I have never been more wrong. I was shocked that within a few short months I met my goal. I was amazed not only at how those last pounds flew off, but also at the shape of my body. I was more fit nine months after having a ten pound baby via c-section than I was before! With young kids, I have found the convenience of a trainer to be fantastic; you can do your workout on your time and target your key areas. It really was the most effective and efficient way to get into shape and contrary to what I thought, worked and was made for people just like me. That experience is what convinced me to seek out her help after each of my other pregnancies and the journey has been rewarding on many levels.

Sabrina really cares about her clients and she kept me on track inside and outside of the gym. We had such fun exchanging healthy recipes and challenging each other on finding ways to make our existing recipes healthier. The advantage of the trainer is you have a one stop shop for fitness, nutrition and your overall long term health.

Staying fit with three children all under the age of four is not easy, especially working up the energy to work with a trainer at the end of the day. On those days where I wasn’t feeling 100%, Sabrina made sure I gave 100% of what I had to give and made every work-out count. On the flip side she was always quick to remind me that I just had a baby and to be patient with myself, “9 months to get up, 9 months to get down” she would say. Everything was about moderation and balance. My workouts were as much mental as physical and through this process I have learned that by staying positive I can really do anything I set my mind to. When you’re pregnant and in those months after you have your baby, it can be difficult to keep a positive body image of yourself and people can sometimes say things, sometime unintentionally, that can seem unkind. Jokes about my growing belly or questions about my post-baby fitness plan left me feeling pressured and discouraged at times. I can honestly say that the support of my trainer, the group EX instructors and fellow GoodLife members during this time made all the difference to me and to my success. My body may not have been at its peak, but I was there working at it and that become the focus. “No judgments” the posters in the club say and I always felt that to be very true and am grateful for that.

Once my sessions were completed Sabrina helped me to work out a transition plan to maintain the results I achieved with her. Whether it’s a MYbootcamp, suggesting a routine of Group EX classes, or sending me new routines she’s found online, Sabrina’s made sure that in between our times together I stay on track. So much so that not only did I work out through each of my pregnancies, but with my last son I walked into the gym for class on the day he was being born. I can’t say that the workouts I did at the end of my pregnancies were the most intense, my GoodLife isn’t just for my body but for my mind too; keeping up the routine of working out while pregnant helped to keep me positive as my body changed and in fact helped make my delivers and recovery smoother. My motto has become, if I can do triceps dips at 9 months pregnant, I can power through anything!

Not only was the training amazing, but the GoodLife gym provided me with a larger support system of friends and other moms. I started bringing each child to JUMP at the minimum 6 weeks and they absolutely love it. JUMP has given my boys a place to play for an hour or so with new friends and helps make working out and staying on track as convenient as possible.

So after all of this, I wouldn’t really say that I bounced back after having a baby. I did see results, but it didn’t happen overnight, it didn’t happen by eating whatever I wanted and it didn’t happen sitting on the couch. It took a lot of hard work, a positive attitude and balance, but I did it. Getting back into shape was hard but fun work and knowing that I am on a path that will keep me healthy and happy for my family makes it all worth it.

Probably like most of us mothers out there, we always put everyone ahead of ourselves. After signing my son up for training, the GoodLife trainer asked about whether I had thought of personal training for myself. Right away I told him no, I wasn’t ready. I really can’t remember the next 10 minutes of the conversation I had with him except that here was a person who was willing to help me change my life for the better; “why not,” I thought and really, what did I have to lose?

And the rest is history – after a year and half, I have lost 120 pounds, I have gone from a size 24 to a size 8. My body fat has gone from 52% to 20% and my waist size went from 52 to 26 inches. But, it was by no means an easy journey; for neither me nor my trainer, Chris Hebert.

I blamed my weight gain on everything except for the only person responsible for it – me. I tried to convince myself that I was happy being overweight but I was just kidding myself.

I could only shop at “big” ladies stores and envied those that could shop at regular stores. I was sick of hearing “but you have such a pretty face.” Not only have I gone through a big physical change but an emotional one as well. It was time to take responsibility for my actions and realize that I had a choice to be happy.

