Hello Transform Fitness fans!
My name is Selim Tlili. I am a high school science teacher and I write professionally about about science and education. I've been a Transform Fitness client since 2019.
Sorry for the delay on this second newsletter. I wanted it to be perfect, but I can't let perfect get in the way of progress. My writing is like my body; not totally ready for bikini season yet but heading in the right direction!
I am working with Dela and Evan on getting at least one pistol squat successfully done by the end of the summer. That has been a goal of mine for awhile in the back of my head but now I am going to dedicate my summer work to accomplishing it. It's interesting to work with two trainers on the same goal. They are approaching this with different focus. Evan has me doing step ups and Bulgarian split squats. These are helping me improve my balance and improve my strength in the middle of the rep, where my knee gives out.
Dela, on the other hand, is focused on my foot and glutes. She has devised these intricate torture sessions that are either going to activate my glute muscles or she will make me confess to all of my crimes!
I got this great shot of my session with Dela last week!! Check it out!
Jokes aside I can tell that what Evan and Dela are making me do is working. I'm not able to do the pistol squat yet but I feel muscles that I never felt before helping to distribute my weight. I can tell more muscles are active throughout the chain. It's incredibly exciting to feel and see the progress.
The fact that I could do an ugly pistol squat with the help of a rubber band was thrilling. I could feel every muscle active and I was able to complete the entire motion from stop to finish. Sure there are parts of my muscles that are insufficiently active to complete the action but that's just a matter of time and continued conscious effort. I am confident that I will not need the assistance much longer!
I've gotten a lot stronger thanks to working out with the Transform Fitness team but honestly what has paid the most dividends is doing the work outside of the sessions. Simple moves that don't require equipment, like Bulgarian split squats, lunges and step ups have built muscles I didn't even know I had!
If you don't have time to do much, these step ups are a great exercise. I had a lot of pain from a two decade old knee injury that is mostly gone due to routinely doing these simple but effective exercises.
I hope you enjoyed this second newsletter! I love the fact that I am stronger and better in tune with my body in my mid 40s than I ever was in my entire life! If you enjoy what you read down the road I invite you to check out my personal writing.
I recently reviewed a book called "The Settler" a coming of age story about a religious Israeli girl who moves to Tel Aviv and becomes the queen of the Tel Aviv electronic music scene. If that sounds appealing to you check out my essay.
Comments