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Hermitage woman nationally recognized for her weight loss

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HERMITAGE, Pa. - You could call Anytime Fitness, Sandy Simmers' home away from home. For the last five years, she's made it a point to stop at the Hermitage gym to work out, dedication that even lasted throughout her pregnancy.

"My water broke on the treadmill here at the gym and that was amazing.  I was so elated in more than one way to know that I finished my goal by running that day because that was my ultimate goal was to run the day I gave birth," said Sandy Simmers of Hermitage.

A goal, that five years, many never dreamed possible, including Sandy, herself.  She was always heavier growing up.  At her heaviest, she weighted 235 pounds and was needing anti-depressants to help control her depression, a lifestyle, she and her doctors, knew would have to change if she wanted to get pregnant.   And so began her weight loss journey.

"She would come in and she would workout without a lot of intent in the beginning like a lot of people do," said Anytime Fitness owner John Hougelman of Hermitage. "We would nudge her and help her and encourage her and finally it all just hit her one day time and she just took off and you can see the results."

A life without anti-depressants, a body, now, 100 pounds lighter and a son, Miles, living proof that it's been worth going the distance.

"I wish I would have been able to get that kick in the pants so to speak before and that is what it took.  It took the seriousness of everything, but it also took somebody saying hey you need to step it up," said Simmers.

Anytime Fitness recently recognized Sandy in Florida for her efforts.  Her story of transformation was one of four chosen out of more than 2000 applicants.


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