Joe LibermanDance With Me!
When Joe Lieberman claims he is the best dancer in Nia®, one cannot help but believe him. "I’m 81 going on 8," Joe says with a chuckle. Nia® is an energizing workout that encompasses martial and healing arts, expressive movement and form, and lifestyle practices. The expressive movement and dance class allows Joe to work on flexibility, agility, balance, strength, and stamina. Almost two years ago, Joe was unable to walk without leaning on the wall for support. "When I first started Nia®, I had to stop occasionally and could not finish the entire class. Now, after working with the fitness specialist and instructors at ACAC, I’m dancing! I dance in the kitchen while making breakfast in the morning and come to Nia® five times a week!" Nia® allows Joe an opportunity to be physically active and interact with people in class. He finds excitement and mental stimulation through his relationships at ACAC.
Larry SipeThe Few. The Proud.
After suffering a shattered ankle in a work-related accident, Larry Sipe was referred to physical therapy @ acac to guide him through his recovery. After many hours of treatment, Larry’s ankle had healed to the point where he was able to make another positive change in his life. At 350 pounds and dependent for the past ten years on diabetes and blood pressure medications, Larry decided it was time to get healthy. He set a goal of getting down to 200 pounds and hired a personal trainer and nutritionist to help him stay on track. He spent a lot of time increasing his cardiovascular health by walking, riding the bike, and lifting weights. Remarkably, Larry has already shed more than 100 pounds. And best of all, he is now off all his blood pressure and diabetes medications. "ACAC changed my life," he says. "I have newfound energy, and there’s a new fullness in life."
Amanda HuntGroupExSuccess!
Amanda Hunt gained around 40 pounds over six years due to a long history of depression and working in a high-stress environment as a flight nurse and paramedic. In October 2005, she decided to try a different approach to exercise to help with her depression. By adding a variety of group exercise classes to her workouts she lost 30 pounds and dropped her body fat by 8.7%. The staff are "fantastic and VERY encouraging... I met a lot of very nice people in the classes" The weight just stared to melt away and my body just transformed" How many gyms in which you work out does the housekeeper actually care enough to tell you she has noticed your hard work" says Amanda. "I know I would not have succeeded in my goals without having been a member of ACAC."
Nate WilliamsPound for Pound!
Most mornings you will find Nate Williams on the basketball court at ACAC. At first glance, you know instantly that he’s an athlete. What you don’t see are the 87 pounds that he’s shed in the past four months. Although Nate is now an avid basketball player, he was once a star defensive tackle for the Virginia Tech Hokies. After graduating, Nate’s weight peaked at 340 pounds, and he realized something had to change. "I knew I had to do something. After five knee surgeries and an extra seventy pounds, I could barely move without pain and experiencing shortness of breath. ACAC had so many exercise options that it was easy for me to get started." Now a lean 253 pounds, Nate continues to spend two hours a day at ACAC. Not only does he play basketball, he also spends a lot of time on the elliptical machines and taking part in other cardio workouts.
Kristin Von ThelenJoy of Movement
In her search for a new kind of exercise, Kristin Von Thelen tried Nia® at ACAC. She discovered joy of movement through the classes and felt a deeper commitment to the exercise. "It’s like my oxygen," says Kristin. You could come in and be grumpy or having a really rough day, and you forget about it" you’re just there to have fun and to have a good cardio workout!" Not only has she lost weight, Kristin feels healthier in her mind, body and soul. She especially loves the fact that ACAC has so many Nia classes to offer at both clubs, among all of the other fitness options, and will go to either club to take her classes. "I go wherever Nia is."
At 85 years old, Ruth still heads off to the pool nearly every morning. Ironically, Ruth never swam a day in her life until middle age. When she took her own children to the local pool for their swimming lessons, she decided to learn as well. "From that point on I’ve been a swimmer," says Ruth. At ACAC, Ruth can swim year around in the indoor 50 meter pool or choose to swim outdoors April through October in the heated 25 meter pool. Ruth is convinced her swimming at ACAC has kept her healthy as she aged. "I love swimming, it keeps me young!"
As a trial lawyer, Bill’s days are high stress. Bill found exercise to be a great release after a tough day, but it began to be painful and no longer pleasurable. "I was experiencing pain in my chest every time I exercised, says Bill." His doctor diagnosed his pains as classic exertional angina, caused by a 95% blockage to his heart. Bill was immediately scheduled for cardiac bypass surgery. Post-surgery, Bill did rehab therapy at the hospital. When he finished there, he returned to ACAC and began walking the track. "After a while, I wanted to do more, so I met up with Gayle, an ACAC personal trainer, and she slowly rehabilitated me until I was able to get back to where I used to be," says Bill. "Now, I’m back playing basketball and working out several times a week. I credit being here at ACAC, not only with getting me back up and running after surgery, but helping me realize something was wrong before I suffered a heart attack."
Bob Everton has always enjoyed exercise. But in the summer of 2005, he was having hip pain that just wouldn’t go away. It was making exercise uncomfortable. Bob was referred to Camille, an ACAC personal trainer. When Bob first spoke to Camille about his pain; he didn’t like what she recommended. "She wanted me to start stretching," says Bob. "But I always thought stretching wasn’t a ´man’s workout.’ However, I was in a lot of pain, so I gave it a shot." Camille remembers the first time she worked with Bob as well, "He couldn’t bend down far enough to even touch his knees," she recalls. Camille showed Bob a variety of stretching techniques, and they continued to work together as Bob began to see steady improvement. By Labor Day, Bob not only decreased his hip pain, but he could bend over and easily touch his toes. "I incorporate stretching into my daily workout now," says Bob. "In fact, I just took my first yoga class, and I loved it! You’ll see me there more often."
