When Katherine Harper was diagnosed with significant osteoporosis nearly ten years ago, she was determined not to let it define her. Doctors recommended medication and weight-bearing exercise, but finding the right solution proved to be a long and frustrating journey.
“I tried everything,” Katherine shares. “Pilates helped my overall health, but my doctor said it wouldn’t strengthen my bones. Neither did swimming, walking, biking, yoga, or aerobics. I even tried multiple medications, infusions, and daily injections for 18 months — with little improvement.”
On top of that, Katherine faced rejection from several personal trainers who were unwilling to work with someone diagnosed with osteoporosis. “It was discouraging,” she recalls.
That changed when she came to the YMCA of Central Kentucky. Pam Carey, healthy living director, paired Katherine with YMCA personal trainer Michelle Schlafer. From the beginning, Michelle developed a thoughtful plan of progressive, weight-bearing exercises designed specifically for Katherine’s needs.
“Each week, Michelle had a set of exercises for me, tracking my weights and gradually increasing them while targeting different muscle groups to stimulate bone growth,” Katherine explains.
The results have been life-changing. Katherine’s latest bone scan showed an improvement in her bone density, shifting from osteoporosis to osteopenia - a level that no longer requires treatment.
“Medication alone barely generated any bone growth,” Katherine says. “Adding the right exercises made all the difference.”
Katherine also credits the encouragement she received at the Y. “Thank you, Michelle! And kudos to my training partner, Vang Lear, who joined me in this battle.”
Her story is a powerful reminder that the right support system can transform challenges into victories. At the Y, we are committed to helping every member build strength, confidence, and a healthier future - one step, one rep, and one victory at a time.