Kathy Barkhurst

My journey begins in March of 2010. I was 22 years old and at 5’9 was hovering somewhere around 240lbs (although at my heaviest I believe I was more around 250… not that I was ever anywhere near a scale to actually know). I had been a member of Urban Active since the Polaris location opened in January 2009, I think I had maybe been in once, to get my picture taken. Weight had been an issue all of my life, I used to joke when looking at pictures of myself when I was 5 and wearing a two piece bathing suit, that that was the first and last time I ever wore one of those. By the age of 16 I weighed 202lbs. I went with my dad to Weight Watchers, because he was worried about me. I remember stepping on that scale and seeing that number and swearing to myself that I would NEVER be over 200lbs again. I lied.

Through Weight Watchers I lost around 30lbs and felt good. But I never really learned how to eat well, just how to eat like crap but stay within my points. It worked out in the short term but eventually I fell off the wagon. By the time I was graduated from high school I was absolutely back up around 200lbs at least, but I obviously wasn’t ever counting. I went to college and expected to gain weight, because everyone is supposed to gain the freshman 15, right? What about the freshman 30? This was something that I was totally unwilling to admit to myself. I would say things like, “I just have naturally big arms”, or “I’m big boned”. Really, I used to say I was ‘big boned’, and allowed myself to believe it. Exercise was never a part of my life either, I went to our college REC center once, and that was to go to a blood drive- not to give blood, but to eat the free pizza. Yes I am being serious. Sitting here now writing this that seems unfathomable, but that was me- and I was ok with it.

Throughout my late teens and early 20s my weight went up and down, I would lose a little, gain a lot, lose a little, etc. But I never voluntarily weighed myself or learned about how to properly fuel my body. I would go and work out, and get a Big Mac after. Because they cancel each other out, right? When I went to the doctor, I would ask them if I could stand backwards so I didn’t have to see my weight. Denial was so much easier then deciding to do anything about it.

Fast forward to March 14^th 2010, the day that I decided I was officially over it. I had many low points by this time. Amongst the many were barely being able to fit into the seats on an airplane- or roller coaster, struggling to take my laundry from the basement to my bedroom on the second floor and having to go to Lane Bryant, not because I liked their clothes but because I had no other choice. Don’t get me wrong, I am not judging anyone that likes to shop there, but for me personally it was NOT somewhere where I wanted to shop. I would go to Target or Old Navy before going into Lane Bryant, and actually take my clothes out of the Lane Bryant bag and put them into the Target bag, so no one would know I went there. I would sit in the fitting room, so embarrassed by my profile and who I had let myself become… and I would just repeat to myself, this is just the way you are. Except it. Except it. Except it.

I don’t smoke, I rarely drink, and I do not do drugs. My addiction of choice was food. I numbed myself with food. I was in a bad relationship, so I ate. I was unmotivated with school, so I ate. I didn’t like my job, so I ate. And eventually the things I cared about didn’t matter anymore and all I cared about was what I was going to eat next, and when I was going to get to sleep. All I was doing was self medicating and going through the motions of life. I was in no way living. But I thought, this is it, this is who you are, just live with it. It could be worse, it could always be worse. Looking back I don’t know if it could have been. It was a constant black cloud of embarrassment and shame. I was embarrassed of how I looked, and who I had become, so I ate. I would eat and then feel worse. I would feel worse and eat more. Around and around and around, it never stopped. I finally decided to get off the ride, quit the bull shit and excuses and take my life back.

I can vividly remember laying in my bed at night, not able to sleep (one because I was usually insanely full and two because I was so unhealthy I couldn’t sleep), thinking to myself that I just want to cut off all the fat on my body, I just want to wake up tomorrow and for it to be gone, I want it to just melt. Now reflecting on this, I’m glad that wasn’t really an option. If it just melted off I would have never learned the important lessons I needed to learn the hard way, amongst the many- the lesson that anything in life that’s good is worth working for, and if you aren’t willing to work for if then you haven’t earned it. Through this journey I have learned that there is no such thing as the word “deserve”. If everyone got what they deserved this world would be a completely different place. We EARN everything in life, whether its happiness or misery. I had rightfully earned my misery. It was time to earn back my happiness.

