If you're trying to get fit, it helps to be fierce.

Andrea Tarrant, co-founder of Fierce Fitness at The Pound, knows what it's like fall into a slump and let your health deteriorate: About a year ago, she was 100 pounds heavier than she currently is, and she says making that change is all in the mind.

"One-hundred percent of the reason we become unhealthy is psychological," she said.

The philosophy of fierceness that the gym embraces is the same that helped Tarrant in her quest to become healthier. She emphasizes that the focus is on getting healthy, not on seeing who has the tightest six-pack or most pronounced clavicle bones.

Tarrant worked at the gym Elements prior to venturing out on her own. She always wanted to have her own business, and made it happen with her friends -- and co-founders of Fierce Fitness — Melissa Freed and Jennifer Parent, she said.

"It was time to step out," said Tarrant. "It was a dream that I had and it happened sooner than I thought."

After about a month in business, Tarrant says the gym has about 40 members.

Tarrant says that a run-in with co-owner of The Pound, Christine Jones, made it possible for her to make that dream come true. The Pound is a martial arts center.

"We met Christine and she said, 'Hey we have parents who want to train while their kids are in classes,'" and three weeks from then, Fierce Fitness at The Pound went from dream to reality.

While the kids practice martial arts downstairs, the adults are upstairs and outside working up a sweat. However, it's not just for parents — anybody can sign up.

So what is the fierceness in the fitness, and where does it come from?

"There's really no way to describe it, it's what comes from our hearts," Tarrant said.

Co-owner of The Pound, Pat Matthews, agrees with Tarrant that getting started in becoming fit is all mental.

"You have to put your mind to doing something positive," said Matthews. "Everything starts with a thought."

Lynn Bliss has been working out at Fierce Fitness and credits the camaraderie at the gym with helping her accelerate her weight loss.

"The energy here is great," she said, adding that since she started working out, she feels "so different … definitely more energetic."

Fierce Fitness at The Pound is located at 3131 Cranberry Highway in East Wareham, and you can also visit the gym on Facebook.