Today, I realize that I could not have taken this journey without the help of my trainer, Chris. I started training 3 days a week, then 4 days, and then, within the year, I was up to 5 days a week. I even started running again which I did before I had my son, 18 years ago. Today, getting out of bed in the morning is painless compared to a year ago. I have had to make two changes in my lifestyle; my eating habits and exercise regime. Fast food used to be my friend – now my running shoes are! Chris told me that we face many obstacles in our life and in order to succeed, we have to find a way to get around them, over them or under – doesn’t matter how, but you can’t let them stop you. There were so many times I wanted to quit training but my trainer kept me motivated which allowed me to have the success I have today. I have learnt that every day, one must challenge oneself; otherwise you become comfortable and your life becomes too routine. Exercise is now a big part of my life and I can’t imagine my life without it. I feel better about myself and I have so much more energy than I used to. I am trying to rebuild my self confidence but realize that this will take some time.

Before Christmas, I had another check-up with my doctor and my blood pressure was normal and I now have a 0.5% chance of having a heart attack/stroke. Even the doctor had to rerun the tests again because he didn’t believe it. The last time I weighed 165 pounds was in my twenties, just before I got married. So this change has been a long time coming. I feel that I am a better role model for my son and hopefully an inspiration to my relatives and friends. Your life really has no boundaries when it comes to your happiness. My current goal is to lose another 10 pounds and I believe with the help of my trainer, that I will be able to accomplish this.

My transformation has not been an easy one, but for sure, a rewarding one. The first step is having the courage to walk through the doors of a GoodLife Fitness club and ask to speak with a personal trainer – I guarantee that it will be the best decision you will ever make!

I would eventually talk myself into joining a gym, but it would never last more than a month. I was unmotivated and very depressed about the weight I allowed myself to gain. I was diagnosed with high blood pressure and high cholesterol and had to go on medication. My energy level was at its lowest and my joints were constantly sore. I was also diagnosed with sleep apnea, which can be caused by excess weight. My eating habits were horrible. Every night my comfort food was a large bag of chips, pop and large bag of candy. I was an emotional eater to the fullest.

I had constant reminders of my weight gain from family members, which only made me eat more and feel angry and upset. I would just stay home and play video games and shut everyone out. I lost contact with all of my friends and would rarely go out to socialize. I felt very isolated, but safe staying at home and hiding in my baggy clothes.

In February of 2011 I had my yearly physical. The blood work came back and my doctor sat me down and explained that I was at high risk for diabetes if I didn’t do something about my weight. My doctor had been telling me for years to lose weight but was especially concerned that I may need insulin in the near future if I didn’t change my diet and exercise routine.

The doctor’s words did alarm me but it was not enough to motivate me to change my whole lifestyle. I was in denial! My best friend joined Goodlife and got a personal trainer. My friend achieved results immediately. She kept trying to get me to workout with her, but I was reluctant at first. She finally convinced me to join Goodlife, so I started working out on my own.

After seeing the results from her personal training and no major results on my own I decided to get a personal trainer. It’s been a year and I’ve never looked back. I believe it is the best decision I have ever made.

When I did my assessment with a Goodlife associate I was shocked to find out that I was 260 pounds! I also learned that 52% of my body composition was fat. My waist was a staggering 52 inches, my chest was 50 inches, my hips were 48 inches, my thighs were 30.5 inches, my calves were 17.5 inches, my arms were 14.5 inches and my BMI was 40. So at that moment I knew I had to commit to 3 sessions a week. My goal at that point was to lose weight and to increase my cardiovascular endurance. Since starting my weight loss journey I have dropped a total of 70.6 pounds, 12.9% body fat and brought my BMI down 10.6 points. In total I have lost 50 inches off my body, the most noticeable loss in inches was my chest and waist with 25.25 inches lost. I went from a size 24-26 pant size to a 14-16, and 3x-4x shirt to a woman’s large.

When I first started my training I was very self-conscious and doubted that I could make it through each one hour session. I thought “what the heck did I get myself into!” I was doing things that I never thought were possible, but with encouragement from my trainer I continued to gain strength and endurance. Every session I struggled with lunges, squats and push-ups but with my trainer, Sandy’s positive attitude and encouragement I was able to make it through. She had pushed me to my limits and beyond!

Having programs specifically designed for me was pivotal to my success. The weight started to come off and I was getting positive feedback from friends and family. I started to like how I looked and clothes shopping became fun again. I can now buy clothes in regular shops and not have to go to plus size stores. I am learning to love myself again and I enjoy going out with friends. I am no longer self-conscious of what I look like. I have reached out to old friends and enjoy going to social events.

