damper on any progress that I’ve made.   I know, I know, everything in moderation.  My logical brain understands all of that, but like potato chips, “Ya can’t have just ONE.”

The problem wasn’t so much the parties… it’s my mentality around it.  I give in and say “Oh what the heck!  I’ve been working hard, I deserve this” or worse, “I’ve been working so hard, with such little result, I might as well enjoy myself and eat if I’m just going to stay the same.  Sometimes I just get forgetful or in complete denial and I just munch away without abandon.  It’s almost like in order to fit in with the party crowd I need to be chewing on the food that everyone brought.  It would be an insult not to, Right?  (Or so my brain tells me.)  The worst part is the way I feel afterwards, heavy, bloated and uncomfortable.  My clothes don’t fit anymore as it is, and after a party, my clothes seem to just cling.  I would berate myself for DAYS and do a lot of negative self talk, which just brings me down emotionally.  Then it dawned on me.  I had to stop beating myself up.  No one is going to judge me if I choose not to eat the seven layer dip with chips.  No one is really going to care if I’m munching on carrots instead of pizza. 

You see, life is a challenge.  You can choose to accept the challenge, and work every day toward your goal, making smart choices, either at meal time, or to get to the gym; or you can just say, who cares, and allow yourself to fall into the pit.  The pit is a very terrible place to be, it’s the place where you give up hope or caring because it just seems like too much work to try, and once you’ve fallen in, it’s very difficult to get out of it.   

The fact is that every little choice that we make works towards the bigger picture.  We can’t forget that one little mistake shouldn’t lead to a complete self destructive onslaught.  Sure, we won’t get the results as quickly if we allow those little mistakes to add up, however the best thing we can do for ourselves is to be forgiving and loving.  Stay aware of what you are doing.  Allow yourself to bend sometimes without beating yourself up because that self torture just leads right back to the pit.

If you miss a day at the gym, don’t let it turn into weeks.  Just keep pushing.  Go for a walk or a quick jog, do some push-ups or stretches, just get your body to move so that it knows that you are still in routine, even though you may not have gotten through the doors of the gym.

This Mother’s Day I decided that I was going to sleep in.  I CHOSE not to feel guilty about it.  I wasn’t going to allow myself to get down because my shorts didn’t fit, or that I hadn’t been to the gym in three days.  I was going to fill myself with love and acceptance.  I put on an outfit that I knew would be comfortable, and I relieved myself of any judgment.  And you know what?  I had an amazing day.  I even allowed myself to have an ice cream, and I enjoyed it! 

My day was filled with an ebb and flow of love.  Everything seemed to go right and flow smoothly.  I am and still remain very thankful.  I woke up to a beautiful day today, and I’m ready to work.  I have my goals set and I know what I need to do to make some forward progress.  

So here are my words of wisdom for the day.  Give yourself the gift of love and acceptance.  Focus on your bigger goals, and just work on Today, anything beyond today can seem too overwhelming.  Listen to your body, and listen to your heart.  You can’t change it all in one day, and if you try to be perfect you will just set yourself up for failure.  Just keep moving toward that bigger goal by making little choices and eventually it will all add up. 

Wishing you all the best. 

Jesse: I Don't Want to be THAT guy. (Warning, cell phones and French Fries are mentioned!)

I don’t want to be that guy.

I’m a lot stronger than I think I am. That is the underlying lesson I am learning while training with Devon.  You all got to see my video in my last post where I did some very heavy deadlifts that I hadn’t done since high school. Since that session I have done a variety of lifts with weights I didn’t think I was near ready to lift. The strength is coming fast and I love it.

The only downside is now I have to use more plates, which means I have more plates to put back. I can’t be one of those guys who leave what I was using on the bar, that’s just rude. Although lately while putting plates back I have had to rearrange racks because some folks can’t tell the difference between a 25lb plate and a 5lb plate. I don’t want to be that guy either. It’s rather silly.

I have read a lot of articles lately on the super awkward moments of going to the gym and I wondered how many of them I did, do, or have seen.

I see a lot and I have done a lot (not anymore!). One of the biggest ones that I read about is using cell phones while sitting on benches when the gym is busy. I am guilty L, I have done this a few times. I was just outright perusing FaceBook when there are better things to be done. I am more focused on my workouts now and getting my training in, I don’t have time for FaceBook while I am at the gym. The only time my phone is out is when I am entering information into my workout apps...or saving myself from being Rick rolled by Pandora (What’s Rick rolled? Google it, it’s fascinating).

