Member Spotlight | Aim for Progress, Not Perfection

Member Spotlight | Aim for Progress, Not Perfection

by | Oct 1, 2018 | All, Home, Member Stories

I have been a member of LA Fitness for the last 4 and a half years – I joined the LA Fitness Vanderbilt Beach location in January of 2014! Over the last 4.5 years, I have used my gym (my second home) to do countless things including lose fat, build muscle, gain self-confidence, train for a bikini competition, prepare for a mud obstacle course race, and just plain get my endorphin fix!

Right now, my fitness goals are to continue to beat my personal records, try new things, whether it is a fun Zumba or Cycle class, sign up for my first marathon that I need to use the cardio equipment to build stamina for, and last but not least continue living healthy and staying as active as possible.

When I joined LA Fitness, I had never lifted a weight or even stepped foot in a gym, I was actually the girl who opted out of PE and team sports in high school for fear of failure. I was self-conscious and shy at the time, but the other members of LA Fitness and its employees welcomed me with open arms. I enjoyed learning about the different machines, experimenting with different workout routines, and of course, rewarding myself with a delicious shake from the smoothie bar after a hard work out! I’m not sure of how much weight I lost or how much muscle I’ve gained, I’m only sure of how my transformation has made me feel.

I’m much happier in my own skin and I have a sense of confidence today that I never knew prior. LA Fitness has felt like a home away from home for me for close to 5 years and I’m excited to see what amazing changes the next 5 years bring! Thank you, LA Fitness, for changing my life!

My piece of advice to others would be – its progress not perfection that matters! Set little goals for yourself and pat yourself on the back when you conquer each one. If you focus too much on the long-term goal you may get discouraged and feel like you’ll never get there. Continue making progress on your short-term goals every day and every week and I promise you’ll blow your own mind when you look back at how far you’ve come!

Left: January 2014 | Right: January 2018

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Member Spotlight | The Sunshine of the Gym

Member Spotlight | The Sunshine of the Gym

by | Sep 17, 2018 | All, Home, Member Stories

Let me introduce myself. I am Donna S., and this is how my fitness journey began. On January 6th, 2016 I joined Weight Watchers and Curves for Women. At 198 pounds, I knew I had to take charge of my life. After being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called Polymyositis, in which I was prescribed Prednisone for 4 years, my weight started creeping up and up until it was out of control.

I began this fabulous journey towards a healthy way of life. I used a different weight loss program to learn how to eat healthy and by tracking what I ate, my weight started going down. However, after 7 months I realized that it wasn’t giving me the results I really wanted. After my daughter had taken me to an LA Fitness club, I knew that I would get better results going there.

I should tell you that my daughter has been my biggest mentor and supporter during my weight loss and fitness journey. I was apprehensive at first to join LA Fitness, but my husband and I joined together in August 2016 when it opened here on Hollywood Road. We walked on the treadmills, rode the stationary bikes, and did some of the machines.

Pictured from left to right: Mary N., Donna S., and Cassie S.

Then on August 28th, 2016, I had a fitness evaluation with Mary. At that time my weight was down to 160 lbs., but I was still overweight for my health. My body fat was 41.7%, BMI (body mass index) was 31.3%, and I could only do a plank for 31 seconds and a wall sit for only 43 seconds. I trained with Mary for over a year every week, and then once a month for 6 months until I decided that she taught me all the skills I needed for me to meet my fitness goals.

On December 4th, 2016, my weight was down to 120 pounds, my body fat went to 27.5%, and my BMI was down to 22%.

I started going to the classes. I started with Zumba®, then added Body Works, Kickboxing, Power Circuit, and Boot Camp. I have a regular routine schedule for each day of the week. I go to the gym 6 days a week now.

Mary has always called me the “Sunshine of the Gym”. Yes, I do dress in colors and for all the holidays.

It’s something that has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember since I taught primary grades for 40 years, and my students always loved the colors.

I feel younger today than I did 20 years ago, and I owe it all to the support, help, and confidence that everyone, especially my daughter, has given me and still gives me. I have met a lot of people here and have fun every day.

I’m living a very healthy and happy life.