Personal training has changed my life in so many ways such as: lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol and most of all I am no longer in danger of diabetes. I am completely off medication for blood pressure and no longer have heart burn or indigestion. One of the biggest changes is my energy level. I am always looking for something to do and no longer sit in front of the TV for hours on end. I now prepare fresh meals and count my calories. My carb intake is very low, but my vegetable and protein intakes have more than doubled. I am constantly drinking water and no longer drink pop although I do treat myself once a week.

I plan to continue to work out 5-6 days a week following the programs my trainer prepared for me during my journey to lose weight. I am going to push myself to complete my cardio work outs and maintain an active lifestyle. I will always try to make the right food choices and prepare a meal plan every week. One of my major goals is to become a personal trainer.

I would encourage anyone to try personal training to better their life. Through my journey I have witnessed all types of people participating in personal training. Whether it is someone from the aging population trying to increase flexibility and balance or someone who is average size trying to gain muscle and strength. Personal training will get you the results you desire in a professional and safe manner. Not only will you gain confidence, but you will gain a long lasting friendship and bond.

So it began. I slowly started working out. I would go to the gym on my own, at times without my friend. I found myself going to the gym six times a week. I went to various group classes provided by the gym, and slowly started feeling good about myself again. For the next couple of months, I surprised myself and managed to drop 31 pounds! I was so excited! I felt so inspired! For the first time, I really felt that I could do this!

Sadly however, I pulled my shoulder. I was in some serious pain and could no longer workout as actively as I wanted to. I went from 209 pounds, to 225 pounds. Disaster! In a short period of time I had regained 16 pounds! I had worked so hard and despite the fact that I started working out again, the weight was no longer coming off. I was devastated! I felt like I was wasting my time. What was the point of working out so hard when the moment I stopped I would just put the weight back on?

Again, I brought my concerns to my friend. One day while walking on the treadmill she said, “What about doing training?” She scouted the gym and gestured to a lady currently training a client. Skipping ahead to the following week, I booked a consultation with the trainer we had seen; her name was Wendy.

During the consultation, Wendy asked: “What’s stopping you? The cost? The time?” She explained the different options and plans that GoodLife offered around Personal Training. I believe it took me about a week to make up my mind. I could do this. It was time!

Now this is the part of the story when most people would expect a montage of workouts to have taken place and boom, I was fit. This was not the case. I had set a goal to lose a total of 60 pounds and I wanted to feel good about myself again on the inside and out. For the following 7 months, I felt that I was testing the limits of my mind, body and soul. In the beginning, I’m sure Wendy would tell you I often talked of escaping those workouts, and on several occasions I tried to!

Wendy continually encouraged me 3 times a week for one-hour sessions; I complained, I begged, and pleaded. Let’s just say that I was also testing Wendy’s mind body and soul! The change came about when Wendy gently asked, “I get that this is hard, but just how badly do you want this?” This was my awakening moment, because at this time I can tell you that never in my life have I wanted something so badly. Throughout those months Wendy continued to motivate, inspire and push me to meet my goals. She never let me get discouraged and she always had a positive outlook on how I could keep myself on track. With her support and guidance, I continued to hit my monthly goals, getting closer and closer to my final goal. Down went my weight and up went my confidence. I was eating better; I was losing weight and most importantly, building muscle, something that I had not done before. I felt that I could do anything.

Fast forward to my final weigh-in and my last training session. I had done it!!!! I was officially living the GoodLife. For the past couple of months people in my family, at work and other members from the gym continued to compliment me on my success, but it wasn’t just about losing the weight. I finally felt better, I wanted to go out and I had the energy to do so. I was constantly surprising myself and I didn’t just have solutions, I had taken on a whole new lifestyle. I have dropped a total of 63 pounds! That is the average weight of a nine year old child. Imagine carrying a nine year old child around on your back! On top of the weight loss, I had lost over 44 inches, which is almost the length of a meter stick!

Now the point of me sharing my story has to do with the lessons and tools that I have learned and used throughout my journey. Not only did I set out to lose a certain amount of weight, I learned and accomplished one of my most difficult goals. I know I have the skills to set further goals for myself and I don’t think, I KNOW that I now possess the tools and knowledge to safely maintain a healthier lifestyle.

