Success Stories
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Before
At age 54 I had come to terms that I was going to be fat for the rest of my life – that was until I had my first grandchild. We were thrilled beyond words when he was born and he was the light of my life. Right after he came home from the hospital, I was laying in the floor on a blanket admiring him and playing with him and when I had to get up, I realized that I couldn’t get up with him in my arms because I was too fat! I had to have my husband come pick him up and then I had to roll off the floor like a sausage! I decided right then and there that if I wanted to be any kind of grandmother to this precious little boy that I had to get busy and get myself in shape! How would I ever keep up with my precious grandson if I didn’t?
I made an appointment with my doctor and when she said I weighed 223 lbs. and my body fat was 77 percent I was so embarrassed! How could I have let things go so far? She said that I needed to get my body moving and to get on a sensible diet. I was on high blood pressure meds and my blood sugar was out of sight! I took her advice and started on a healthy diet and I quit all caffeine and sugar. One of the teachers at the school where I work recommended the 24/7 gym which was on my way home from work every day. The first time I went to the gym, I sat in the parking lot for at least 30 minutes trying to work up the nerve to walk in, I was so self conscious of my weight and had never been in involved in any exercise program nor did I know how to exercise safely. I was scared to death, but the staff at the gym quickly put me at ease and I realized that not everyone there was a size two and looked like a model, most were just like me struggling to get or keep in shape.
After
Jeff Robinson introduced me to the equipment in the gym and how to use everything safely. I started taking the body sculpt classes that the gym offered and made a commitment to go to the gym everyday to do cardio – I started out only able to walk 15 minutes on the treadmill at a very slow pace and worked up to an hour a day on a incline at a very brisk pace.
When 24/7 introduced the Thin & Healthy Total Solution program I joined and Bree – my Thin & Healthy advisor helped me pump up my metabolism even more and keep me motivated me to meet my personal goal of losing 100 lbs! Christy, Bree, April, Kelly, Jeff, Nigel and the rest of the 24/7 staff have been so helpful and made me feel so comfortable.
Going to the gym helps keep me accountable and keeps me motivated now that I am at maintenance level! I have made many new friends at the gym and we all share advice on health dieting and exercise with each other. My body fat is now 24 percent! My doctor is amazed at how healthy I am and has taken me off of my medications for high blood pressure. I look and feel younger than I have in years!
And yes, now I can keep up with my 1 year old grandson Connor! Also for extra incentive I now have twin granddaughters due in May!
Thanks 24/7! I could have never done it without your help and support! Keep up the good work!
Michelle Nelson
Huntsville, AL
Before
“I had struggled with my weight since the birth of my last child in 1997. At my heaviest, I weighed 222 lbs. My husband, Chris, started working out two years ago. I would go with him to the gym, but just couldn’t get motivated to do anything.
In January 2008, we changed gyms to 24/7 Health Club. I felt motivated as soon as I walked in the door. I saw all the [success] pictures hanging on the wall, and talked to some of the people in those pictures and was just amazed at their stories. I thought to myself at that very moment, “I CAN do this!” and what do you… I AM”
After
It started with baby steps, maybe 10 minutes on the treadmill everyday and a change in my diet. Then it quickly progressed to 30 minutes on the elliptical, then an hour. The more I did, the more I wanted to do. Before I knew what was happening, the transformation was taking place. Right now, I’m taking BodyPump 3 times a week, working with my personal trainer twice a week and still finding time for cardio 3 to 4 times a week! (I’m a woman on a mission!)
My support system is just awesome. Chris has been there with me 100% the whole time. Without his support and encouragement, I would have been lost. Also, I can’t forget my gym “peeps,” what a buncha nuts! I really look forward to seeing you all every day! A gym without friends is just an empty place.
Currently, I weigh in at 147 lbs, wearing a size 10 (something I haven’t done in about 14 years) and feel FABULOUS! I have energy and I have strength. That’s 75 lbs and a size 18/20 that I will NEVER see again! I can’t tell you how good that feels!!!
I will turn 40 this September and my current goal is to wear a BIKINI on my birthday!! (Consider yourselves warned) I have no doubt that I will reach that goal!”
