40 by 40 — Shaniene Campbell rings in birthday with weight loss goal
Published:Wednesday | December 15, 2021 | 12:11 AMKrysta Anderson/Staff Reporter
For some, approaching a milestone gives them the opportunity for a fresh beginning. When Shaniene Campbell found herself approaching 40 years old, she decided that there was no better way to ring in the decade ahead than losing 40 pounds.
Her reason for making this lifestyle change was threefold. Birthday celebrations aside, she wanted to become a better and healthier individual. If those weren’t incentive enough, the mother of one had her heart set on being able to keep up with her five-year-old. “My son is always running up and down, and I always had an open invitation to play, but I just couldn’t keep up with him. So I made that choice not just for me but for us,” she shared.
On the journey to 40, the former tomboy began working out from home in January 2021. She put a halt on starch, consuming fewer carbohydrates like rice and bread. Additionally, she cut out fast and fried foods, which contributed to most of her daily diet, and invested in more salads and a higher water intake. On the fitness front, she worked out every day via YouTube. “I started out with Sydney Cummings workout and stuck with that for a bit, with a few dance workouts every now and then.”
While her efforts were tremendous in the beginning, the results were slow in coming. So she decided to opt for more structure. In June, Campbell enrolled in Ultimate Fitness Gym, located at Lee Gore Business on Waterloo Road in Kingston, and enlisted the expertise of personal trainer Simon Campbell – no relation. “He is a hard taskmaster, pushing me beyond my limit. We work out in the morning four to five days per week. Cardio is a must, and I’ve lifted heavier weights than I have ever imagined,” she revealed.
Although they don’t always see eye to eye during their sessions, she follows his directives without fail. By her 40th birthday in November, she was 10 pounds shy of her goal. She might not have made it to the 40 mark, but she stood tall, proud of her achievements. “It was far from easy. And there were days that I thought about throwing in the towel and just giving up. But I pulled through on sheer will and motivation. And whenever I wasn’t feeling my best, I turned to my circle for motivation and support,” Campbell pointed out.
Looking and feeling her best, she hopes to lose the remaining 10 pounds and go even further; she advises those considering to embark on a health and fitness journey just to start. “Set a goal and stick to it. It’s not going to be easy, but it will definitely be worth it. I’m grateful that my 40th was coming up, and I made that decision. I wish I had made it sooner, but I was happy that I was able to celebrate the birthday in fabulous style.”