Also another one that falls into the cell phone usage category is making phone calls near the big window in the weight room. Guilty of that too. I have made calls several times (let’s face it, it’s the only place with service upstairs) but I didn’t realize that everyone can hear my conversation. Annoying, especially when the conversation is about the pros and cons of dipping Wendy’s fries into a Frosty (yes, I had that conversation while at the gym). I won’t be that guy again.

There is another guy I will never be again. The guy who takes up a squat rack just to do bicep curls. I didn’t realize how annoying I was by doing that. Not until I started focusing on strengthening my legs. I have, on more than one leg day, encountered another person doing what I used to do. Curls. In. the. Rack. I was mentally amped up to squat some heavy weight and boom, both squats racks being used and one is full of someone doing curls. Oh NO! I was losing my momentum, thinking to myself “hurry up, broseph”. I learned that day that no curls should be done on a squat rack. Legs are a hard day and many people psych themselves up for lifting heavy. I don’t want to be the guy that stops that momentum by doing something that can be done without a rack.

There are a lot of “I don’t want to be that guy” type things that I know I do and probably other people do to. I am sure I will learn all of them the longer I keep lifting, which is good because “I don’t want to be that guy!”

Sandy: Hitting The Road (A cycling adventure for sure!)

Hitting the Road.

I like to live spontaneously.  No, I love it, and currently my life is such that it allows me some room for this. 

Selfie!

I was invited to join in on a bike ride.  Without hesitation I said yes, not giving any thought to the fact that I haven’t been outside on my bicycle since last August and even then I wasn’t training, just trolling around for fun.  I was thankful for all the hours I had spent over the past few months working out on the Expresso Stationary bike at the Works because the simulation rides challenge my legs to conquer virtual hills, awakening and strengthening those muscles I would need for the ride that day.   If I hadn’t done any training, I most likely would have passed altogether for fear of the soreness in the aftermath or the complete inability to keep up.

I knew three out of the four women who were going for the ride, and that was reassuring because all of them are super nice.  I was, however a little intimidated as a few of them are also members of the The Works Rides, Tour de Cure Cycling Team for the Works, and they had obviously been training already this season. 

 When I showed up at the meeting place, all decked out in my riding jersey and padded shorts, I knew immediately that the decision to go was a good one.  What an awesome mix of personalities!  Everyone clicked well together, and we were off.

Our journey started on a busy road, during commuter traffic, so the ride was a little daunting at first as the cars zoomed by.  Even though the shoulders of the road were ten feet wide, I couldn’t help but feel crowded by the cars and trucks zooming by in a steady flow.  It wasn’t until we turned off onto a quiet side rode that we began to get our pace and really enjoy the ride. 

I was huffing a puffing away, doing my best to keep up with the pack, placing myself strategically behind whomever was in the lead.  I don’t like being at the back of the pack because I feel like I’m always holding everyone up, and I don’t like to lead the pack because I never feel like I’m being quick enough.  So much self imposed Drama in my own little mind.   

We will not be undone by a flat tire!

Since we live in New Hampshire, we are always challenged by rolling hills, and I found myself cursing my overweight body whenever we were climbing any inclines.  I have a tendency to lag behind on hills, and disliking those who could just pop up the hills barely breaking a sweat, as I wheeze and push, feeling like I’m getting nowhere fast.  I feel like just yelling out “Hey, why don’t you put on a fifty pound fat suit and try to breeze up the hill!”  Although I love all the ladies I am with!

Finding the leak! 

We were about 9 miles into our trip (our plan was to do around 20) when one of the ladies blew a tire.  We were all relieved that we had an “experienced” tire changer in our group (experienced meaning she had changed a tire ONCE before, and it just so happened to be the night before).  So we were forced to take a half hour break while our hero patched and refitted the tire into place, then we all gave a whack at trying to pump up the tire, which was exceeding difficult because either the pump wasn’t working correctly, or the valve on the tire was bent.  Then one of the other riders suggested using her Co2 cartridge.  This was quite hilarious really, because none of us knew how to use it, and we all stared at it like it was some kind of bomb. 

Dramatization!
(They others were working hard, we had to entertain!) 

She screwed the cap onto the cartridge tentatively, and we all braced for a pop or some sort of significant reaction.  She tried to push the release button, with no response.  I could tell she was nervous, and had already mentioned a couple of times, something about possibly loosing an eye if she wasn’t careful.  Then she gave the cap another twist, and the cartridge flew out of her hands, hissing like an angry snake.  It was jumping and sliding through the grass.  She backed away, I stood frozen unsure of what to do, and another rider tried to jump on top of it before all the air escaped.  (Note to self…. If a grenade is thrown into the middle of a crowd, be sure you are standing close to rider 2!  She is fearless and will take one for the team.) Needless to say that by the time the cartridge was retrieved it was too late, the Co2 wasted. 