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

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Member Spotlight | How Pilates by LAF® Changed This Woman’s Life

Member Spotlight | How Pilates by LAF® Changed This Woman’s Life

by | Aug 20, 2018 | All, Home, Member Stories

The idea of exercise being a chore or challenge to get done is sadly a common consensus among many, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

Meet Shayla W. of Riverside, CA who wanted to be healthy but was struggling with finding the drive to maintain the healthy lifestyle she wanted to live.

You see, six years ago Shayla wanted to be healthy by her 40th birthday.

She missed that mark by well over 100 lbs.

Between 2012 and 2016, Shayla lost 80 pounds and then regained 102 lbs. She struggled with feelings of being a failure. Her doctor referred her for bariatric surgery.

At first, she was not convinced that the surgery was necessary. Instead, she buckled down and changed her eating habits and started exercising regularly.

It didn’t work.

Shayla had gastric sleeve surgery in May of 2017. While most people believe that bariatric surgery is an easy way to lose weight, that’s not necessarily the case. The surgery does help with reducing the amount of food your body wants to eat, but it’s imperative that you are consuming the correct foods.

While every person’s own nutrition needs vary, Shayla is currently consuming 5 – 6 small meals daily. She eats about every 3 hours. The mornings are typically started with a green smoothie, and she makes sure to have at least one salad a day.

Exercising also plays into a big part of the equation, especially after bariatric surgery when you can lose fat and muscle. Wanting to build her muscle, increase core strength, and correct her posture, Shayla was searching for a Pilates studio. She learned about Pilates by LAF® studios from her co-workers who had attended an introductory workout and enjoyed it.

She decided to give the introductory workout a chance herself, and she loved it! She was also impressed with the small class set up and decided to join.

“It is the highlight of my day. I leave work and go straight to the classes. It has become my stress reliever. I am so glad that LA Fitness added Pilates by LAF workouts.”

Shayla W.

Pilates by LAF® Member

Shayla’s current goal mirrors the same one of her past, and that’s staying healthy. “I firmly believe that being healthy is not one size or someone’s visual perception of what is healthy or attractive,” says Shayla.

Shayla’s Advice?

“Take pictures as you drop and tone. It will document your journey to good health.”

Shayla W.

Pilates by LAF® Client

Exercise doesn’t have to be so difficult. If you find yourself lacking the motivation to get moving, try switching up your routine until you find something you truly enjoy doing. If Pilates isn’t for you, consider participating in group fitness classes, playing in club leagues, or perhaps booking a session with a Pro Results® personal trainer to help figure out just what it is you like to do.

Get moving to get healthy! We believe in you, you just have to believe in yourself – and we can help!

Pilates by LAF is available to individuals 18 years of age or older (or at least 14 years of age and accompanied by a parent or legal guardian). Paid-in-Full Pilates by LAF memberships are only available to LA Fitness members. Non-LA Fitness members must provide valid I.D. and sign a waiver of liability to use Pilates by LAF studios.  Separate membership agreement and fees required to access Pilates by LAF services. Please visit a Pilates by LAF studio for more information, including membership options and pricing.

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Member Spotlight | I Felt Like a Broken Man

Member Spotlight | I Felt Like a Broken Man

by | Aug 6, 2018 | All, Fitness, Home, Member Stories

The sun rises and a new day begins. You get up, get dressed, and take on the day’s varying tasks. Some days are good, and some days are less so, but nonetheless, the day passes. You get ready for bed, close your eyes, and the cycle continues.

Until one day – a question hits you and breaks you from the routine of your everyday life. It’s as if the ticking of a grandfather clock suddenly stops. You’re left standing in the middle of a typical day, and yet it’s like your eyes have abruptly opened. You ask yourself, where has the time gone?

Meet Michael R., of Baton Rouge, LA, who joined LA Fitness in September 2016 after suddenly realizing that he felt like a broken man. He had let himself go, ignored the problem, and procrastinated until it all amassed to a breaking point. He knew it was up to him to take action. And so, the change began.

While the beginning of any journey has its uphill climbs, Michael was lucky enough to find support and motivation through the team of staff at his local LA Fitness. He began by sharing exactly what it was that he wanted to accomplish, and the very next day he met with another associate named Kale.

