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BETTERMENT SPOTLIGHT
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CITYVIEWMAG.COM JULY AUGUST 2015
Transformation Knoxville
PART TWO:
THE JOURNEY CONTINUES
By Nathan Sparks
About five months ago, I cringed at the thought of being “that guy.” You know the one I’m talking about: The guy who talks a big game—but when the time comes
to deliver and “walk the talk,” he can’t deliver. For too long, when taking action about my health, I was quickly becoming “that guy.”
Transformation Knoxville, which started at the beginning of 2015 [“Trans- formation Knoxville—Part One: The Journey Begins,” March/April 2015], began as a 90-day challenge where I, along with WBIR reporter Becca Habeg- ger, would set and reach exercise- and diet-related goals. This journey, however, soon evolved from a fitness tale to a story of a whole community banding together, supporting one another, and holding each other accountable. During the short time Becca and I have been engaged in our transformation, many others have encouraged us—and asked how they, too, could begin their own transformations. For example, I am elated and inspired to
see that my two good friends, Knoxville attorneys Phil Bryce and Keith Stewart, have both begun work with Scott and Michelle Williams of Totality Living Well. I hope this cycle of support and motivation continues and gains traction in our community.
As for our journey: As we neared 90 days, Becca and I reviewed our initial goals and subsequent accomplishments— and we reflected on the outpouring of support. It’s easy to see why we had to continue!
A CHANGE IN THE TIMELINE
During our first month, Becca and I set a solid foundation for our routines. Our trainers and wellness gurus on this jour- ney, Scott and Michelle, met with Becca and me to help us better understand our bodies and what was really behind our desire to see change in our lives. My long- term goals are to reach optimal health, where all six areas of my life—physical, mental, spiritual, business, home, and social—are in balance, and to share this journey with the community. For Becca,
the challenge is about creating a sustain- able pattern of wellness.
Month one came and went, and Becca and I were already seeing results. By month two, we were spending as many as six days a week at the gym, training dif- ferent areas of our body each day, such as biceps and triceps one day and chest and back the next. This training technique allows our muscle groups ample time to rest, but it also keeps our bodies guess- ing week to week, something that Scott and Michelle say is crucial for progress. We utilize free weights and machines equally during our workouts. I originally thought I would enjoy using machines more, but as month two progressed, I found I enjoyed free weights. They allow me more freedom of movement and help build better overall stability.
Our workouts are only part of the journey. As Scott recently said to a potential client, “If you want to look like Becca, you’ll have to pay attention to your diet plan!” We began in month one to understand the dynamics of food prep, and by month three, this became part of