Month: September 2018

Today I want to introduce you to an incredible lady that works hard and brings it  every class and it shows.  Linda started attending Boot Camp the end of May and has made steady progress.  She and her friend Victoria hold each other accountable which is probably one of the most important parts of fitness and weight loss success.  This is Linda’s fitness story!

 

When did getting fit/losing weight become important to you?  

 

Getting fit and losing weight have always been important to me.  The majority of my family has weight problems so weight is something I’ve struggled with my whole life.

Have you made previous attempts?  

 

Tons!  You name the diet and I’ve been on it – at least once.  It wasn’t until having bariatric surgery in 2013 that I truly saw significant weight loss.  Maintaining that weight loss since then has been my focus. 

What was the difference this time?

 

While I had lost the pounds, I wanted to be in better physical shape and have more energy.

What was the thing that made you decide I’m going to do this?

 

My best friend talked me into it initially- but I really enjoy class and how the workout makes me feel.

How much total weight/inches have you lost?

 

 I’ve lost roughly an inch to an inch and a half in my arms, waist and hips.  Haven’t seen significant weight loss but muscle does weigh more than fat and I can tell I’m in better physical shape than I have been in years!

 

How many jean sizes are you down?  

 

2!  Yeah!

 

How much stronger are you now?

 

I am a lot stronger now and getting stronger each week!

 

How much more would you like to lose?  

 

I would like to lose 40 to 45 pounds.

What keeps you motivated when progress isn’t moving as fast as you would like?  

 

When I miss a class, I feel very sluggish – and I don’t like that feeling.  So that encourages me to keep at it.

How has your diet changed?  

 

I try and eat healthier by making better choices.  I don’t always – but I do the majority of the time.

What do you do when you really want something that’s off your diet?  

 

I cheat occasionally but get right back on target afterwards.

Do you have advice for anyone considering getting fit/losing weight?

 

It’s never too late to get started.  Take it one class, one day at a time.  Don’t do it for anyone else – do it for yourself because you deserve it!

 

I want to thank Linda for sharing her story with us.  I love that she shared that she has had bariatric surgery and that it takes work to keep the weight off.  In addition, she has focused on getting in better physical shape.  The single most important thing any of us can do for ourselves is get strong and stay strong.  The secret to maintaining a high quality of life at any age is being fit.  If you’re reading this I challenge you to get fit and/or stay fit.  The choice is yours!

Today I want to introduce you to a guy that’s a model of consistency.  When Shawn made the decision to start training he was all in and has not looked back.  Thus, he’s cut some weight and inches, but more important he’s gotten fit and is changing his health.  This is Shawn’s fitness story
When did getting fit/losing weight become important to you?

Started working out and trying to get healthier in 2017 to get my diabetes under control.
Have you made previous attempts?

I hadn’t really worried about my health previously.
What was the difference this time?

The way I felt and getting stronger made me want to do more. I haven’t worked out since high school.

How much total weight/inches have you lost?  How many jean sizes are you down?  How much stronger are you now?

I’m wearing a size 34 short without being uncomfortable. I was in a 36, tight. I feel better. I rest better.  I’ve quit drinking Diet Coke to try to progress in being healthy.

 
How has your diet changed?

I’ve quit drinking soda. I hardly eat fried food. My wife cooks my lunch quite a bit. Usually fish or chicken. She’s helped me be motivated in being better at eating. I have changed my snacking from chips and junk to nuts and granola or fruit.  We try to only eat healthy fats like olive oil and coconut oil. We eat mainly green vegetables and lean meats for dinner. I have been eating scrambled eggs every morning. There’s not much pasta or bread in my diet. Just on occasion.

What do you do when you really want something that’s off your diet?

If there is something I really want, I eat it. I try to eat in moderation but I don’t deny myself an occasional Pringle or Chinese food.

Do you have advice for anyone considering getting fit/losing weight?

Get up. Get motivated and feel better.

 

I want to thank Shawn for sharing his story.  Sometimes the hardest part of getting fit is making the decision to start.  This maybe you right now reading this.  Shawn’s wife Krystal forwarded this quote that’s so true, “If you want something you’ve never had, you have to do something you’ve never done.”  Are you ready to start?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today I want to introduce you to a dynamite lady that has totally changed her body and continues to make even more progress.  Kassie committed to changing her body and her health this summer and stepped up her game.  The results of her hard work are amazing.  This is Kassie’s fitness story!