After a ton of laughter and some silly pictures, we used another pump and managed to get enough air in the tire to make it usable, but not enough to go for distance so we knew that at this point we had to just make a b-line to our cars.

The gals!

When it was all said and done, we did 14.38 miles total, which was a great workout and just enough for my first time out.  The best thing about these types of outdoor workouts is that you’re surrounded by friends, laughter and it doesn’t feel like a workout so much as a fun adventure with friends.   There is definitely something to be said about indoor training as well.  I wasn’t sore the following day after my ride, and I was able to keep up a good pace without feeling like I needed to stop and rest, plus I had the strength to conquer the hills without having to get off my bike to walk.  Thank you to the Works for having so many opportunities for training indoors.

 

And thank you ladies for allowing me to tag along! 

Looking for some Group Rides?  Join Scott at The Works on Mondays for Beginners Group, Tuesdays for intermediate group and Wednesdays for advanced riders! The outdoor cycling group meets outside by the grassy area at 5:15pm.  If the weather is questionable, call the Works by 4 to see the status.  

JOIN THE ADVENTURE!  The Works Rides is an ALL ABILITY team that rides to help find a cure for Diabetes! All proceeds go to the ADA!

Prefer Riding Indoors?!  Now Through May 31st, Do our Expresso Challenge and help raise funds for the ADA!  Sign up Here!  It's so easy! 

Jesse: Can You Spot Me?!

Oh no! My trainer is gone for the week, whatever shall I do?

Make sure I train as hard as she would have me do. That’s what I will do. Just because my trainer is away doesn't mean I get a vacation (Devon is not on vacation, she is away training and serving our great country! Thank you so much Devon!).

Not only do I have to, because she is bound to find out if I slacked off, but because of the  gains I have made since starting with her.  She has helped me reach some of my goals that I set with her or get very close to them, all of them well before I am done training with her. 

This means that I will surpass all my goals (and subsequently set new ones!), so I need to make sure that I put in the level of work she would require of me.

This week will be a real test as I try to continue with hard training (I’ll have Devon’s voice always in my head pushing me) but I am sure I will be just fine.

I’ll see you in the gym (and I might ask you for a spot)

Sandy: Trainer and Workout Partners are Key!

I’m pretty tough on myself.  I was on the Track team in high school, and Crew team in college, so I know what it takes to be and stay focused when it comes to working out, and I also know what it is like to push myself to the limit. 

Now, given, it’s been a “few” years since I’ve been involved in team sports, but I still remember that working out with teammates and not having to suffer alone made me work harder.  I also remember that when the coach was standing at our sides, encouraging (Yelling at)us, gave us that extra push.  We worked out harder than we ever would on our own.

My workout partner and I work out pretty hard together.  But let me tell you, last Wednesday night when we were working out with our trainer (Taz) I worked harder than I ever would have with my buddy.  I Love my workout partner, but we are sympathetic toward one another as we whine and complain and pull out our pocket full of excuses.  We also have a tendency of getting off track when we get to talking.   A trainer puts all of that aside and keeps us on track when we are working out.   I hired a trainer to help me get into shape, not to be my therapist.  It’s a trainer’s priority to push you past your self-sabotaging limitations or excuses.  A Fitness Trainer or Coach will be able to work with your capabilities, modifying workouts to fit your needs, and give you that extra push that EVERYONE needs every once in a while.   Sometimes I just feel like this…

Hey, we all feel like that sometimes.  What gets me out of bed and moving is knowing that someone is waiting for me; Be it for an appointment or assigning me “homework” workouts to accomplish before our next meeting.   I’m being held accountable.  Hiring a trainer is an investment that is well worth every dime spent to show you the proper way to meet your goals and to push you to a healthier, happier you. 

Blog Special: Gratitude from The Heart from Nancy Kershaw

I am writing this letter to express my extreme gratitude to the management and staff of The Works.  It would be very difficult to find the right words to express how I really feel about what my involvement with The Works has done for me. - Nancy Kershaw, Works Member

         On February 19^th, 2007, my entire life as I knew it changed.  I woke up that morning a happy and active person.  I loved my life; I had a new grandson, a loving family and a career which I adored.  By nightfall, all would be different. 

