<p>Speaker 1:<br />This is a story that starts with a pair of pants. In September of 2020, Kim Groom decided to try on a pair of her late husband Joe's size 38 waist pants. What she discovered was something she wasn't expecting.<br /><br />Kim Groom:<br />I just started crying. They were snug. I knew right away I had to do something.<br /><br />Speaker 3:<br />And what'd you think, when you got those out and you put those pants on, you were kind of wearing him a little bit, right?<br /><br />Kim Groom:<br />Yes. Yeah. I mean, not a day goes by that I don't think of him, continue to miss him. But I just thought not 38, not for me.<br /><br />Speaker 3:<br />What do you think he would say to you at that point? You put those pants on, what would he say?<br /><br />Kim Groom:<br />You're having too much fun, Kim. It's time to get back to work.<br /><br />Speaker 1:<br />And that's exactly what Kim did, she got back to work.<br /><br />Speaker 4:<br />That's what I'm talking about. Good.<br /><br />Speaker 1:<br />What started with some easy walking and encouragement from friends, Kim's natural competitiveness and drive came out. The woman who had spent 27 years with the Aurora Police Department serving her community, decided to ask for help from her new trainer, Tony. She admits the first session with him had her humbled.<br /><br />Kim Groom:<br />So that first one, I was like, okay, I used to do this and I used to do this and I used to this. And he's testing me with different exercises, challenging me with different things. And I mean, I couldn't even do an inclined sit up. That's it. And I was embarrassed.<br /><br />Speaker 1:<br />Kim and Tony came up with a plan and they knew it wouldn't be an overnight fix. As with many things in life, Tony told her.<br /><br />Kim Groom:<br />It's going to take time, which it has. And I said I wanted to lose weight, which is one of the catch phrases on his bio is strength training, weight loss, and then there's no excuses. My husband was 50 years old when he passed and now I'm going to be 52 and it's at that scary age, I think. And I just think being healthy, and if I can inspire somebody else by what I'm doing, then that's a good day.<br /><br />Speaker 1:<br />Kim took that no excuses attitude and went all in, taking care of herself, working hard in and out of the gym. And has lost 25 pounds, but has gained a lot more.<br /><br />Kim Groom:<br />Muscle. I'm stronger. Just patience and a whole better attitude and self confidence for myself.</p>