Member Spotlight | A Life-Changing Diagnosis

Member Spotlight | A Life-Changing Diagnosis

by | Nov 20, 2017 | All, Fitness, Home, Member Stories

Julie W., of Phoenix, AZ, shared that in her “former” life she was a juvenile detention officer, PE teacher, and trainer/fitness instructor. Self-described as “being stronger than the average ‘joe’-sephine”, an aggressive Breast Cancer diagnosis threw this typically tough power woman into a spiral of depression and despair. Julie’s diagnosis couldn’t have come at a worse time, as she was already struggling with the recent loss of her two sisters, and now she was struggling for her own life.

Thankfully, the combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation worked. Unfortunately, it also resulted in a blood clot in Julie’s jugular, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and Neuropathy. Separately, Julie was also struggling with Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD), arthritic joints, and anxiety and depression. Still, Julie was determined to not give up. In her words, “death is an obvious eventuality, but healthily growing older is a better prognosis.”

Before Julie’s diagnosis she was a heavy lifter who spent most of her spare time in the gym, staying active. Since then she has turned into a different type of gym-goer, knowing that movement and exercise are now mandatory for healthy living, and not just a fun pastime. Julie was almost forced into changing her fitness routine once she started undergoing treatments. While she was no longer able to focus on heavy weights, she turned her attention to enhanced cardio and increasing her flexibility.

LA Fitness group fitness classes became the perfect fit for what Julie needed. She shared that the classes offered her “cardio-vascular improvement, coordination and control, brain and muscle memory, musicality and performance artistry, emotional outlet, camaraderie and so much more.” She enjoys classes like Body Works classes and Yoga, but one class stood apart from the rest – Zumba®. Julie shared that Zumba® is one of the primary reasons why she’s made LA Fitness her second home.

In fact, Julie enjoys the classes so much that she travels to various LA Fitness clubs within the Phoenix area to follow some of her favorite instructors! She’s even enjoyed participating in LA Fitness Zumba® classes while on vacation in other states! Julie shared that trainers like Justin, Natalie, Briana and Treena, should be applauded for their personable demeanors, motivating attitudes and caring mindsets. Each of the Zumba® instructors she admires has their own unique flavor and talent that they bring to their classes.

“Come dance with me, what do you have to lose besides the weight?”

Justin R.

Group Fitness Instructor , LA Fitness

“Zumba® allows me to bring a little bit of joy into someone’s life, one dance step, one song, one class at a time.”

Treena B.

Group Fitness Instructor , LA Fitness

“Don’t work out to escape your life, work out to embrace your life.”

Brianna B.

Group Fitness Instructor , LA Fitness

“Music is the heartbeat to the soul.”

Natalie Q.

Group Fitness Instructor , LA Fitness

Julie found strength and fun in Zumba® group fitness classes. She found friends in some of the talented Zumba® instructors she’s met along the way, and she encourages everyone to try out a class near them. If Zumba® isn’t your cup of tea, there are plenty of other group fitness options to keep you active and feeling motivated. It’s a great way to keep in shape, have fun, and be encouraged from group fitness instructors. Find a class near you by clicking here!

 

Group fitness class schedules and offerings vary by location.

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Member Spotlight | Finding Your Inner Superhero

Member Spotlight | Finding Your Inner Superhero

by | Nov 6, 2017 | All, Fitness, Home, Member Stories

My story begins a year before I actually joined LA Fitness. In 2016, I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. After consulting at length with my doctor about how I could have contracted diabetes, we settled on two things: I was probably already pre-diabetic, and most importantly, the stress of my mother’s death probably led me there.

In February of 2016, my mother’s doctors informed her and our family that she had only 6 weeks to live and subsequently set us up with a home hospice care provider. As time progressed, she deteriorated and so as predicted, she passed in her sleep at home on April 11th 2017. In large part, it was due to a bad heart but she had diabetes as well.

It took a while to process all of that and then a couple of months later I found out about my own diabetes. Working with my doctor, I started a regimen of prescription medication to get my diabetes under control. I went to special classes that talked about diabetes and special diets. One thing that was stressed in the classes was that losing weight would aid in my treatment. I tried doing things at home for several months but I wasn’t all that successful. I finally broke down and decided to visit my local LA Fitness in La Habra, CA.

I meet with one of their representatives, and we settled on a membership with the addition of a trainer as well. There must have been an angel looking out for me when I got assigned my trainer. Her name is Brianna H., or Bree as she likes to be called. I cannot tell you have happy I am to have Bree as my trainer. She is a huge reason that since I have started I have lost 10 lbs. as well as 3 inches from my waist. I have also gained muscle mass and have become toned – I love to flex my biceps now!

Bree is completely invested in my success. She’s my drill sergeant and cheerleader combined. She has me working hard and I like that because I know she wants me to succeed. I will work out at times by myself as well and I can see the difference. I’m just not as determined without her constant encouragement urging me on. She corrects my posture and reinforces my positive outlook and is always checking in to make I can handle the weight. She knows that I am sixty years old and that I hadn’t worked out literally for decades, so while she pushes me onward she’s also sensitive to where I’m at as I progress in my workouts. I consider her to be not just my personal trainer but also more like my personal superhero.

