Personal Training Success Stories

Before

After

Angela Enloe

January 2011

I was just told that my job was moving to New Jersey. I wasn’t going to leave the Northwest, so I became one of the many unemployed during a tough economic time. I had to make a decision about my health and this was forcing me to do that. I had gained 20+ lbs and really didn’t feel very good about myself. I had endured an unreasonable amount of stress at work, that was now gone and I wanted to do something for my body. Little did I know that joining the Raleigh Hills Fitness Together would change my life. I am a better person from head to toe.

I knew that I needed someone to set expectation for me, I was good at meeting those for others, but not my own. Being a very social person I was always looking for someone else to make me commit to exercise with them. I needed to learn how to do this on my own. I needed a trainer to teach me, coach me and show me I could commit to my goals and hold myself to them.

For most of my training Chris at FT was the person that pushed me and held me to a different level of commitment to myself. He is very knowledgeable with every aspect of getting healthy, workout, diet, commitment and desire to be better. I expect a lot out of myself and I can disappoint myself easily. It is more of a mental game that my mind plays with myself. If I verbally commit out loud to someone, I seem to do better. FT gave me that someone to commit to.

I dug in quickly and worked hard to achieve the goals that we set together. My workouts were the only thing that kept me going every day while unemployed. I got up, ate a good breakfast and went to FT. I did my cardio everyday and 3 days added weight training. FT kept me from being a depressed, fat, unhealthy person, while I was unemployed.

Not only did the trainers teach me what and how to do the exercise. They explained why it is good, what muscle it is working, and how that is different from another one we had done before. I’m learning and growing as a person.

This adventure had changed how I think about things, how I do my every day activities and how I perceive myself and others. It has also changed how others see me. As I found out when Tony, the owner, ran into my daughter and she started to share with him how she has seen me change, inside and out. That was worth all the time and money spent!!

Yes, I lost those 20 lbs, I still have more I want to loose. What I’ve gained is much greater value, my self worth. I am learning how to do this on my own, cutting back to two days a week at FT and still keeping up the same workouts, while enjoying a working girls pay check too.

I am blessed with all the wonderful people I met, the trainers; Tony, Chris, Ashley and all the wonderful people who also go to FT. They helped me keep focused and I hope I helped them.

A life time of Thanks

Before

After

Dana Burling

March 2010

I have always been within the “normal” range for weight (ok, maybe at times too much towards the higher side of the range) and perhaps that made me a bit complacent towards my fitness. In my 30’s I really started to pay attention to eating healthier but at the same time I also still had very bad habits. I ate at restaurants and fast food far too often which always negated what cardio, or yoga, or any “exercise” that I did. Now here in my 40’s I suppose a sense of urgency (maybe even a little panic) set in…. Honestly, I was not happy with my physique, didn’t like how clothes looked or fit, and I just really yearned to be in better shape: stronger, and more toned. Every night lying in bed I would have the exact same internal dialogue with myself…” I feel crappy; ugh I should have worked out today…ok tomorrow”. But it got to a point that I was tired of having that same conversation with myself and feeling the guilt that followed. My biggest problem… motivation. Even with a treadmill and dumbbells in my house, I found it hard to get off my butt! For months I had been holding onto a flyer I got in the mail from Fitness Together. It was on my “wish list” of things perhaps I might or should try someday. Finally I had enough and decided to take that darn flyer and go in for an evaluation. I met with Tony and my results of that evaluation showed that while I was still in the “normal” range of weight, I was 30% body fat! This was a monumental shock to me and a confirmation that I needed Tony. At this point I had found my motivation, but of even greater importance was I had what I REALLY needed-accountability… I now had scheduled appointments, Tony committing his time to me, and frankly I had made a significant financial commitment…. I couldn’t talk myself out of anything with those compelling reasons! My 3 day a week workouts are challenging yet invigorating. Tony has helped guide me and answer all my nutrition concerns so I am able to fuel up properly for my sessions, as well as after & beyond. My increased energy makes me WANT to do my cardio now which I do consistently on alternating days of my weight training. My favorite part….having Tony decide which exercises I do and with what amount of weight; no stress, I just focus on doing the task! His encouragement gets me through when I really think I can’t do those last few reps. Tony also gave me a food journal with a daily total calorie recommendation, which is a terrific tool. Because it places a measurable caloric value to everything I eat, it really makes me think twice and prioritize my food choices. I even had Tony review a restaurant menu for me to help me make a smart and healthy choice for a night out. The atmosphere at FT is always fun and friendly and I enjoy the camaraderie with fellow clients and look forward to seeing those familiar faces to commiserate with during workouts. I have had the pleasure to also train with Ashley and Chris, both whom are wonderful. I have trained with Tony for 3 months, and have loved EVERY minute of it! I have lost 7 pounds and 14% body fat, added 3% more lean muscle, lost a total of 6 inches from all my measurements, and have gained significantly noticeably more endurance, strength and energy. Coming to Fitness Together was EXACTLY what I needed!

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