“I finally came to the conclusion that a trainer was less expensive than a funeral.”
Randy B. of San Marcos, CA joined LA Fitness 6 years ago as he was nearing the golden age of 50. His sudden proactive attitude spawned from a troubling family health history. His father died at the young age of 52 from heart failure and diabetes, and his grandfather passed away at age 50, also from heart-related issues. With Randy’s own age suddenly nearing that seemingly fateful number, he made the decision to change his lifestyle and make fitness a priority. At the encouragement of friends already training with Pro Results® personal trainer Brandon W., Randy followed suit and started training with Brandon W. at LA Fitness three times a week.
Due to his job as a retail manager, which involves a lot of time spent at the computer or in the car, Randy started noticing that he was experiencing shoulder issues, and shared what was happening with his trainer Brandon. Brandon immediately began working on methods to help strengthen Randy’s shoulders, chest and back to help improve these issues. Since switching up his training routine, Randy shared that “the work Brandon has done has also had a major impact on my posture which has eliminated any back pain.” Even though Randy will be undergoing shoulder surgery soon, he notices the exercises he’s been doing have helped improve his strength, which his doctor says will help with the recovery.
“I finally came to the conclusion that a trainer was less expensive than a funeral. While personal training may seem expensive, it has such a positive impact on your overall results and thus your overall health, that it really can change your quality of life,” shared Randy B. When Randy first started personal training, his original goals were to lose 25 pounds, work on general strengthening and to improve his overall cholesterol. Since starting the Pro Results® program and working with Brandon W., Randy has lost 55 lbs., lowered his blood pressure and cholesterol, and increased his overall strength and energy levels!
Today Randy’s goals are to maintain his weight, continue strength training, and improve both his flexibility and cardio. He credits his success to his trainer Brandon W., who inspires him by always being persistent on follow up, talking him through the functionality of what they are doing, and explaining how it will help Randy better perform in life. Randy shared that his conversations with Brandon are focused on asking questions about what he does—what he does well and also where he struggles. Brandon then tailors Randy’s training to help him meet his specific goals.
Aside from the fitness building duo team of Randy and Brandon, Brandon introduces his clients to each other and encourages them to work together and help hold each other accountable. Randy expressed that “it builds a total gym training family [and] support group which keeps all of us going.” Not only that, but having others around you working towards similar goals can help spark, and rev up, that competitive spirit. Having a healthy and encouraging group of friends can help you push yourself to be better, even on the days where going to the gym may seem tiring. As for Randy, he plans to continue staying active and eating healthy so that he can live a long, happy and healthy life.
Are you ready to take control of your health? Learn more about Pro Results® today.
Results will vary. Consult with your doctor before starting a new exercise program. Pro Results® personal training services are subject to additional fees and a separate agreement.
LA Fitness will be open for Independence Day and Canada Day! Modified clubs hours are below!Holiday Hours (U.S.) Monday, July 4th: 8AM - 4PM Tuesday, July 5th: Normal Hours Holiday Hours (Canada) Friday, July 1st: 8AM - 4PM Saturday, July 2nd: Normal Hours ...
LA Fitness will be open for parts of the Holiday Season! Modified clubs hours are below!Holiday Hours (U.S.) Friday, December 24th: 8AM - Noon Saturday, December 25th: Closed Friday, December 31st: 8AM - 6PM Saturday, January 1st: 8AM - 6PM Holiday Hours...
Today is the 3rd Anniversary of the Living Healthy Podcast, presented by LA Fitness. Hi everyone! I just wanted to give you a quick update on what is going on with the show. We are trying to plan out 3 LIVE podcast episodes covering Exercise, Nutrition, and Sleep...
LA Fitness Pro Results® Master Trainer, Geoff F., answers our question of the week. Check it out below!
Do you have a fitness question? Ask one of our certified Pro Results® trainers here! Your question may be featured in an upcoming Ask Our Trainer video.**
**Selected submissions will be featured on the LA Fitness blog and possibly other LA Fitness digital media entities & websites. By making a submission, you hereby grant LA Fitness a non-exclusive, perpetual, worldwide, irrevocable license to use and make copies of the contents of such submission for any purpose and in any medium whatsoever, and you hereby waive and relinquish any copyright or other intellectual property right you may have in the contents of such submission and your right to pursue any claim for LA Fitness’s violation of those intellectual property rights.
