success stories

Before

After

Sharon Lund

February 2010

I had been trying to lower my cholesterol levels for quite some time. I also had continued to gain some extra weight over the years which I was not happy with. My doctor wanted me to lower both through diet and exercise rather than with medication. I agreed with him, but didn’t know how to accomplish it. I always tried to watch my diet, walked, and lead a very busy and active life. However, my blood tests at each checkup showed my cholesterol levels climbing a few points. At my last doctor’s appointment at the end of July, 2009, the levels came down finally, but only a few points. I knew then that it was time for a new plan, or start taking medication. My weight was up to 146 pounds. I am 5 feet 4 inches tall.

With encouragement from my family, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and started working out 3 times a week at Fitness Together with personal trainer, Chris, and sometimes Ashley. The studio was very nicely decorated, neat, and clean. There was always a bottle of water waiting for me. I liked being able to catch a little television while warming up on the treadmill.  Tony and his trainers were so friendly and encouraging which gave me the confidence I needed. They knew what workout program was just right for me. I knew I needed “one on one” sessions, and a structural program to keep me on the “straight and narrow”. They knew just how far to push me to help accomplish my goals. That’s what I was interested in…good results!  Since I was going to work this hard exercising, I decided I was going to try and change some of my eating habits too. I ate mostly healthy foods, but ate too large of portions sometimes. I also loved sweets (still do). So I started keeping a food journal which helped me a lot. I didn’t care for the 45 minute drive each way to the studio, but it was worth it.

Just before we left in the middle of October for our winter home in AZ, I had another blood test taken (2 ½ months since I had started at FT). I received good news! My cholesterol level was in the normal range, 44 pts less, and my “bad” cholesterol decreased 33 pts! I also lost 16 pounds. I now weighed 130 pounds!   

I currently workout in our AZ home with weights, exercise ball, jump rope, etc with a workout program designed for me from FT. I also walk over 2 miles several times a week. I lost 5 more pounds before the holidays with a total of 21 pounds lost. I have maintained my current weight of 125 pounds. I am stronger now and much more flexible. I also now have very little lower back pain since I started my fitness program. Even better, I dropped from a size 10 to size 6 pants! I now wear a medium and occasionally a small in tops instead of a large. I recently bought a short suede leather jacket in a size small! Shopping has been fun!

When I return to Oregon this summer, I plan to take training sessions at FT again. I would recommend FT to everyone who would like to be healthy and feel good about themselves.

Before

After

BJ Cone

December 2009

Like many people, I “used to work out” regularly. I belonged to an athletic club and went to aerobics classes and worked out with weights and machines 4-5 times a week. I led a more active life in terms of recreational activity as well. I never thought much about my eating habits, but I was active enough (and I guess I was young enough) that it didn’t seem to matter. Eventually though, life intervened, my work schedule changed and it became more difficult to get to the club. I decided to buy a NordicTrack and some weights and work out at home. This worked for a few years, but over time, the frequency of my work outs began to fall off and I gradually began to put on weight. In recent years, I found myself weighing more than I ever in a million years would have thought I would. I had a lot of excuses---everything from not enough time to exercise to getting older. I was horrified at my appearance every time I passed my reflection in a mirror or a window, but seeing a photograph was the worst. There it is forever; you can’t suck it in or turn halfway to make yourself look thinner.

Finally, I had to admit that whatever I was doing just wasn’t working and I needed help. After receiving several of Tony’s postcards in the mail, I decided to give him a call and come in to see what the FT program was all about. After my initial evaluation, I decided to sign up and I have not regretted it for a second. I wanted to lose around 30lbs and I am within a few pounds of that goal in less than 6 months. I doubt I have weighed this little for at least 25 years or more. I have dropped from a size 12 to a 4 or 6 and had to throw out all my pants and a lot of my tops and buy new clothes. (Boo Hoo). I can’t believe how quickly the weight has fallen off. I am currently walking 45 minutes every morning, rain or shine. I come in to FT to do 30 minutes of cardio 5 days a week and train, usually with Chris, 3 days a week. Not only do I feel 1000% better about myself, I feel much better physically. I had been bothered by low back pain for years, but once I began working out regularly and strengthening my core muscles that pretty much vanished.

While I am consistent about keeping a food diary, I confess I don’t worry too much about what I eat as I know that I would do poorly with deprivation. I try to watch quantities and not overdo it, but I’m not compulsive. The mere fact that I have to write everything down makes me think twice about eating certain things and/or makes me decrease the quantity consumed.

The atmosphere at FT is so friendly and supportive while making sure that we get a good work out. Having a knowledgeable trainer creating a different work out each time and gradually increasing the difficulty is what makes it all work. The trainers always seem to know how hard to push, often beyond the point where I think I can do it, but somehow, I always survive! I am so happy I found FT as I know I would not be at this point without them.

After

Nancy Jubitz

August 2009

This week I went to my Internist for a routine physical and the usual little talks about eating well and exercising.  When I said I was working out with a personal trainer 3 days a week he became so excited!  He added that stretching was really important too and was overjoyed when I said I did everything – stretching, strength and cardio. He was so happy to hear that because he’d imagined it was only strength exercises. During the entire exam he kept telling me how much healthier I seemed and how it was the perfect thing for me to be doing, especially as I get older. The workouts would really help me avoid falls, help my heart, lungs and mental health.  Additionally, I’d lost 8 lbs. in the last year. Tony has taught me better eating habits, but I had not been “dieting”.  I have excellent cholesterol levels and blood pressure without medication, and I’m 62.  I’ve never seen my physician so happy!

