Genevieve Levans Before
This was my wedding picture. I was a size 32 and had to have the dress let out at the seams to fit my arms. I was around 320lb when this was taken. I continued to gain weight and easily topped the scales at 350; I was diagnosed with hypertension and diabetes. I was severely injured during the birth of my son. I know now my morbid obesity contributed to that. I developed pelvic floor dysfunction, sacroiliac dysfunction, and herniated discs in my back. After surgery on my lower back I could barely walk and had lost 80% of the strength in my left leg. I was left with a beautiful boy, but a severely injured body.
I entered physical therapy where I was told to lose weight to help myself. Because of my injuries I could only swim, or use an elliptical machine. I can still remember the first time I stepped foot on an elliptical. I thought the one minute on level one allotted by the physical therapist was going to be my last! Now I can breeze through 60 minutes on level 9-10. Through hard work with my first trainer, OA, and Weight Watchers I was able to take off a good portion of weight, and make it up to 30 minutes on the elliptical, but I had reached a roadblock with my weight loss and my lack of leg strength. I still had 25% less leg strength in my left leg, was unable to walk very far, and needed a “recovery” day from the elliptical. My first trainer left the area and I met Yori. I believe things happen for a reason, and this definitely happened for a good reason.
I explained where I was physically to Yori. Was I lighter and physically stronger, yes- was I where I needed to be- no. The doctors all told me I was as good as I was going to get. Yori and I proved them wrong. I swear it’s the damn leg lifts. When we started I could barely do 2 with my left leg, now we can do 20 much higher and controlled then before. In addition, I began to run. I could barely walk, but Yori explained I needed to “mix it up.” My body was used to the elliptical I was doing. He had me increase to level 6 then eventually to 10. We started with 5 sprints, now we do 15. I am also, for some crazy reason, training to run a 5K. I can run 10 minutes straight now and walk for 5 in between to reach the 3 mile goal. I hope to get it all to running by the time the 5k comes around. But if I can’t- it’ok. It’s all about progress, not perfection.
I weigh in the 230’s now, and wear a size 18 top and 20 bottoms. I am physically much stronger. My leg strength gained 1 plus on the physician scale. He had to do the test 5 times to me since he found it so hard to believe. I was able to walk around Quebec for Carnival this past February, and even go dog sledding- as the driver not the passenger. I skated through the woods and ran up the hills with the sled -a feat I never in a million years thought I could ever do. I just returned from the Bahamas and was able to go to the tanning bed before I left. Believe it or not, there is a weight limit for tanning beds. I could wear a normal seat belt on the plan, and had to tighten it!
I appreciate Yori for how he trains me. He is highly educated and a master in his field. He can understand the permanent injuries I carry, but can work with them. I love to tell Yori that “I’m dying” when we are training, but really, with his help, I’m living.
- Genevieve Levans
Now
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Angela Blackwell
I had been working out at the gym, or so I thought, for a number of years. As my 25th high school reunion approached I thought it would be a good time to have a personal trainer whip me into tip top shape. I had two months to get ready.
OH MY GOSH! Yori had me using muscles I never knew I had. I thought that I was already in decent shape and this endeavor would be relatively easy. Boy was I wrong. Some days I couldn’t even finish training because I thought I was near death (I wasn’t of course). Clearly this was going to take longer than the time I’d allotted.
Week after week I began to notice a change not only in my body but in my endurance as well. I had certainly never been able to run more than five minutes let alone for an hour. After a while it became less like work and more like fun. I began to look forward to training. It became the highlight of my day!
My reunion was two and a half years ago and now I am in the best shape of my life. It is evident that Yori loves his job and he’s very good at it. He is always the consummate professional. His expectations are very high and he always pushes me to give my best effort.
New Project : kirsten siegel (check Back June 1st as we unveil Kirsten's new Body)
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