Testimonials | Members submit your own testimonials here.

• I had an A HA! moment. I’ve had several of those over the last year and a half. My husband’s fellow firefighter and friend passed away suddenly. He was a young guy.  
  
  Hummm…   The athlete I was in high school and college, the girl I had induced into a food coma, began to wake-up. She was tired of my nonsense. She began to feed my past back to me. My husband would structure activities so I wouldn’t over exert myself. I had been to Disney World three times and had not ridden the thrill rides I hungered for because I was afraid I wouldn’t fit in the seats. I just barely got my seat belt buckled on an airline flight. I had cholesterol and anemia issues. I would take an hour and a half nap at night after supper, before bedtime, because I was tired. My lower back always hurt.     
  
  I went to my PCP. He’ll give me something to fix this and I will be better. And then… a new A HA! moment. He said my weight concerned him. He made me get on the scales. I told him, “I work for an OB/GYN group, I know what the scales say.” And my inner self screamed, “LIAR!!!” OK, ok, meekly, I got on the scales. He said, “Amy, you are what is called morbidly obese. You are a candidate for gastric bypass, lap band, etc. But we need to do something now.” Those words by themselves are bad enough; attached to each other will make you think twice; with your name in front of them was a crushing blow. If that wasn’t enough, my inner self used this time to nail the coffin of the last 15 years shut, “Wouldn’t it be awful if your husband, a trained EMT, had to run a medical ca ll in his own home. A place that he calls his sanctuary, a place where you try to make his world the calmest, stress free environment possible. You’re actually making it more stressful, and neither of you realize it.” So I called my mom, a lifetime member at Weight Watchers, and I told her I was going with her to the next meeting. I told my husband what I was going to do, and the initial relief on his face told the story. He told me how glad he was. He told me he would help. Our daughter said she would do her part. I started the WW program, and things started to fall into place.    
  
  Three weeks later, my husband came home and said he had purchased a family membership to the Sports Barn. He had invested in my future. I was a little embarrassed to come in and ask for help. Then I realized that if I didn’t own this mistake, I was doomed to repeat it. I wasn’t hiding this weight from anyone except myself. Everyone else could see it, and until I did, it would stay right where it was. I made an appointment with a trainer. She asked me questions to get a better feel about who I was and what would work for me. She asked about my caloric intake. She was happy I was on the WW program. SCORE ONE for me. I felt better about being there already. She tailored a program that would benefit me and that I could do by myself or with her, which ever was better for me. A program that I could actually do right then, not three months down the road. I fo und that early morning was good for me. The responsibilities of a wife & mom were sleeping still and could get themselves ready in the mornings. I get myself ready to go the night before. I rent a locker so I can get ready and go straight to work. The Brainerd SB is 5 minutes from there. And then…   A HA! I woke up a year and a half later. I hit a plateau and I was not happy.
  
  Then A HA! It was my first plateau. How many pounds gone… over 70!!! Sometimes the hill seems to get bigger while you are climbing. Sometimes you have to look back and say…”HA! HA! Look how far I have come! I’m almost there.    
  
  And then another A HA! Someone asked me on our family vacation, “Don’t you get tired of getting up very early to work-out?” The answer is no. It’s a new cuisine for me; I am now feeding my soul, nursing it back to health. My blood work came back this week… I’m normal. My PCP saw me last week and was shocked speechless. And I said “HA! HA!”   
  
  I never thought the day would come. I just realized I’m watching the sunrise over a much closer horizon. So close, that if I walk a little more on the elliptical machine, do a few more crunches, a couple of leg presses in the weight room, swim a few more laps in the pool, well…A HA!! 
  
  Here’s hoping you just had an A HA! moment!!!!          
  Amy Youngblood
  
  
• I have had an amazing year since I was hired as a maintenance worker in February of 2006 at the Sports Barn. When I joined the Sports-Barn I weighed 184 pounds. I currently weigh around 130 pounds and can wear a size small in women's clothing for the first time.

