TESTIMONIALS...PLUS!
You
Can Do It!
St. Andrew's
can help! People just like you slim down and improve their
health everyday at St. Andrew's Family Fitness Plus. Written
by our members, check out just a few of our success stories!
I joined St.
Andrew's Family Fitness Plus a year ago because I just moved
from Tennessee and wanted to maintain a healthy lifestyle
as a ssenior. As time weny by I discovered how friendly
people were to me. Within a few weeks, I was at home again
and everyone knew me by my first name. St. Andrew's offers
a very large variety of equipment and exercise programs.
I especially enjoy Zumba, Hip Hop, Belly Dancing and their
inside Aqua Aerobics class. As long as I live St. Andrew's
will always be a part of me.
-Sylvie Savineau
You Can Reverse Diabetes!
In September, 2005, my doctor told me that he needed to
change my diabetes treatment from oral medication to insulin.
As a type II diabetic, my A1C blood sugar level had reached
10.0 (6.5-7.0 is the desired range), definitely out of control.
I was very reluctant to accept this, because I figured that
once on insulin, I would never get off it! My doctor agreed
to give me some time to postpone insulin treatment.
I quickly
concluded that weight is simply a function of calories -
eaten and burned. And I concluded that weighing daily was
essential to monitor my progress, and what was working and
not working.
I quickly
analyzed foods for low calorie content and also low on the
glycemic index, and limited my diet to foods meeting this
criteria. In January, 2006 I discovered a HUGE SECRET: egg-beaters,
which provide protein yet only half the calories and none
of the cholesterol that is in natural eggs. I started eating
four scrambled egg-beaters with sliced tomatoes and sourdough
wheat toast for breakfast at Cracker Barrel; three hard-boiled
eggs without yolks and diced tomatoes for lunch; and an
egg-beater omelete, sliced tomatoes and rye toast for dinner
at Perkins Restaurant. I have also learned to eat and enjoy
vegetables, turkey, and fish.
I switched
from swimming to exercise equipment at the beginning of
December, 2005 when the St Andrews Family Fitness Plus closed
the pool for renovations, I started doing 15 minutes on
the elliptical trainer, and worked up the 45 minutes, over
the lunch hour. I also started doing push ups, sit-ups on
an incline, and several other machines on the circuit. The
wide range of equipment at St. Andrew's is excellent and
provides for variety in exercise. I also do 200 crunches
each morning.
When I revisited
my doctor this past May, I was down 70 pounds, with an A1C
of 5.7, and cholesterol of 100. I no longer had diabetes
and no longer needed cholesterol reducing drugs. I stopped
taking oral medication for my diabetes, and that was now
three months ago.
By September
6, 2006, a year after this journey started, I was down 100
pounds, which was my goal. The reversal of diabetes eliminated
many of the side effects of diabetes: swollen ankles, slow-healing
cuts, and erectile dysfunction (ED)! I return to my doctor
in early November, and expect an A1C below 5.0.
I turned 62
this month, and I am fitter and more energetic than I was
in my high school years. I am now stabilizing, with continued
exercise and a controlled diet. And of course daily weighing.
The success story line is that diabetes CAN be reversed.
The "secrets" to success? Low calorie foods. Egg-beaters,
and vegetables. Drink lots of water. Vigorous exercise.
A fierce determination. And most importantly, weighing daily.
-Steve Brinkman
I started
going to St. Andrew's when I was 22 years old, just out
of college and beginning my career as a teacher. I was 50
pounds overweight. I was tired of not being able to find
clothes that fit me and not having enough energy to carry
me through the day.That
is where the staff of St. Andrew's came in. As soon as I
walked through the door the staff greeted me with smiles
and encouragement. I committed myself to what I learned
at the center. I can write pages and pages about how my
nutrition session and the staff has helped me over the year.
I have lost 60 pounds and feel better both emotionally and
physically. Whether I am at the beach, walking at the mall
or teaching my class, I just feel better. Thank
you! - Steve Arat
I thought
I knew what I was doing. I had maintained an acceptable
weight all of my life until about six years ago. I figured
I would just get on the treadmill a couple of days a week
and off it will come. Well, it wasn't so easy....I decided
to try a nutritional counseling session at St. Andrew's.
That session was the turning point for me. 7 months and
35 pounds later, I finally get it. I feel stronger and more
confident about my life in general. Thank you St. Andrew's!
- Kelly McKenzie
I just wanted to let all the wonderful folks there
at SAFFP, know how much you have meant to me. I have never
been treated so beautifully, and with as much caring. I
am starting to believe in myself again, and that's no small
feat. I feel and look so much better and it is because of
St. Andrew's. Thanks so very much! - Donna Reames
I enjoyed your nutrition session so much!It was equally
informative and entertaining. I learned so much in such
a short time. I thought I knew a lot about nutrition and
proper eating, but I learned so many tips that will help
take me to the next level. I appreciate all the research
you've done and the fact that you have "practiced"
all these techniques yourself. All of America is desperately
in need of this type of counsel before we literally eat
ourselves to death. You were so informative and entertaining,
poking fun at our bad habits, allowing us to laugh at ourselves,
while pointing out that this is a deadly serious subject.
I recommend a session to anyone who needs help with what
to eat. Thanks again. - Marc Batten
