Three years ago I was a fifty-five (55) year old insulin dependent type one diabetic and weighed two hundred and fifty (250) pounds. Because of the diabetes, which I was diagnosed with at the age of 30, I struggled every day with food choices. My weight affected me both physically and mentally, as I was dealing with the fact that I was not feeling good about my physical appearance. I knew something had to be done and changes need to be made.
The Monday following Thanksgiving 2012, I decided to join Hearthstone Health + Fitness. The team at Hearthstone was very supportive and welcoming, making that first step through the door a little easier. My personal trainer, Josh Slacum, sat down and talked with me about my goals and came up with a game plan. I told Josh I wanted to lose weight and have more energy. Josh and I went to work and within seven months I had lost forty-five pounds! I weighed two hundred and five pounds, had a lot more energy, looked better and felt great. Throughout the seven months, Josh would help me with my diet and taught me about healthier food choices that would help me be more successful. I attended Hearthstone’s Eating 101 Sessions, which include topics to help us better understand how important nutrition is to our overall success.
After losing the excess weight, Josh told me it was now time to start focusing on building muscle and functional strength, which helps with day to day activities. Today, at the age of 58, I am stronger and more flexible than I have ever been! I continue to work out with Josh, five days a week, and I am constantly achieving new goals that I never thought possible, three years ago. With everything Hearthstone has taught me, I am able to better control my diabetes rather than having the diabetes control me. The decision to join Hearthstone is one of the best decisions I have made in my life.