Through her strong suggestions, I have even begun to change my eating habits. I’ve added salads to my diet and I try to manage portion controls better. I still need to get better but with Bree’s input I hope to make more strides and improvements in my overall health. I will forever be grateful to Bree and LA Fitness for the help that I have received and will continue to receive as time goes on. If I were to offer anyone advice, I would say that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself and it’s okay to ask for help. Get a trainer and trust that they really want to help you succeed. It’s hard at times but anything that’s worth it is. I know that I’m worth the effort that I put into my workouts and I know that my Mom is smiling down on me on my journey.

Disclaimer: Some slight adjustments have been made to the member’s story for grammatical reasons, length, and/or clarity.

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Member Spotlight | The Story of a 2x USA Indoor Volleyball Champion

Member Spotlight | The Story of a 2x USA Indoor Volleyball Champion

by | Oct 23, 2017 | All, Home, Member Stories

Imagine – you step onto an Olympic court. Your eyes scan the stadium. Your heart pounds through your shirt. The roar of the crowd echoes through your body; it’s the moment you’ve been waiting for.

For Don S., a two-time USA Indoor Volleyball Olympian, this was his reality. Having grown up in Albania, Don and his family never dreamed of being in the U.S. He described his childhood as oppressed and closed off, but after the fall of communism in their home country, Don and his family moved to the U.S (an idea spawned by his grandmother’s request). He recalls speaking very poor English, and working many tough jobs as a young kid in Boston, but his hard work eventually paid off. Don was admitted to USC on a full-ride scholarship thanks to making the university’s volleyball team. He shared how much of a blessing it was to him, since his family had only $1,000 in savings. It was a dream come true; Don was a four-year starter for a nationally-ranked team and quickly became one of the top volleyball players in USC history.

Little did he know even greater opportunities awaited him…

Don was pronounced a two-time All-American athlete and awarded the NCAA Player of the Year award his senior of college. His incredible talent, passion and drive helped catapult him to Olympic glory. Don was at an all-time high.

The Change

In 2014, Don retired from the Olympic team due to knee injuries. Playing the sport for over 20 years had taken its toll on his body. He was tired of the grueling workouts, endless travel and the pressure of winning/losing. He needed a break. In the year following Don’s retirement, he stopped working out and going to the gym. He began noticing that he became increasingly tired, both mentally and physically. He gained more than 20 lbs., became slower, less toned, and no longer had that competitive edge. Then the unthinkable happened. Don woke up one morning and noticed he could not walk straight. His left leg and arm started to get numb, and so did his face. Scared, he jumped into the car and drove to the hospital where the diagnosis revealed that he had suffered a minor stroke.

He was shocked. He felt angry, because he knew he had let himself go. Don admitted that is was a rough wake-up call.  The doctor told Don that he needed to eat healthier and exercise more, which came as another shock because that was Don’s routine was for most of his life. However, the year of inactivity had taken its toll and increased his cholesterol, while lowering his athletic drive. Don chalks up the change in his lifestyle to multiple factors: transitioning into the business world, wanting to relax more, and no longer exercising. Don found that a lot of the networking events he was attending typically offered food and drink, which contributed to his weight gain.

The Realization

Laying in his hospital bed, Don realized that he had a lot to lose – three sons who looked up to him, a wife who was a volleyball athlete herself, and a life he had worked so hard to build. It was in that moment that Don made a promise to himself to get back to being healthy, fit, and ready to play sports with his boys again. In September 2016, Don joined LA Fitness. He knew it was an affordable option for prevention of further health issues, and he enjoyed the friendly staff and members he’d interacted with. Since joining LA Fitness, Don has lost 20 lbs., feels much better, and is back to playing volleyball on the weekends again.

Don hopes to be fit, stay strong, and maintain his weight. He goes to the gym as often as he can and alternates between cardio and weight routines. He also enjoys swimming in the club’s pool! When Don was asked what advice he would give to those who find themselves struggling through obstacles of their own, he shared, “Be active every day, no excuses. If you can’t go to the gym, do pushups, wall sits, walk. [There are] many ways to keep fit. [When] going to the gym […] gets tough, just go and do [an] exercise that you love, even [if it’s] for 30 minutes.”

Find Your Motivation

Don found his motivation due to a scary wake-up call, but it doesn’t have to get to this point to make a change. What motivates you? Share with us below and stay committed to building a better, healthier, and happier life for yourself. Everyone has the same opportunity to make a change. Embrace your inner warrior and conquer your goals one day at a time. LA Fitness and the Living Healthy community believe in you, so are you ready to believe in yourself?

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Member Spotlight | When Life Throws a Curveball

Member Spotlight | When Life Throws a Curveball

by | Oct 9, 2017 | All, Community, Fitness, Home, Member Stories

At 15-years-old, Julie I., of Irvine, CA, had a brain aneurysm while on a skiing trip with her family. She couldn’t lift her head or swallow. She could hear, but could not speak. Sitting in the hospital room to comfort Julie was her grandmother, Frances. The nurse informed her that her granddaughter would never speak again, and Frances’ reaction to that was hanging a sign on the hospital door that read: If you have something negative to say, don’t come in.

