MEMBER PROFILES

Please see below some of our members profiles.                                                    

 Gyms and members can nominate a member for this prestigious award and the winner will be chosen each month by a panel of judges which includes our Founder Donna Hubbard.

..................................................................................

Nominations should be based on the member's attendance, achievements, adversity overcome, etc.

Nominations should be emailed to : franchiseoffice@gymophobics.co.uk stating the reasons for the nomination and the
                                                                       Member's Gym.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR AUGUST MEMBER OF

 THE MONTH 2010

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR JULY MEMBER OF THE MONTH 2010 JENNY - 87085          

............................................................................................................

 MEMBER OF THE MONTH 

MAY 2010

Samantha Larke - 099399

Samantha joined us in Bury St Edmunds in February 2009 with her mother Jean. She suffers from epilepsy and is partially deaf, and Jean was very protective and proud of her.

Sam and Jean were regular's  to the gym three times a week, but sadly Jean passed away on January 12th 2010. Sam has shown great courage and determination to continue with the gym on her own and all the staff have great admiration for her.

Jean was a lovely lady who also committed a lot of her time raising money for dogs for the deaf, and is sadly missed, she would be so proud of Sam.

......................................................................................................................................................

                  Kirsten Riddell (Membership Number 97393) from Banbury Gymophobics

 In the 7 months that Kirsten has been a member at Banbury she has made a lasting impression on staff and fellow members with her dedication and enthusiasm..

In her first five months, Kirsten lost more than 2 stones in weight and recently took part in Banbury Gymophobics 'Sponsored Slim' raising an amazing £1,100 - more than half the total amount raised!

No one can doubt that Kirsten is a very worthy winner of our Member of the Month as she is an inspiration to everyone at Gymophobics.

............................................................................................................................................................

Heather Milner - Banbury

Lost 3 stone and lost 40½”

Lost 10% Body Fat. BMI Reduced by 7.7

June 08 I was asked when I was due to give birth and this made me realise I needed to do something about my weight. I rang Gymophobics had a FREE guest visit and joined straightaway as it seemed so friendly & relaxed.
They took my measurements and weight in a private room which straightaway put me at ease. Then they set me a personal program. My goal was to lose 3 stone so they also gave me Nutritional advice which really helped.

Every 8-10 weeks I was re-assessed to see my progress and they would then change my program. By them doing this it really helped keep me keep on track. I am now over the moon as I have reached my target weight. I have lost 3 stone and 40½ inches across my body. I now wear size 12 clothes instead of 18. I feel fabulous. I would recommend Gymophobics to everyone they have changed my life. Thank You so much.

Lizzie Williams- Brighton & Hove Gymophobics

Lost a total of 37 Inches  

When I first joined Gymophobics in January 2009, I was seriously concerned about my weight and the effects it was having on my health. It was the first time I ever joined a gym and to be honest I had some serious reservations. I need not have worried, Janet and her instructors made me feel really welcome and I now enjoy going three times a week.

The staff are all incredibly friendly as well as being supportive, encouraging and motivating. They make the gym a pleasure to walk into.

Now 8 months later, my health is much improved, I am 31lbs lighter and have lost a total of 37 inches.
I know that I could not have achieved this on my own. So a big THANK YOU to Gymophobics!

Before                                                             After

Danielle Watts - Bury St Edmunds  -
I have been a member of Gymophobics in Bury St Edmunds for nearly 2 years now, joining in September 2007. It didn’t take long at all before I felt relaxed and comfortable as for once I did not feel like the odd one out because of my weight, as there are ladies of all ages, shapes and sizes.

The staff are friendly, helpful and genuinely pleased for you when you get positive results, but best of all I never imagined just half an hour 3 times a week would help me become a mum.

I’m 30 years old and all my life have been over weight, at my worst I was 26 stone. I joined Gymophobics at just over 23 stone, not knowing what to expect as I had never been to a gym before. Not only did the weight start to come off, but I was toning up and I was able to walk up hills without becoming breathless. I was also becoming more confident and I was starting to look pretty good. In just under a year I had lost nearly 3 stone and had gone down 2 dress sizes.

I have been with my partner for 8 years and engaged for 2. He has always been supportive and encouraging, and especially likes me going to the gym at weekends mainly due to the pub 2 doors away. After trying for so long with nothing happening on the baby front we had all but given up. We didn’t even discuss it anymore, just in case it never happened, after all we had been trying for 6 years.

Almost a year after joining Gymophobics I found out I was pregnant.

It was a complete shock, I had purely joined to lose weight and to be honest didn’t expect much as I had always struggled to lose weight. The Instructors were fantastic throughout my pregnancy, they adjusted my exercises to accommodate me and my growing bump. I continued going to the gym right up to a week before I went into hospital.

Continuing to use the gym whilst I was pregnant not only helped my fitness levels, but also the emotional side of things as in the past I have suffered from depression. This was one of the main things that worried me, as I gave up smoking when I got pregnant, also I have gestational diabetes so I was on a special diet. So mad hormones, sugar and nicotine withdrawal was a recipe for disaster, but going to the gym regularly got me through it, and not a sign of depression.

I put 3 stone on whilst pregnant but it felt so good to be big and pregnant and not just big and fat, and as it turns out just 1 stone of that was me, the rest was fluid and baby. Now my partner Neil and I have our little boy Oscar, who is 3 months old and being a mum is the best thing in the world.

