In March of 2004 my grandfather died of lung cancer,
causing me to stop and take a look at my life. For 35 years I had ignored my health. I was young, extremely busy, I didn't have time to worry about my health -- I was fine. But in March 2004, I suddenly had reason to stop and take a hard look at my health.
What I saw concerned me. I was smoking a pack and half of cigarettes a day, experiencing frequent insomnia, high anxiety and such a high stress level that I didn't remember what it was like to be quiet and calm. I had no control over my body and my mind would not give me a moment's rest. I needed to start taking care of myself, but I had now idea how to start.
Something Different
I had joined a gym twice in the past, and in both cases never really used my membership. I had plenty of reasons: it was too crowded, I was too tired, I didn't know what to do, etc. If I was going to get serious about my health, I needed something different.
I started researching my options and I found ZÜM. I liked what they had to say on their web site, it seemed different, and I decided to check it out. If you've ever toured a health club you know it can be a little like buying a used car. But when I walked into ZÜM I experienced something completely different. The building is beautiful and serene, with high ceilings, calming colors, and an energy that is hard to define.
A Personal Approach
Noal gave me a tour of ZÜM and surprised me by not giving me a sales pitch. Instead, he explained ZÜM's services, introduced me to members and gave me a week to try the club. I couldn't believe how genuinely nice everyone was.
I decided to join and as part of my membership Noal provided me with a baseline analysis. He was able to explain why I had been experiencing certain pains in my body and what was going on structurally. In one hour it became obvious that he understood my body better than I did.
Noal became my trainer and designed a program to help me build a foundation, starting with the basics. My body was out of alignment and the movements I was prescribed were to strengthen and realign my body. I started a strength and conditioning workout consisting of a series of movements I had never experienced before, designed specifically for me. At first I felt awkward, but it seemed there was always someone around encouraging me, making sure that my posture was correct and explaining why. I was being taught body awareness.
Total Wellness
As I gained strength and confidence, I started taking classes, including Yoga, Cycling and HardCore. The ZÜM staff emphasizes that fitness is not just about the body it's about the body and the mind working together, and they emphasize total wellness. After discussing some health concerns with a staff member -- Carpal Tunnel, insomnia, stress level, and some seasonal allergies -- she suggested I meet with ZÜM's Naturopath Dr. Clara Barnett. Clara helped me to understand how certain foods affected the chemistry in my body, and introduced me to acupuncture which significantly decreased my pain. I began to feel refreshed, alive, and in control.
A New Day
Today I'm proud to say I've stopped smoking, I'm sleeping well and living the life I want to lead. I feel great. I'm stronger than I've ever been and more aware of my body and how to take care of it. ZÜM has literally changed my life. I workout a few days a week and change my program regularly to keep it interesting. I see and feel my body and mind changing for the better.
I can't say enough about my experience at ZÜM. The expertise of the staff paired with the genuine care provided is exceptional.
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