Julie Sellers
Ardmore, AL
Huntsville weight loss
Before
“At age 43 I began working out – that would have been in April, 2006. For 10 months I worked out consistently which meant 7 days of cardio and I incorporated weight training into my regimine.
After
I have since eliminated all fried foods and carbonated drinks completely from my diet, which now consists mostly of frest spinach, lean turkey, fruit, protein drinks and dietary supplements.
Since making this commitment, I have now dropped to a lean 210 pounds with a reduced body fat, which went from 36% down to a slim 10.8%. My waist has dropped a whopping 8 inches – from a size 42 all the way down to a size 34.
I continue to workout at 24/7 Heath most days of the week and keep working to become stronger and healthier each day.”
Chris Sellers
Ardmore, AL
Huntsville weight loss
Before
“Exercise is fun! It makes the body feel good and soothes the mind and spirit. Perseverance and persistence keeps the body and mind in shape – a small price to pay for quality of life at any age”
Ms. Mary is over 80 years old and according to her own claims, her whole life she has never been able to touch her toes. This didn’t change until she started taking the Body Sculpting class with Jeffrey Robinson at 24/7 Health Club and gained a new flexibility, energy and spark in her life. She tells how Jeff encouraged her below:
After
“Jeffry Robinson, at 24/7 Health Club, is a [group exercise] instructor and a leader who gives personal attention to each every student. His positive attitude affects us all, and his willingness to work with all students in spite of their limitations inspires them to do their best. I am a personal example of what Jeff can do with anybody who is willing to listen and cooperate.
Most of all, he is a man of faith with a loving and tender heart hat attatracts all people. He is an asset to 24/7, and always supplies the necessary information with a extra dose of love and tolerance.”
Sincerely yours,
Mary Gilbert
Huntsville weight loss
Before
“I know how it feels to come into a gym and feel intimidated, shy, not worthy and hopeless. Back in 2004 I weighed close to 300 lbs and was in terrible shape. My husband and I had tried to workout time and time again but it just never seemed to do any good at all. I had tried numerous diets and would be successful with the loss of about 30 to 40 lbs only to turn around and put it right back on along with a few extra here and there. I never took my fitness lifestyle seriously. I felt like it would do no good or I would procrastinate and say, “Tomorrow I will start walking.” Tomorrow never seemed to come.”
“Through a lot of prayer and tough decisions, my husband and I decided that I needed a little “boost” or jumpstart to help with my weight loss. In October of 2004, I had a gastic bypass. It was after that surgery that I saw how important a fitness llifestyle was to be for me.
After
“I knew that if I did not incorporate a regular workout routine along with my new pattern of healthy food choices then I would still face a lost cause. So, after my doctor gave me the okay, my family began working out at 24/7 Health Club. I got involved in different workout classes and learned so much from all the different trainers. I learned how to incorporate the workout routines to better suit me and my lifestyle. I attended Jeffry Robinson’s H.A.T. class and fell in love with his passion for personal training and all around encouragement. I slowly began to LOVE working out!
“Now, I have gone from a size 24/26 down to 8′s and 10′s and I love my new life! I have a workout partner and we work out every morning together. I love having 24/7 in this area and all the friendly people that I have encountered while working out here. Everyone has been so encouraging to me and I hope that I can pass that encouragement on to others. I can’t say enough about my new life and the fact that 24/7 has taken me the whole way! Thanks!!!!!!
Sandee Satterfield
WZYP 104.3 Radio Personality
Huntsville weight loss
Before
“Well, if anyone is like me – weight has ALWAYS been an issue. I have struggled with weight my entire life. In January of 2007, I wore a size 18/20 and weighed in at 235 pounds! Yes, I said 235!!! My work decided to have a “Biggest Loser” contest for all of our employees so I entered it. I was horrified to find out my body mass (FAT) percentage was so high! I knew I was big, but Lord have mercy on my soul!!! I WAS FAT!!!Huntsville weight loss
By May, I had won the contest at work and lost about 45 pounds, but I needed a boost. I joined 24/7 Health Club and I couldn’t have been more pleased with my decision! The instructors and trainers were awesome! I just adore all of the classes. Everyone there motivated me to workout beyond my own expectations.
