• Join Now
  • Locations
Featured

Before & After Story: Kristen B.

By Barbara Baez @BarbaraMBaez · On July 22, 2013

Learn how our LR Stony Brook member Kristen B. lost 106 pounds and changed her life through healthy eating and fitness!

  1. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? (Where you’re from, your favorite hobbies,)

My name is Kristen, I am 29 years old, am from South Setauket, NY and I have been a special education teacher for 6 years.

Growing up, dance was a major part of my life. My mom couldn’t convince me to start dance until my younger sister was old enough to start, but once I did get the courage to take a class, I fell in love with it and danced competitively until college. Dance is still a big part of my life; I have been teaching 3-5 year olds for the past 10 years.

Another hobby is going to the gym. Lucille Roberts Stony Brook has some awesome classes, amazing instructors and trainers, and I spend a lot of my free time taking classes and working out.  I have made some very close friends through Lucille Roberts.  Thanks to the trainers, instructors, and staff at Lucille Roberts Stony Brook, I am proud to say I have lost 106lbs.

  1. What is the #1 reason you joined Lucille Roberts?

I have always struggled with my weight. I remember my mom tugging on my dance costumes and telling me to “suck it in.” When I stopped dancing, started getting very focused and dedicated on finishing my masters degree and being a new teacher, the weight came on fast. I spent many lonely nights working on papers or planning lessons and turned to food for comfort.

My mom joined Lucille Roberts in 2007 and, concerned about my health, convinced me to join as well. I liked that it was an all women’s gym. I didn’t have much self confidence and could not picture myself starting to workout in a co-ed gym. I also liked the affordable rates that Lucille Roberts offers. I joined and would come for a class or two every few days. I made sure never to miss a Zumba class, but I hardly took any of the other classes and I wasn’t following through with the nutritional components outside of the gym to make my membership worthwhile.

In April of 2011, I won a free personal training session. I was nervous and reluctant to redeem my session, but I did and that’s how I met Agnes. I immediately felt very comfortable with Agnes, and although she nearly killed me during that free session, I felt good afterwards. I contemplated signing up for more sessions, but I was hesitant. I didn’t think there was much hope for me. I half halfheartedly signed up for more personal training. After a few intense workouts with Agnes, I decided I needed to change my lifestyle outside of the gym to make these training sessions pay off. With Agnes’s motivation and guidance, I began to believe that I could make a change in my lifestyle.

Even though I joined Lucille Roberts in 2007, I consider the spring of 2011 as when I really joined. I began working with the trainers, utilizing the cardio machines, and I started taking advantage of all of the group classes. All of the instructors are awesome. Most of them know me by name and provide additional motivation and support, be it a smile in the mirror, a shout out during class, or a simple “Great job” at the end of class.

  1. What are some personal fitness goals you have and what are you doing to achieve them?

My life has changed thanks to Lucille Roberts. Fitness has become a major part of my life and I want to be able to pass on the life changing inspiration I received though Lucille Roberts to others.

I recently received my personal training certification through Interactive Fitness Trainers of America. I am looking forward to getting started as a personal trainer. It is my hope that I can help others become healthier, while instilling confidence and pride, just as Agnes did for me.

I also just completed in 4 week instructor training class and am registered for group instructor training certification at the end of August. At first I was very hesitant to pursue this goal because the old me was shy and lacked confidence. However, I have been given the opportunity by several instructors to “get my feet wet” and lead warm ups or short combos. Slowly but surely, I am beginning to feel more comfortable and confident. I am looking forward to getting my group certification and being able to motivate and inspire large groups.

One last goal is to run a half marathon. I am registered for the Diva Half Marathon in October.   Running was something I never imagined myself doing, however it has become a new challenge to tackle. I ran my first 5K in the spring and placed third in my age category. I have run several other races and am slowly working on increasing my endurance and stamina. I love a challenge and will not stop until I succeed.

  1. What things have contributed the most towards your weight loss?

Having the support of others is probably the biggest factor that contributed to my weight loss. Before I started working with Agnes, there was nothing to hold me accountable. I would go to the gym and take a class, but then go out to dinner with friends afterward. Once I started working with Agnes, I began to feel accountable. She always asked me what I ate during the day. At the beginning I would often lie to her. I always worked hard with her during the session, but I realized that if I didn’t start changing things outside the gym, Agnes would begin to wonder why my body wasn’t changing. Being a regular in classes also led me to get to know many of the class instructors. Their simple “Good Job”’s at the end of class meant the world to me and provided further motivation. I also made many friends at the gym and they provided additional inspiration. Once family and friends began to notice my success, their kind words provided even more motivation.

