It all began after my second knee surgery in July of 2009. I had gained a lot of weight and I was at my heaviest. Through the years, I had tried to lose weight but seemed life would catch up with me and so would the weight. I saw a photograph of myself and I was appalled. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing and seeing is believing. I decided it was time to make a lifestyle change.

I began by attending indoor cycling classes at the gym and cycling outdoors. My wife and I learned what the right foods were to eat and how much. We really cut down our portion sizes from what we were used to eating. We didn’t realize how much food we were eating until we reduced the portion sizes to what they should be. That made a huge impact on the weight loss. We also learned there is a balance between nutrition and fitness and that they work together. I then started cycling more and more because it was easy on my knee. Before long, I was cycling about 120 to 240 miles a week and the weight was coming off. I heard a phrase along the way that will always stick with me. It has helped me through tough days. You can quit and no one will care, but you will always know.”  It sums up what all of us struggle with. That phrase now resides on my refrigerator as a daily reminder.

In August 2010, I had a 4th knee surgery that was a total knee replacement. I was up and cycling on week three. My increased fitness made the difference on how quickly I was able to recover. Since I started, I have become a passionate cyclist and soon will earn my Indoor Cycling Instructors Certification and my USAC Certification for coaching cycling.

With the support of my wife and many people at the gym that have given me an enormous amount encouragement, I have lost a total of 137 pounds and gained a whole new life.

“So, I cycle each day to preserve the self I attained the day before. And coupled with this is the desire to secure the self yet to be. There can be no letup. If I do not cycle, I will eventually lose all I have gained, and my future with it.”  (Dr. George Sheehan)

Ron Weber

I joined Central Penn Fitness Center in September 2008. At the time I was a very unhealthy 50-year-old female. I had just been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

I decided it was time to get serious about getting healthy. I had tried many times before to lose weight without much success, so this time I knew exercise would need to be a part of the program and not just counting calories.

I decided to start by using the large pool. The pool made it easy to get moving and after a few months I began to add some cardio exercises to my routine. I love the Women’s Cardio/Weight Room!

I began to lose weight and feel physically stronger and continued to work out several times per week. I met with Kim, a personal trainer at the club, and she helped me to incorporate strength training into my exercise program. She has also been a great support for me; always encouraging me to keep going! I joined her kettlebell class and have really noticed a difference, especially in my core strength.

It had been two years since I started this journey to get healthier and I am now 85 pounds lighter. I also received some great news from my doctor. She said I am in very good health, free from diabetes, and both my cholesterol and blood pressure are now normal.

Central Penn Health and Fitness Center has been instrumental in not only helping me to reach my goals, but also in maintaining my weight loss and living a healthier life style.

Sincerely,
Carrie Quesenberry

I am a mother of two and have been struggling with weight loss since my college years.  I consider myself a very active in the gym and I work out 5 to 6 days a week. Over the years I have tried many types of exercise programs such as step classes, spin classes, zumba, running/training for races (including a half marathon), and circuit training with weights.  And I must say that in less than 12 weeks, kettlebells has changed my body like nothing else. I am in better shape now than ever. It definitely shocks your body and uses every muscle. I love that I am sore after every workout. I am sore in places that I’ve never felt I’ve worked before and the workout progresses all the time. I had people noticing muscle definition in our first session which was essentially 3–4 weeks into it. I just love it :)  Kim is very knowledgeable and is an excellent trainer.  She knows how to motivate us and helps us tough it out.

Thank You
Kelli Flickinger

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