When did getting fit/losing weight become important to you?

I turned 39 in February and I was overweight and extremely unhappy with my body. I knew that time was closing in on me and it was time to start getting serious about my health and weight. In February I began dieting and started attending ERF in April. 

Have you made previous attempts?
I can’t remember a time I wasn’t on some kind of diet.
What was the difference this time?
I was committed to changing my life for the long term not just doing a fad diet and then yoyo-ing and putting the weight back on. Plus, the fact I’m getting married in October and I didn’t like the way I saw myself in my wedding dress. It was supposed to be an exciting and happy time and I could hardly look at my own picture!

What was the thing that made you decide I’m going to do this?
I started ERF and would go 2-3 times a week after work. I decided to challenge myself for the summer and start attending the morning class at 5:20. I’ve leaned up, have strength and changed my body. I like what I see in the mirror and I don’t want to go back to the woman I couldn’t look at in her wedding dress.
How much total weight/inches have you lost?  

 

Last I measured in June, 39 inches overall.
How many jean sizes are you down?

 

3
 How much stronger are you now?

 

So much. I could hardly do a push up or go 30 seconds in a spar match.. I have endurance, stamina and look forward to challenging myself.
How much more would you like to lose?
Another 20 lbs
What keeps you motivated when progress isn’t moving as fast as you would like?

The knowledge that it’s up to me. The more effort I put in, the better my results. Going back is not an option. It’s okay to have setbacks and bad days but tomorrow is another day. Just get up and keep at it!
How has your diet changed?
I watch my sugar intake, limit my carbs and make a conscious effort to make good choices for my body.

 

What do you do when you really want something that’s off your diet?

I try to find a healthier alternative.. but if I really want something I don’t deny myself. I just keep it to a minimum and make sure I get up for that 5:20 workout!!
Do you have advice for anyone considering getting fit/losing weight?

 

You have to be ready to change your lifestyle and you have to be committed. If you commit nothing can stand in your way. Be patient and keep at it. Be kind to yourself! Come to Jeff’s class it takes the confusion out of working out. I HATE to exercise but this class has motivated me to wake up at 4:45am and show up for myself! Commit to your health and the life you want.

I want to thank Kassie for sharing her story!  It truly is all about commitment and patience.  Staying the course even when the scale isn’t moving is the kind of commitment that gets you results like Kassie.  It’s all about setting those daily goals and achieving those goals day in and day out.  You can do it, just commit.

 

 

When did getting fit/losing weight become important to you?

I put on about 30lbs over the last 10 years. During this period, I attended boot camps on and off. I was never truly consistent, especially with changing my diet. January of this year I set a goal like everyone does with the New Year. I was determined to change my eating habits. So I gave myself until June to meet my goal.

Have you made previous attempts?
I am an expert Boot Camper! lol I’ve done several different Boot Camps. I have loved the work but I never was committed to changing what I ate. I always felt like if I was working out I could eat what I wanted.
What was the difference this time?

I knew exercise alone wasn’t going to change much. Diet! Jeff always tells us that working out is 20% and its 80% what goes in your mouth. I hated hearing that! However, I knew changing what I was eating had to be changed.

What was the thing that made you decide I’m going to do this?

I wanted to feel better and look better. I also weighed more than I ever had. I couldn’t believe I had let it get so far out of control.

How much total weight/inches have you lost?  How many jean sizes are you down?  How much stronger are you now?

I’ve lost 21lbs. Inches. I am down two jean sizes. I remember when I first started Boot Camp doing a regular push-up was not happening. While I still think they are hard I can do 20 regular ones before I die. lol I have loved how much stronger I have become and now that I have lost weight I can actually see muscle.

How much more would you like to lose?

I’d like to lose 10 more but I try not to be a slave to the scale.

What keeps you motivated when progress isn’t moving as fast as you would like?

My clothes fit so much better and I feel stronger so I’ll try to just focus on that.

How has your diet changed?

My husband I started the Keto eating style in January. We eat 20 or less carbs a day. It’s amazing how much better I feel and how much energy I have.