After
In May, when I joined the gym, I wore a size 10/12. Now, as of October 2007, I am a slim size 1/2!!! I AM SO THRILLED! With the help of the 24/7 staff, I have lost a total of 103 pounds! Words can not describe how I feel. I love it when people tell me that they would love to look like me! Not bad for a chick who wore an 18/20 just a few months ago! Huntsville weight loss
Thanks 24/7 for having such a great facility with such knowledgeable instructors and staff. I cannot thank you enough!”
Sincerely,
Tiffany Rogers
Huntsville weight loss
Before
“Unlike a lot of women who seem to believe if they lift weights they will get bigger, I have always known that I needed to [lift] in order to slim down and tone up. I just thought I should use light weight, but I always gained it back. I would also get on the scales all the time to see if I lost any weight. This was very discouraging, so I just quit going to the gym.
After
My [current] goal is to get below 20% body fat, to fit into a size 6 and to maintain that size and body fat percentage. I have learned to stay off the scales; who cares what you weigh when you are a size 6. I know with a lot of hard work at the gym and a healthy diet, my goals can be achieved.
Amy Hallmark
Huntsville, AL
Huntsville weight loss
Before
“In August 2004, I found myself in my doctor’s office discussing alternatives, other than medication, for controlling my cholesterol. I heard him say those words I didn’t want to hear: “DIET AND EXERCISE.” I wanted to just take a pill and let drugs deal with my problem. Diet and exercise meant I had to take responsibility for my health.
The doctor presented me with two options: I could use The South Beach Diet or the Mediterranean Diet to begin losing weight. I took both books home to my family and together we chose the South Beach Diet. We started making changes after Labor Day. The first two weeks seemed easy – I lost 10 pounds – but then the weight stopped cominng off. No matter how closely I followed the diet, my weight would not change. I was very discouraged. I wanted to give up, but I knew that this new plan had to become my lifestyle if I wanted to see any improvement.
After four weeks at a standstill the weight began coming off again. By December I had lost 25 lbs, my halfway mark. At this point, I decided to join a gym. The first week of January my son and I began going to the local wellness center every day. My trainer and I worked on a weight and cardio routine to fit my goals. Each week I planned to do two days of weights and light cardio workouts, two days of intense cardio and one day of yoga.
After
I was so physically out of shape at this point in my life that when I learned proper breathing techniques I had sore abs the next day. I speny my two cardio days in a spinning class (stationary bicycling); two days on weights with 10 minutes each of treadmill, stairmaster and elliptical machines; and for core training I learned yoga.
The weight still came of slowly but I could see results in the way my clothes fit. By April I had lost another 10 pounds and reached my target clothing size. In six months I had lost 35 pounds. I felt great both physically and mentally. I kept my cholesterol down without the use of medication. My doctor was very impressed.
In May 2006, I joined 24/7 Health Club and began attending H.A.T. (Hips, Abs, Thighs) class taught by Jeffry Robinson. He introduced my to a different approach to weight training; focusing on technique, challenging my body to go beyond what is comfortable and controlling my rhythm of movement. In the four months that followed I managed to lose another 15 pounds.
Through changing my views on eating and exercising I have been able to achieve the goals I set for myself when I first began. I have maintained my weight, and more importantly, kept my body in a healthy condition.
Cora Suggs
Huntsville, AL
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Huntsville weight loss
Before
“My weight has always been a struggle for me. Looking back to high school photos I now realize that I wasn’t as heavy then as I had THOUGHT myself to be. I was a size 8, but most of my friends were between 2′s and 4′s. As a result, I always always looked at myself as heavy because I was heavier than all of them. In high school I managed to stay active in dance and cheerleading. However, as college students frequently do, I put on my ‘freshman 10′ and my ‘junior 15.’ Yo-yo dieting became the norm and exercise became sporadic.
