We couldn’t celebrate our 10-Year Anniversary without recognizing a special member that has spent a decade with us - through our three location moves, growing pains, and a global pandemic, Wanda has stayed a loyal member of Encompass and we are grateful for her support and friendship.
Wanda is an incredible example of what can happen with consistency and dedication. Not only does she feel like she is in better shape now than she was years ago, she has become stronger physically and mentally, has found a way of eating healthy that is enjoyable and sustainable, and has shared her love for health and fitness with her husband, making it something that they can do together.
Wanda shared with us….
What I really enjoy about Encompass, is that over the 10 years that I've been attending, not one class has ever been the same. Sure, there are the same exercises, stretches, etc. but it's all been put together differently. Besides it being a physical release, the gym is good for my mental health. Some days I just love heading to the back corner and just getting into my shell to work out, while other times I relish working side by side with someone. I know we're all there to worry about ourselves but I enjoy the challenge (is that the right word?) of working out next to someone and trying to keep up with them, even if they are much younger than me. Hello Kim and Vaughn! And I love challenging myself. Even just a few weeks ago, I used 17.5lb dumbbells for more of a class than I ever have before.
And the encouragement of members like Michella, Kim P., Tamara, and others got me into running as well.
Wanda would never toot her own horn, so we will do it for her :) - Wanda is even now able to run 10 kilometers. Something she had never really considered years ago, has become something she can do simply because one day, she decided to try running - starting with slow walk-jog intervals as she built up her endurance.
I honestly do feel like I'm in better shape than I was years ago. I attribute much of it to what Encompass has brought to my life - including nutrition. Gone are the days of eating chips and dip regularly in the evening. Gone are the days of eating extra-buttery microwave popcorn. Gone are the days of eating just for the sake of eating. Does it sound like I’m denying myself? Perhaps to some. But I’ve learned healthy eating and regular exercise is worth it. Why?
I was a regular migraine sufferer, having migraines that could last four days or so. Migraines that felt like someone was pulling on my eyeball and made me feel like doing nothing. Since following the TakeDown ChallengeTM at Encompass, and following this style of eating, a migraine is a rarity.
But Wanda’s health journey hasn’t only impacted her life..
In the fall of 2016, Wanda brought her husband Dave to his first class at Encompass. Near the end of the warm-up, Dave fainted, which was later attributed to aortic stenosis. In January 2017 Dave underwent surgery to have a valve replacement, which very likely saved his life. It was a long road to recovery, battling infections that slowed his progress, but Dave also focused on his physical fitness, starting fitness training to recover some of the strength lost, and later transitioning to mobility classes, and the occasional fitness class which he still does today.
Now, Wanda and Dave are both members at Encompass, but fitness and nutrition is more than just “going to the gym for them”. They both aim for 5-6 days of at least 30 minutes of physical activity per week, and follow the nutrition guidance Wanda learned in her early days at Encompass.
“Regarding meals when we go out, we try to find the healthiest options we can....for example, fresh rolls and vermicelli bowls with some fresh veggies when we go to our favorite Vietnamese place, salads, etc. We try to avoid anything deep fried but that being said, there's the odd time the Beefeater fries or Wing Wednesday have called. It's all about balance -- like a Michael's cinnamon bun or a treat from The French Press. A piece of rice krispie cake when I'm at the rink.
Sample day for the Harron Household:
Breakfast -- scrambled egg/egg whites, a smidge of cheese melted in, half a bagel and half an apple
Lunch -- smoothie (chunk of banana, half an orange, 1/2 cup of frozen blueberries, protein powder, 1/3 c plain greek yogurt, tablespoon of ground flax seed.
Supper -- chicken breast, steamed veggies, rice.
Snacks at home -- my occasional downfall is sweet n' salty popcorn or ice cream. But we honestly do practice portion control. But the more regular snacks have turned into cottage cheese with walnuts, chopped apple with nut butter, rice cakes with nut butter.
Yes, it may sound boring. But it works.”
