A goal to work toward
Before joining ATP, Chai exercised regularly but, like a lot of people, without really knowing what she was training for; she put in plenty of hours without seeing much change. Over the following 9 months, despite a global pandemic and everything that came with it, she focused her intentions and, guided by her coach, started seeing real results.
If I was ever unlucky enough to find myself hanging off the side of a building, I wanted to be in a position where I could pull myself back up!Chai
Trusting the process
Meeting her coach for the first time, Chai found her extremely knowledgeable about both weight loss and lifting. A pre-existing back injury made her wary that lifting might do more damage, but she quickly learned her health would always come first: exercises were customised for her, even after she had surgery partway through her transformation. That guidance got her back on track faster than she expected, and her trust paid off: she is stronger now than before the injury.
I used to work out all the time before ATP. But I realise now I was working out without any intention or real thought.Chai
Strength that surprised her
Chai can now do push-ups and is close to her first pull-up. When she first started at ATP, she could barely manage 40 to 45kg on the leg press. Now she can leg press her husband, who weighs around 90 to 100kg, more than double what she could manage at the start.
Now, I can leg press my husband! He weighs around 90 to 100kg, so more than double what I could do in the beginning.Chai
A daily habit, not a phase
Chai’s lifestyle has changed more than she expected. She now consciously prioritises exercise as a daily habit rather than working out without any real direction, and she has become far more mindful of what she eats: as a vegetarian, she now makes sure to get protein at every meal, from eggs and tofu to the occasional protein shake.
As well as being very good for me physically, this has actually been crucial for my mental health during the pandemic too.Chai
Running clears her head, and lifting makes her feel strong, a feeling she has come to rely on.
I find that going for a run and sweating it out gives me so much energy and peace of mind, and lifting weights makes me feel powerful, which is a great feeling.Chai
Chai does not think of her progress as one big transformation, just a long run of small changes that added up. The people around her disagree: her family and friends have noticed enough to be inspired by her choices too.
Coached at ATP Personal Training Singapore