In 2000 I began Weight Watchers and after I lost my first 25 pounds I began running about 25 miles a week. I then went on to lose 60 pounds total. For the first time in my life, I was happy with my body. However, I still had a distorted image of the person I saw in the mirror. I began Nurse Anesthesia school at UAB in 2004 and the running slowed as the time in the library increased. Although I continued to squeeze in occasional exercise and joined 24/7 Health Club, I carried an extra 25 pounds across the stage when I graduated in December, 2006.
After
I have proudly lost 40 pounds and have gone from a size 12 (in my before picture) to a size 4/6! All the summer shorts I purchased this year are size 4 and I have never (even in high school) worn a size 4! My body fat percentage is about 24.9%, which puts me at the high end but still inside the athletic range. I feel better in my own skin than ever before.
My routine consists of a minimum of 60 minutes of cardio 4 days a week, which varies between running, the stair stepper, or an aerobic or TurboKick class. I also weight train 3 times a week at 24/7.
I think 24/7 Health Club is GREAT because it eliminates the excuses for not getting in a workout on any given day, whether it is Thanksgiving morning or Memorial Day. The door is always open and it is just a fingerprint away!
Kim Jones-Andrean
New Market, AL
Huntsville Weight Loss
Before
“My husband snapped this picture of me in the summer of 2003. Notice how I instinctively clasped my arm in an attempt to make myself look smaller. It didn’t work, though. The photo was not developed until November of 2003 and as soon as I laid eyes on it, I decided that it would be the “Before” photo for the Oprah Winfrey show.
After
“I am currently reading a book called The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson. Although I did not know about this book when I joined 24/7 in January, 2004, I now understand that practicing “Slight Edge” philosophy is how I lost the weight and improved my health and well being. I practiced the “simple disciplines” every day, as opposed to making “slight errors in judgment.”
I am here at 24/7 Health Club working out at least 5 days per week; a simple discipline. I purchased a membership and I use it; as opposed to not using it, which would be a slight error in judgment. I promised myself that I could do what I needed to do to change and I did something every day for the past two years. Those simple disciplines, compounded over time have allowed me to lose 94 pounds so far! And I’m not done!” Huntsville weight loss
Michele R.
Huntsville, AL
Huntsville weight loss
Before
“I was so tired of being FAT! I didn’t have enough energy to do everyday tasks. My highest weight was 190 lbs. I lost 40 lbs. by eating healthy, but my body just loved 150 lbs. I knew I would not lose any more weight without exercising but I was convinced that I hated to exercise.Huntsville weight loss.
After
“I met April Duncan, who invited me to come to her class at 24/7 Health Club. I loved the class and all the people there. April motivated me to get healthy (she’s wonderful!).
I have now lost almost 30 more pounds! I am at 130 lbs. and a fit size 6. My total weight loss to date is 60 lbs. I have also become a group exercise instructor at 24/7, teaching BodyPump and Ab Lab. Who would have thought it?
I would like to be a size 4, so that is my next goal. I love 24/7, it’s the BEST!”
Bobbie Hudson
Meridianville, AL
Huntsville weight loss
Before
“When I got back from my trip to Niagara Falls in July of 2004 and I looked at my pictures, I was mortified! I couldn’t believe that I looked like that. Why hadn’t anyone told me I looked that bad? I just wanted to crawl under a rock. Then I bought a scale and weighed myself and was even more upset! I was over 200 pounds and wore a size 16/18.
I decided right then and there that I needed to do something about it. My weight had been up and down my whole life. I knew with my family history I would need to get this under control. I made up my mind whatever I did would have to be a lifestyle change, not just a temporary change. I started researching gyms and diet plans. I didn’t want to just do a diet (as I have done before) and end up putting the weight back on as soon as I resumed eating the way I was accustomed. Whatever I opted to do – it had to be a permanent change.
After
I joined 24/7 Health Club and started out only going 3 days a week. Before long, I set a new goal for myself – I would go 5 days a week, workout at least 45 minutes to an hour and lose 30 pounds. To cement my commitment, I hired a personal trainer to work with me one day a week to teach me the proper way to use the weights and how to tone up. The weight started coming off slowly but I could notice [the changes] by how [differently] my clothes were fitting.
