I am a breast cancer survivor.  My name is Charline Rivard and in Feb. 2009 I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  I underwent a double mastectomy and then I had to endure Chemotherapy and Radiation therapy.  About half way through my Radiation therapy, I decided to join Gold’s gym to try and do something for myself to feel healthy again.  It is one of the best decisions that I have ever made for myself.  With Gold’s gym professional and dedicated staff and all the variety of classes offered there, I have been able to build my strength, stamina and flexibility back up again.

With Gold’s gym professional and dedicated staff and all the variety of classes offered there, I have been able to build my strength, stamina and flexibility back up again.  Yoga and Centergy has helped to build my core strength and flexibility and has given me much better range of motion especially on my radiated side.  Group Power helped me build back complete body strength. Group Kick, Group Step and Group Spin have improved my endurance immensely. Zumba is a class that uses dance as a cardio workout that I also enjoy very much. So for all you Cancer survivors out there do something great for yourself and come and join me for a class or two at Gold’s Gym, you will never regret it!!!!

THE "KNOW YOUR OWN STRENGTH" CHALLENGERS

 

Mitchell Hepburn - Winner of Male Category

 

Strength Stats
Weight Lost	37 Lbs.
Body Fat	9%
Inches Lost	22¼"

Four pounds doesn’t really sound like a lot. Here are a few numbers to put things into perspective though. When I first started my job here in London 16 years ago I had to do a physical. My weight at the time was 220 lbs. The doctor told me I could stand to lose 20 lbs. I didn’t listen. Not only did I not listen I did the exact opposite, and then some. Really if you average it out it has only been 4 pounds a year that I put on. Multiply that by 16 years though and ouch. That’s 64 pounds on top of the 220 for a gross total of 284 pounds. Yeah, I said “gross” on purpose. 284 pounds is what I weighed when I joined Gold’s in August 2009.

With compassion of course (because anyone who is carrying around extra weight understands what it feels like) when I see some of my fellow workers who are close to retirement and are heavier than I am and the health problems that come with carrying that extra weight it scares me to see where I could be headed. I see no reason to believe that if I don’t turn this ship around I will be retiring 14 years from now weighing 340 pounds. 14 more years at 4 pounds a year and that is exactly where I could be. As long as a heart attack doesn’t get me first.
While I have not yet reached my goal weight, I have lost 37 pounds and 21 ¼ overall inches during this 12 week fitness challenge, definitely a step in the right direction.

Mitchell Hepburn

 

Liz Clark - Winner of Female Category

 

Strength Stats
Weight Lost	12½ Lbs.
Body Fat	16.7%
Inches Lost	13¼"

I would like to start off by thanking the Golds’ team. Your support and encouragement has helped me accomplish more than I thought possible in just a few short months.
 
My husband and I entered “The Challenge” together to better our over all health. I personally have a family history of high cholesterol and high blood pressure. I wanted to do what I could to try and avoid it for myself. The Vitabot program was invaluable for this part of my goal. I considered myself already to have a healthy eating style. I was able to lower my sodium intake from 2500mg-3000mg per day to less than 1500mg per day. Unfortunately I was unable to effectively change my cholesterol levels. I know I did my best and just have to accept something’s are genetic.
 
The final weigh in brought such a sense of accomplishment to me. I was stunned to see my results, especially my percentage of body fat lost. I know at times I was discouraged because the scale was not moving but my trainer Jay Rhodes kept me focused, reminding me many other changes were happening to my body and not to focus on the scale. Well he was right…I don’t feel I would have accomplished as much had it not been for him. I enjoy his training style (cross fit). I have so much more energy plus I feel better about the way I look.
 
Look out bikini here I come!
 
Liz Clark

 

Jeff McGill Winner of Age Category

 

Strength Stats
Weight Lost	33 Lbs.
Body Fat	8.7%
Inches Lost	16¼"

I realized how out of shape I had let myself get when my gut started to roll out of bed before I did. I knew I had to do something about it, so I made the decision to get into shape.
The hardest part for me was cutting out the junk food. Between not eating chips and spending time on my exercise bike everyday, over the period of a year I lost around 30 pounds, but it came to a point when I wasn’t losing any more weight.
A friend told me about Gold’s gym. I took the tour and signed up (the best money I ever spent) Karen told me about the contest. I joined and told my friend about it. A week later he signed up. From then until the end of the contest every time we had a weigh in with Karen he was always a couple of pounds ahead of me, giving me the motivation to work that much harder.
Another thing I did was sign up for sessions with a personal trainer. Learning about different exercises and being pushed much further than I would have on my own every week made a huge difference. Thanks Laura.