LA Fitness will be open for Independence Day and Canada Day! Modified clubs hours are below!Holiday Hours (U.S.) Monday, July 4th: 8AM - 4PM Tuesday, July 5th: Normal Hours Holiday Hours (Canada) Friday, July 1st: 8AM - 4PM Saturday, July 2nd: Normal Hours ...
LA Fitness will be open for parts of the Holiday Season! Modified clubs hours are below!Holiday Hours (U.S.) Friday, December 24th: 8AM - Noon Saturday, December 25th: Closed Friday, December 31st: 8AM - 6PM Saturday, January 1st: 8AM - 6PM Holiday Hours...
Today is the 3rd Anniversary of the Living Healthy Podcast, presented by LA Fitness. Hi everyone! I just wanted to give you a quick update on what is going on with the show. We are trying to plan out 3 LIVE podcast episodes covering Exercise, Nutrition, and Sleep...
Hi, I’m getting married next April and want to lose 50 lbs. I’m a male 6’4 currently 280 and 53 years young! Is this realistic? By the way, I’m getting married to a fellow LA fitness member I was dating and we are now engaged.
– Gabe R.
Woohoo! Congratulations, Gabe. Yes, it’s realistic for someone your age and size to lose 50 pounds in under a year. With regular exercise and significant dietary changes over the next 9 months, it is possible to reach your weight goal of 230 lbs. Check our other LA Fitness members’ weight loss achievements Keely’s Success Story, Footsteps Leading to Success, Mary’s 50 Pound Weight Loss Side-Effect, People Aren’t Recognizing Her! and those posted from the National Weight Control Registry at http://www.nwcr.ws/stories.htm.
You will need to maintain a consistent daily 1,000 calorie deficit and I would recommend you consume about 1800-2000 calories for now, so that means lots of physical activity. Later, if you reach a plateau or are nearing your wedding date, you can reduce to 1500 calories daily.
– Debbie J., MS, RD
This article should not replace any exercise program or restrictions, any dietary supplements or restrictions, or any other medical recommendations from your primary care physician. Before starting any exercise program or diet, make sure it is approved by your doctor.
Some questions have been edited for length and/or clarity.
Want more? SUBSCRIBE to receive the latest Living Healthy articles right in your inbox!
Have a nutrition question? Our registered dietitian is ready to help!
Email nutrition@lafitness.com or submit your question below and it may be featured in an upcoming article!
Debbie James, RDN, helps answer a reader’s question about how to gain weight healthily while living a vegetarian lifestyle.
On this episode of the Living Healthy Podcast, we speak with Dr. Bob Davari to discuss the importance of sleep and what happens when you don’t get enough.
If you’re observing Sweetest Day this year, or thinking about starting, we’d like to offer you some fun (and less sugary) ideas to help you celebrate.
Good afternoon, my name is Howard G., and I am a member of LA Fitness. I am a 49-year-old male, I weigh 294 lbs., and I am 6’2″. I have been consistently working out for the past two weeks. I would like to know what would be the ideal calorie intake along with what specific foods should I consume. I am looking to drop weight which is my first goal and then to tone my body. Whatever help you can give me will be much appreciated.
– Howard G.
Hello Howard. You really don’t want to count 2000+ calories, do you? I suspect that your interest in “what specific foods” to eat lies more in a desire to follow a plan laid out for you than in constructing one with a large/vague limit like total calories.
In suggesting a sample diet plan for you as an individual, I’d ask you to consider what are the dietary changes you know you need to make and which are the ones you are willing to consistently apply? For example, fried foods may be a problem but unavoidable in your work/social environment yet you only eat sweets because they are there, so could
consciously skip those. Often I observe that one’s diet is reasonable and he just needs to reduce portions across the board. Hint, hint.
That said, IN GENERAL, a 2000-2200 caloric intake that reflects that following meal pattern could be a place to start for the next couple of weeks for someone not used to managing his intake at all.
