My name is LaDonna Jones and I am a 38-year-old African American female. In December 2005 I went to see my physician for a routine check up. However this would turn out to be a life intervention. My doctor informed me that my test results were not favorable. In fact I was a borderline diabetic and my cholesterol was off the charts. He told me that if I did not make some changes quickly I would have to start taking medication to lower my cholesterol and regulate my blood sugar. I was 5’10 and I weighed over 368 pounds. That’s all I needed to hear and I knew the party was over.

So like most on New Years Eve of 2006 I made the New Years resolution that I would lose weight. Even as much as I knew I needed to lose weight I had no plan. Then one day a co-worker told me about this fitness bootcamp that guaranteed results. Now let’s think about this. I am 368lbs and fitness was not in my vocabulary. However I needed results fast. I knew crash dieting would not do it. Weight Watchers wasn’t gonna cut it. I need a challenge I needed to see a result. I needed to know I could do this. So I signed up. I started at RPM on January 24, 2006 @ 6:00pm. I will never forget this date as long as I live. The first person I encountered was Cynthia. Those that know and love her all know this can be a life changing experience. She observed me as I entered the studio. As soon as class started she said “LaDonna how serious are you?”, “do you really want to lose weight or are you just wasting my time”. Of course I could not believe this woman was calling me out like this. How dare she in front of the whole class? However you have to know me as well. I am a very strong willed spirit and she had to break me. I struggled through the first hour. I had never even heard of spinning prior to that night (and one whole hour non stop is enough to kill you). However I did not give up. I came back. Although it was a struggle I continued to get stronger and stronger each day.

Through diet and nutrition I made lifestyle changes that no diet can teach you. I have learned how to feed my body. Once you learn how to apply proper nutrition to your everyday lifestyle you’re half way home. The other half is exercise. Now we are talking real exercise and walking doesn’t count. You have to evaluate your cardio to a fat burning position; if not your just wasting your time. In bootcamp we do a one-hour spinning class and another 45min of cardio intense exercise which consist of Pilates, cardio-kick, BobyBarre™ or weight training. A big part of this is your will to do it and the mental and spiritual support both Karyn and Cynthia provide. The family atmosphere is indescribable. We all love each other here. When you enter the studio you no you’re not at average gym. We have real instructors that are here to help you meet your goals. One year and three months later I have lost over 120lbs and counting!!! I continue to participate in bootcamp 2 hours a day three days a week and I follow my nutrition and lifestyle changes.

I thank God for RPM…… I could have not done this with out them.

-LaDonna Jones