This week the Stronger U Member Spotlight is highlighting a husband and wife combo of Members, Jeff and Leah Ecker, who worked with Coach Robbie Farlow.
What’s your name? (First and last names, pretty please)
Jeff and Leah Ecker
Tell us a little about you in 5 sentences or less. Where are you from? Are you a parent? What are your hobbies? Anything unique about your life that you want to share?
We live in Arkansas. We have 3 kids, twin 3-year-olds and a 17-month-old. We CrossFit, chase little people around, own/operate a couple small businesses and we love to travel.
What led you to join Stronger U?
We watched all our CF friends go through SU while Leah was pregnant with our 3rd, and we were chomping at the bits to shed the fluff that 3 kids in 2 years had ever so kindly given us.
What dieting experience have you had previous to Stronger U? Was there a reason you were or were not successful? Why did you stop?
We did a macro based meal plan after the twins were born that was wildly successful, but we had no idea how to maintain it when we finished and then came another kid so we pretty well scrapped it and went back to survival mode.
It’s clear Stronger U worked for you. Why do you think Stronger U worked so well when other programs or diets may have not?
We both love to learn. With SU, we’ve had guidance but also been empowered to own our own success. We know we have the ability to maintain the changes we’ve made and we can come back any time to tighten up or tweak what we’re doing to new goals.
Can you give some insight into your eating habits BEFORE joining Stronger U?
Leah has celiac so we’ve always had to be pretty aware of food, which kept us away from a lot of “normal” pitfalls. We’ve never eaten out much and most convenience foods aren’t an option, but ultimately quantity still reigns and obviously, ours was out of whack.
Now that you’ve joined Stronger U, how have your eating habits changed?
It’s much more intentional. We’ve found some healthier alternatives to treats we like, but we more or less we still eat the same foods we did before just different proportions.
If you exercise or train for a sport, what does a typical week look like? Did Stronger U have any impact in your decision to start exercising or training for a sport?
We’ve been doing CrossFit 5-6 days a week for 5 years so SU didn’t get us going, but it’s DEFINITELY kicked it up a notch, which is awesome!
How much weight did you lose with Stronger U?
Jeff- 20lbs, Leah- 15lbs
How did your waist measurements change with Stronger U?
We both lost about 3”
What were 3 major non-scale victories you experienced with Stronger U?
Well, nothing fits and we both look better than we did when we got married so there are obvious perks to that lol. I love knowing we’re setting a good example for our kids and our gym performance is better than ever.
Has your change in body weight or composition improved other areas of your life? If so, explain what areas and how.
I (Leah) have stopped trying to shrink myself around other people. I feel and carry myself with more confidence as I learn to appreciate my body more for what it’s capable of than just what it looks like (or doesn’t). That change in confidence really filters into everything.
Are there any tips or advice you’d give to new members of Stronger U to help them succeed early on?
Know that meticulous planning and time intensive prep doesn’t HAVE to last forever. At some point, you’ll find a rhythm with what works for you, and all the sudden you’ll appreciate the process even more than you did before.
If someone is thinking about joining Stronger U, what would you tell them?
Do it! It’ll force you out of your comfort zone and to look at food differently than you ever have before, and it’s totally worth it.
