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Success Stories
MARK'S STORY: As a kid and all throughout school I participated in Athletics. However,as we all get older the natural tendency is to absorb yourself into your work/career while trying to raise a family. Along the way I weight trained here and there but gave it up.Then basically one day about 12 years ago I wanted to get back into weight training. I started at home and progressed from there. My basic outlook at the time is didn't want to one day look back and say to myself "What if"? "What if I stuck with it?" "What if I hadn't quit"! So basically that was the motivator with the idea of taking a long term approach and really ever since then it's a been a part of my life. I am 49 now, happily married with 7 children between the two of us ( half of which are grown) and thankful for all I have including the good health. Over the years I've had alot of days where I didn't want to train, I didn't feel like coming into the gym. but I'm sure glad I stuck with it. I would encourage everyone to find some active routine you like and incoporate thatin your lifestyle. Don't be the person that looks back and says "What if?"
BONNIE'S STORY: After retirement in May 2015, I began my wellness and fitness journey. Because of cost and proximity, I chose Green Ridge. I began by coming to GRRC four days a week using Friday as my recovery and relaxation day. I soon added Friday as well, to diversify the classes in which I participated. I arrive at 8am to utilize the machines and track.
My success includes, an increase in the size of free weights as a result of being toned, my clothes fit looser and people comment often on my weight loss. The water and chair aerobic classes have been tremendously helpful in improving my balance. As a result of my dedication five days a week in the fitness center, I have built endurance beyond what I ever expected. Routine lab work has either stayed the same or improved over the course of my wellness journey.
My overall experiences are that I have formed great and lasting friendships with staff and members while being called "Ms. Green Ridge" and becoming the BEST physical ME I can be. Having met each challenge with success, I will not look back and I will not turn back.
STEVE'S STORY: I went to several gym locations over a period of a year. The last place closed down. I heard about Green Ridge so Barbara and I joined four years ago. I wanted to exercise because one day I was carrying 5 gallons of gasoline up six steps and could hardly climb the steps. I knew I had to do something to strengthen my muscles because I like to do physical activities. It took about 6 months to get my body strong again. I will always exercise until I no longer can. I come 3 days a week – Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. When I get there I walk 5 laps on the track. Next I use 6 machines and finish up with 9 laps around the track. It takes me 1 and ½ hours to finish my routine.
DAVID'S STORY: I joined Green Ridge in summer of 2009 after I graduated from Northside High School. I have always enjoyed basketball and fitness, so Green Ridge was the perfect place to join It’s become a 2nd home to me. I think working hard towards personal health pushes myself to work hard and be the best version of me in all aspects of life, whether it is advancing in my career or being the best person I can be to family and friends.
Mary Ann Julg - Green Ridge Member
When I retired four years ago, I made a decision to take care of myself. Chelsea Arner was my first trainer with Lose Big and started me on this journey. Yes, I fussed and complained. At 50 years old, I had a bone density scan and now at 60 years old, I needed another one. I met with the doctor after and he kept apologizing for making me come for a density scan. I didn’t understand why. He told me that after comparing the scans at age 50 and 60, my bone density had increased! This is virtually unheard of. My density reserves were so good that the doctor said I would not have to worry about my bone density until I was at least 90 years old.
My workout routine is three days a week of walking/running and three days for free weights and machines. I am also a firm believer that core strength is so important and the doctor agreed. I attributed it all to starting at Green Ridge, as it is the place with the trainers that give me the help and opportunity to do both activities when the weather won’t let me go outside.Thank you Chelsea and Green Ridge!!!
Two months ago I weighed 250 pounds and a walk up the steps left me huffing and puffing. If something fell on the floor, and rolled under the couch, it took a major plan to try to recover it. All that was then. I now weigh 213 pounds (down 37lbs) and am headed for 194. With two training sessions a week, walking sessions a day or two more, and a serious diet, I am now a new man in mind, body, and spirit. I spring up from the couch. It doesn't hurt to get out of my VW. I feel so energized. I have put up my 2XL clothes away. With a good trainer, and the willpower to finally make this happen, I did all this through Thanksgiving and Christmas (fattest time of the year). I am a proud member of Green Ridge Recreation Center. I have more work to do, but together we will get there. They have changed my life; mind, body, and spirit. Let them change yours.”
Working with a personal trainer was one of the most important decisions I made when I set out to lose weight and improve my health. My weight had increased to nearly 350 pounds; I had high blood pressure, sleep apnea, elevated cholesterol levels, and had trouble walking up a flight of stairs without getting out of breath. In addition, I was recovering from two knee surgeries for cartilage tears that were primarily caused by being overweight and my poor physical condition. I had not worked out in over 35 years and had no idea how to use most of the equipment in a fitness facility. Having led a sedentary life style for most of my adult life I found our workouts to be quite challenging. My trainer assured me that they had worked with individuals similar to me and that if I followed their workout suggestions that I would get better and improve with time. They were very encouraging and showed me the proper techniques and methods for using the fitness equipment and facilities. They varied my routine, kept me challenged, and gave me lots of encouragement and support. By the end of my first year, I had lost over 100 pounds, no longer needed blood pressure medicine and had become addicted to working out.
I started at the gym as a middle-aged novice after a physician's recommendation -- having not set foot in a gym or exercise class since high school 30 years before. I was over-weight, suffered from chronic knee pain, and out of shape. Over the past six months, I've lost almost 30 pounds, my knee pain is gone, I no longer need blood pressure pills, and I sleep better. Initially starting in a Lose Big class, I added a personal trainer as a way to enhance and speed-up the positive changes in my body. Working with a personal trainer has helped me become healthier, while providing individual attention to my specific problems.