I find it amazing what 3 months of hard work can accomplish. Most of my aches and pains are gone and now when I look down I can see my feet.
It’s nice to see my feet again.

Jeff McGill

 

Audrey Cudmore Winner of Age Category

 

Strength Stats
Weight Lost	11 Lbs.
Body Fat	10%
Inches Lost	11½"

My name Is Audrey Cudmore and I started working at Gold’s October 2009. I was not at all into fitness or my health. When I started at Gold’s I met many people that inspired me to look further into my health. My starting weight was 196 lbs and body fat 35%. I was convinced to try the 12 week challenge and started working out before and after my shift. Laura was a great help throughout my training and I learned so much through her knowledge and friendship. The 12 weeks has brought a new found health and happiness to my life. I have 100% more energy and feel so much healthier. I now weigh 165.5 and my body fat is now 28%. I am going to continue to train hard and my new focus is to achieve a 6 pack. It was a great pleasure to be part of the 12 week challenge.

Audrey Cudmore

 

 

 

 

Alex Clark

 

Strength Stats
Weight Lost	32 Lbs.
Body Fat	14%
Inches Lost	20¾"

My story starts just after Christmas 2009. My family nervously gave me Gold’s Gym membership as my Christmas present. My wife and I came in for a tour, and I instantly knew I wanted to join. I was seriously overweight and had done very little in the past many years to not only control my weight, but do any type of physical exercise period.
Shortly after joining, I noticed Gold’s advertising “the Challenge”. After speaking with Karen to understand what it was about, my wife and I spoke about joining. I felt this would at the very least point me in the right direction toward getting my health going in the right direction. We both agreed this was a good idea.
When asked about my goals for “the Challenge”, I decided I hoped to lose 30lbs, and just get in a better state of health physically and mentally.
Part of the attraction to “the Challenge” was having three sessions with a personal trainer, and access to the Vitabot website. Karen matched both my wife and I with a fairly new personal trainer named Jason (Jay) Rhodes. Though Jay inflicted pain, he was a real motivator and made me want to keep coming back. This push from Jay was what I needed to become completely engaged in my efforts to hit my goals I set out for myself.
The pounds started to come off, and at times fall off. I was able to get into brand new jeans my wife had bought for me close to two years earlier that I was never able to wear and too embarrassed to take back. In fact, the same jeans today will only stay up with my belt tightened, or they will slide off my hips. Speaking of belt, at Christmas my wife gave me a new belt to replace my (at the time) current belt that had been let out as much as it could go. The belt had also been stretch from being wrapped around my growing girth for the past several years, and was literally coming apart at the seams. The leather had been stretched so thin, it was just a matter of time before my stomach broke this belt. I was very thankful for my new belt at Christmas; however with the benefit of losing my weight, I have moved 5 holes. What this has meant, is that I have in fact had to add 3 extra holes to this new belt so I can keep my pants up. I am also very happy to report that I have gone from a 2XL to a large for my shirt size.
As far as my health goes, I believe I am the most fit I have been since my early 20’s, and in some cases, I feel I can do things now, that I would not have been able to do without training. People who I have not seen in a few months make comments almost immediately every time we meet. My self confidence is my up.

Alex Clark

 

Americo Silva

 

Strength Stats
Weight Lost	9 Lbs.
Body Fat	14.8%
Inches Lost	8"

 

Before I started to workout regularly here at Golds Gym I was not only overweight but I was always tired.
I would get tired just climbing up one flight of stairs. my energy level was very low.

Now after working out regularly for the last 4 months I feel more energetic and do not get tired as easily.

I have lost 8 inches total and 11 lbs and feel better

 

Americo Silva

 

 

 

 

 

Cindy Martin

 

Strength Stats
Weight Lost	12½ Lbs.
Body Fat	4.5%
Inches Lost	6¾"

One of the best things about Gold's is that there is so much diversity. You can find whatever you are in the mood for here. If you want you can find space to train on your own, or if you want to be more social there are group classes, weights, movie theatre, pool, sauna, whatever. I find that through the week, it is most convenient for me to stop right after work and take in a group class or maybe two to get in my workout. The instructors are great and they are very encouraging and the classes are constantly updated and fresh. I have met many new people since joining the gym and I look forward to my workouts because of them.

