Sharon Frazier, University

I had to have a knee replacement at age 41 because of osteoarthritis exacerbated by excess weight I was diabetic, had high blood pressure, high cholesterol and a myriad of other health problems due to excess weight. I have been on some type of fad diet for most of my adult life and frankly I was sick of dieting. At my highest weight I topped the scales at 360 lbs. I managed to lose 47 lbs inadvertently by cutting out fast foods so I realized that I didn’t have to diet but make some lifestyle changes. Soon that weight loss began to stop and I actually started creeping up again. I know I needed to exercise. But I was so intimidated by the gym because I had never really done any serious exercise other than Jazzercise in the 80’s. I didn’t know what kind of exercising I could do with my arthritis and other issues so I knew I needed a personal trainer to guide me.

As fate would have it I met Tamaja “Taye” Sealy one day and learned that he worked at Riviera. I loved his personality and his positive attitude I asked if he did personal training and he said yes! He listened to me talk about my fear of the gym and aversion to dieting and simply said, “We can handle that.” I reluctantly went in to the gym the next day fearful and not knowing what to expect. He gave me a tour of the gym and we did a brief workout. OUCH! Every muscle in my body ached but I actually enjoyed the workout and felt better the next day. I slept better than I had slept in a long time. The biggest high was that Taye guided me through exercises I never thought I could do and he assured me at every step that he was making sure I didn’t injure myself. So I kept coming back and signed up for personal training. I now eat healthy and workout 4 or 5 times a week and I love it. I have lost 95 lbs total and am feeling stronger every
day.

As I reflect back on that first day in the gym when I could barely do 10 minutes on the recumbent bike and Taye having to drag me from one apparatus to the next and where I am today, I myself am amazed. I am surrounded with family, co-workers and friends who are very supportive and encourage me all along this journey. I haven’t reached my goal weight yet so I am continuing the personal training. I am no longer diabetic and my blood pressure medicine has been reduced. I am excited about my next doctor’s appointment because I’m sure there will be more good news. No I’m not on a diet – I have changed my lifestyle. I think I look pretty fabulous for a 46 year old.