Three years later, not only was Julie able to speak, but she was a graduate of Mater Dei High School.  Getting there, though, wasn’t easy. Doctors recommended putting Julie in an assisted living facility, but her family took her home and went to work, helping teach her how to do various things again. Not only did her family help, but fellow classmates, neighbors and parents of the kids she used to coach in soccer all rallied behind her, calling it Operation Julie.

For years, Julie would wake up, see her wheelchair and vow that by the end of the year she would walk independently again. Year after year she renewed that vow until she was able to walk with the assistance of a walker in 2000. Her strong-mindedness spilled over to all other aspects of her life. She wanted to go to USC, so she made it happen. She had always wanted to rush a sorority, and so she did. She wanted to experience life living in a sorority house, and would you guess – she did.

Julie shared with us how her workouts changed over the years and she became stronger. At first, she said she did mostly floor exercises with her physical therapist, since she had to learn, and train, her body to do things that once came naturally. She did a lot of core strengthening, balancing exercises, learned to sit-up, hold her head up, and countless other activities. Once she attended college, her physical therapy turned to walking practice.

Once Julie graduated from USC, she moved back to her hometown of Irvine, CA, and once again, her workouts changed.  Julie would go to the gym 3-4 days a week and do mostly cardio. When she was on the treadmill she would hold onto the front bars to keep her balance and she had learned how to use the bikes and weights, as well as do floor exercises, from her time spent in physical therapy. Julie explained that she went to the gym religiously for 26 years, improving gradually over time, and that her tremors almost completely disappeared and her flexibility improved.

Julie now trains at LA Fitness in the mornings before work. Her and her dad have even participated in four MS150 Rides, a two-day fundraising bike ride to help raise money for MS (multiple sclerosis), spanning from Newport Beach to San Diego. She has a recumbent three-wheel bike. Now, at 52-years-old, Julie mostly exercises on the bike, stretches and strength trains with weights. Having overcome so much in her lifetime, Julie started a non-profit called SupportAbility, which awards high school seniors who have graduated despite tremendous personal obstacles.

Julie shared, “Thanks to the beautiful, friendly and immaculate gym, hard work and a routine I can write this.” We can’t wait to see what the future holds for this incredible woman. If you would like to donate to SupportAbility, and read more about this non-profit organization, please visit Julie’s website here.

*SupportAbility is not an affiliate of LA Fitness. This link will take you to an outside webpage, and any representations or warranties made therein are made by SupportAbility only, and not by LA Fitness.

Consult with your physician before starting a new fitness regimen.

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Member Spotlight | Age Is Just A Number

Member Spotlight | Age Is Just A Number

by | Sep 25, 2017 | All, Community, Fitness, Home, Member Stories

“Physical health and mental health are very much combined […] set[ting] a goal and [going] for it is so beneficial for your total health.”

Barb M.

LAF Member

Has age ever made you feel like there are limitations to what you can do? If so, meet Barb M. of Centerville, OH. Barb is 66 years old. She also recently completed a half marathon. Age is simply a number to her.

The Challenge

What may surprise you about Barb is the fact that she was never much of a runner. She completed her first half marathon at 62 years old, and the story of how she got to that point is just as extraordinary. Barb made a career for herself as a behavioral health nurse. It was about four years ago now when a doctor she worked with, who was a runner, challenged Barb to train for a half marathon. And just like that, Barb set a goal to run her first half marathon at 62. After all, Barb is not the type of woman to back down from a challenge.

However, training to run a half marathon was no easy feat. Barb knew she would have to set baby goals along the way. She started off by walking 15 minutes a day – sounds pretty easy, right? Well, that first 15 minutes soon turned into 30, and her walking then turned into running. By the end of 6 months Barb was running 13 miles at least once every week. On her “off days” Barb would run anywhere between two to eight miles. Her determination to achieve her desired goal helped push her to continue training.

The Moment of Truth

Then, in April of 2013, it was the moment of truth. The Ohio River Runners Half Marathon was upon her, and Barb had no problem completing the half marathon in 3 hours. With that accomplishment under her belt and her continued commitment to fitness, Barb M. was awarded the 13th annual Silver Sneakers /Richard L. Swanson Inspiration Award three months later. However, having a half marathon under her belt and receiving the Richard L. Swanson Inspiration Award didn’t stop Barb from continuing on with her fitness journey.

The Future & LA Fitness

Barb M. joined LA Fitness in April 2017 after retiring from her day job, and she began working out with Pro Results® trainer Jimmy T. She shared that Jimmy helps teach her what each machine will do to help her continue to get stronger. Her goals now are to improve her core stability as she ages and “perfect [these] goals with LA Fitness.” Barb M. strongly believes that “physical health and mental health are very much combined […] set[ting] a goal and [going] for it is so beneficial for your total health.”

If you’re ready to make a change, and set a goal like Barb M., share it with us here! Ready to take your fitness to the next level, schedule an appointment with a Pro Results® trainer today.

Consult your physician before starting a new fitness regimen. Pro Results® Personal Training requires a separate agreement and is subject to an additional fee.

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