Ann Austin's Story

At the time, I was working full time in hospital management while writing my dissertation to complete a Ph.D. This was hard to swallow. As I struggled through medications, wake-promoting diets, sleep schedules and other coping measures, I managed to learn a few things about my body, most of which I put on the back burner until I could find a drug that would help keep me awake.

My first turning point came in the spring of 2002. Posing with co-workers for a “team photo”, I realized how large I had gotten. The one woman on our team who I considered “overweight” didn’t look much different than I looked. I joined Weight Watchers the following week, weighing in at 170 pounds.

Over the next nine months, I lost 28 pounds and was happy with my progress. I started dating again, settled into a long-term relationship and fell in love. My diet, sleep, and medications were under control. I even bought a treadmill and learned to jog. I dreaded “alone times” on the treadmill, but was committed to getting in shape.

In 2004, on the recommendation of a good friend, I started taking Pilates with the promise that “it will change your body forever”. Pilates helped to build up my core strength and I dropped another five pounds that year.

January of 2005 was a sad time. I was looking at the end of a two-year relationship and was feeling lost – okay really depressed. I had just been diagnosed with Reynauds disease – a circulation disorder - and didn’t feel so hot about life.

Now, not only was I tired, but my hands and toes were cold, numb and blue most of the time. I woke up in pain, cried allot and was angry at the additional medications that I had to take. Fighting the temptations of food and sloth, I gathered myself on a cold Saturday morning and went to the Pilates studio.

I arrived early and stood alone in the cold lobby waiting for the other “girls” to show up. I didn’t like this Pilates class. Most of the students were 25 years younger and were still competitive about their bodies and image, but I knew I had to keep moving.

The first face that came through the door belonged to an energetic, warm and smiling woman. She was about my age and she was groovy. Excited, with wide, open eyes, she said, “Hi! I’m Robin. Are you here for the New to Nia class?” As she talked, her head danced up and down with affirmation, taking her bright face along for the ride. “No, I’m here for Pilates.” I bit my lip and allowed my stomach to find another knot to tie up into.

After a bit of silence she took a short breath, raised her eyebrows and said, “You could join the Nia class, you know”. She was convincing - like a four-year-old child trying to talk me into taking her on the Ferris wheel one more time.

more of Ann's Story