Then my yoyo relationship with the scale began. A busy summer would see my weight go down 30 pounds, only to go back up 20 in September. A five-pound decrease after the holidays led to a ten-pound gain immediately afterwards. After a few frustrating years of fighting with the numbers and my defeated self-esteem, I realized that my weight wasn’t something I could play around with any longer, and that my health needed to be a priority before I found myself with problems that wouldn’t be easy to fix.

Then I met Ashley at GoodLife Fitness, and immediately began training with her. After my first session I realized that all those hours I had logged at different gyms, trying to make a change, were greatly misguided. What I thought constituted a valiant effort and a tough workout was nothing of the sort, and every training session with her that I left drenched in sweat made me realize just how serious a journey weight-loss is.

For the first time in my life I felt like I was making a positive change, and was gaining control over my body. Ashley was helping me not only to build muscle and cardio endurance, but, just as importantly, my knowledge. I learned how to balance my workouts, how to challenge myself every time I walked into the gym, and how to fuel my daily life with good food choices and tips to improve my nutrition. It really has been a change not just to my body, but for my mind and spirit as well.

Now, I proudly fit into a size 2, and have seen the scale go down 70 pounds, not only meeting but also exceeding my goal weight. Numbers aside, I went from being the girl who hated running and couldn’t complete a 15-minute run challenge in junior high school, to a fitness newcomer with the goal of running 5km just last year, to a confident woman who loves a challenge and has just completed a half-marathon (with my first FULL marathon coming up in less than a month). I pride myself on the knowledge I’ve gained from my personal training experience, never hesitating to share with others or to take steps to learn even more. Health and fitness has become more than a hobby or routine for me, it’s my passion. I love my new lifestyle, and the thrill of reaching my goals and setting newer, higher ones as I better myself with every trip to the gym.

Reflecting on my experience over the past 6 weeks invokes deep feelings of gratitude. Not only gratitude to my exceptional coaches, but to the other members of the team that shared this session with me.

The thought of joining bootcamp was overwhelming to me at first. I had been attending group classes for a few months but didn’t feel competent enough to participate in anything beyond that. The doubts I had were quickly overcome by words of encouragement by many of the Goodlife employees.

In particular, an instructor of one of my classes extended positive re-enforcement when I mentioned I may be interested in getting involved. Her comments were just what I needed to assure me that I could do it!!

My daughter and I decided to participate together and in retrospect, this has been one of the best decisions we have made. Each week, with the excellent instruction of Michelle and Kim, we were challenged to push towards our full potential and encouraged to give it our best.

I must say, the team work between Michelle and Kim is priceless! They complement one another in every way. Their enthusiasm and evident sincerity to our success, was the key to unlocking my full potential. There’s great significance in having competent leaders, and I am so thankful that we had the best!!

Physically I feel much stronger and more prepared to continue on towards complete physical well being. I would recommend MyBootcamp to everyone, regardless of their fitness level.

I extend a special thank you to the other members of our team. Your positive attitude and continued enthusiasm each week was just what I needed to press forward!!

To Michelle and Kim, a simple “thank you” doesn’t begin to express my deep appreciation for your excellent instruction. Your professionalism, balanced with genuine concern for each one of us, will remain an integral part of my experience.

Thank you for the opportunity to participate and I look forward to continuing on towards my goals with the support of your facility and staff.

Faye St. Pierre

Now, I attend the gym 4-5 days a week and have never missed a training session. For the one or two sessions I had to cancel, my trainer made sure to re-schedule a make-up session that week. I have more energy and drive than ever before. Going to the gym has become part of my everyday lifestyle. I love it. Even on bad days, when I don’t feel like going to the gym, I find myself absently pulling into the parking lot. I am currently on my third year of personal training.

The main reason for entering the “Success Story Challenge” is that I’ve noticed major changes in my diet, fitness, energy level, body and my lifestyle in general. Not to mention confidence. That’s a lot of changes in a short amount of time and all those accomplishments achieved with one activity. I felt that I needed to share this with others so they can experience and enjoy this transformation as well.

The most compelling reason for beginning with a Personal Trainer is that it is so easy to make excuses to NOT go to the gym. When you have someone waiting and depending on you, the first step towards your goals – getting to the gym – is much easier.

