Success Stories
As a child and all through my young adult life I had always been obese. I was always seen as the best friend, if I was even seen at all. I found it was just easier to be invisible. I was 300 plus pounds and squeezing into a size 24 pants. I stopped weighing myself at 300 pounds but I know that I probably weighed closer to 350 and should have been in a size 26.
I lived a sedentary lifestyle and ate out of boredom and to silence my emotions and feelings. It was easier that way and the food was comforting to me, it made me feel good. I was constantly sick and winded just from walking.
One day, when I was at the hospital volunteering and putting in time for a certification course, I had a realization. I was on the cardiac wing and as I looked around, there was one common theme. Almost all the people were obese, young and obese. I realized that as a 17 year old I was on that road and fast if I didn’t do something.
I started to workout and joined a local gym. I did well for a couple of weeks, but soon found excuses not to go. One reason that I didn’t want to go was because I felt that all of the “beautiful fit and trim” people were looking at me and judging me, I felt uncomfortable. It would be another year before I stepped foot into another gym and soon found myself quitting yet again after a couple of months because I wasn’t seeing any results.
Luckily, there was a gym that found me, Exercise Institute. My trainer and uncle, Dan Brown, told me about it and told me to stop by and check it out. I was amazed at how great I felt just after the first couple of weeks!
Not only was it just 15 minutes out of my day, but it was just two times a week! They have the personal rooms so no one besides your trainer can see you. You get an exercise program, nutritional help, and emotional support all along the way. The measurements that they routinely do help show you how much progress you make, even if its little you still feel amazing! I WAS HOOKED!!
I am now down to 150 pounds and probably wear a size 8! The 15 minute exercises fit wonderfully into my busy schedule as a full time student and worker. The inspiration of this weight loss has led me want to help others with their weight battles. I am currently going to school to become a registered dietician and this summer I hope to complete the personal training certification. I know I couldn’t have done it without the amazing and supportive staff at Exercise Institute and to them I say thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Raechel Little
Dan: Before
“I consider my bi-weekly sessions at the Exercise Institute as a critical partner in my success in losing almost 100 pounds in 6 months. I know that just the Bariatric surgery by itself would not be near as effective without the real benefits of my regular work outs with Bo. This is the first time that I’ve been able to not only stay committed to an exercise program for the long term but find that I make it an absolute priority in my schedule because it’s so effective and I see such dramatic gains and results. I don’t think I’ve ever been this toned up in my life even before I put on some much extra weight and had been fairly physically active.”
Dan English
Dan: After