I had been feeling a bit fatigued, enough so my doctor sent me for some blood work.  Within an hour of going to the lab, I was in the Emergency Room and was told I would have to have a bone marrow biopsy right away.  Well, that did not go well.  The results of the biopsy led to a diagnosis of a very rare and aggressive blood cancer.  It felt as if everything went into a suspended life form.

I began a long drawn-out battle for my life.  With the help of excellent medical care I won the battle but my body was a pretty tangled up mess.  My heart and lungs had been negatively affected by months of chemotherapy.  The chemo also left me with a chronic condition of lymphedema, especially in my legs.  I was hospitalized several times fighting infection after infection in my legs.  Finally I met a physical therapist from Wentworth Douglas Hospital; working with her made all the difference. She helped me get moving again and once I was stable, she referred me to a program at The Works, The Cancer Recovery Program.  I met with Melanie, the program’s director.  She explained the program and invited me to join the next day.

Little did I know this would turn out to be the single most life-changing activity I ever participated in.  The next day I went to the Cancer Recovery Program class.  I looked around the room; I was so nervous I thought to myself I couldn’t do this.  Then Melanie began the session.  First off, she introduced me.  Her voice was so welcoming and encouraging.  As the class went on I really wanted to do well but I had been a couch potato for so long during the lengthy recovery period I wasn’t sure I could do it.  But as each minute went by I watched and listened as Melanie walked around the room encouraging and supporting each of us.  Her deep investment and dedication to the program were so obvious.  She displayed no judgment towards anyone’s abilities. Melanie was just a source of encouragement.

The time ticked by and class ended. I had made it through. From that day on I was hooked.  I knew if could keep coming, Melanie would guide me through with her positive, happy and supportive nature.  Maybe even I could get this beaten up old body going again.

Well, time passed and I attended regularly; with each passing week, I became stronger and stronger.  Eventually I graduated out of the Cancer Recovery Program and Melanie helped me enter the next program offered by The Works called Prescription RX.  This would give me sixty more days of using the resources at The Works.  As time went by, I began to use the pool, walk on the tread mill and cruise the track.

During that time, I met another very inspirational young woman named Lily.  She was an intern from UNH.  Her bright smile and happy demeanor were a great help and inspiration to me.  I often stopped and asked her questions about my workouts; she always took the time to guide and encourage me.

As my sixty days of the Prescription RX program ended, I was so very sad.  I had made my time at The Works a daily part of my life.  I knew my hope of getting well would have to include movement and staying active but I also knew affording a membership would be a stretch.  Once again, though, Melanie came to my rescue.  She referred me to the next amazing person I met at The Works.  Her name is Kris and she is in charge of the scholarship program.  I met her and couldn’t believe my good fortune; I was granted a scholarship.

But right after that I developed a serious problem with my heart.  This led to my needing a cardiac procedure during which I suffered a complication that landed me on life support.  Once I became stabilized and woke up, I was even more determined to get my body into a much healthier place.

Lucky for me, I was already connected to such a place – The Works – and I knew people who could help me make my dream come true.  Once I was cleared by the doctors, I returned to my special place, The Works, where I was welcomed back by the desk staff.  As usual, they had smiles on their faces and are friendly as they swipe your key in.

My first day back, a young woman named Kristi was on duty; it shocked me when she said she wondered how I was doing as she hadn’t seen me for a while. I couldn’t believe that even the front desk staff seemed vested in my getting healthy.

As each workout goes by I get stronger and stronger.  Every day as I drive to The Works, I can’t wait to get there.  I think of it as my very own happy space.  No, it is not always easy to walk on the treadmill, cruise the track or exercise in the water but I never lose sight of this amazing gift the management and staff of The Works have given me.  I have progressed from being in a state of poor health to being well once again.  I no longer suffer from the effects of the lymphedema.  I haven’t had a single infection in my legs in months.  My cancer is gone, my heart is pumping away, my breathing is strong and my legs are working great.

I owe all this to the opportunity given to me by the programs I’ve participated in at the Works and to all the amazing people there.  I wish I knew everyone’s name so I could individually thank each person but I don’t – so a wonderful young man named Matt has helped me get this thank-you out.  I will be forever grateful for this organization for it truly is all of you and this space that has given me my life back.

-Nancy, the staff at The Works very much appreciate your kind words and are grateful for members such as yourself.  Stay healthy and strong!  

{Your Friends at The Works}

(From: http://resumeconfidence.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Gratitude-is-the-hearts-memory-a-French-proverb.jpg)