Many many have sat in that chair...

But she was ready to feel something NEW that day.

It started off as a usual day ,until she explained that she had an appointment the other day that she  had cancelled. It appears that out of the corner of her eye... my "obviously a hairdresser" colored short pixie haircut 'grabbed her" as she was waiting for her appointment..... and she had a moment..... Not just a "whoa I wish I had the face to do that"... kinda moment... but a WHY THE HECK not kinda moment! A moment that inspired her to forget the very hard road behind her. to throw caution to the wind and be THAT woman with the FUN hair! Now let me take a moment to break down her story...

She was broken from the one year anniversary of the passing away of her 21 year old son that had autism. She refused to sign her divorce papers for six years now even though the man now lived with his new girlfriend. She had been passed over for recognition by a skinny, confident  and beautiful new hire.... she was just plain in a bad place.. if your a woman or a man... shoot, if your human... its that place where our libedo for life is just extinguished. So she sat down.... told me what she was thinking..... We made it hers. Her mousy dishwater shoulder  length hair  transformed-------> turned razored platnium and golden messy pixie (with long bangs!). As I finished her chrome dusted eyeshadow and  pale nude lipgloss .... She turned into the mirror to have her first peek at the NEW her ... I saw a spark of confidence ...as we spun her around... it grew...

and she smiled... she shook her head she gulped... as tears of joy ran down her nose she embraced me!

This woman... this beat down woman.... had overcame all of her worry in that moment.... in that moment she was the only one in the room.... looking at herself in the mirror... not in disbelief.... but in OWNERSHIP. She deserved this day of beauty and she knew it.

Through the department of sadness she found her own RENEWAL!.

She was ready... she was given a WHOLE new LOOK on life... literally. Now she is more then well. She changed companys, signed the papers for the big D and lives a life of inspiration donating her extra time at her church for adult autism nights ..where her son had painted.  She now lives a beautiful meaningful life in honor of her son.

Everyday we do what we have to do to keep ourselves, our lives, relationships ,work, kids, home.....UP.

Next time your in your stylists chair or mine.... try something new that you would never do... INSPIRE A NEW YOU

Thank you for taking the time to read this meaningful story I had the opportunity to experience.

Nina

I've had 3 children in the last 4 years. That's a lot of pregnancy. That's a lot of ice cream.  That's a lot of weight. And all of it surely takes a lot of toil on the body. And this body used to be fit, slender, and athletic! Who knew? Who knew that I wouldn't be the cute, fit, slender hot mama with the baby bump? Yes, we women do have the wounds of war that rage on our bodies from bringing new life into the world. And it's amazing the changes that take place. The sacroiliac joint that pops in and out now. Carrying a little one only exacerbates the pain. And the tender feet, suffering from plantar fasciitis, that feel like I'm walking on matchbox cars with every painful step. Not to mention the flabby belly that seems to have taken on a life of its own and doesn't respond to crunches. I tell myself that I wear my motherhood signs as a badge of honor. But who am I kidding? I would love to be the fit, healthy, and pain-free mom with my 3 little ones in tow. You know, the one everyone looks at with admiration that she gave birth to all these kids and still looks like she's never had kids. I am working on the pain part of my equation through physical therapy and visits to the podiatrist and other ortho specialists. But the fit, healthy part is where Lifetime Fitness comes in.

Every time my errand-running took me down Powers Boulevard, I watched with anticipation the construction of the new Colorado Springs facility, wondering what it was going to be. Then the pool was put in and I was hooked. Like watching a 5-frame reality show every time I drove by, I thought about this place and what it was going to be all about. But when it finally opened, I hesitated about joining. I mean, come on, realistically how could I herd a 4 year old, 3 year old and 1 year old around a pool and work out and truly enjoy myself? Reality struck and I resigned myself to joining the YMCA. But that nagging little inkling that said "what if?" pushed me into taking a tour of the new Life Time Fitness facility. From the moment I walked in the door and gathered my wits about me in jaw-dropping admiration, I was drawn like a moth to the flame. Everything about the place draws you in. The welcoming environment, like a resort hotel checking you in, the tasteful decorations, even the Life Cafe and the Life Spa all have a "come hither and pamper yourself" aura.

Still daunted by how much this club would most likely cost, I doubted it would truly be for me. Until I sat down with the Sales Manager and grilled him to find out the hidden agenda behind such a place. And my jaw dropped even further. You mean I could join for around the same price as the Y and have access to ALL OF THIS? And you will watch my children for me so that I can actually utilize the equipment, the classes, the spa, the ENTIRE FACILITY? I couldn't get my checkbook out fast enough. I felt like tipping him--throwing him a little THANK YOU for making such a place a dream come true for someone like me. Someone who didn't think it was possible.

So here I am, one month into my membership and I. Just. Love. It. It makes healthy living cool. It encourages a healthy lifestyle. My kids are in swim lessons and they are having so much fun! I have pampered myself at the spa so many times because I DESERVE IT. I told the sales manager who passed me in the hall I felt like moving in. I felt like I was experiencing modern-day Roman Baths or a Spartan fitness regime, where the community embraced such healthy but enjoyable lifestyles. I have lost ten pounds in the last two months from cardio on the elliptical and through healthier eating. I reward myself with things like pedicures or facials at the Life Spa. It's a great concept. It works. And I am really glad this place opened in time for my journey to a healthier well being. Look for me at the pool soon, folks, I'll be the "hot mama" with three kids in tow who looks like she never had children!