Portside Fitness

Before I met with Melinda at Portside, I had gained a lot of weight(155 lbs at 5'3"). My energy level was so low that daily tasks like laundry and grocery shopping took a toll on me. I was constantly out of breath and my blood pressure had gotten to a consistent level where my doctor had put me on medication. I was constantly exhausted. I was eating "healthy", but I found out quickly I was not eating enough, because I still believed I needed to restrict my diet to lose weight. I was not losing weight and my attempts to get back to my active self with bike riding and running was just met with my weak out of shape body. I was discouraged and at the end of my rope. I didn't understand why I could not lose the weight. I have done it so many times. I feel like I have been on the endless diet carousel all my life. Why couldn't I lose the weight this time? I heard, well, you know you are older? I refused to believe this was my new normal. I needed something different this time. I needed to be accountable to someone. I needed someone to tell me what to do. I needed something different than what I was doing.At Portside, I feel supported. I feel seen and understood. My focus has shifted away from the weight loss to getting my body stronger. The weight loss is just an added bonus to the progress I am making. Understanding how all the "healthy" habits work together to create a strong body helps me to stay on track even when I tend to stray back to my bad habits.Sara is more than a Fitness Coach. She focuses on the entire person not just their muscles. Since I started at Portside, my mindset has change in almost every aspect of my life. I used to workout so I could eat (whatever I wanted). Now, I eat so I can workout. When I started, I had zero energy to make it through a workout. Then I found out I wasn't eating enough to sustain a workout. I followed Melinda and Sara's advice and the results are amazing. The workouts are still difficult, but I have the necessary fuel to push through the challenging moments. I carry this over into my work and personal life. The same energy I have during my workouts has helped me enjoy my life, too. I have more energy to spend time with my family and play with my dogs. Before, I spent the majority of my time on the couch watching TV. As for my health, I do not get out of breath anymore while doing daily chores and my blood pressure has dropped significantly. Each little victory has lead me to want more, do more, and accomplish more in my physical, professional, and personal life. Becoming stronger is empowering.

Before I started at Portside I had hit a brick wall in my weight loss and wasn’t getting anywhere even though I felt like I’d been dieting forever and was working out consistently. I felt defeated for not being able to meet my goals and really didn’t want to gain back the weight that I had already lost.  With Sara’s and Melinda’s help at Portside I don’t feel like I’m failing another diet, because I’m not “dieting”. I’m making small long-term healthier choices, setting realistic goals, and still enjoying foods that I love in moderation with other healthier options.I can now fit into clothes sizes that I haven’t worn since I was 18, and my range of motion has improved drastically from when I began.  I have more energy and confidence, and I feel like I’m overall a much happier, healthier person than I was before I joined Portside.

Coaches at Portside in Gulfport Mississippi have helped me through my struggles and celebrated with me through my accomplishments, no matter how big or small they seem to be to me....I have gotten so many tips from modifying workouts to nutrition. Live my Portside fitness Gulfport Mississippi......

This is a wonderful place to be at I was really scared at first to even step foot in Portside fitness. But I just went in one day and sat down with Coach Melinda and talked about what I wanted and for how long. Needless to say I had a problem with drinking coke and nothing but coke for some quite time and I can say now that I crave some coke some days but I just text Coach Melinda and believe it or not Coach Melinda ask me these questions will you only have one? And my answer was I might have more than one then she said no you better not drink it.The nutrition plan at Portside fitness is wonderful compared to the other diets that you go on by yourself you just don’t have that accountability if you are doing the diets by yourself mean while with Portside fitness they hold you accountable plus we have fun with nutrition check ups spontaneously , like when I first started I had a text from Coach Melinda to see how much water I could drink from the time I opened the text till dinner time. That was tons of fun.I have been doing nutrition coaching since I started in June of 2019 4 months ago and let me tell you I have learned a lot about the plate method and to stay away from the sodas and to exercise which I never did in my whole life till now and I really love working out now I am glad I picked Portside fitness as my gym I would not go anywhere else.well I have plenty of energy, I’m not tired all the time.All the Coach’s and all the people that attend Portside is very supportive to everyone that goes to Portside. I would definitely recommend this gym to anyone that is willing to give the gym a try to pick this one (grant it this is the only gym I have been in and actually stuck to it ) I really want to thank everyone for being very supportive, pushing you to not give up when you are just tired thinking you can’t go anymore.But like I said in my 90 days transformation if I can do it anyone can do this at Portside. Love you guys, just want to give a big huge thank you to my 7:30 am Coach Sara and to the ladies and to Chis for being here when I really needed to be pushed, huge Thank you to Coach Melinda aka also nutrition coach for sticking with me through my hard times with stuff and least to the last give a Huge shout out to my 28 day Nutrition challenge partner Rae Thank you so much with every text message I send to you and you help wonders also even though I am shy lol. Like I said this whole journey I am on it is because Portside fitness really is keeping me accountable. Let’s try it it is fun can be hard at times but it will grow on you I promise you will not regret your decision on going with Portside fitness.

I have been a member of portside for about 11/2 years now. This is the best gym on the Gulf Coast. The coaches and members are welcoming, supportive, and helpful. The coaches are interested in helping you meet your personal wellness goal. I have done group classes, nutrition, and personal training with them. Even now with social distancing, they are thinking outside the box to help members continue their wellness journey. If you are looking for a gym, this is the place you want to be.

I had been on a weight loss journey for 2 years now. I was ready for strength training. I was ready to tone up and be confident in my workouts, classes scared me. I joined Portside Fitness without hesitation and was paired with their personal trainer Rae, who I might add is amazing. I feel so comfortable and safe doing my workouts with her. She pushes me to my fullest, without me over doing it. I cannot wait to continue my PT and build the confidence I need join there bootcamp classes!!

I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I was severely overweight...and I’m still working on this. I’d never had any experience with this kind of gym, I was scared! But, I stepped out of my comfort zone and joined Portside. The staff is amazing!! They offer so much support, encouragement and knowledge. I’m encouraged daily, not only by the staff but by other members. It’s been one of the best decisions I’ve made.

The 6 weeks of my first boot camp were amazing. The atmosphere is great and so are the coaches! They truly push you to do your best and not to settle for an easy workout. I absolutely love it and as we are off for two weeks, I get sad at the thought of not having class! I'm definitely excited to go back and continue my health and fitness journey. 💪🏼

Originally, I joined Portside through their boot camp program. It has always been a long-term goal of mine to join crossfit, but I always felt that I wasn't athletically fit enough to tackle something like that. The coaches and members at Portside create such an inviting and supportive atmosphere that I found it natural and easy to join the program. I'm three months in so far, and I cannot wait to see where this journey takes me. I've never participated in any kind of sport or athletic activity in my life, and I am here to say that if I can do it, so can you! Thanks team Portside!

Portside fitness is the first gym that I have ever felt truly comfortable. They embraced me and made me feel like I’ve always been there from day one. The coaches have helped me gain muscle that I thought wasn’t possible and helped me get into the best shape I’ve ever been in! I ❤️ Portside fitness.