Rob and Rachel Penczak have belonged to fitness clubs before, but since moving to Midlothian, neither of them had set foot inside a fitness club for almost 2 years. Rob had looked at several area clubs for himself, but he wasn’t convinced to join. When their oldest child, Brian, 7, needed a place to spend the summer, Rob and Rachel came to know ACAC. They signed Brian up for summer camp and soon saw that ACAC was a place that the entire family could enjoy. The Penczak’s credit ACAC for helping their family get up off the couch and enjoy family fitness. "We never thought about a fitness club for the whole family before, but ACAC offers something for all of us," says Rachel. Rob and Rachel work out using cardio and strength training as well as taking Pilates. "I can actually pick up my kids now without it being a chore," exclaims Rachel! "I want to be healthier for my kids, to set an example for them," sums up Rachel. The Penczak’s are now a happier, healthier and stronger family.
Vicki BaadeDoing 60 in ´06
Participating in a 60 mile walk may seem like a daunting challenge for most, but for Vicki, when it has a very strong purpose behind it, it’s more than worth it. Vicki has seen how devastating it is to lose a loved one to breast cancer and she does not want her family or other families to go through that. She walks for herself, her daughters, and her grandson; she walks to find a cure.
Vicki will participate in the Breast Cancer 3-Day which is a 60 mile walk over the course of three days. Not only is Vicki walking, but she has also pledged to raise $2,220 for the fight against breast cancer. "I believe in the cause and I’m willing to walk the distance," says Vicki. "It’s an experience that will change your life."
ACAC has been instrumental in Vicki’s training for the walk. Vicki trains on the indoor track and also takes Pilates and yoga lite classes to help prepare her for her challenge. "I once did 120 laps on the track to get my 10 miles in. I have to carry a clicker to keep count!" Vicki also works out with personal trainer, Tanya Stroh. "I have my very own cheerleader at ACAC. It’s great to have someone in your corner cheering you on!" said Vicki.
"I’ll be celebrating my 60th birthday this year and my theme is 60 doing 60 in ’06. So to me, 60 is just a number. Mostly, it means 60 miles and a chance to go the distance in the fight against breast cancer," says Vicki.
Deborah FairAt the age of 45, Deborah Fair decided it was time to change her life. After seeing ACAC’s mission statement, "We Change Lives," she knew she had found the place for her. Two years and 100 pounds later, Deborah is self-confident, happy and passionate about helping others change their lives too. "My whole life has changed. Not just the way I look, but the way I feel and the way I relate to people," said Deborah. Upon starting to exercise Deborah did not want to join a gym because she was afraid to be surrounded by “skinny people in spandex.” After joining ACAC she realized she had nothing to fear. Deborah loved ACAC so much she joined the Team. "I love coming to work; I feel blessed to work with such special people. I feel like I belong here."
The Hutchinson Family3 Generations
It’s not easy to find programs for children, adults and seniors all at one place, but that’s what you get at ACAC and that’s what the Hutchinson family loves about ACAC. Not only can mom, Suzie come to workout, but her two daughters, Victoria and Rebecca, can play in Kidz Zone and her mom, Hildegard can enjoy an aquatic class.
Hildegard, better known as Cookie, brings her three year old granddaughter Becca to ACAC at least three days a week for parent and me classes and swimming lessons. "During the day Becca and I take classes and then I come at night for the aquatic classes. After chasing her around all day, I find it relaxing to hop in the warm water pool," says Cookie.
Cookie’s other granddaughter Victoria loves coming to ACAC too. She takes dance, gymnastics, sports classes and swimming lessons. Both girls are like little fish having been in the water since they were three months old. "The girls really feel at home here; all the staff know them and they have made lots of friends here," said Cookie. Becca says, "My friends in Kidz Zone need me!"
But don’t forget mom. Suzie loves being able to drop the girls off and take a group exercise class. "The social atmosphere is great and I really like that you see people of all shapes and sizes," says Suzie. "The whole family just feels so comfortable at the club; my girls actually beg me to bring them here!"
George BratcherPurely Positive
Winston Churchill once said, "Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference." George Bratcher is a prime example of this. After being diagnosed with diabetes and withstanding a kidney transplant, cataract surgery and a double leg amputation, George is still going strong and donning a smile while doing it. "I know there are people out there worse off than me, so why should I complain?" said George.
Over the years, George has been an athlete, a coach, a probation officer, and a teacher; he was even recruited for the Canadian Football League. So adjusting to diabetes and his new lifestyle was difficult, but he’s done it and he’s done it with a smile.
When George completed his rehab after his amputation, his doctor recommended he join ACAC’s Physician Referred Exercise Program. "I wanted to learn how to be self sufficient again," said George. He spends a lot of time in Health Quest on the weights, swimming laps in the pool and even walking around the track. "I’ve built up my stamina, increased my strength and lost some weight while at ACAC."
When George walks into ACAC it seems everyone knows him. "I’m a natural talker. I chose ACAC because the people treat you good and I love to be in the social atmosphere," said George. His smile and positive attitude make it hard not to admire him.