Before

After

Julie McAdams

July 2009

I have always been on the thin side, and really took it for granted for most of my life.  I remember friends saying that it would all catch up to me, and me really not believing it.  Well, it did catch up to me eventually.   I got derailed from my workout plan several years ago and spent the next few years being basically sedentary.  I always knew I would get back into working out, and even though I was very unhappy at my appearance and level of energy and the size of clothing I was in, I put off getting into shape for way too long.  When I finally did get back into it, I joined a women’s only circuit gym and also took a few step classes at 24 Hour.  Since I had been totally inactive for a couple years, I figured the weight would just melt right off when I started exercising again.  That was definitely not the case!!  I put more and more effort into it, yet the scale would not budge at all!  I started getting scared that I was just going to be heavy for the rest of my life, and that my metabolism had hit a brick wall, and there was nothing I could do.  So, as a last ditch effort, I joined Weight Watchers and Fitness Together.  I figured I could use a little guidance in the eating department and also needed a fresh perspective on working out.  I started working out twice a week with Chris and was soooo happy with the workouts.  They were tough, but he knew exactly how far to push me each time.  Before I knew it the 45 minutes were done and I was out the door.  And that’s when the weight DID start melting off.  The first couple weeks I was losing 2 or 3 pounds each week, and feeling better and better about myself.  I looked forward to coming in and working out, which was a first!  I also liked the way I felt right after.  I had a great sense of accomplishment and could see that the effort I was putting in was giving me the results I was looking for!  And that just made me even more excited about working out regularly.  It only took a couple of months before I was down to my ideal weight.  I love all the compliments I’ve been receiving.  Tony and Chris are the best to work out with!

Before

After

June Taylor

July 2009

The below picture of me was taken on Mother's Day 2002. It took me another year before I would start on my weight lost journey. I was miserable and my knees and back hurt all the time.  I started going to weight watchers in May 2003 and stuck with it for a year. Just eating my points I lost  42 lbs the first year.   In June 2004 I decided to try Dr. Phil's ultimate weight loss solution, the YMCA had a weekly program that I attended for a year and lost another 30 lbs.   I still wasn't completely happy with my success so I decided to try not eating any white flour, white sugar, no products with sugar free ingredients added.  I just went to whole foods.  I started walking 15 minutes a day, yes that was all I started with.  Each week I added another 5 minutes until I was walking for 45 minutes on my lunch hour.  I had a friend who wanted to do a DVD weight lifting workout a couple of times a week. So I tried that and enjoyed it, but knew I was not getting enough of the weight training nor did I feel I was doing it right.  So I came into Fitness Together in late November of 2008.   I must say I didn't seriously start training with Ashley until mid January 2009,  I love my weight training and have seen what a difference it has made in my overall strength and endurance,  I could not imagine doing it on my own.  I have currently lost a total of 140 lbs and have dropped 16 sizes. I continue to eat only whole foods.  I eat protein (Chicken, Turkey, Beef, Eggs), and vegetables. I have fresh fruit a couple of times a day.  I eat cheese and almonds for snacks,  I always have a protein with a carb.   It has been a slow process, but I have changed my life.  I feel 10 years younger today than I did in this picture from 2002.   I can't wait to get to my goal and I know I will get there with the help from Fitness Together.

After

Barbara Radler

August 6, 2008

My name is Barbara Radler. I am 50 years old, I work full time, and I have a family. While I used to be fit, during the last ten years or so, exercise stopped being a regular part of my life. Other than an occasional walk with my neighbor, I was sedentary. In June, I traveled with my family to a wedding. We had only ten minutes between our flights. My husband and son had no problem running between two concourses at O'Hare to reach our connecting flight. I, on the other hand, had a very difficult time with the sprint. It made me ill. I realized it was time to get back in shape. What if I had to run for my life? I also knew that I needed help with disciplining myself to exercise regularly. So, I signed up with Fitness Together.
At first, I had to talk myself into going. After all, it was going to hurt! (Besides, relaxing with a glass of wine at home seemed much more appealing than sweating.) But I soon realized that, although the trainers encouraged me to work hard, they never made me do anything that hurt or pushed me too far. Yes, I was sore afterwards, but the soreness let me know that my muscles were working. I am now in my sixth week with Fitness Together. The results far exceed my expectations of six weeks ago. I am stronger, I have more endurance, my posture has improved, my body is getting toned, I sleep better, and I can actually see definition in my triceps! I wore a sleeveless dress for the first time in many years. I should add that my husband is very pleased with the results as well. I am truly excited about how many more improvements I will see six weeks from now.
The trainers are very kind, supportive, and knowledgeable. They take great care to make sure the exercises are done correctly, with good form. But the best thing about the trainers is that they have great senses of humor. I feel very comfortable at Fitness Together. It is wonderful working out in such a private, nurturing setting. My only regret is that I didn't start this a long time