Last December, I “celebrated” my 48^th birthday and finally realized that I wasn’t getting any younger. Having two elementary school aged daughters, I decided that if I was going to see them grow up and maybe be a grandparent someday, I needed to make a lifestyle change that incorporated a healthier diet and exercise as a part of my routine. My doctor had been giving me this same advice for years, but my decision to make the change was cemented when the scale registered at something in excess of 210 pounds after the holidays. I decided that 2005 was going to be the year of my health makeover and, fortunately for me, Mr. Rodney Golden opened his first Fitness Together location just around the corner from my house. I knew that if I was going to commit to making the changes needed to achieve a healthier me, I needed to be accountable to someone other than me and I needed a convenient place to make it happen. The location is certainly convenient and Rodney and his staff have provided the encouragement and accountability I needed in order to be successful. My goals were simple – lose weight (30-40 pounds) and gain strength through weight training. Rodney gave me the game plan to achieve my goals, but it was up to me to execute the plan. Two months into the program, I wasn’t really satisfied with my progress, but I also knew that I wasn’t following the game plan to the best of my ability. I wasn’t including enough cardio exercise in my workout regimen and Rodney continued to make sure I knew the importance of this part of the plan. He assured me that there would be no charge. He just wanted me to be successful. I went in a couple of times, but I knew that I really needed to make it happen away from FT. I’m not the type of person to get up and go outside and walk or run around the neighborhood, but I liked using the treadmill at FT, so I went out and bought one. I started using it 4-5 times a week, in addition to my regular workouts. Within one month, I was on track with the game plan and my progress was steady. Now, seven months into my “makeover,” I have achieved the goals I set in January. I have lost 35 pounds of fat and my strength, endurance and flexibility have all improved, dramatically. My new goals include building muscle and maintaining my weight loss. I’ll continue to rely on Rodney and his staff to provide the game plan for achieving the results I’m looking for, but, in the end, I know it’s up to me to execute the plan to turn my goals into reality.  

-Dave Sloneker
 

Hi! My name is Virginia Brengelman and I’m a kindergarten teacher, grandmother, wife, and breast cancer survivor!  I’d like to share my story with you so I can be an encouragement to you and to others. When the promotion card arrived introducing the new FT center near my house, my first thought was “Oh, it’s so close, I could actually workout in the length of time I could drive somewhere else and back.”  But the possibility was immediately followed by doubt. I had so many medical problems, how could I ever hold up to a workout program? When my grandkids, 2 boys, 11/2 and 3 ½ years old, came to visit that weekend I admitted what I had known for some time: as they grew larger I was less able to care for them. My daughter had already begun to limit their spending the night to evenings only when my husband was going to be home to help. My health was sacrificing time with my grandkids, and it wasn’t getting better. I decided I had to get stronger and made a consultation at Fitness Together. Because of Rodney’s warm caring attitude I was able to be very honest in explaining all of my medical problems and limitations, and my goal: to be able to lift up my grandkids even as they grow. Rodney was positive and up beat, assuring me he could create a program that would work for me. Today I am strong. I look in the mirror during my favorite sets and watch the muscles ripple. I’m not vain. I’ve just gained a lot more confidence and self-esteem. I’ve lost 2 dress sizes and look 20 years younger! I have energy and I’ve got a pep in my step when I walk because my arthritic knees are now pain free! Strengthening the muscles combined with the stretching at the end of each workout has taken the stress off my knees. I am completely off all pain medication.

Thank you Rodney. Thank you Fitness Together!

-Virginia Brengelman