March 14^th 2010 I decided to go to the gym. I had done this many times where I was “going to eat better and exercise and in a month I should be toned”. Please. At this time I hadn’t weighed myself since high school and had no idea what I weighed. On March 15^th I went to the gym again, then on the 16^th and so on. I felt pretty good. I would do the elliptical, the machines, do some crunches. I thought I was really workin’. I wasn’t. BUT I was doing more then I had done in a long time and I KEPT GOING. The days turned into weeks turned into months, and by May I had lost 20lbs. I was happy. Then my bad relationship ended. I was sad. Fortunately for me, when I get sad- I get motivated. I decided to start weighing myself every Sunday, whether I wanted to or not, no excuses. On Sunday May 23^rd I had my first “Sunday weigh in”. 218lbs. Better then I expected, but not great. I said to myself, this is the last time you will EVER be at this number again. This time I told the truth. The next week, I lost 2 more lbs. I was getting somewhere. Then I went to my first spin class.

My parents made me go, and I was horrified. My old roommate was a spinner, and I imagined this cult of crazy bikers who would pummel you for a bike (which at Polaris is a pretty fair picture J). Hunny Adams was my first instructor. She set me up on my bike, and I remember thinking that I am going to die, this big fat girl in a room full of fit people, I am going to make a fool of myself. Well, I didn’t, and I made it through the entire ride. I couldn’t tell you what kind of ride we did that day or what hand positions we used, but I can remember the moment I was hooked. The last song of the ride was instrumental, some sort of orchestra song. As the music got more intense, so did we… pushing and pulling and getting there. My legs hurt, my arms hurt, I couldn’t breathe, but that music was pushing me forward. Then it stopped… we were done, and I had done it. I had never felt better about myself, and I had never felt more alive then I did at that moment. That was when I realized that I wanted to do this, all of the time. I realized what I had been missing out on while being unhealthy; I was missing out on LIVING. So I kept spinning. Doug’s class, Liz’s class, Angi’s class, Dennis’ class, Brittany’s… I could go on and on. Each instructor had their own way of teaching, all kicking my ass.

Then the weight just started falling off. It was like my body was saying to me, “thank god you’re finally doing that you always should have been! Now get this fat shit off me!” So I kept going, every day, every week, every month. Pilates, Spin, Urban Iron, Urban Warrior, Step, Zumba… Christa, Debbie, Kathleen… the list goes on and on. My addiction went from food to exercise. I learned how to eat clean and smart and to THINK about what I ate. Were there weeks I gained weight? Absolutely, but I knew exactly why… because I ate like shit that week. I realized there was no secret to this weight loss thing. It was simple math, put out more then you take in. Eat well, exercise, enjoy your life. It was so simple and sitting there in front of me all along. I just had to decide to stick with it and genuinely be sick of being sick. I learned no food would ever be as good as healthy feels. By November 2010 I had lost 70lbs, and was thinner then what I was at the age of 15. I still have more to lose- and feel like my journey is never over, but I know I can do anything I set my mind to and I will reach my goals.

The main reason for my success? The support I received from Group X and it’s instructors at Urban Active- Polaris. Always encouraging and engaging, never judgmental and always willing to help and to listen. I feel as though they are my angels, sent to me to help me save my life. They have impacted my life in so many ways, in every way—they are the ones who have shaped it into what it is today. They taught me how to be alive. How do you say thank you to someone that has figuratively, literally and physically saved your life? I didn’t know how I could ever repay them. Then, Angi Orders gave me the information on just how to do so.

After one of Angi’s 9:30 Wednesday spin classes (my favorite class), I was talking to her and told her a little bit of my story. She didn’t give me a choice—she said I HAD to get onto Spinning.com and become an instructor. That was the best advice I have ever received- and have ever taken. As of February 2012 I am a certified spinning instructor and as of April 2012 I teach 3 Urban Revolution classes at Urban Active. I teach on Sundays at 4- Polaris, Saturdays at 9:15- Dublin, and every other Tuesday at 5- Grandview. There is nothing in my life that has ever made me more personally satisfied then when I am up there leading the class. The people I have already gotten to know through teaching and the other stories like mine I have been able to hear from others the last 6 weeks have astounded me. There is so much positivity and inspiration surrounding Group X. If I can help one person change their life in a positive way through my Group X instructing then everything will have come full circle, and the inspiration will keep going. I will have paid back all of those instructors who have inspired me in full.

To say that Urban Active saved my life is an understatement. I could go on and on, words will never be able to express the gratitude and love I feel for that building, and all the Group X instructors in it. Not only did the Polaris location save my life—but taught me how to life it well. I will forever be grateful to those people who had helped me along the way, and continue to help me now. They taught me to just keep pushing- that I can and will get there. I can only hope to pass this message along.

 The moral of my story: Never give up, allow others to help you, try new things. Open your mind and connect to your body. Live your life to the best of your ability- it’s the only one you have, don’t waste it.

