‘It’s a (wellness) journey, so keep the faith even when you feel like giving up’ is the advice of Shevon and Tom Hickey, who discuss the challenges, and joys, of their fitness routine at Akua Ba Fitness in West Hartford.

By Tom Hickey

Tom Hickey tweeted this selfie after a workout at Akua Ba Fitness in West Hartford. Photo credit: Tom Hickey

Shevon and I had so many reasons over the past several months to give up on our exercise routine. While all of our challenges were health-related, we remained committed to our journey with Master Trainer D’Mario Sowah.

My issues affected only my right foot, so I was able to carry on with abbreviated waist-up-only workouts. It didn’t matter … I was still out there. The key is to communicate with your trainer so he or she knows what is happening medically with you and can adjust the plans.

I also learned it’s important to open up about medication you are on – and that you might be able to even reduce the dosage if you are rigorously working out on a regular basis as long as the communication with your prescribing physician is open as well.

I tweeted the above photo of me after a recent workout and had so many comments about it. Of course most were making fun of me but that’s okay. Some people said they weren’t used to seeing me look this way! The point is that D’Mario makes you work for your results and I’m feeling and seeing them already.

Don’t be shy about starting a program, don’t be nervous about the regimen, and maybe you’ll even tweet a workout photo of yourself. Everything is custom-made just for you, your body and your own individual goals.

D’Mario and I would like to invite ALL of our readers to contact Akua Ba today, mention this column and get two free initial consultations.  Trust me –  you’ll be happy you did.

Akua Ba Fitness can be reached at 860-967-0561 or customerservice@akuabafitness.com. They are located at 121 Talcott Rd., West Hartford, CT 06110

The new custom-designed facility is more than 10,000 square feet and boasts state-of-the-art equipment, locker rooms with showers, and the proprietary Area 51 Obstacle Course.

This column was originally published in West Hartford Magazine, Issue No. 4, 2015. Subscribe to West Hartford Magazine at www.we-ha.com/subscribe.