 

Cindy Martin

 

 

 

 

Garth Williams

 

Strength Stats
Weight Lost	15 Lbs.
Body Fat	9%
Inches Lost	15½"

I joined the 12 week challenge because I was tired of being over weight. Being over weight has always been a challenge for me and getting to my goal weight has been a struggle. Surrounding myself with individuals who shared the same thoughts, gave me the support and motivation I needed.

Hi my name is Garth Williams, and I am one of the 12 week challengers. Before joining the challenge I weighed 245. When I started the challenge I weighed 214. Joining the challenge gave me the tools I needed to achieve my weight loss goal. Along with the support of my co workers and my trainer Miguel Wason, I started a cardio and strength training program. I have now implemented that into my daily lifestyle.

I have a wife and 3 kids and work 12 hour days, I needed to find the time for me. I have gained a greater sense of well being, having achieved the goals I sot out to obtain. Although knowledgeable in the area of exercise and nutrition I always had excuses for not doing it. Looking back at the past 12 weeks I realize how much I have achieved. It is not just the weight loss but a change in my lifestyle. I am a more rounded person, balancing work, family, and time for me.

Garth Williams

 

Julie Munday

 

Strength Stats
Weight Lost	10½ Lbs.
Body Fat	0.7%
Inches Lost	10¼"

Well the contest is done and I’ve had 3 months to help kick-start my exercise program. Unfortunately the timing wasn’t good at the end because I came down with over a month long cold and then had a major move/clean-up to do. I’m ready to get back to it since I managed to loose about 10 lbs of the 50 I was trying for. So there is way more to go. At least I managed to lose what I hadn’t been able to for the last few years and managed to still keep it off.

The cost of the program was manageable and well worth the 3 hours of trainer sessions, weight machine computer key, on-line diet program and helpful staff encouragement.

My pictures taken by Karen at the beginning and end I haven’t seen so am not sure of the change if any but I’m definitely stronger, more flexible, have better aerobic capacity and a few pants even fit looser. The pictures I sent in show off flab much better but the initial pictures were about a month after I started the program. The thighs unfortunately were all bruised up from the move in the final pictures so might even look worse. At least I was fit enough to do the move in one day with a lot of lifting without being sore the next day.

I’m happy that I had some good results even though it’s not what I was aiming for and probably not enough to win in my age group.
But you never know.

Thanks again for putting on the contest is was just what I needed. Hope to see everyone at the closing ceremony.

Julie Munday

 

Mike Boyle

 

Strength Stats
Weight Lost	1½ Lbs.
Body Fat	10%
Inches Lost	5"

In June of 2008 I seriously injured my right knee. Up until this I was very active and used physical outlets as my major stress relieving tool.  I spend many months with no activity and basically gave up on my personal fitness. I began eating fatty foods, drinking beer and felt with my injury I had no real chance of health anymore.  I did not have a good recovery and found myself psychologically defeated from this experience. I tried going to Physiotherapy but did not receive the results I wanted. It was very difficult because all actives I enjoyed doing where impossible with the state of my knee. I just did not know what to do and felt like nothing could help me get better or heal my injuries. I was then convinced by a friend that I should join Gold’s Gym. I spoke with a sales assistant that said the Fitness Challenge would be something I could befit from and that I could rehabilitate my injury with hard work. At first I did not believe it. I’d had not success with my recovery till that point and had already gone to Physio and received no real advancement. How could a Gym help me? Well, with Gold’s online meal planning, computerized tracking systems and one on one coaching services I found the means and motivation to receive the recovery I hoped for. Any time I wanted to slack off or give up I ‘d check my personalize tracking screen and see I had made progress, things were getting better, and I could reach my goals if I kept working hard. After three months of hard work, I’ve found great results. My knee is doing excellent.  I’ve also, seen a large difference in my physical appearance and life. I no longer feel trapped with no way to cope with my stress and hopeless. I can do the activities I’ve always loved and I look and feel better. Gold’s Gym has helped me to better my life in all aspects. I thank you Gold’s Gym and your excellent Staff.