“Millions of people can believe in you, yet none of it matters if you don’t believe in yourself.”   My mom always told me that I could do anything I put my mind to. I believed this for things like being on the dean’s list at school, being successful in the dance studio, getting my teaching degree, landing my first teaching job, etc. However, I never believed it possible to lose weight.  Finally, once I saw the smallest amount of progress, I began to believe that I could do it. With each tiny success I experienced, my belief in myself grew. I finally began to fully believe I was in control of losing weight and becoming fit and it was full speed ahead from there. Once I believed, I began to achieve amazing things.

  1. What advice do you have for women who are trying to lose weight and meet their fitness goals?

Believe in yourself. Be willing to work hard. Be patient. Don’t give up. It will take time, you will experience set backs, but keep pushing forward. It will not be easy, but it will be worth it. Set small, realistic goals and celebrate reaching these goals. Don’t compare yourself with others.  Just try and be better than you used to be. Start the journey with a friend. Share your motivation, inspiration, frustrations, successes. Finally, keep believing!

Whether you’ve lost 10lbs or over 100lbs, we want to see your Before & After pictures!Find out how your before and after success story can be featured on our Facebook page by clicking here!: http://bit.ly/XMUfkT


(Visited 216 time, 1 visit today)
before afterbefore and afterbefore and after storyinspirationkristen b.Lose Weightmotivational mondayweight lossweight loss story
Share Tweet

Barbara Baez

is the Director of Digital Marketing at Lucille Roberts with a B.A. in Journalism and a love for social media. Barbara is a Long Island native, now living in Westchester, who loves strength training and a flexible dieting “IIFYM” approach to staying in shape. Vegetarian, nail polish junkie, and Instagram addict, Barbara loves being a part of the Lucille Roberts fitness family!

You Might Also Like

  • Featured

    Simple ways to improve your health in 2018

  • Featured

    Holiday Gift Guide 2017

  • Featured

    Here’s how you can feel better about yourself + do good for others.

  • Featured

    Simple ways to improve your health in 2018

  • Exercise

    Your Gym Routine is Ruining Your Fitness Progress.

  • Featured

    Holiday Gift Guide 2017

  • Featured

    Here’s how you can feel better about yourself + do good for others.

  • Featured

    Strength in Numbers – POWER OF PINK recap.

Our latest posts

  • Simple ways to improve your health in 2018

    January 3, 2018
  • Your Gym Routine is Ruining Your Fitness Progress.

    December 8, 2017
  • Holiday Gift Guide 2017

    December 7, 2017
  • Here’s how you can feel better about yourself + do good for others.

    November 10, 2017
  • Strength in Numbers – POWER OF PINK recap.

    October 31, 2017

Lifestyle

Beauty

FabFitFun Summer Box is the Definition of Sunshine in a Box + Giveaway!

A brightly colored pink box with smile induced emojis all around it. This is only the beginning of what to expect when you get your hands on the ...

On July 25, 2016 / By Alyssa Holder

Your Go-To Tips For an Amazing Prom Night

3 Home Remedies For Winter Skincare

More Posts

Beauty 911: Don’t Have Time To Remove Makeup Before Your Lunchtime Workout?

On June 2, 2015

Why You Should Be Taking an Epsom Salt Bath

On April 6, 2015

Beauty 911: Apply Too Much Bronzer?

On March 17, 2015

Beauty 911: Try This Alternative To Dry Shampoo!

On March 10, 2015

What To Wear Under Your Workout Gear

On February 19, 2015

Fitness

Exercise

Your Activewear for the Warmer & Brighter Months

Summer is basically here and it is about time to switch out your activewear to match the season. Unless you have no issues with exercising in the sweltering ...

On June 21, 2017 / By Alyssa Holder

Schwinn Shares; How to Switch Up Your Workouts

Schwinn® Shares How to Keep Your Fitness Routine Fresh for Every Season

More Posts

Meet Anaflore; Strong Mother, Gastric Sleeve Surgery Patient & Our Next Winner of Our One Year Personal Training Giveaway!

On April 13, 2017

Benefits of Using the Treadmill and Elliptical Machines

On April 5, 2017

3 Kickboxing Moves to Burn Belly Fat

On March 10, 2017

Buddy Up With These Body Weight Only Workouts – No Equipment Necessary!

On March 7, 2017

Everything You Need to Know About Insanity

On February 1, 2017
  • About Lucille Roberts
  • contact us

© 2018 Town Sports International. All rights reserved.