Just. Keep Going.

- Lauren E. Simon

Urban Revolution Instructor

Polaris, Dublin, Grandview

LaurenESimon87@gmail.com

The classes I take are:

1. Monday morning-Triple Fit with Alana

2. Tuesday morning-Urban Cycling with Lauren

3. Wednesday morning-Turbo Kick with Ingrid

4. Thursday morning-Zumba with Ingrid

5. Saturday morning-Calorie Crusher with Alana

The one Friday Cameron could not work with me, I took the Weight Lifting Class with Alana.

I love all of the classes, am never bored, have lost weight and inches.

I used to run 3 or 4 times a week, but could not loose weight. And then the weather doesn’t always cooperate.
Ilona Montesano

More than 6,000 Expected to Cycle in Gyms and at Home Nationwide During ‘World’s Largest Indoor Cycling Event’

VOORHEES, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–On Saturday, April 28, thousands of ‘HEROES’ will take to their bicycles during cycle classes across the country to participate in Wish Upon a Hero Foundation’s (www.wishuponaherofoundation.org) ‘Be a Hero 4.28.12’ nationwide cycling event.

“The ‘BE A HERO’ event has created Heroes Nationwide. Through the participation of our cycle sponsors there will be hundreds of wishes granted nationwide on event day.”
Beginning at 9am Eastern Time and continuing throughout the day, participating gyms in 32 states across America will offer cycle classes for the cause. Thousands of cyclists will pedal their way through the fundraiser; and three satellite locations — in East Hampton, NY; Philadelphia and Atlanta – will live stream cycle classes and live wish granting.

In Atlanta, ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ stars Phaedra Parks and Sheree Whitfield will be on hand to grant three wishes: help with chemotherapy treatments for a three-year-old with leukemia; provide sensory equipment for a three-year-old child with autism; and help a recent high school graduate with disabilities get ready for his first job.

Read More

By June of 2011 I was down to 125 lbs.

I have maintained my weight for ten months and am going to keep off those extra pounds. Group X classes have been a tremendous help (along with a plan of eating sensibly).

The thing I like about Group X fitness classes is that they are geared to get you into the major areas for good health: cardio (getting your heart pumping and burning calories), strength (for building strong healthy bodies for less pain overall), and yoga/pilates (for stretching which prevents injuries).

I had been taking advantage of the Group X workouts for years, but I only took one or two classes a week. Once I decided to take at least one a day, I was hooked. There is a class that you want to take at a convenient time of day every day. I am sure that is no accident. I don’t think you have to be a daily gymrat, but increasing my attendance really has helped take off the pounds and keep them off.

The instructors are excellent, well trained, talented and reliable. You get to know them and enjoy their style. From the sizzling Zumba! energy of Kim, Danelle, and Sherry; to the strength and enthusiasm of Becky’s and Juan’s weightlifting classes; to the serenity and awareness of Mary’s yoga classes I feel very lucky to have such a great lineup of individuals. They make me want to participate and perform even better every time.

Urban Active has become part of my life. I managed to take off 25 lbs of middle age spread and am keeping it off. My doctor is probably even more of a fan. “Keep up the good work!” was written on the bottom of my last yearly physical blood panel. Group X does get in your blood, and in a good way. The benefits are astounding.

Sincerely, Fabienne Christenson

At Urban Active I started taking group classes. Julie’s Urban Iron class was the miracle I was praying for! I started very slowly during the first class, being careful not to injure myself. Feeling more confident, I increased the weights during the second class, and that night I felt less pain and was not awakened during the night trying to find a comfortable position. The stretching and strengthening exercises really seem to relieve the painful muscles. Now I have taken five classes and each time experienced less pain and a lot more energy! I highly recommend this class for those with conditions like fibromyalgia.

-Carol Thorpe

(Yay to Julie Craft our team member at Urban’s Ballantyne location in Charlotte!)

REGISTER NOW: healthywage.com

(Lexington, KY) – Today, Urban Active Fitness Clubs announced a partnership with Healthywage, an online network which rewards members for improving their health, an opportunity to earn cash for losing weight and meeting personal health goals.

Bill Robinson of Urban Active says, “We’re excited about this partnership, we’re always looking for ways to provide additional offerings to our members through various programs and encourage people in our community to live a healthy, active lifestyle.”

During the “Matchup” teams of 5 will compete for the greatest percentage of weight lost over a 3-month period. Each participant pays a $60 registration fee and weighs in at the beginning and end of the contest at Urban Active locations. Participants will receive support online and will have weekly contests that offer them the opportunity to win additional prizes for losing weight. The rules discourage unhealthful tactics by limiting the 12-week weight loss to 16.7 percent of body weight and one-week losses to 1.5 percent.