  I was going to Hawaii in August 2006 for a family reunion and wanted to weigh 135-140 pounds. I had my orientation at East with Bill Dillard and spent time using the various cardio machines. I especially enjoyed running on the treadmill and using the elliptical and cross trainers which burned off calories galore. I was energized and felt alive whenever I did weight training. It felt good to look in the mirror and see muscles developing and fat fading. I made my goal by July. I weighed 137 pounds and was wearing size 10 clothes. My family was proud that I met my goal.

  In late August I started working out more at the Downtown Sports Barn and started attending Bob Merz's circuit training class. His class has strengthened my core, my balance, and endurance. I am fit enough to do his advanced fitness challenge class and grateful that I have someone willing to push me.

  In December I ran my first 5K run. Frances Archer asked me to run with her and Cindy Suggs on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Frances asked if I would train with her for the Knoxville half marathon in April. In February, I made the commitment to run the half marathon with Frances. We continued to run and train. I was able to complete the half marathon in 2 hours and 32 minutes. I want everyone to know what an inspiration Frances is to me (During training, her enthusiastic support carried me through the sore muscles). I could not have done the race without her and my husband Lance's encouragement.

  I recently changed departments at the Sports Barn and am now doing deep cleaning on the fitness floor as well as working in the maintenance department. I am also on the fitness floor on Tuesday mornings to answer questions about making reservations on the computer, vacuum, and clean the equipment. I am able to observe the personal trainers at work and Sharon Starling is mentoring me as I study to become a personal trainer in the future. Stuart Gladish and Anna Mercer have also been a source of knowledge and encouragement.

  I am also attending more classes. Tammy Nichols' X-Flex and Washboard Ab class on Tuesday evenings are an awesome total body workout. Scott Wade's Power Flex and Washboard Ab class on Wednesdays are helping me learn proper form and technique. I am looking forward to attending the Absolute Cardio class taught by Teresa Wade on Monday mornings. Working among the members and with the incredible staff at Downtown has been a blessing. Thank you for your smiles, greetings, and encouraging words. It is an honor and a privilege to serve all of you.
  - Sheri Patrick, Sports Barn employee.

• I started working out at the Sports Barn on December 4, 2001. My starting weight was 230 pounds. Dealing with autism it was very difficult to try something new. After coming to the Sports Barn, five days a week, I realized that this is very important to get healthy and to lose weight. Changing eating habits is also important.

  
  
  Today my weight is 145 pounds. I am writing this to you because if I can lose 85 pounds and 77 inches anyone can! - Julie Duff

• As a teen and even an early adult, I was always thin. I could eat what I wanted, when I wanted, never exercise and never gain a pound. In June of 2006, I stepped on the scale weighing in at 212 pounds and feeling awful about myself. I couldn't climb a flight of stairs without being winded and did have the energy to play with my girls. I decided it was time for a change. I began a healthy eating program and after 10 weeks had dropped 18 pounds. Thankfully, my employer offered the WellFit program and I decided to join. It has made a huge difference in my life. I've been working with a personal trainer, attend classes weekly and work out either in the gym or at home daily. I have now dropped a total of 32 pounds and many of my co-workers have joined me in my fight to get healthy. In fact, from those of us who are working toward a healthy lifestyle, we have dropped more than 100 pounds as a group. I have to say that I was timid at first about working out at the Sports Barn fearing that people would judge me or that I wouldn't fit in, but that couldn't be further from the truth. The employees and customers of the Sports Barn have been so supportive. I just wanted to say thanks. I still have a long way to go, but I'm determined to be healthy again.
  Angela S. Haines

• I was irritable, fatigued, and not sleeping well. Thanks to exercise my energy level has tripled, my fatigue has diminished significantly and my co-workers say that my attitude at work has greatly improved. - Sharon Starling

• Several months before her senior season began I went to see Brian Harrison at the downtown Sports Barn, who I had known and respected for several years. I wasn't sure what I was looking for, but I knew that we had to build strength around Megan's knee. Brian introduced me to Freddie Eaves who was the strength trainer at Boyd Buchanan School and a personal trainer at the Sports Barn. I loaned Freddie a video tape that I use in coaching and training triple jumpers.( I neglected to mention that I am the GPS long jump and triple jump coach- Sorry!) Freddie began a lengthy rehab/training program for Megan that concentrated around rebuilding strength around her knee. His training was intense, event-specific and quite successful! Megan came back to compete her senior season, placing 1st in her first track meet in the triple jump competition, hel d at Lakeview Ft. Oglethorpe. She jumped with strength, and without pain for the first time since her sophomore season!