What do you do when you really want something that’s off your diet?

I really don’t crave much off of my diet. We have adapted everything we like to be pretty low carb. If it’s just something I’m dying to eat I eat it with moderation. I didn’t allow myself to cheat until I reach my goal. I cheated here and there over the summer and was able to pretty much maintain what I have lost.

Do you have advice for anyone considering getting fit/losing weight?

Find what works for you. I’ve tried many diets, challenges etc. Keto works great for me! Exercise is great and important but at the end of the day it’s what you put in your mouth. Commit to eating better no matter what. The changes are motivation to keep going.

Today I want to introduce you to a tenacious lady that never quits.  I’ll never forget the first time Barbara walked into ERF, we were still located in the small store front.  She came in and went through the circuit and I didn’t see her again for almost a year.  When she came back the second time I could tell there was something different this time.  I could tell she was fully committed and all in.  Barbara has rarely missed a day since the second time she walked in my door.  I’ll never forget how she would struggle to get out of the floor after crunches and now she hops up like the champion she is.  This is Barbara’s fitness story!

When did getting fit/losing weight become important to you?

Getting fit and trying to lose weight began when I saw the scale telling me that I had to do something or I might not be able to do anything later.  My doctor had told me my A1C was up and that if I didn’t get my eating under control that diabetes would be the result.  He also recommended that I begin an exercise program to help lower my A1C.  I wasn’t really excited to hear the word exercise, but I knew I had to do something.  

Have you made previous attempts?

I have had a weight problem most of my life and have tried many diets to try to lose but I did not stick with it.  I also tried exercising and went to a program that had a rotation with machine workouts, but it closed about 6 months after I started.

What was the difference this time?

I tried ERF for a week when it first opened and barely made it through that week.  Then about a year ago I tried it again.  When I first started it was difficult but I knew I had to stick it out.  I had difficulty with some of the exercises especially the ones where I had to get down on the floor.  I always needed help getting up.

What was the thing that made you decide I’m going to do this?

The confidence I gained when I was able to get up by myself and the support and encouragement I received from Jeff and others at ERF assured me that I can do this.  Now I am able to go all of the rotations with ease.  There are some rotations I have to modify, but overall I can say I have improved tremendously.

How much total weight/inches have you lost?  How many jean sizes are you down?  How much stronger are you now?

I have not lost much weight since joining the program, but I have lost several inches and have become much stronger and healthier.  I am still working on getting my diet under control, but I know I that I would be worse off if I hadn’t gone back to ERF.

How much more would you like to lose?

I would like to lose about 40 pounds, but I know that will be a struggle because I have some health issues that make it more difficult for me to lose the weight.

What keeps you motivated when progress isn’t moving as fast as you would like?

All the people who come to ERF, along with Jeff and my family, are the motivation factors that keep me going.  The compliments from friends and family about how much better I look have also helped. My confidence and strength have sky rocketed too.

How has your diet changed?

I am currently seeing a dietician for help with my diet.  I am trying to eat less carbs and sugar and more protein, veggies, and fruit.  I am also trying to drink more water.

What do you do when you really want something that’s off your diet?

When I want something off my diet I say to myself, “do I really need this or can I eat something else that is healthy and still satisfy my cravings?”  Then I weigh the pros and a cons of eating something not healthy verses something that is healthy.  Most of the time I can convince myself that the healthy choice item is better for me but I have made the wrong choices at times.  Then I know I have to reset my mind and focus on what is better for me.

Do you have advice for anyone considering getting fit/losing weight?

My advice for anyone considering getting fit/losing weight is just start doing it.  Get your mind set on it and make sure you are doing this for you and not for someone else.  Start with a healthy meal plan that provides the protein and nutrients you need.  Don’t forget the getting fit part too.  I have always been told that exercise and healthy eating  go hand-in-hand when trying to get fit and lose weight, so don’t wait any longer because your life may depend on it!!

I want to thank Barbara for sharing her story.  I know someone reading this or someone you know can identify with Barbara’s story.  No one generally thinks about doing something for their health until it’s too late.  I’m very proud of Barbara for all the improvements she’s made and can’t wait to see how much more she improves.  One thing I know Barbara never quits.