New
Holidays, New You: Workout Can Trim Pounds, Increase
Energy
Everyone has the best of intentions this time
of year: "I won't eat two pieces of pie at Thanksgiving
dinner this year. I'm not going to have that second
glass of wine at the holiday party this weekend. I
will not stuff myself with Aunt Margaret's Christmas
cookies, no matter how good they are."
But when it's time to making our annual resolutions,
it's likely that losing all those extra pounds added
over the holidays will be at the top of the list.
Again.
Take heart. There are plenty of success stories out
there to set an example and keep you inspired once
you've made the decision and the commitment to lose
the extra pounds and get in shape.
One example is Larry Darnell Stokes, "As I approached
my fiftieth birthday, I took a hard look at the man
in the mirror. I realized that the person staring
back at me was someone I said I'd never be: an unfit,
fat slob with more chins and extra rolls than the
Pillsbury dough boy," he says. "I decided
it was now or never."
Susan Epstein had a similar revelation. "I took
a long look in the mirror and could not believe what
I was seeing: over 30 and overweight. I had no idea
what had happened and could not remember when I had
stopped shopping for clothes in regular stores and
started shopping where sizes began at 16W," she
says. "That was the day I went to Gold's Gym
and signed up."
Gold's Gym locations across the world can help develop
a 12-week program for anyone committed to making major
changes in their health and fitness levels. By working
with a trainer on cardiovascular and strength training,
and by learning about the effects good nutrition can
have when coupled with a workout regimen, scores of
participants have lost weight, improved their energy
levels and in many cases, regained self-confidence
and well-being they never thought they'd see again.
"The biggest factor in this kind of program is
the desire to make a change," says Karen Wischmann,
vice president of sales and operations for Gold's
Gym. "Making the commitment is half the battle.
Once you have that, the next thing is support. We
provide that support not only in the form of having
the right equipment and facilities, but members also
receive support from our employees and from personal
trainers if they so choose."
Wischmann explains that although working with a personal
trainer is not required, for many people, it makes
a huge difference. "It's a little like remodeling
a house. Sure, you can do it on your own if you know
how, but most of us want the expertise of a contractor
to make sure the job is done right. Personal trainers
provide the same kind of expertise and support."
When deciding to embark on a training program, Wischmann
says it's important to consider the environment. "You
should choose a gym that is serious about health and
fitness. You should be surrounded by others who have
similar goals and who can provide the support and
expertise that's necessary to stay committed to a
rigorous fitness regime," she says.
Many of those who have participated in rigorous workout
programs have lost weight, lost inches, reduced body
fat and increased muscle. And although the physical
improvements are easily evident, nearly all participants
say that how they feel is the biggest -- and most
important -- change.
"Since I started the program, I have noticed
all aspects of my life change," says Christina
Forkel, a keen member. "I've never had so much
energy. I don't feel depressed anymore. Instead I
feel an inner peace. I don't let the stress of my
job get to me anymore, and I finally realized that
I only have control over myself and I can let the
little things go."
Epstein agrees. "If you had told me when I started
the program that I would look and feel the way I do
today, I would have told you there is no possible
way. I was wrong," she says. "The program
helped me tap into a part of myself that I had been
hiding since college. The feeling I have every time
I leave the gym puts a smile on my face and makes
me look forward to the day ahead."
Program participants also have high praise for the
individual attention and support they received from
staff during their participation in the recent Gold's
Gym $500,000 Body Revolution Contest.
"The trainers were great. They helped me set
up a strength training program and a diet I could
follow," Epstein says. "We set goals. Every
week I would try to get a little faster or a little
stronger. Each time I accomplished one of the small
goals I had set for myself, it empowered me to set
another goal."
To learn more about working with Gold Gym's to create
a training and nutrition program that will work for
you, go to www.goldsgym.com to find the location nearest
you, and ask to speak with a fitness counselor or
someone in the training department.
Courtesy ARA Content, www.ARAcontent.com; e-mail:
info@ARAcontent.com