  My thanks to Freddie! The personal training offered through the Sports Barn is super! It has been a high point for Megan and me!
  Philip Moye

• I would just like to say that Jr and I both have pulled out our winter clothes to get ready for the cool weather... Well, we have a major issue b/c just about all of our clothes are too big and we have nothing that fits us but a couple of things... LOL... It is a good thing but yet I know what we'll get for Christmas this year... WWWOOO HHHOOOO!!!!! - Wendy Claridy

• It may not sound like much but, before, I could not walk up a set of stairs with 8 steps without stopping. Now I can walk up 2 flights easily. Donetta Talley

• I joined the Sports Barn, through BCBST, and was trying to workout on my own for several years. I did not visit the gym as often as I should have and often felt depressed or discouraged with my lack of knowledge in the proper use of the gym equipment and how to exercise effectively and safely.  Since joining Wellfit in September 2003, I have experienced many physical and mental improvements in my well-being. I try to attend the Wellfit workout classes at least twice a week, four times if my schedule permits. I also walk 3 miles a day on a regular basis. Having a peer group to workout with and an instructor to lead the exercises has made it much easier for me to stick to a regular workout schedule.   My job and lifestyle as a single parent is stressful and I was letting the stress affect my physical and mental health. Wellfit has helped me to gain control over my stress. My children have told me that I am a much 'happier' mom and I feel so much more energetic. I also feel more confident about my appearance. Friends and strangers have commented on how much younger and happier I look! I am a true believer in the notion that healthy diet and exercise can change your outlook on life. Some of my friends and acquaintances have to take medication in order to cope with the stress of their jobs. I am able to handle the stress of my job and busy lifestyle through diet and exercise, which is a much healthier alternative.   Karen Keehan

• I have lost approximately 25 lbs since beginning the Wellfit program last year. - Lewis Cantrell

• I would like to say the Well-fit program has helped me. My weight was 214 and now I weigh 152. People have given compliments on the way I look. I even had people to say they will do the well-fit program.  I really feel good about my accomplishments even though I have not reached my goal yet but I know what I need to do to get there. Thanks. - Shenita Smith

• I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in Feb, 2004.  My blood work indicated I was extremely high risk for a stroke or heart attach if I didn't turn my lifestyle around.  When I first started Wellfit I had been taking 8 different medications.  Four were for high blood pressure or the side-effects from the BP medication.   I couldn't tie my own shoes because I lacked the flexibility to bend down.  I was in constant pain that my doctor was unable to diagnosis other than 'possible fibromyalgia'.  I felt awful, had trouble sleeping, looked unhealthy.  I was spending lots of money in co pays for MD visits and prescriptions.  I was well on my way to a chronic disability if not worse.  I started Well fit in Oct, 2004.   My doctor sees me every 6 months now instead of every 4 months.   I know I'll have to take medication for diabetes and thyroid for the rest of my life, but I have been able to decrease all blood pressure medications to only 1/2 pill daily.  Even though I have had a set back recently with my medication adjustments which my doctor is working with me to get straightened out.  I still see a difference in the way my clothes are fitting, my energy level, my flexibility and my stamina.  As soon as I get an okay from my MD, I'm going to continue my exercise regime. Everyday, I thank God for the Sports Barn trainers helping me back to the road of healthy living. - Cindy Shipp

• Accolades to Adelaide! I just want to acknowledge not only the choreography of Adelaide McMillan who instructs a step class DT on Monday nights, but also to state her willingness to advise and assist after class or on the weight floor. I’ve truly enjoyed her step class. – Jeanne Harris