Alicia Alexis

In December 2005 Alicia Alexis weighed in 250 lbs, but had a desire to lose weight and become healthier.  A coworker mentioned The Arena Club to her, and Alicia decided that it was finally time for her to join a fitness center that would help her reach her goals.

When Alicia joined The Arena Club in January 2006 she knew that in order to reach her fitness goals she would need the help of a personal trainer and a nutritionist.  It was at this time that Alicia heard about the “Change Your Weighs” program.  This sounded like exactly what she had been looking for – exercise, nutritional information, and support from others who had similar goals in mind.  Alicia immediately signed up for the program, and before long started noticing major changes. 

By May 2006, only five months later, Alicia had lost approximately 32lbs and 40 inches off her waist, and she was feeling great!  With the help of the Change Your Weighs staff, and the others in the group, Alicia was able to completely change her body and her lifestyle.  She has since learned to look at herself more holistically – in total mind, body and spirit.  Alicia finds that she has more self-confidence, more energy, less stress and anxiety, and a better outlook on life.  Losing weight has also reduced the risk of disease for Alicia including diabetes, cancer and heart diseases.

“Changing one’s lifestyle with the ultimate goal of weight loss MUST be done with the support of others,” Alicia says.  “We all need a helping hand at times.”

Sharon Marsh

In 1984 Sharon Marsh weighed 249 lbs.  Today she is down to a slim 122 lbs.  How did she do it?

 “It was really my desire to be the best that I could be,” Sharon says.  “I realized that the one thing I have control over in life is myself.” 

She remembers years ago a time when she was walking out of a 7-11 in Ocean City, Maryland.  Sharon stepped out of the convenience store in her bathing suit and a group of nearby men starting laughing at making fun of her.

“It was at that time that I decided that I wasn’t going to let this happen to me again,” Sharon explains. 

Sharon admits that the key to losing weight is to find out what motivates you, and strive for it.  Although it takes a lot of discipline and self control, Sharon believes that if you are really committed to losing weight, and you really have the desire, then you can make it happen.

Today Sharon enters the gym at 4 p.m., begins with 6 miles of cardio work on the cross-trainer, and then heads over to the strength training area, where she works on her abs, hamstrings, thighs, and arms.  Sharon focuses a lot on her arms since this is the area where she feels it is hardest to tone after losing so much weight. 

Sharon realizes the struggle that many women go through in their battle to stay slim, so she offers advice to anyone who needs motivation.

“Losing weight isn’t easy,” she says.  “I enjoy helping those who are going through the same things that I went through.”