 Dorothy
Personal training, weightlifting, water exercise, cycling, yoga, you name it, I have benefited from all of the above. Thanks to Brenda Athletic Clubs. In the past few years, I have had challenges of recovering from several surgeries: a Nephrectomy (surgical removal of the kidney), a right tibial osteotomy (cutting and manipulation of the tibia bone), and most recently, a left knee arthroscopy. Each of these surgeries presented a new challenge in itself. However, the most challenging was the recovering from the tibial osteotomy. During the surgery, my right tibia bone was cut and four pins, approximately 6 inches long, were screwed into the bone and an external fixation attached so the bone could be manipulated (otherwise moved) three times a day. I wore this attachment for three months.
Because of the extreme pain, the first six weeks were spent mostly in bed. I remember not being able to lift my leg. I couldn’t believe it because just weeks before the surgery, I was cycling. I wanted to get back to the gym, but I knew my abilities were very limited.
I felt like I would have to “defy all odds.” When I did return, I didn’t have use of my leg, as yet, but because I had a personal trainer (Phil Madriaga) that was not only concerned about my recovery, but was knowledgeable in vast areas of physical fitness, I was able to work out cardiovascular without any injury to my leg by using only my upper body.Later, when the pins were removed, I immediately began training my entire body again and learned that I could train and have an intense workout using my own body weight without the assistance of weights or machines.Being a member of Brenda Athletics clubs has allowed me to participate in various types of exercises.
There are a variety of classes ranging from water exercise to strength training and cycling.Cycling allowed me to build strength and endurance in both cardiovascular and my lower extremities.However, I believe my most valuable asset was a personal trainer.My trainer not only tailored my program to my personal needs and disability, but he was there to push me when I felt I had no more to give.He found different ways to motivate me to push a little harder.As I continue my training, I can see the muscle development in my legs returning.With the aide of a “personal trainer”, and all the amenities offered by Brenda Athletic Clubs, I will continue to “defy the odds.” |
 Efren
Greetings, My name is Efren, and would like to share my story with the public. In 2004 I weighed in at 300lbs, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and if I continued with my eating habits, on my way to type 2 diabetes. In 2005 I decided to make a life long commitment & get healthy through exercise, nutrition & my faith. I joined a gym weighing in at 230 & As of August 1, 2005 I weighed in at 156lbs.
I started spending 3 hours a week at the gym and worked my way up. After spending 16 to 24 hours a week at the gym doing cardio and lifting weights, along with volunteering as a personal trainer. I just became a certified fitness instructor and feel very good about myself. I think it’s important for people to know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel with weight loss. With so many diets and extreme surgeries happening today I think people forgot that exercise and eating right just works, I am proof of that.
Recently I ran a 5k run in Ripon and beat my time by nearly a minute. My time was 20:29. This is a big deal, for I was a smoker since the age of 16 and quit cold turkey in March 2005. Included are some photos of before and after.
Thank you for your time. Efren Jwww.iwillliveforever.com Tell us how BAC has helped changed your life into a healthy lifestyle!
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