Image Credit:
Jaime Grant
Today we’d like to introduce you to Nischeena Charles.
Nischeena, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
In July 2017, I decided to begin my fitness journey. It was a trying time because I wanted to look and feel good, but I was feeding my body the wrong things and the weight wasn’t going to the right places. People who have known me for years as a slimmer figure would comment on my new weight and it made me more uncomfortable with myself. I thought that I was fit because I had a gym membership, knew how to lift certain weights, and consistently went to the gym 2-3 times a week. Though, no matter how much or how heavy I was lifting and how many times I went to the gym, I was not seeing the results that I wanted.
It wasn’t hard to figure out what my eating/drinking habits were. I was drinking soda and drinking alcohol at get-togethers or at the bar; and I was eating mostly red meat, chocolate, and fried and junk foods. I work at an office, so I would be snacking on food every hour while sitting at my desk pretty much all day and I would barely get up for rest breaks. I was irresponsible by not paying attention to the nutrition facts of the foods and beverages that I was consuming. As long as it tasted good and was affordable, in my tummy it went! In addition to these habits, I was dealing with a personal matter for about six months that had my stress levels through the roof and it led me to overeat. Essentially, my actions and lifestyle choices prior to my fitness journey had a negative impact on my health. Once I accepted that my health was at a low, I had to think of how I was going to change my lifestyle so that I can do better for my body and mind.
At first, I thought about getting surgery to get the body that I want. I even went through my first round of consultations. The surgeon that I met with said that I “looked really lean” and that I would need to gain an extra 10 lbs. for the surgeon to confidently perform surgery. After hanging up with the surgeon, I immediately thought “There is no way I’m going to gain 10 more pounds when I’m already at 170 lbs., spend thousands of dollars, and go through all of this pain for the sake of attaining the body that I want.” Also, thinking about the risks involved with getting body alterations scared me back to reality. I wanted to earn the body that I want in an honest and the most natural way. I just needed to figure out where to start.
One of my good friends, Andre “Dre” Neita from LiveFitArmy had reached out to me and invited me to his outdoor fitness boot camp. He had persistently reached out to me before to attend his boot camp classes, but I always had an excuse. The day before my 24th birthday, he finally convinced me to attend a class. Even after I had already promised Dre that I would go to his upcoming class, I was already thinking of another excuse to give him. Then, I had to be blunt with myself. Fitness-wise and health-wise at that point, I was NOT in a good place. So, I had to tell myself to stop making excuses and stop choosing to be comfortable. Also, I had to remind myself that it is okay to ask for help.
Dre is a genuinely positive and very supportive person, especially when it came to fitness. I knew that he would be the best person to support me during my transition to a healthier and fitter lifestyle.
In addition to going to boot camp, I was taking group X classes, running a 5K once or twice a week, eating less fried and junk foods and eating more nutrient-dense foods and drinking more water. I connected with different trainers and other likeminded muscle heads at the gym to learn how to use different equipment, learn the correct forms for lifting weights, what foods to eat to see some serious “gains,” and effective workout regimens. I am forever grateful for the learning experience because it helped me figure out what I needed to focus on to achieve my fitness goals.
Before, I thought to go to the gym 2-3 times a week was enough for me. Now, I’m at the gym 6 times a week!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Absolutely not! My first three weeks of boot camp were tough because I learned how out of shape I was. I was super winded after each exercise, I was close to vomiting after every intense exercise, and I felt weak in the exercises that required strength. So, whenever I left boot camp, I felt unaccomplished. I would go home, shower, lay in my bed and think that I failed and was wasting my time. Then, later in the day, I would get a text from Dre, telling me “Great job today, Miss Charles! See you at next week’s class!” Receiving that feedback from Dre was encouraging and I decided to be more patient and commit to boot camp. I mean, I had already paid for classes in advance! The support that I receive from Dre and the LFA community is amazing. Whenever I doubt my strength and abilities, I hear my coaches and teammates cheering me on every step of the way, which is motivating. As I continued going to LFA boot camp classes, I was losing the unhealthy weight and getting stronger. Most importantly, I found my peace.
Prior to my fitness journey, I was 170 lbs., which isn’t bad for my height (5’9”). Currently, I weigh 154 lbs., working to gain about 10 more pounds. I found that gaining most of the weight back is just as challenging as losing the weight. I won’t let this challenge discourage me. I must keep working hard, be patient, and remain consistent. So, I’m more determined, if anything.
Many people ask why I’m trying to go back to the same size as before. Like I said, being 170 lbs. isn’t a concern for someone my height. I just need to make the best health decisions going forward if I am going to weigh that much. I want bigger muscles than what I have now. And, now that I have a clearer sense of how nutrition plays a significant role in my current plan, I will need to gain some weight back. This time, it will be the healthy weight.
Another challenge is to not compare myself to other people on social media. I follow a ton of fitness profiles on Instagram for inspirational purposes and I can easily say “That’s the body that I want!” Further, many of these Instagram personalities who are curvy women with perky breasts, small waists, flat stomachs, thick thighs, and big butts receive high praises for how they look. Granted that a number of them went through some type of body alteration (not knocking anyone who did go through that experience), I will confidently say that these are beautiful women! It is just really mind-boggling how a number of men in society will obsess over and make those aforementioned body features their standard for their ideal woman.
My advice for any woman starting their journey to a healthier and fitter lifestyle is, firstly, understand that your fitness journey will not be perfect. You will find that your journey is an ongoing learning experience. You learn so much about yourself, what you’re capable of, and what you need to improve every single day. So, do not beat yourself up if you don’t get things right the first time. And, don’t shame yourself for craving a cheat meal. There will be steps forward and missteps. Stay motivated and do not lose sight of your goal. You will also find yourself wanting more. So, it is okay if you change your plan from time to time. Just don’t ever change the goal.
Secondly, be patient! Do not step on the scale every hour/day expecting significant results every time. Also, do not overwork yourself. If you cannot lift X amount of weight today, you will be able to later on if you keep practicing. Your body will speak to you in many ways as you continue to grow. Listen to it. Think of it as if you are working on a masterpiece. This all takes time. Just trust the process.
Thirdly, and most importantly, do not be consumed by what you see on social media. I do not find any wrong in finding motivation to work out because of the people on social media, but don’t do so much work to be someone else’s goals. Be your own goals! There is the only one you and that is what is dope about you being an individual. If you’re competing with other women, then you’re embarking on the wrong fitness journey. That kind of competition will only make you think “I’m stronger than her” or “She’s stronger than me,” instead of you thinking “I’m stronger today than I was yesterday.” Make your goals about being the best you, and not being like, or better, than “them.”
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I enjoy doing Zumba because it’s fun and I really break a sweat when I do it. Because of my passion for fitness, especially Zumba, I obtained my Zumba instructor license in January 2018. I didn’t plan to teach Zumba right away because I was completing my Master’s program around that time. Now that I completed my Master’s degree (in Education) in May 2018, I anticipate teaching Zumba classes in the near future! Stay tuned!
Which women have inspired you in your life?
My mom and my older sister are inspiring women in my life. Both my mom and sister are go-getters and stay strong for the people who need them. I have seen them at their lowest points, and they manage to get back up even stronger. They have always been tough with me so that I can be just as strong, and always encourage me to go after what I want and deserve in life.
Contact Info:
- Email: nischeenawc@gmail.com
- Instagram: nishinacharles
- Twitter: nishinacharles
Image Credit:
Jaime Grant
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