Sincerely,
Mike Boyle

 

Mike Pencz

 

Strength Stats
Weight Lost	17¼ Lbs.
Body Fat	6.7%
Inches Lost	10"

The twelve week challenge originally started a few months earlier. After being tired all the time and not having any energy I consulted golds gym to find out the best way I could do to get into better shape.
My starting weight was over 246 pounds and could only bench press 165 pounds and dead lift 180 pounds.
I was introduced to Tracey Muir who assisted in establishing a golds gym body conditioning eating plan. The eating plan provided by golds taught me the proper foods to eat, the correct quantity to eat them, and what time of day to eat certain foods to provide the best benefit for my body. Before joining with Tracey I thought I could never do that …….. and now I have!
In conjunction with the eating plan, I also started a “narl” program to assist with the weight loss and body transformation. Tracey was always available to assist with any concerns as I was starting my journey. Tracey assisted in providing support and motivation during one of the most mentally challenging portions of exercise when you are starting to transform your body but don’t actually see the results. Once the results start to show it is easy to stay motivated.
After a short period of time my body was starting to burn fat and changed from being stagnant to continuously burning fat.
For my next phase, I joined a 12 week program to dramatically alter the way I look and feel. I obtained a personal fitness coach from golds gym. My coach’s name was Jason Rhodes. Jason introduced me to a new style of exercise that I was not aware of called “Crossfit”.
Jason demonstrated the 10 goals to the Crossfit fitness system which are: Cardio Endurance, Strength, Power, Agility, Speed, Balance, Coordination, Flexibility, Accuracy, and Stamina.
Guidance and direction from Jason taught me how to use my own body weight and Olympic weight lifts to once again modify my appearance. Following customized Crossfit workouts I was able to see improvements in all these physical areas. The Crossfit workouts used hard calisthenics, kettleballs, Olympic lifting, sprinting and golds gym equipment to get amazing fitness results.
Jason taught me how to use the high quality equipment provided at golds and a personal exercise program to push me beyond my expectations. Jason was able to push me beyond my expectations when having personal training sessions. Technique over the number of repetitions was the key to my success.
My current bench press is 225 pounds, and I dead lift 315 pounds. This was an increase of 60 pounds in bench press and 135 pounds in dead lift over a 12 week period.
I now have not only fully changed the appearance of my body but also how I look at challenging situations. It has now made me I can achieve whatever I believe I can do.
The drive and desire combined with my focus and determination, I have gained valuable tools to assist me in achieving any of my life’s goals going forward.
My next goal is to take my experiences and what I have learned from Golds and focus on completing in a Crossfit competition with the new body that I have created.
Now when I look in the mirror I see the healthy person I always dreamed of and wanted to be.
My focus was enhanced using a team effort with the assistance of my personal coach/trainer. With this resource I was able to be in the zone and stay focused in achieving my goal.
The knowledge I have gained allowed me not only to watch the amazing transformation but, understand the transformation of my body.
I am no longer afraid of food. Food is my body’s fuel and the food I eat allows me to be finely tuned.
Now I believe I can accomplish any goal with the drive and determination I have gained. When you put your mind to something you can do it!
Mike Pencz

 

Paul Hewson

 

Strength Stats
Weight Lost	34½ Lbs.
Body Fat	5%
Inches Lost	22½"

I have changed so much physically in such a short time, to think that in January I was close to 300 lbs. and now I am closer to my ideal weight than I have ever been in my life!

THANKS GOLD'S GYM!!!

Paul Hewson

 

 

Sue Bennett

 

Strength Stats
Weight Lost	4 Lbs.
Body Fat	5%
Inches Lost	12¾"

Looking back, it was the best way for me to renew dreams of higher fitness levels and better long-term health. Once I started the challenge, I really saw change.  Right from the outset, my goals were improved strength and stamina....and I really wanted to fit back into my wedding dress for my 22rd anniversary.  I love the classes Power, Pilates and Yoga and attended consistently.  Having never experienced a personal trainer or a customized program, I thoroughly enjoyed the workout Jay created.  Comprehensive and interesting programs, he helped me push myself to levels I never thought possible.  My challenge team was the final key to my success.  Support and Encouragement from Karen especially, as well as Angie, Rhonda, Tracey, Jeremy and Jay of course, all helped me on my way to evolving and becoming....I feel years younger, cloths fit better and I even sleep more soundly and for a shorter duration than any other time in my life.  Thanks Gold's Gym Team for helping me transform and fulfil my dreams.
Sincerely,

Sue Bennett

 

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