Success Story: Roderick Bryden

There are two main reasons why I decided to participate in this challenge. The first is that, as a person with Cerebral Palsy, I wanted to prove that it is possible to achieve an active, healthy lifestyle in spite of disability. The other is that with determination and the right guidance from a personal trainer, who has both the knowledge of and respect for you limitations, you can achieve your goals, no matter what they might be.

In order to attain my goal of returning to a healthier way of life, I needed both the skills and motivation a trainer provides. If it were not for the dedication of my trainer, Keegan Read, I would not have come close to the results I have achieved…especially with the added challenge my disability presented.

My lifestyle was one of little physical activity, particularly during the last five years as I have been acting as a care giver for my ailing father.

As everyone knows, proper nutrition is key to any healthy lifestyle. In the past, I would eat out up to 10 times per week, mainly eating high fat, high calorie meals. I have since decreased this frequency by over half, and when I do eat out, I'm making healthier choices thanks to the guidance I've received from my trainer.

When the club opened I started with the 20 Minute Fit Fix program and then moved on to a customized program in which I see my trainer for one hour, three times a week. We focus mainly on resistance training and rehabilitative work for the left side of my body.

When I began my journey of returning to a life of active, healthy living, I sought out the help of a Master level trainer. Not only his dedication to detail, but also his enthusiasm towards working to help me, caused me to have a high level of dedication and determination. His interest and know how in effectively working with my disability allowed me to move forward knowing I was on the right track… using proper form, keeping me honest and most importantly, making sure I understand exactly what we're working towards and why.

As they say, a picture says a thousand words and in my case, maybe two thousand. I am down over forty pounds and have gone from a size 38 pant waist to a 30. I have also had a huge drop in body fat percentage (from 37% to 16% and counting).

The left side of my body was greatly affected by my disability. The proper term is "spastic hemiplegia", or Cerebral Palsy where just one side of the body is affected.

The range of motion on my left side has increased by over 150% and I've experienced a strength increase of about 125% on my left side, the side of my body affected by my disability.

The main obstacle in achieving my goals was my Cerebral Palsy, which drastically limited my athletic abilities. This greatly reduced my chances of maintaining a proper body weight.

"With Keegan's help I have become confident, determined and motivated in all aspects of my life. I literally feel like a new man."

This in turn, caused my second obstacle, which was a sedentary lifestyle, causing me to become obese. However, with determination and the professional guidance of my trainer, I overcame these obstacles with mind blowing results.

One example is when I am doing my job. I work in a flower shop where my duties involve making deliveries. I used to require assistance in making some of my deliveries, but now most deliveries I can do on my own. As an example, at a wedding I worked recently, I was able to deliver two large silk plants without any assistance for the first time.

Becoming overweight, in addition to my disability, made participating in simple activities such as running almost impossible. Three weeks ago, with Keegan by my side, I ran for the first time in over five years.

In the past, as my weight increased, my self confidence went away and I became very withdrawn. This is no longer a problem. With Keegan's help I have become confident, determined and motivated in all aspects of my life. I literally feel like a new man.

The first and toughest step is to set reasonable goals in a reasonable time frame. You cannot expect to achieve your goal immediately (i.e. losing forty pounds in a month) it takes time and dedication.

Secondly, good healthy choices in your eating habits are key. Surely, you cannot expect to go from eating pizza four times a week to eating all salads, but with reasonable expectations you can achieve the end goal. One less pizza at a time.

Finally the most important choice you need to make is finding the right trainer. The knowledge, dedication, and ability to adapt a program with targeted goals and the recognition of a client's abilities are all so important to success. In my case, Keegan Read was the ideal choice and he was the key to my success.