WEIGHT CONTROL

TRAINING HARD: Pictured above are LifeShape team members Angela Antoine, Cathy Friesela, Susan Allen, Gary Cramer, Chuck Fain, Jennifer Ting, Wendy Hartzel, Tina Bonnett and Christie Brandolini. Team members not pictured include Donna Muscari, Paul Austin, Martha Austin, Susan Hammond, Mark Fusco, MD, Tom Kelce, Jessica Kelce, Al Piontkowski, Kim Jones-Whitaker, Susan Doherty and Dee Bolin.

LifeShape Team Has Been Diligently Training Since Last August

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – LifeShape Advanced Bariatrics Center of Florida will sponsor a team of about 20 patients who will participate in the 38th running of the Space Coast Marathon and Half-Marathon, which will be presented by Running Zone and Space Coast Runners on Sunday, Nov. 29.

The team has been diligently training as a team since last August and is not only made up of patients who have a laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB), but also their friends, family members, trainers and LifeShape staff.

For most of the team, this will be their first half-marathon – but for all of the team members its an incredible achievement.

“I started running and walking for the needed exercise after my surgery but at the same time I wanted to show my daughter that this type of exercise could be done the rest of her life," said team member Sue Allen. "As a result, my daughter has found that she loves running as well.”

Since getting the band, Sue has lost 70 pounds. “My dream is that someday my daughter and I will be able to run together at the same speed, but for right now she is a lot faster than I am.”

Dr. Fusco Has Placed Over 600 LAGB's

LifeShape Advanced Bariatrics Center of Florida was founded in 2004 by Medical Director Dr. Mark Fusco. Since then, he has placed over 600 LAGB’s.

Dr. Fusco has also been training for the half-marathon himself and he looks forward to crossing the finish line with his patients.  "I believe that exercise is a very important factor to successful long term weight loss," said Dr. Fusco.

LifeShape has a personal trainer, Christie Brandolini, who works with each LAGB patient. Christie has been training patients who have an adjustable gastric band since 2007 and finds it very rewarding to see how far these patients have come.

Dr. Mark Fusco

“As a trainer, my goal is to form relationships with my clients based on trust, knowledge, and motivation," said Brandolini. "Once that is done we focus on setting realistic goals that are attainable in order to feel a sense of accomplishment.

“At first, a half-marathon was too large of a goal for some of our team. However, with encouragement, and proper guidance, we have grown into a solid team of individuals who have come together for a common goal.  That goal is not only completing the race, but to prove that when you put one foot in front of the other and start moving, you are one step closer to your goals.”

Finishing the Space Coast Half-Marathon is just a part of what Brandolini has taught the  LifeShape team members. Patient Gary Cramer, who has lost a 100 pounds, with help from the LAGB, before he started training for the half-marathon.

"I hit a wall in my weight loss journey, but after I started training three times a week with Christie I lost another 10 pounds – it got me back on my weight loss path,” said Cramer.

The LifeShape team plans to continue with this healthy initiative by being part of other upcoming 5K races, walks and marathons.

"After getting an adjustable gastric band it is important for the patient to have a regular exercise schedule," said Brandolini. "The band is only to be used as a tool to control hunger. The patient must exercise to obtain successful and permanent weight loss.”

Tina Bonnett, also a LifeShape patient and team member who is down a total of 110 pounds, said she's adding a regular exercise routine.

"It has given me strength, endurance – and so much self esteem," said Bonnett. "I have the energy now to do all the things I couldn’t do with the extra weight I was carrying. I now need to exercise for the rest of my life.”

MIMA To Open LifeShape Fitness Center For Patients With Adjustable Gastric Bands

Dr. Fusco says he is proud to be part of MIMA, the largest physician group in Brevard County. In the next few months LifeShape and MIMA are planning to open their own personal fitness studio which will be cater to patients with adjustable gastric bands, as well as patients who are on a physician supervised weight loss program at MIMA.

"This fitness center will provide patients with access to an experienced personal trainer and group fitness classes," said Dr. Fusco.

"LifeShape Advanced Bariatrics Center of Florida will be the first bariatric program in Brevard to offer a private fitness center to all their patients.  This expansion of services offered to LifeShape and MIMA patients will encourage more patients to strive towards their own personal fitness goals."

Completing the half marathon is just the beginning, and thus far has proven to be a very rewarding challenge to everyone involved.

“I am grateful to the dedicated LifeShape employees who have assisted in setting up this group to train and complete the half marathon," said Chuck Fain.

"With their encouragement I have been able to run-walk 13.33 miles in 3 hours and 15 minutes. I may be slow but at least I made it. This is a huge milestone for everyone involved."

Over 2,000 Runners Expected

Jeff Galloway

Jeff Galloway, “America’s coach,” will be the keynote speaker, and will also be on hand to present awards at the Space Coast Marathon and Half-Marathon. More than 2,000 runners are expected to compete in the event, which will benefit Team in Training (the Brevard Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society).

“The Half Marathon awards ceremony will start at 9:00 a.m., and the Marathon awards ceremony will start at 11:30 a.m. at the Riverfront Park Pavilion,” said Race Director Denise Piercy, and co-owner of running Zone.

“Mr. Galloway, our keynote speaker, and Mike McCulley, the former President and CEO of United Space Alliance will be part of the Sunday morning ceremonies,” she said.

McCulley flew on STS-34 in 1989 and has logged over 119 hours in space.

For more information about Running Zone log on to www.runningzone.com or contact Race Director Denise Piercy at Running Zone by calling 321-751-8890 or e-mail info@spacecoastmarathon.com.

Related posts:

1. LifeShape Fitness Center Grand Opening Jan. 15
2. LIFESHAPE Receives LAP-BAND Accreditation
3. LifeShape Features Medical, Surgical Weight Loss Programs
4. MIMA To OpenLifeshape Fitness Center in January
5. Space Coast Marathon Set For Nov. 29