My initial goals were to change my lifestyle (eating habits, activities, energy, confidence), get into better shape and just DO something. Before going to the gym regularly, my lifestyle was eating poorly and sitting in front of the television for 8-10 hours a day. I was content with my daily routine, just doing nothing and going through the paces. Now the days just fly by. I’m always looking for something to do. Playing hockey or soccer, or just going outside. The TV is just background noise while doing things around the house. I eat 5-6 small balanced meals a day, consisting of healthy carbohydrates, proteins and fats. I set new goals for myself all the time and my trainer is always challenging me. Now that I have a routine down, I train between 4-6 days a week. Most of the time, I’m at the gym 5 times a week, Monday to Friday.

The barriers and obstacles that I encountered were change. I don’t like change. Change the way you eat, what you eat, when you eat. Change your routine, change the way you think, learn how to exercise properly (proper technique, activating the right muscles). With help from my trainer, I am overcoming those obstacles a little more every day. Change can be good, after all!

If I could inspire others, the advice I would give them would be to mean it. If you want to change, it’s a lot easier to accomplish that goal than if you’re just trying a fad. It’s a lifestyle change, not a new year’s resolution that you drop in February. If you really want to make a change, a personal trainer is perfect motivation to achieve that goal effectively.

To maintain my accomplishments, I plan on continuing on with my trainer and enjoying the gym and being active. We have been keeping track of my success throughout my training. Here are my results:

• Body fat has decreased from 21.4% to 10.6%
• At my heaviest, I was 195 pounds; now I’m 170 pounds
• My resting heart went from 97bpm to 62bpm
• Blood pressure went from 144/92 to 125/65
• My pant size has dropped from 36 inch waist to 32 inch waist

Most importantly, my lifestyle has done a 360. I am a changed man, thank you Goodlife!

We lived in a small town in Northern Ontario at that time and life went on raising our daughters. Then at thirteen years old, my youngest child was diagnosed with cancer. This started our regular seven hour drives to The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. We spent many hours on the road and coffee and take-out became my normal routine. This is when I started to see my weight really become a problem. During this time my doctor put me on blood pressure medication. In order to reduce stress, my husband’s company moved us to Southern Ontario so we would have easy access to Sick Kids. She was eventually declared cancer free but frequent checkups were a must.

With family life happily on its way, we moved forward and it was eventually time to pack the girls up and send them off to university. I started working longer hours to help offset the cost of university, never questioning the medication I was taking even when the doctor found he had to increase it. It was hereditary right? The girls graduated and I got to the point where joint pain, fatigue, and dizziness got the better of me. I found myself getting so tired I couldn’t even form my thoughts. Thinking if I just rested for a while and took some time off I would be better, so I stopped working. My mom had passed away a few years earlier suffering a massive stroke and I decided I had to do something. The game plan became to join GoodLife and see if my husband and I could lose a few pounds. We took the introduction sessions and that was a great help. Feeling encouraged I decided to talk to trainer Giraldo. I was surprised that he said we could work on lowering my blood pressure, as now it had been about fifteen years since I began taking medication.

The first sessions were tough as before joining the gym I couldn’t even weed my garden without feeling dizzy. I was also shocked that my weight had increased to 205 lbs. At first the elliptical machine made me feel like my heart was coming through my ribs and that was definitely scary, but with a great deal of positive encouragement I kept trying. I started talking with my trainer about nutrition and gearing my diet towards food that would help water retention and iron levels (as I had always had trouble with anemia as well). Also I switched pop and coffee for water. This has now become easy for me to do in my day to day life. My battle with a love of candy will always be a challenge.

My personal trainer also kept an eye on my blood pressure, as did my doctor, and as my weight started to come down so did my blood pressure. This meant that my doctor could decrease my medication instead of increase it. One month before my 50th birthday, I had lost 55 pounds and reduced my body fat from 43% to 18%. I have lost a total of 33 inches including seven inches from my waist, six inches from my hips and six inches from my chest. This all made signing up for my second six month session an easy decision as I really started to notice that my posture was improving and the pain I suffered in my neck and hips were no longer there (these problems were job related and again something I thought I would just have to live with). After losing my weight I also enjoyed shopping for new clothing, one dress in particular…the dress I would wear to my daughter’s wedding! I went from a size sixteen to size eight.

I am now on a maintenance program with my personal trainer and he has encouraged me to ask the “whys” regarding my heath. My continued heart specialist testing/monitoring has proven that with all my hard work I now have a super strong heart and do not require any medication. With everything I have learned, I can tell future family generations about the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle and the importance of regular exercise. I want to thank my personal trainer for sharing his knowledge, ideas, patience, and motivation and to the staff at GoodLife for all the encouragement and smiles.