Two years later, my weight ranges between 138 and 145 and I am wearing a size 6/8. I now look forward to going to the gym and if I don’t go, I feel like my day isn’t complete. I feel better than I ever have and I also look better. I just turned 40 and I feel like my life is just beginning. I have always had self-esteem and confidence issues but I can actually say that those are also dwindling away along with the weight. I can look at myself in the mirror now and do not see the flaws.
It is never too late and if you set your mind – anything is possible!”
Julie Moore
Huntsville, AL
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Huntsville weight loss
Before
“As a child and even throughout high school, weight was never an issue for me. I was very active in sports and cheerleading, so I could eat what I wanted. When I graduated high school, I was very happily a size 6-8. That all changed once I got to college. Late nights, long days, bad food choices and an inactive lifestyle (my only exercise was walking to class) led to quick weight gain. By my sophomore year of college, I had gained enough weight to wear size 12-14.
It wasn’t until I was out of college and got engaged that I panicked and realized that I needed to lose weight, and fast!!! By 2002 when I got married, I was able to wear size 12 and an occasional size 10. My weight continued to fluctuate as I went through many life changes over the next few years, including a divorce and a car accident that left me unable to walk for almost four months. At the beginning of 2007, I turned 30 years old. I didn’t want my thirties to be full of the same weight struggles that my twenties had been, so I decided it was finally time to take charge of my life and my habits and become a healthier person.
After
It was around that time that 24/7 opened at the Kelly Springs location- just minutes from my house. I took a Boot Camp class from Christy Whitt and instantly decided that she was just the person to whip me into shape!! In March 2007, I asked Christy to become my personal trainer. I was mortified to find out that I had 42% body fat! That was the wake up call that I needed!
I began training with Christy several times a week, followed her diet plan and also took her cardio classes as well as several TurboKick classes from different instructors. Soon, the weight began to come off just as Christy said it would! Then, April Duncan, who taught several of the TurboKick classes, approached me to see if I’d be interested in becoming a TurboKick instructor. I was both flattered and excited, so I took the certification classes in May and began teaching TurboKick around June.
I’m still teaching TurboKick classes, I’m now at 26% body fat and back to the size 8 that I was in high school! I’m not finished yet, but I’m very excited about the progress I’ve made.
Thanks to 24/7 Health Club, I have the tools and instructions I need to keep working towards my future weight loss goals.”
Sunshine Shumate
Harvest, AL
Huntsville weight loss
Before
“Following college graduation, my active college baseball career came to an inevitable halt; I began a full-time teaching and coaching career, and soon found it increasingly difficult to eat correctly; Due to the absence of regular exercise, my weight quickly became a problem; After having to squeeze my 235 lb body into a baseball uniform for the first season of my coaching career I decided that I had to make a change; If I wasn’t staying active playing ball anymore, I knew I would have to pick a new activity to help me control my weight – so I began weight lifting.
After
Although I committed to working out 5 days a week, I still could not achieve satisfying results. As a result of my frustration, I began to research and educate myself on fitness. I quickly learned that it was important to include proper nutrition and cardio activity in a strength training regimen. I created a structured plan for myself which began with a daily 5:30 am workout consisting of both strength training and cardio activity. I began planning and preparing my daily meals to insure they contained high protein, low carb and low fat foods. Through my persistence, I gradually began to see results. In about a year’s time my waist went from size 38 waist to a size 32 and my weight dropped to a healthy, fit 185 lbs.
Teaching is a sedentary job and it took me a while to formulate a strategy to conquer my lack of activity. I know that most teachers face the same dilemma. My advice to them would be to join a great gym like 24/7 Health Club, to educate themselves on health and fitness and to formulate a plan of action. With dedication – anyone, educators included, can achieve similar goals.”
Good Luck!
Shelby Hunter
MadisonCounty Educator
Huntsville weight loss
Before
“My name is April Duncan. I have been in the fitness industry for approx. ten years. I am certified in group exercise, Walk-Reebok, Turbo Kick and PiYo. I love teaching “cardio” classes.
I haven’t always been as toned as I am now (I still have plenty of room for improvement!). While living in Florida, we didn’t have access to a safe, friendly gym. I began my own aerobics program through my church and began weekend races too. I walked about 5 miles 7 days a week and NEVER changed the way my body looked. I tried every fad diet known to man. I wasn’t over weight per say but over FAT!!
