Angie's Gym: Changing Bodies... and Minds

Angie, before and after!
Angie, before and after!

Angie's impact on the island is measurable in inches and pounds.

by guest writer Marcy Brenner

I was motivated to tell this story when I noticed many island residents were looking more and more fit – losing weight, shaping up, transforming themselves and absolutely glowing!

“What are you doing?”  I asked and they all said “Angie’s Gym!”

I sat with Angie Wisler Todd one cold winter day, who is amazingly fit and healthy (and happy), and asked her how all of this came about.

“I was with my little sister looking at pictures from a family reunion (2001) and I noticed I was a chunky gal. Not a little bit chunky; I was a big girl. It’s the first time I had ever really seen myself. I asked my sister, “Does that look like me?” and she said, “What are you talking about, it looks just like you!” 

“Wow,” I said, “I am fat!”

But that was not yet the turning point. 

“I wanted to do something about (my body) but I didn’t get it right. I did what everyone else does, getting whatever over-the-counter miracle weight loss product, frozen meals, fat free everything; thinking I can eat as much of this as I want and I won’t gain weight! I found the gimmicky stuff simply doesn’t work, there’s never a short cut.”

Susie, before and after!
Susie, before and after!

So there’s no magic pill or powder or program?

“I would never judge anybody, I chose the wrong option many times to lose weight, I know it’s a journey. The biggest problem is in the head. You can’t stop eating, so you have to learn how to create a relationship with food that works. The 21-day fix is the most brilliant program I have ever seen. It’s genius.”

The bottom line: “I try to eat as close to natural as possible and in moderation. I try to eat in proper portions and if I can’t control myself with a particular food, I don’t buy it. If I don’t have it I won’t eat it. Creating a healthy relationship to food is not just about losing weight. It was shocking to me the way I was eating and my misconceptions about what is healthy.”

Angie saw an infomercial about weight loss, noticing it specifically because it talked about it not being easy, that she’d have to make changes, and she gave it a try.

“I learned about Michi’s Ladder and only ate off the top two tiers. I did the workouts (Beach Body Programs) and lost a lot of weight, but working out was not what I liked to do. I would use any excuse to not work out but I kept doing it. But I got bored.”

“Then I landed on a program called Turbo Jam (2009). I was hesitant to order a ‘dancey’ program that required a lot of coordination but I did and I loved it. I didn’t know what I was doing but I was sweating and the hour was over and it was fun!” 

Kati, before and after!
Kati, before and after!

Turbo Jam is the at-home version of Turbo Kick which is what started everything for Angie here on Ocracoke. She ordered Turbo Jam Live and heard the instructor (Chalene Johnson) say “these are students, they are not my instructors,” and a lightbulb went off in Angie’s mind – “I could teach this!”

She went to the training and started a free class at the Community Center.  “I said to my husband [electrical contractor Andy Todd], 'If five people show up I’ll be happy.' Nine people showed up the first time! They were each already-fit women who knew more than I did but they liked it too. It was amazing. And it went on from there and just grew and grew.” 

As her class size increased she began looking for space, a common theme on Ocracoke Island. She thought, “Maybe I could buy a shed to work out in?” but that wasn’t going to work. She used the school gym, the fire hall, and even held classes on the beach. 

“From a shed to the building we have now is crazy!”

“If nothing else, I believe in the power of positive thinking. If you tell the Universe what you want, it’s going to deliver. I never once had a doubt. I wondered how we could make it work, but I just went on the belief that it’s going to be,” Angie describes with a broad smile.

It’s a great philosophy that has created a community of about 100 members at different levels; some are investing founder members of Angie's Gym, which opened in 2012. In the summer, the gym welcomes visitors as daily/weekly members.

Jason, before and after!
Jason, before and after!

“It’s working. I just want to pay my bills,” Angie says, “I don’t need to get rich.” 

Angie enjoys her work. “I love it and I love to see people change. And I have seen people change. Their bodies have changed but their minds have also changed. That’s the big thing," she said. 

Angie’s Gym is located at 141 Sand Dollar Road in Ocracoke. Members are provided with an entrance code which provides access to Angie's Gym from 5am – 11pm daily. 

The facility includes: strength machines and free weights and cardiovascular equipment, and classes in Yoga and Tai-Chi, Pi-Yo, Capoeira, Turbo Kick, Row-Mania, Hip Hop Hustle, and TRX Suspension Training. There's also wi-fi and a sauna and shower.

Check out www.angies-gym.com or call (252) 928-2496 for more information.

 

 

Comments powered by Disqus