Natalie has been a member at Bellum since April of 2018. She started off at Bellum with the support of her daughters (one of whom happens to be a Bellum coach!), with the intention of losing some weight, and learning how to move a barbell well. Only a few short weeks after her start, she was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. She was written a script and advised to change her diet, a not so insignificant lifestyle change.
What often is an overwhelming diagnosis for many, flipped a switch in Natalie’s brain. She didn’t waste any time feeling sorry for herself, and instead researched new recipes and ingredient substitutions to transform her diet. Within 3 months, she lost 40 pounds (wow!!) and reversed her diabetes, to the point where she no longer needs medication to control her sugar levels!
Natalie loves learning new things. She is currently working hard to learn double-unders, and always loves lifting heavy. Before she became a Bellum Warrior, she completed several big home improvement projects. Now that she’s in such good shape, she continues to always have a current project, but now has the energy to work hard, and still be up for chasing her grandchildren through the sprinklers afterward.
By day, Natalie is a department manager of painted and sand-blasted signs at a sign manufacturing company. She exercises her creativity by carving and painting signage, but through the course of her career she’s done many different things, including being a part of the team to lay logos on the floor of the Philadelphia 76-ers!
On occasion, you’ll find her baking or crafting awesome cakes, whether for friends or family, but now she’s found ways to substitute healthful ingredients to satisfy her sweet tooth (ask her about her homemade Maple Ice Cream!). Her eating transformation is no longer a diet, but rather a lifestyle.
As a mom and Grandmama, Natalie has spent most of her life caring for those around her, and treats her time at the gym as the best possible version of self-care. An hour at Bellum, three times a week, keeps her mind hard at work learning new skills, pushes her physically past limits that would not have been breached on her own, and keeps her surrounded by people who help and support her along the way.
Natalie – thank you for being an inspiration to those around you, and for always being positive through even the toughest workouts. We want to be you when we grow up!
What type of workouts did you perform before coming to Bellum?: Mostly I thought about working out. I have had several gym memberships through the years, but never stayed consistent for long.
Why were you looking for a new style of workouts?: Everything I had ever done before involved treadmills or elliptical—both bored me, and left me still fat.
What is your favorite CrossFit movement or workout?: Deadlifts. Learning how to lift correctly has given me the ability to “keep up with the boys” at work.
What is your biggest accomplishment since starting at Bellum?: It was about a month after I started at Bellum, I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. I learned to eat healthy and, with the help of the coaches here at Bellum, within 3 months, I lost 40 pounds and reversed my diabetes. I’ve lost 10 more pounds since then, and kept my sugar in control, all without the use of medication.
What is your favorite out-of-the-gym activity?: I love anything creative—remodeling my house, working in my garden, learning new skills on the router at work, cake decorating, baking, but my absolute favorite activity of all is spending time with my kids, (including sons-in-law) and grandchildren. I am blessed with a wonderful family!
What were some of the deciding factors that made you decide to pull the trigger on your membership at Bellum?: I was trying to find a way to connect with 2 of my daughters who both had joined. I stayed because I have learned to enjoy being strong and fit.
I enjoy working out with others. They encourage me to be better, to push myself to my limit, to finish when I feel like I can’t go on. There is no judgment.
What’s your “Why”?: Why? Because I’m worth it! Only when I take care of myself will I have everything I need to take care of others.