After
When we moved to here I began teaching classes (cardio). However, it wasn’t until adding weight training and Pilates to my regimen that I began to see changes. Since I am the cardio-queen, I still have to fight with myself to add more weight training to my workouts. But I have seen that it really makes the difference.
I believe that everyone has to work to find the right balance that works for them. I try to keep it fresh and change workouts all the time so that I won’t get bored. Hey! Why don’t you just come try one of my classes and you will see what I mean?”
See you soon!
April Duncan
Meridianville, AL
Huntsville weight loss
Before
“In December 1998, I weighed 180 lbs. I was a size 14+ and I wore large in everything. My body fat was in the high 30′s maybe even 40%. I tried cutting back on what I ate and I joined the gym… Well, actually several gyms. I lost about 10 lbs. In the spring of 2002, I tried a diet called Provida. I saw it on an informercial. It was a very strict diet and very time consuming. I followed this for about 3 months and I lost 43 lbs. I weight 127 lbs.
“I didn’t realize it at the time but had lost LEAN MUSCLE, as well as fat! I decided that I needed to get back to the gym and “firm up.” I joined 24/7 in January, 2003 and started working out the best way I knew how… by watching other people. I watched Jeff Robinson train Marti and I told him that I would NEVER let him train me! He asked me, “why?” I told him that is was because he was killing that poor girl! He said that was how she needed to be trained and that he trained everyone differently. I began to gain weight again. I got pretty down about this so I stopped coming to the gym for a few months.
After
“I finally decided that I needed help. I talked with Jeff and he started training me on November 2, 2004. I told him that I would try to make better choices in my diet but that I would not diet. He told me that I should be able to eat pretty much what I wanted if I was willing to work hard to get the fat off. He started first to build my endurance then we worked on strength. We work out very hard 3 days a week. I am very proud to say that I can now squat 225 lbs.and I can leg press 570 lbs.
“I would tell you how much I weigh now… but it really doesn’t matter. What the scale says isn’t nearly as important as what my clothes say. They say “Size 6″ and “Size SMALL!” Thank you, God and Jeff! I will tell you tht i have 127 lbs of lean muscle mass and I am 24% body fat. I am a work in progress, though. My goal is to be in the 18 – 21% range. I am really concentrating on cardio along with these intense weights. Did I mention that I will be 41 years old next month?”
IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO START!”
Maria Champion
Meridianville, AL
Huntsville weight loss
Before
“When I came home from the hospital after delivering my second son, I weighed 196 pounds. I kept telling myself over and over, “I’ll lose the weight.” Well, my son was well over a year old and I had only lost 10 pounds. Any yet, I continued with my mantra, “I will lose the weight…”
One day I realized that “I WILL NOT” lose the weight unless I DO something to lose the weight. I had a realization that it was the choices I made that got me to the weight I was. Therefore, it would be the choices I made in the future what would get me to where I wanted to be.My body was a direct result of lots of bad eating and exercising choices. I flipped the thoughts in my head to look to the future and visualize my body as the direct result of healthy choices. Soon I began to make those choices, knowing that every healthy choice I made was moving me to the place I wanted to be.
After
I started working out at 24/7 Health Club. I was not motivated enough to workout on my own so I took the weight lifting and cardio classes that were offered. I STILL take the classes because they are absolutely wonderful! I have reached my first goal of getting back to what I weighed when I became pregnant with my second son, which was 160 pounds. I am well on my way to my next goal, getting out of the 150′s, which is something I have not done in over 10 years.
I encourage everyone to remember that the choices you make RIGHT NOW can either push you TOWARDS where you want to be or FURTHER AWAY from where you want to be. You have the power to make the right choice.
Melissa Lawson
Huntsville, AL
Huntsville weight loss
A special “Thank You” to Suzi McGehee, Love It Out Photography, who did an amazing job on all of the “After” photographs for us.
If you are a 24/7 Health Club member and have a story to tell, please share it with us.
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Huntsville weight loss
Huntsville Weight loss
Huntsville weight loss