Before

In the words of Cartman from South Park, I wasn’t fat, I was big boned!! Who was I kidding! At 5’4” I was definitely on the large side, weighing in at 215 pounds back in 2009 and wearing size 22 clothes! I was also having health problems – acid reflux, sciatica and back pain caused by my weight. I got out of breath walking up the slightest incline and needed to stop for breath at the top of a flight of stairs!

I have always tried to look my best; taking care in my personal presentation – I styled my hair, put on make up and wore clothes that didn’t emphasize my size so all in all I didn’t think I looked too bad. That all changed in 2009 when my ex-husband and I separated. I remember it vividly – it was Easter weekend and he dropped “the bombshell” (we’ll call it that because that’s what it was) on me that he was leaving and then went! I sat at home that weekend all alone (friends had already made plans for the weekend) and feeling exceptionally sorry for myself. My once outgoing, gregarious self, took a nosedive and my self-esteem hit rock bottom.

But let me rewind a little bit first: I was a fit and active teenager and played field hockey for college. However, as an adult I have always struggled with my weight. I yo-yo dieted, dropped a size or two, felt good and therefore more comfortable so let the diet lapse each time moving once more into larger size clothes – I think I had a wardrobe going from size 12 to size 18, even in my 20’s, so whenever I put weight back on, I just moved further down the rack to the larger sizes in my closet!

Over the years, I have had memberships at different gyms always doing the bare minimum as a reason to justify that I was “working out.” But after moving to Canada in 2003, I became so pre-occupied with trying to settle into my new country and adapt to a new culture that again, any inclination to exercise flew out the window and my weight started to creep up.

My only exercise at that time was walking around the grocery store or along the trail behind my house (a flat one, I would avoid the one with the hills!) with my dogs.

After “the bombshell” in 2009 and having an extremely limited social circle, I decided to join a gym. Like so many of us that start off with gusto, I would do a little bit of exercise there and then spend more time in the sauna and hot tub than the actual gym. I switched to a different location (same gym) to work out with a girlfriend of mine but that didn’t work either, neither did a workout buddy who was a gym ‘pro’ and had been working out for years. By the time January 2012 rolled around, I knew I needed a different approach.

Cue Jeremie Duchesne, a personal trainer at GoodLife. Even at our first meeting, I knew we were going to get along. He sat down with me, explained how personal training worked and we discussed what goals I wanted to achieve – like lose weight and get healthier. I knew that with his guidance and support I could work towards achieving my fitness goals. Jeremie and I sat down and devised a plan of action and have been working together 3 times a week since February 2012.

In that time, Jeremie has been my motivator, coach and advisor. I have been keeping a Food Log which I hand in on a weekly basis, and which has made me accountable for what I have been eating. It has given me great insight into the wrong kind of foods that I was putting into my system on a regular basis and as an excuse for making me ‘feeling good.’ At times in the initial stages of working towards my goals, I have gone to sessions and not wanted to work out; Jeremie has sometimes had to cajole me to get through a workout. However, at the end of each session I leave the gym feeling much better and way more energetic than when I arrived, thanks to his positive attitude and love of the job. He has also completely re-educated me into how I think and feel about food and sends me helpful hints via e-mail and encouraging text messages to help me stay on track.

When I started at GoodLife, I had an aversion to cardio and would rather use the static weight machines, relying on the resistance from them rather than building my own strength. Now, I prefer to use the free weights and recently achieved some of my short term goals – I can now do 30 push-ups on the floor (I started on a Smith machine which had been only lowered slightly from my height!), run for 5 minutes on the treadmill and completed 150 floors on the Stair Master – small goals to some, huge milestones for me, and ones I am extremely proud of. I also participate in Zumba, BodyStep and CX Works classes.

After

Since last February, I have lost 45 pounds and am still losing approximately 1-2 pounds a week. I have gained 20 pounds of muscle, lost approximately 10 inches, and have a total fat mass of 50 pounds – all in 6 ½ months!! I am now wearing size 12 clothes (more importantly, I no longer shop for clothes in the plus size section of stores). For the first time in years, I went out and bought a bikini and wore it on a public beach! The clothes in my closet don’t have a range of sizes like before and never again will it look like a clothing store with a range from 12 – 22!! I am thrilled when I bump into friends I haven’t seen in a while who tell me the change is obvious and that I look fantastic. I love the positive feedback. I no longer get out of breath doing 50 jumping jacks, have accomplished way more physically than I ever thought possible and have way more energy than I have had in years.

