Cheryl Atwood-Robinson

When the first of the year rolled around, I was miserable-overweight, depressed, and a slave to fibromyalgia flares. I decided that I'd lived that way for far too long, and I knew that if I didn't make significant changes, I'd likely not live long enough to watch my precious Grand Girls grow up. Since dieting by itself had done little good, I decided to join a gym. I asked amongst friends for recommendations for a good facility, and found Everbody's. At first, it took an enormous effort for me to drag myself out into the cold to go to the gym for treadmill time or the occasional class. I was terribly self-conscious, and worried that overexertion would bring on yet another flare. Instead of the judgmental stares I was certain my flabby body would draw, I found generous encouragement from the Everbody's staff, instructors, and my fellow gym members. Instead of suffering from any increase in fibro flares, I actually had far fewer-and those I did have weren't as intense, or last as long. True, I developed an addiction-but it's to workouts!! Even on days when I didn't think I could manage simple things like housecleaning, my "addiction" meant that I'd push myself to class, or the treadmills. I quickly found myself actually having more energy than I've had for a couple of decades. I once had craved sweets and carbs-now I craved exercise, and the class schedule and machines at Everbody's made it simple for me to "get my fix". Toward the middle of January, I heard about the Biggest Losers program, and joined the "Over 55" team. Exercising with my team mates and team leaders was more fun than working out alone, and the Everbody's staff made it easy and exciting to stick with the program. To my amazement, I ended the program in second place! Since then, I've done a Biggest Loser season in Maintenance, again with wonderful leaders and team mates, and am now ready to tackle Corporate Challenge. I can't say enough nice things about Everbody's. I feel like a new person-and with the continued help and support of my gym "family", I'll continue to grow stronger and more self-confident. Life is too short not to be healthy and strong. - Cheryl Robinson-Atwood