Kale listened intently, took notes during their meeting, pictures, and measurements that very same day. Michael recalls Kale saying “You will never look like this again”, which helped fuel a fire in him and generate an excitement knowing that his goals were obtainable and that he had a team that was confident in him.

In exchange for Kale’s confidence and support, Michael committed to listening and doing everything in his power to do his part, even outside of the gym. This included making changes to his current diet. Michael recalls that this is when the fun began.

He was teamed up with an LA Fitness Pro Results® personal trainer, who knew exactly what Michael was wanting to accomplish. She had him engaging in a variety of weight training exercises, isolating specific muscle groups on designated days, and HIIT (high-intensity interval training) and cardio on non-weight training days.

After some time, Michael was then paired with another Pro Results® trainer who took training to the next step. Patrick V., Michael’s current trainer, made sure to have Michael focus on form, positioning, and the mental aspect of working out.

“The thing I like about Patrick is that he understands what I am wanting to accomplish and he is providing me exercises to get me there. Some mornings, I may not like his methodology, but I know he knows best and I trust him.”

Michael R.

LA Fitness Pro Results® Client

When Michael first began this journey in September 2016, he weighed in at 238 lbs. He knew he was overweight, and he felt out of shape. Cut to just a little over a year later in December 2017 –  Michael weighed in at 195 lbs. and is leaner than ever!

By working day by day, week by week, and month after month, Michael’s goal of becoming a healthier version of his old self has finally come true. There’s no turning back now. Michael has made his new healthier routine a lifestyle and he shared how overjoyed he is with the success he has achieved with LA Fitness.

“Much of [my] journey consisted of exercise and making smart food choices and the incorporation of fresh fruits, vegetables, and berries as part of my meal plan.”

Michael R.

LA Fitness Pro Results® Client

“If nothing changes, then nothing changes! Dare to get out of your comfort zone and take suggestions from trusted people who have done what you are trying to do so you can create your own success story! Now, that I have accomplished just a few goals, health and fitness wise, I feel confident sharing my experience with others.”

Michael Roberts

LA Fitness Pro Results® Client

Social Handles:

Before: September 2016

After: August 2017

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Member Spotlight | Healthy Is a Way of Life

Member Spotlight | Healthy Is a Way of Life

by | Jul 9, 2018 | All, Home, Member Stories

Janelle G. of Gresham, OR struggled with weight her entire life. She would make excuses of being big boned or having a poor metabolism as her reason for being overweight, but that was not the case. It wasn’t that Janelle was inactive – in fact, she was athletic for most of her life. Although her weight frustrated her, it never really became an issue until later in life. In 2015, Janelle’s blood pressure was borderline for needing to take medications. She found herself struggling to get an airplane seatbelt on. She recalls a time when a flight attendant offered her a seatbelt extension before she had even tried putting her belt on. It was at that point she knew enough was enough, and she wanted to do something about it.

[Kimberly] inspires me by her knowledge, experience, and her support of my success. I always look forward to our sessions – not just because they benefit my body, but my mind and soul too. She continues to build my confidence and gives me the encouragement I need to keep going, even when life throws a few curveballs at you.
Janelle G.

Pro Results® Client

Like many others, Janelle made a New Year’s resolution to lose weight. In February 2016, she joined a local LA Fitness and began seeing Pro Results® Master Trainer, Kimberly D. One of the main things Janelle learned was that she had to make working out a part of her routine. She began working out 5 to 6 times a week, always in the morning because it helped start her day on the right foot. Aside from working out, Janelle began thinking about food differently. She began to understand that in order to obtain the results she wanted, fitness and nutrition went hand-in-hand.

Left: April 2015 | Right: November 2017

Two Years Later

After having first walked through the doors of LA Fitness two years ago, Janelle is down 65 lbs. and she’s keeping it off! She’s happy that now when she puts an airplane seatbelt on, she actually has to cinch it up a bit. While she has had great progress, she knows that her journey continues. Working out and staying healthy is part of her life now.

A Bit of Advice

“You have to make working out part of your daily routine. It truly has to be part of your life and your schedule, and you have to make time for it in order to achieve and maintain long term results.” – Janelle G., Pro Results® Client

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