About Me

Welcome!

I am Araceli Franco an individual who is passionate  about helping others create a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.

I am an athlete who believes in and enjoys all modes of training such as powerlifting, bodybuilding, cycling, running, HIIT, yoga, and indoor rock climbing. 

I have a Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology

I am a Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant

I am a NESTA Certified Personal Trainer

I am a NASM Certified Nutrition Specialist

 

HOW MY JOURNEY STARTED

As I was growing up, I was always very involved in sports which included playing soccer, running in track, and running in cross-country. Although I was very active I never understood the role nutrition played. In 2013 during my first year of college at California State University San Marcos my journey to health began. I began counting calories through myfitnesspal in order to understand calories in vs. calories out. By May 2013 I had lost 25 pounds. I continued to use myfitnesspal to keep myself accountable and maintain my weight.

From counting calories to counting macros I now have a much more balanced approach to nutrition. I believe in intuitive eating and moderation not deprivation for a healthy sustainable way of eating. 

My progress has not been linear but I have now stayed consistent for over 4 years and can tell you what I have learned. Health and fitness is about behavior change, mindset, and really paying attention to how you feel by eating nutritious food and exercising. Health and fitness is about progress and because it is a lifelong journey consistency and patience is imperative.

My journey has not been about yo-yo diets, it has been about making a lifestyle change to improve all areas in my life. I can tell you that you can't view it as a diet and have to be ready to make a lifestyle change for the better. 

 

 EDUCATION – FROM ASPRING NURSE TO ASPIRING HEALTH EDUCATOR

I went in to college thinking I wanted to be a nurse. My passion for health and fitness had grown since I started my own journey in 2013. I realized one day in class I didn't want to be on the treatment side of health, I realized I wanted to be promoting healthy habits to prevent and treat disease. I switched my major the summer of my second year of college to Kinesiology concentration in Health Sciences. From these classes my passion has just grown to wanting to help as many people as possible achieve wellness. 

FUTURE ASPIRATIONS

I am currently a physical therapy aide and personal trainer. I graduated a Physical Therapy Assistant program in May 2021 and am now a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant as well! 

 What message I hope to leave you with is, "Health is not a one size fits all. It is not a perfect diet, a perfect exercise routine, a perfect body. Everybody is different and has different needs. Health and fitness is about a lifestyle change. There is no quick fix. What works for you may not work for another person. Focus on your self and how you feel. Health is more than just physical, it is also mental, social, and emotional. Be your own explorer. This is your journey. Enjoy it, have patience, stay consistent and the results will come."

I hope you enjoy the road, and I am here to educate, help, and connect with you along the way.