Final Post: The Journey Continues

Author: Kevin Tamte CPT, PN, TFW

Looking back, this journey has been full of ups and downs, challenges and victories. It

started with simply showing up at the gym and realizing I was just going through the motions. I learned that nutrition mattered just as much as exercise, especially when I hit a plateau and had to face hard truths about what I was fueling my body with. I discovered the power of consistency, even on the days when I didn’t feel like showing up.

Hiring a coach changed everything.

Having someone in my corner pushed me further than I ever thought I could go, both physically and mentally. Joining Training for Warriors took that to another level by surrounding me with a community that held me accountable and lifted me up. And through it all, I learned that keeping the weight off is about more than workouts or diet, it takes sleep, balance, and a commitment to your health as a lifelong practice, not a quick fix.

The greatest surprise of all has been where this path has led me. What started as a personal mission to get healthier turned into a passion for helping others. Becoming a Certified Personal Trainer allowed me to give back, to help people reclaim their strength, their confidence, and their independence. That has been the most rewarding part of this entire journey.

Here is what I want you to take away:

• Your journey will not look exactly like mine, and that’s okay.

• You will face plateaus, setbacks, and doubts, but you can overcome them.

• You cannot do it alone. Having the right people in your corner makes all the difference.

• Your health is an investment, just like saving for retirement. If you want to live fully later, you must start building your foundation now.

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I have lived this. I have struggled, adapted, and grown stronger because I kept moving forward. And I know you can too.

If any part of my story resonates with you, I would love to connect. You have more strength inside you than you realize. Sometimes, you just need someone to remind you it’s there.

The best time to start was yesterday. The next best time is today.

Fourth Strength: Becoming a Certified Personal Trainer

Author: Coach Kevin Tamte CPT, PN, TFW

This journey lit a fire in me that I never expected. At first, I just wanted to get healthier, lose weight, and get stronger. But along the way, I discovered a passion for helping others do the same.

I started by getting my Training for Warriors certification so I could coach classes. That step alone changed my outlook. I realized I wanted to help people on a deeper level, so I went on to earn my Certified Personal Trainer credential. That allowed me to coach one-on-one and make an even bigger impact.

At first, I thought it would just be about building muscle and losing fat. But I quickly saw it was so much more. I got to help people regain independence after years of being limited. I watched parents play with their kids again. I saw grandparents say yes to adventures with their grandkids. I saw people rediscover what it feels like to truly live. That was more rewarding than I could ever have imagined.

This has changed my career and my life. After 25 years in construction, I made the shift into coaching full time. I do not regret it for a second. Every struggle I faced, losing weight, building strength, pushing through doubt; prepared me to coach with empathy and understanding. I know what it feels like to start over. I know what it means to step into the unknown.

Growth happens when you get uncomfortable. I have lived that truth. I have faced the wall, leaned into the challenge, and kept moving. That is what I want for everyone I coach. To see that they can do hard things. To know that they are stronger than they think.

I am just getting started. My mission now is to help as many people as I can build strength, confidence, and a life they are proud of.

Third Strength: Keeping the Weight Off

Author: Coach Kevin Tamte CPT, PN, TFW

Losing weight was a big step, but keeping it off became the real challenge. This is not a quick sprint. It is a long marathon. You cannot stop once you hit your goal. You have to keep working on your physical health, your mental health, your nutrition, and even your sleep.

I learned that food choices matter. You do not need to follow the latest diet. You need balance, consistency, and a plan that fits your life. I also learned that sleep is just as important. When you do not rest, your body holds on to stress, your hormones get out of rhythm, and your progress slows down. With the right nutrition and good sleep, your training works the way it should.

This takes support. Having a strong community makes the difference. People who check in on you, encourage you, and keep you accountable when you want to slip back into old habits. You cannot do this alone.

There will be ups and downs. You may gain a little weight back. I have my ups and downs also. The important part is not how perfect you are, but how fast you get back on track. Each time you reset, you grow stronger.

Keeping the weight off is about consistency, not perfection. It is about building a lifestyle that you can live with in the gym, at the table, and in how you rest at night. That is what makes this journey last.