Click To Read

“HealthyWage was designed based on well respected clinical evidence that shows incentives enhance the effectiveness of weight loss programs,” said David Roddenberry, co-founder of HealthyWage. “We are thrilled to partner with Urban Active to use health incentives to enhance their member’s weight loss success and to bring a weight loss challenge to the community.”

To learn more about Urban Active and HealthyWage challenge please visit www.healthywage.com/clients/urbanactive.

# # #
About HealthyWage:
HealthyWage uses incentives, social support, goal-setting, technology and personal health and wellness records to empower individuals to live a better life. HealthyWage helps people live the HealthyLife by keeping track of health in three categories: HealthyBody, HealthyMind and HealthyCare.

Date: Saturday, March 17, 2011
Time: 12 pm to 3pm (real snow scenes by 11 am)
Location: Corner of Peachtree and Oak Valley, across from Phipps Plaza, Outside of Urban Active Fitness Club, 3535 Peachtree Rd in Lenox Marketplace.

Tons of real green snow will be falling along Peachtree Road on Saint Patrick’s Day as an invitation for members and non-members to come into the club to take part in a series of free fitness challenges, and the chance to win hundreds in cash every hour, free membership giveaways, as well as to take advantage of the lowest ever month-to-month membership rate of $29.95.

Cash Giveaways Every Hour
Special Low $29.95 Month to Month New Member rate offered this day only
Free drink coupons for Latitude (across the street) for all participants
Live DJ direct from The Gold Room
Georgia Force Cheerleaders LIVE Performances

WARNING: SNOW BALL FIGHTS COULD BREAK OUT AT ANY MOMENT!

Outside of the club at the corner of Peachtree and Oak Valley, Real snow will be blowing courtesy of www.thesnowkings.com an Atlanta-based company that provides real snow for television and movie special effects, corporate and community events and private parties.

Participants in the “Go For the Green” challenge will also try their hand at the real snow ball toss, where participants can win for distance and aim with a snowball. It’s FREE to compete and have the chance to win CASH and FREE MEMBERSHIP prizes.

Although I am now an instructor, I too have my own group x success story.

I was once extremely overweight and didn’t ever want to come to the gym. To me, it was intimidating. For an overweight girl to attempt a class??? But 15 months after my second son was born I had a severe back injury. Little did I know at the time, but a lot of back injuries can be prevented from regular exercise and strong core. I was able to return to the gym 6 months later in moderation. And with a lot of hard work and physical therapy a year later I was back in full force. I joined Weight Watchers for the accountability to help me lose the weight I had gained with 2 pregnancies. I needed that (and still do).

A few months in I had lost a little over 20 lbs. and one night after Turbo Kick Allison Perry approached me and told me how good I was looking and asked how much I had lost. That was such a confidence booster!!! It pushed me to go even further.

And she’s not the only one. I remember the first triple fit class I took with Heidi…..and thought I was going to die. I looked at the clock half way through and thought “what was I thinking?” But I finished it and now it’s one of my favorite classes to take.

Stephanie makes everything fun with her bubbly self and sweet demeanor.

And Vanessa. There’s so much I could say about her. I love her classes. She is so motivating and encouraging, smiling and pushing me harder every time.

And because of their motivation and encouragement, and a lot of help from Melissa and Carey, I became an instructor. For the past year I have lived to teach Zumba fitness whenever I had the chance. My goal is not just to dance, but to inspire. For people of all fitness levels to know “You can do this, too”.

Because that’s what they did for me.

I’ve been working hard at getting back into shape with 80lbs lost and working on the next 10-15lbs. Finding Zumba and the energy that Elle emits in her class has lit a spark in me. I sincerely look forward to going all week long. Elle give it all she’s got when she’s in front of the class.
She finds way for the class to interact and be inspired. Plus work our butts off.

I know each of us have a journey in finding what works for us in fitness. I found connecting with Urban and the Zumba class is connection I needed to reach for the next level. I’m so thankful.

Hopefully the success will inspire. It has me talking. I’ve invited 6 friends to come to share my experience. Trying to share the word!… There’s (another) gym here in town that’s dirt cheap. But (they) don’t have the atmosphere or opportunities that Urban offers. My kids are also getting of the age of wanting to be in activities. So we’d like to explore gyms that have groups for kids… Found a purpose and don’t want to give it up!

Robin Whitehead, Member Northwest Omaha