What has kept me in this program is not weight loss or some ridiculous meal plan- I’m here because I’ve never felt better about myself. I don’t dwell on my weight anymore. I have found the one program that gives me so much joy, and it’s not only because of the workouts. I’ll be quite honest, you don’t need to spend 50 dollars to find exercise classes, you can find workouts ANYWHERE, but you’ll never find a program like this one. Whelan Wellness incorporates it all; movement, mindset, motivation, cooking classes, and information sessions provided by experts in their fields. Where else are you getting a program like that?! So if you want to drop 50 pounds in 4 weeks, only eat spinach, and focus on a restrictive meal plan-then this program will not work for you. BUT, if you want to get your life back, have mental clarity, become more motivated, get inspired, and gain all around wellness in all aspects of your life- then you don’t have to look any further. This is the program that will change your life.

Going through the first year of motherhood, during a pandemic, with no family or supports nearby was so hard. My mental and physical health took a massive plummet. It was bad. Real bad. Luckily with the help of antidepressants and getting back to work a little earlier, I was in a place to begin my journey to wellness in January. On the advice of a good friend, I joined your bootcamp in March, because, why not? Best decision ever. What you have given me I will never be able to fully describe. I am a nurse and a giver at heart. I give and I give and I give. For my family, my patients, my friends. It feels outstanding to give to myself for the first time EVER.

I have always considered myself a big girl - always the fat friend, especially in my teens and early 20's. That was MY identity. I hated myself. Needless to say, I've tried every freakin' diet out there. And... no THEY DON'T WORK. But the hope that one might work and finally make things better is what I was buying into. Fast forward 10 years, I grew up a bit and started to accept myself, and really started to like myself. Then, March 2020: I signed up for Whelan Wellness. Honestly, my first motivation was to lose weight (duh- because that's the only reason you work out right?), but that's not what it was about. I will be honest- it made me uncomfortable. I was still counting my calories, and punishing myself with double workouts if I had some chicken wings and nachos the day before. But your message was too loud for me to ignore. I started to do some self reflection, and read the books you recommended- it was hard; it was harder than weighing protein and counting points; but I kept at it. And things started to change. I started to workout and do some things for ME just because I wanted to; not for any other reason. I work out now if I want to; and if I don't.. so what? No more shame and guilt; my life is too important to fill it with those feelings.

This past year - even though it has been one of the toughest - it has been one of the best years that I could have given myself. I love getting up at 5:30 AM and doing the live workouts with the community, I love tea times with Gill (listen to these driving to and from work) where you speak in complete transparency and gratitude, I love the everyday posts of motivation and real life. Not only have I gotten physically and mentally stronger this year. I have done things that I would have never thought that I could do such as a double Tabata!! I have taken opportunities that have come my way and used them. I have listened to my inner voice. I have gone back to University to start my Bachelor Degree of Technology, something that I thought was not in my future, that it was a dream that failed. This community has given me the strength to just go with it. Live for today.

I’ve also been a yo-yo dieter for as long as I can remember, joining a weight loss program for the first time when I was around 15. I was always a bigger build, and at the time I thought it was a great way to lose a few pounds to be smaller like a lot of the other girls in my grade. What it really did though, looking back, is set me up for a lifetime of disordered thinking about food, the scale, and my relationship with both. Thanks to Gill and this program, I am in the best place I have EVER been in when it comes to both. I can say with 100% certainty that Gill and her program have absolutely changed my life for the better, and I am never looking back. Her passion for overall wellness is very evident, and while the workouts are great, her chats and her openness about her own journey are what has made the biggest impact for me. She is so genuine, and every time we sit down for a “tea time”, I am blown away by just how much I relate to what she’s saying. I feel stronger than ever, both physically and mentally, and I can’t wait to see where the next round takes me. Thanks Gill, for creating a program that is so empowering. You are helping me become the best version of me for myself and my family.

My whole life people have made the incorrect assumption that because I’m thin, I’m fit and athletic. That has never been the case. My idea of activity was a stroll around an easy trail with my kids or running up the steps with a load of laundry. Part of the reason for this in more recent years is a back injury. I am an RN and I herniated a disc in my back 10 years ago. Reflecting back I think I used this as an excuse. “I can’t do that because it may flare up my back”. So what caused me to change my mind? I have 2 beautiful and rapidly growing boys who love to snuggle with their mama. I was finding myself more and more having to tell them that I couldn’t lift them anymore because my back was too sore. This broke my heart and made me feel like I was failing my boys. Who knows how many more years they will still want my snuggles? How long before I stop hearing “uppy mommy”? 22 days ago I started on my wellness journey with Gill. Just last week I was coming home from my 3rd 12 hour shift and I stopped at my neighbours because my family was there. My 4 year old was so excited because he hadn’t seen me in 3 days that he wouldn’t let me go. I carried him in my arms the whole way down the street without an ache or strain. That is what really let me know how much this program is doing for me. Thanks Gill, I appreciate you more than you know! I can’t wait to see how much more I can accomplish in the next round.

I joined at the beginning of the pandemic, and I credit Gill for helping me survive those first few months. I was eating too much, drinking too much, and hardly moving. I've always been an active person, but the loss of my regular routine threw me into a slump. I've continued with bootcamp for the last year, and I feel now that instead of just surviving the pandemic, I've been thriving. I have embraced mindful eating and it has helped me shake some bad habits I created through other, more restrictive programs.