With his workout and training program Dan Dunbar has lost 85 pounds so far, almost at his goal of losing 100 pounds. An impressive achievement to be sure but Dan’s story is even more impressive when one considers the obstacles he had to overcome to get there.
Just 14 months ago Dan started having intense pain in his left hip, the result of bone on bone, a condition that required surgery. But Dan weighed 320 pounds and his BMI needed to be lowered because it was at a level that prevented Dan’s doctor from preforming the procedure. Until Dan had the surgery he could not start a dedicated workout program to get in great shape.
That’s where we came in.
As the only facility in Pittsburg with a HydroWorx Pool, Dan joined Pinamonti Wellness Center and trained in our aquatic conditioning pool for 8 weeks. Aquatic workouts are amazing in that they allow one to work with essentially zero body weight due to buoyancy. As a result Dan reached a BMI level that allowed him to have the surgery.
After the surgery Dan visited our physical therapy clinic where it was back to the aquatic therapy pool for rehabilitation. Because of his work in the pool before surgery Dan was able to recover quickly. After he was discharged from physical therapy it was time to continue working out at our fitness center and reach his goal of losing 100 lbs.
Dan began working with personal trainer Sunni Stipp, our Director of Wellness and Personal Training who started training him with a program designed for hip replacement patients and eventually graduated into a customized training program that focused of building strength and maximizing weight loss.
“I owe Sunni the world,” Dan says. “She has been with me every step of the way. It has given my life back and I have her to thank for it.”
“Dan is committed to a lifestyle change,” says Sunni Stipp, his trainer. “He did his part at home with diet and his core training. Here at the fitness center he has personal training sessions with me and he also uses our Prescribe Program with the MyWellness app. With the app he can monitor his interval training on our cardio equipment as well as his strength training. We continuously restructure his program to avoid burnout. It’s quite helpful to staying committed to the program.”
When asked what his favorite exercise was Dan did not hesitate, “Upper body work,” he says proudly. “My workouts have not only helped me lose weight, it’s given me much more energy. I’m much more active and even my attitude has improved.” When asked what helps to keep him motivated he said, “All I have to do is look at a picture of myself before I started working out. I’ve got 15 pounds to go until I reach my goal and when I reach it I won’t stop working out. I’ve got a whole new way of living and I’m going to keep on going.”
Way to go Dan! You’re an inspiration to us all.
(Image above: Present day Dan in center next to his trainer Sunni Stipp. On the right is Dan just before he started his program.)
