James’s story is one of incredible learning and transformation. After intentionally losing a significant amount of weight, he realized the results weren’t what he had hoped. Lacking the strength, energy and joy he was searching for, he knew he needed expert guidance. Through accountability and hard work, James not only made strides in his cardio and strength but also improved his mental and emotional health, achieving things he didn’t know were possible.
About James
At 58 years old, James hadn’t been in a gym in nearly three decades. For most of adulthood, he lived a very sedentary lifestyle, one that he started noticing was impacting both his physical and mental health. Until recently, James decided it was time to make a change.
Through diet, and lifestyle adjustments – cutting out alcohol, practicing intermittent fasting, and prioritizing healthy foods – he lost over 60 pounds. But even after the weight loss, James still didn’t feel the way he wanted to.
“My cardio was terrible, I didn’t feel strong,” he admits, “I felt great about the compliments, but didn’t feel physically very good.”
That’s when James realized that health and fitness was about more than the number on a scale. He wanted to feel energized, and capable in his everyday life. That’s when he found Body + Soul Fitness.
The Challenge
After finding the Leslie + York Mills location through Google, James decided it was the right fit for his next chapter.
Stepping into a gym for the first time in 30 years was not easy. “I felt like a fish out of water, and I had to get over myself to do that.” He says, “I was very mindful, I didn’t want to hurt myself or get injured.”
James knew that to succeed, he needed more than motivation, he needed accountability, and expert guidance. That’s when he was matched with Saghar.
Saghar’s holistic lifestyle coaching experience and her mantra of helping clients “develop a sense of loyalty to themselves, and to a better lifestyle”, made her a great fit to help James toward a more balanced, healthy life.
But even with the right support, James confesses there were challenges. “The cardio, I hated. I really hated it,” he laughs. “And it was the last piece of the puzzle really, because I avoided doing it, but it was starting to interfere a bit with my strength training because I needed longer breaks in between some of the exercises.”
With Saghar’s approach, what once felt impossible became something he could not only tolerate but eventually enjoy.
The Program
During his initial assessment, Saghar worked to understand James’s health history, lifestyle, needs and goals. Saghar learned that James didn’t just want to be thinner, he wanted to feel strong, capable and more masculine. He admitted he felt fragile and was eager to improve his overall fitness while building muscle, with a focus on upper body strength.
Saghar built him a holistic plan tailored to his needs.
Along with strength training, Saghar emphasized how proper nutrition, hydration, and recovery were essential to fueling his workouts. Together, they refined his macros, tracked his sleep, and even built strategies for muscle repair and cardio zone training.
The Results
Within just three months, James grew more confident in the gym and started noticing incredible changes to both his body and mental health.
When he first started, James avoided cardio training. But when Saghar explained that cardio was about strengthening the heart muscle, the impact resonated and shifted his mindset. Knowing his discomfort with the treadmill, she started him at 5-minute intervals and slowly increased from there.
“Now I can jog! I couldn’t tie my shoes before!” James shares proudly, “And now I’m doing an hour in zone 3 training. Now I do it with ease.”
He also mentions that his strength has increased significantly. He feels much more muscular and capable in his chest and arms.
The physical changes felt life-changing, but James admits the emotional impact was the most transformative.
“It’s emotional,” James recalls. “My father died in his mid-60s and never got to meet his grandkids. I don’t want that to be me. One day I want to see my kids get married, have their own kids. That’s what keeps me going.”
James feels as though he has a new passion for living. He feels very well rested and energetic. His mental and emotional health have improved, making all the hard work he’s put in, feel that much more rewarding. His mother, who recently turned 90, is thrilled to see his transformation, and that he’s living life to the fullest.
Conclusion
Although James came into the gym with a goal of feeling more energized and capable, weight loss was still top of mind, and admits he was nervous about gaining it back. Through his training with Saghar, he not only achieved the physique he hoped for but also learned about a more holistic view of health and fitness. Focusing his training efforts not only on strength training, but also on sustainable habits, sleep health, cardio and mobility, all equally important to a healthy lifestyle. With an energized mind and body, James is excited to keep setting new goals that set him up for success both in and out of the gym.