2 cups FRUIT
1 cup of fruits counts as:
3 cups VEGETABLES
1 cup vegetables counts as:
6 ounces GRAINS
1 ounce of grains counts as:
6 ounces PROTEIN
1 ounce of protein counts as:
2-3 cups DAIRY
1 cup of dairy counts as:
Remainder of calories from 3 servings of healthy plant fat.
The above is based on the 2015 Dietary Guidelines which are supported in the ChooseMyPlate.gov recommendations and MyPlate checklists.
Laid out across meals and snacks with examples, it may look something like this:
Breakfast
1 fruit: small 5” banana
2 grain: 2 whole wheat waffles
1 fat: Tbsp. peanut butter
1 dairy: 8 fl. oz. 1% milk
Lunch
2 vegetable: 2 cups raw spinach
3 protein: half roasted chicken breast
1 grain: ½ C. white beans
1 fat: 2 Tbsp. reduced-fat salad dressing
Dinner
1 vegetable: ½ C cooked broccoli
3 protein: 3 oz. salmon
2 grain: 1 cup cooked brown rice
Snacks
1 grain: 3 C. popcorn
1 fat: tsp. oil for popping
1 fruit: 1 cup melon
– Debbie J., MS, RD
This article should not replace any exercise program or restrictions, any dietary supplements or restrictions, or any other medical recommendations from your primary care physician. Before starting any exercise program or diet, make sure it is approved by your doctor.
Some questions have been edited for length and/or clarity.
Want more? SUBSCRIBE to receive the latest Living Healthy articles right in your inbox!
Have a nutrition question? Our registered dietitian is ready to help!
Email nutrition@lafitness.com or submit your question below and it may be featured in an upcoming article!
Debbie James, RDN, helps answer a reader’s question about how to gain weight healthily while living a vegetarian lifestyle.
On this episode of the Living Healthy Podcast, we speak with Dr. Bob Davari to discuss the importance of sleep and what happens when you don’t get enough.
If you’re observing Sweetest Day this year, or thinking about starting, we’d like to offer you some fun (and less sugary) ideas to help you celebrate.
These are our most recent members who have committed to their fitness goals.
Elsy W., Clara Q., Elizabeth A. & Andrea A.
We love seeing family’s getting fit together! Elsy W. would like to maintain her health and weight, Clara Q. would like to lower her body fat percentage, Elizabeth A. wants to lose belly fat & Andrea A. hopes to get toned, run faster, and lift heavier! Awesome job ladies!
Perry W. & Rocky L.
Perry W. & Rocky L. are well on their way to accomplishing their fitness goals – it always helps to have a workout buddy! Perry W. is working on his way to getting ripped and being mentally balanced with his body. Rocky L. hopes to gain weight. We believe in you guys, keep up the hard work!
Stephanie F.
Stephanie F.’s fitness goal is to have a fit body & work out everyday! Stick to your goal Stephanie, you can do it!
Ashley R.
Ashley R. wants to loose fat & replace it with muscle. You’ve got this, Ashley!
Christian S.
Christian S. shared with us that he wants to stay in shape at 185 lbs.! If you put in the hard work you can accomplish anything Christian!
LA Fitness will be open for Independence Day and Canada Day! Modified clubs hours are below!Holiday Hours (U.S.) Monday, July 4th: 8AM - 4PM Tuesday, July 5th: Normal Hours Holiday Hours (Canada) Friday, July 1st: 8AM - 4PM Saturday, July 2nd: Normal Hours ...
LA Fitness will be open for parts of the Holiday Season! Modified clubs hours are below!Holiday Hours (U.S.) Friday, December 24th: 8AM - Noon Saturday, December 25th: Closed Friday, December 31st: 8AM - 6PM Saturday, January 1st: 8AM - 6PM Holiday Hours...
Today is the 3rd Anniversary of the Living Healthy Podcast, presented by LA Fitness. Hi everyone! I just wanted to give you a quick update on what is going on with the show. We are trying to plan out 3 LIVE podcast episodes covering Exercise, Nutrition, and Sleep...
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