Doug Hamilton

“I started working with Karla again in mid-December of last year. Since then, I’ve lost about 40 pounds, just under, through Karla’s guidance. We began with Zoom training, something new for me, which is convenient as I don’t have to leave the house or share equipment with anyone. .”

Hi, my name is Doug, and I’ve been working with Karla on and off for about 12 or 13 years. I am legally blind due to my diabetes, a condition I’ve had since I was about three years old. My vision has progressively worsened over the years, reaching a point of pretty low vision at this stage. Karla has been really good about working with me and helping me adapt to my vision limitations.

I have been diabetic since childhood, and the vision loss is a result of my diabetes. Around 2019, I underwent a kidney-pancreas transplant due to kidney damage caused by diabetes. Fortunately, the transplant has been successful, and I’m not diabetic at the moment. I understand that it might recur in the future, but for now, I’m taking advantage of my improved health.

I started working with Karla again in mid-December of last year. Since then, I’ve lost about 40 pounds, just under, through Karla’s guidance. We began with Zoom training, something new for me, which is convenient as I don’t have to leave the house or share equipment with anyone. I was around 210 pounds, and my main goal was weight loss and reducing body fat without losing too much muscle. The approach has worked well, incorporating drop sets, various balance exercises, squats, deadlifts, and focusing on a healthier diet by cutting out processed foods.

Currently, I’m down to about 170 pounds, and my cardio endurance has significantly improved. I push myself harder during workouts, progressing from five minutes of moderate-paced flat incline to 45 minutes to an hour on a steeper incline. I’ve also noticed improved stability, being able to do one-leg squats without needing external support. It’s rewarding to see positive results.

For anyone out there feeling discouraged or thinking they’re too out of shape or have physical limitations, I’d say there’s always something you can do to improve your condition, even if it’s just a little bit. Keep pushing yourself; there’s value in the effort.