Tiffany Blakemore realized a five-year dream when she opened Vitamin T Fitness in November at 6128 Broadway in Merrillville.

The road to her own fitness studio started five years ago when Blakemore weighed more than 300 pounds. Since then, she has lost 100 pounds and now shares with her clients her experiences in the pursuit of a more healthy lifestyle.

“The pity party was over,” Blakemore said in a press release. “It was up to me to save me from myself.”

The road to success wasn't easy. Eating healthy and exercising regularly were habits she had to form. But ultimately, she persevered and now teaches others the tenacity it takes to change a lifestyle.

“I kept questioning whether people would follow me since I wasn't the perfect ‘Hollywood' picture of fitness,” recalled Blakemore, whose fitness moniker is Vitamin T.

Her quiet, results-oriented method attracted clients to cardio, weight training and cycling classes in Chicago. But Blakemore wanted to bring her classes home to Northwest Indiana. She is a native of Gary.

“Sometimes I can't believe it's real when I unlock the doors, turn on the lights and see my name and likeness on the wall,” Blakemore said. “They are constant reminders that I am in this for the long haul, not just for me, but all who cross my path seeking help with their fitness goals.”

Her fitness facility includes cycling, bootcamp, weight training, trampoline cardio classes. She has plans to include sessions on meal planning and weight loss, and personal training, along with special events.

According to the Vitamin T website, Blakemore placed seventh in the 2021 national competition to become Ms. Health and Fitness.