I would like to say the hugest thank you to Gymophobics and all the staff at Bury St Edmunds, because I am convinced Oscar would not be here if it was not for them and the weight I lost at the gym.

Sue Lambarelli - Chesterfield- 
 
Sue Lambarelli is very well known in Chesterfield.  She was once the owner of the excellent Lambarelli’s Ristorante D’Accadia – now passed down to her eldest daughter and husband. 

She is now the Tawny Owl of the 1st Chesterfield Brownie Pack which she has been involved with for the past 40 years!  We all know that Sue has never been a person that sits still for very long, but on-going back trouble, including a slipped disc, began to interfere with her mobility and she knew that it was time to start concentrating on her health and well being.
 
Sue decided that she needed to improve her health and fitness so she joined Gymophobics Chesterfield as one of the very first members.  Sue felt that by joining Gymophobics it would not only help with her resolve and maintain her healthy eating plan, but also her general physical and mental health too. 

Sue said: “It’s an ongoing thing, people say ‘Oh don’t you look good and so fit and healthy.’ That gives you the incentive to carry on. I weighed 17 st 3 lbs just before Christmas 2007.  Coming to Gymophobics on a regular basis has given me the incentive and strength to stay fit and healthy and I am now down to 12 st 13 lbs, I feel great!  I’ve lost over 4 st!  More than a sack of potatoes!

My dress size used to be 28 it’s now 18 and in total I’ve lost 44 inches”!’  Also in October 2008, Sue fell and badly damaged her ligaments in her right arm.  By adapting the exercises at Gymophobics, to help with recovery, she is now able to use the arm again and is redeveloping the wasted muscles.

Sue generally feels much more positive and her hip, back and knee problems have improved, she has more mobility and stamina.  She can now enjoy her walks -  7 miles is no mean feat!


Clare Lovell - Ipswich 

I joined to become fit enough so that I could ride a Harley Davidson down route 66 in America and enjoy the trip. I did not have high expectations or expect to lose weight, but I did. After 19 months I had lost 8 stone 9 pounds, and I have more energy, confidence and a whole new wardrobe.

The staff at Ipswich have been great, encouraging me and changing my programme every few weeks to help me maintain my weight loss. Everyone at the gym is really friendly which makes it a nice place to go.

Induction – 14-08-2007

Original goals – Get fitter to ride motorbike across USA, Lose weight and tone up all over.
Weight – Lost 8stone 9 pounds
Inches – Lost 94
BMI – Down 18.5

Before                                           After

Improved Mobility

Margaret Moore - Wolverhampton

I joined Gymophobics Wolverhampton in late February 2009. Having severe arthritis in both of my knees, I was restricted as to what I could do and on joining I could hardly bend my knees, especially the left one. When trying to get onto the exercise bike I could not even get my left foot onto the peddle. The staff helped and encouraged me and gave me alternative exercises to do. After a great deal of perseverance I can now get onto the bike and peddle.

I am really pleased with myself for what I have achieved in a few short months, the improvement in my mobility has meant that I can now get up and down stairs much easier.

I would recommend Gymophobics to anyone who needs to loosen their joints due to arthritis or general stiffness.

Shannon -Tamworth

I joined Gymophobics on 4th September 2008; it was the best decision I have made in long time.  I was very unhappy with myself at the time, I have broken my ankle very badly the year before and had to have a metal plate and rod put in, therefore I was not able to walk for a few months and I gained a lot of weight at that time.

I saw an advert for a ladies only gym in the local paper and thought I would go along and see what it was all about.  The instructors that work there instantly made me feel comfortable, as I was a little embarrassed.  I was shown the equipment and the Instructor discussed the benefits of each piece of equipment.  I had my initial induction and they tailored a programme to suit my individual needs.  I started my programme and I have never looked back.

Up to date I have lost a massive 3 stone and 4 lbs as well as losing 43 inches overall and I feel so much more confident about myself, even my posture has improved, I’ve dropped 4 dress sizes and love buying new clothes for myself now, where as before I dreaded going shopping.  I have made lots of new friends and all the staff are lovely and helpful.

There is a beauty room located within Gymophobics, where I now also enjoy indulging myself on their range of affordable treatments.

I look forward to every session at Gymophobics and I cannot thank the staff enough for all of their continued support.

I would recommend Gymophobics to anyone who needs to loosen their joints due to arthritis or general stiffness and of course, to lose weight!

TESTIMONIALS

From talking to staff and members we know that there are many wonderful stories to be told. We have ladies who have turned their lives around. Some have overcome depression and taken on a new career or even a new husband. Many have met and made new friendships.

One of our contributors had given up trying for a baby. She and her husband had even tried IVF to no avail. As she points out, she became more depressed and piled on the pounds with comfort eating. “I would sit at home and mope”.

But taking a friend’s advice and joining Gymophobics lifted her depression. She soon started to lose weight and her self esteem improved as a result. “I became a new person with a more positive outlook. I realised that not being able to have a baby was not the end of the world and I was able to function without the anti depressants that I had become so dependant on”.

Within six months of joining, the inevitable happened of course and ‘out of the blue’ she found that she was pregnant. We are not saying ‘Join Gymophobics and get pregnant’ of course, but it is an uplifting tale and one that reminds us that miracles do still happen!

Whatever your story, we want to hear about it.