Member Success Stories

Biggest Loser Results

Not surprisingly, Round 2 of our Biggest Loser program was another tremendous success. Our first Biggest Loser Challenge helped participants lose more than 300 combined pounds. Our most recent event was just as productive, and we wanted to take a moment to highlight some of the success stories our members saw during the 10 week event.

• Kris McLean (left) lost an amazing 38 pounds and a remarkable 14.9% body fat.
• Michelle Archer (middle) shed 26 pounds during the Biggest Loser Challenge.
• Kortney Runyan (right) slimmed 14.4% body fat away.

Our Biggest Loser Challenge gives members and non-members alike access to small group personal training, monthly body measurements, nutrition guidance, and all the motivation they can take. Truly the results speak for themselves!

Michelle Jarmillo

Jared from Subway is usually the first person that comes to mind when thinking of weight loss, but one of our own members can not only match Jared's story but actually top it. AIMS student Michelle Jarmillo has lost 200 pounds in just 18 months through a combination of diet and exercise. Michelle says that family health issues like Type II Diabetes and heart disease are what initially caused her to attempt weight loss. At first, she started walking 30 minutes a day. Six months later Michelle was 100 pounds lighter and working even harder. After this initial weight loss, Michelle was hospitalized and discovered she had Celiac's Disease, cueing another complete lifestyle change. Her diet is now full of chicken and vegetables, which not only help her stay well, but also help with her weight loss journey. Michelle has also upped her gym time, with workouts now lasting anywhere from 2-4 hours. She is a die-hard fan of the revolving Stairmaster machine and couples that with running. After noticing that her regular cardio routine wasn't cutting it, she burst through her plateau by adding low weight, high repetition weight training and is now back on track. Michelle's transformation has not only changed her life, but has inspired her to change others' as well. She is studying dietetics at AIMS, aspiring to become a Personal Trainer one day. Michelle's story proves that while pills and fads can give a quick fix, the only solution to lasting results is the "old-fashioned" lifestyle change.

"The Lady Lumps"

We've all heard the saying "it's better together". Singer Jack Johnson even wrote a song about it. Several Work Out West members took that saying to heart and started their own weight loss challenge. After attempting weight loss and a healthy lifestyle on their own, 6 members- Shena Reynolds, Delaney Olivas, Kristin Miller, Jessica Mullins, Claudia Garcia, and Brenda Madrid- all got together to form the group they call "The Lady Lumps". Modeling themselves after "The Biggest Loser", they have weekly meetings consisting of weigh-ins, discussion, and even sampling new healthy recipes. "The Lady Lumps" officially started their challenge 2 months ago and have had amazing results: the combined total weight loss as of the beginning of April was 115 pounds!! You will find Shena, Delaney, Kristin, Jessica, Claudia, and Brenda at Work Out West as often as twice a day, usually with one another. They acknowledge that this competition isn't just about a quick weight loss, instead it's a "complete lifestyle change" according to Shena. The girls credit Work Out West's group fitness classes and instructors, naming specifically Mark from X-Works and Amy from Zumba, with giving them the encouragement and motivation to keep going. Delaney says, "I just have to take it one day at a time." With an end date of May 22nd, that is exactly what the girls will have to do; take their journey one day at a time and rely on encouragement from each other to push through. Their journey is inspiring and certainly seems to be "better together".

Kim Rios, member since April 2010

Changing habits can be tough, but also rewarding. Ask Kim Rios. Going from a lifestyle full of fast food and sedentary habits, Kim decided one day that enough was enough, and started on a journey that would drastically change her life and lifestyle. 45 pounds heavier than she is now, Kim initially attempted a weight loss program involving a super strict diet and little physical activity. After deciding that the program wasn't for her, she contacted a Max Muscle in the area and was given education on leading a healthy lifestyle. With an initial weight loss goal of 35 pounds, Kim completely stopped eating out, cut out all soda and sugary snacks, and joined Work Out West. In less than a year, 1 hour a day has turned into 2 hours, 5 days a week. Kim maintains her weight and lifestyle by staying dedicated to her workouts and making healthy dietary choices. On top of this exciting lifestyle change, Kim is also enrolled in the police academy but don't get the wrong idea, coffee and donuts won't be a regular for this police officer.