My posture is better, I’m mentally more alert and absolutely love the feeling of accomplishment after a really good workout. Now, instead of sitting in front of the TV and munching on junk food, you will find me at GoodLife at least 4 times a week! I am loving it!!

I took part in the CN Tower stair climb, setting myself a goal to get to the top of the 1,774 steps in 45 minutes or under. I smashed that time – I did it in 26 minutes and 16 seconds!!!!!!!!!! Woohoo – 12 months ago, I would never have even considered it and now I’m planning my next challenge – maybe another stair climb to reduce my time or something else – who knows because now I have options!

My Good Life is ….. noticing the change – and still going!

before

I decided that, after several attempts at a tread mill and certain repetitions of abdominal crunches, I was not getting anywhere in improved muscle tone nor in state of mind. I weighed 210 pounds, always felt sluggish and inadequate, my heart rate was within the 150 over 90 range and the doctor prescribed Micardus, my cholesterol was within the 5.8 range and Crestor was prescribed. In my wisdom, I made a decision which changed my life drastically – I decided to join GoodLife Fitness and asked for a personal trainer.

My trainer, Luis Mendez, had outstanding qualification in nutrition and wellness. He always kept in mind my goals to lose twenty pounds, to build strength and create a toned, muscular physique for this 64-year-old body. For three days a week for seven months, he provided me with a program that rendered great results. He first worked on my core in order to build strength in my abdomen. He focused on my posture, which was very poor after a lifetime of desk work and lack of self-awareness. He also focused on my ailing shoulder that was surgically repaired over 20 years ago. At the same time, he monitored my cardiovascular conditioning by making sure I partook in RPM classes and individual sessions on the treadmill. He monitored my flexibility by working consistently on stretching after our weight training routines and enrolling me in once a week yoga classes. He also provided me with a regime for good eating habits, making sure that I was taking in enough protein for muscle development and watching my sugar and carbohydrate intakes. He also pointed out that five small, healthy meals/snacks were more beneficial than dieting or eating one heavy meal in the evening.

The end result of this program is a happier and healthier me – looking really good, I have to say! I have reduced my weight by 23 pounds weighing in recently at 188.2 pounds. I now have an athlete’s body fat count. My waist size has gone from a 38 to a 34, and my abdomen has flattened to the point where I am not afraid to wear slim-fitted T-shirts. My blood pressure and my cholesterol are at the normal levels and so the medication has been put on a shelf. My posture has improved so much so that I no longer have shoulder pains. I can now extend my arms backwards to a range of motion that I could never do before.

after

My goal was to feel good and “show off” at my nephew’s wedding in Los Cabos, Mexico and I can tell you that I did. I got positive comments from friends and interesting stares from people I did not even know. But, beside this subtle, narcissistic pleasure, I now feel absolutely rejuvenated. I work in the yard after work instead of lying on the couch with a beer; I get out to GoodLife on my own more in addition to my training sessions; I have time for evening committees; I visit my elderly parents all the time and help out more often with my children who are out-of-town; I embrace my wife more often and take her out on dates.

My story is hopefully an inspiration to people my age who feel anxiety by their senior state in life. I am here to tell them that these years are indeed golden once good health is in place and energy is restored. It starts with a decision to set a goal for yourself and ‘just do it.’ My advice: sign up with a personal trainer because, as in my example, a trainer knows how to develop your strength, assist you in reaching your goal and motivate you all the way. After seven months in the program, I decided to renew with Luis and now, after establishing a sounder core with flexibility, he is moving me to greater strengths by adding more weights to my weightlifting in incremental stages. I can’t believe that in my mid-60’s, I can lift and push more weight than I have ever been able to do before. This just goes to show the importance of a trainer’s knowledge in building strength and power appropriately without causing physical harm.

So, I have developed a motto, and for all who will see me as an example, particularly those in their senior years: Get with the program!

In elementary school and high school I wasn’t allowed to take gym class due to my asthma and because of this I really felt like I was missing out. I had a ton of energy too! Why? Because one of the medications I was on had caffeine in it that equated to 10 cups of coffee. This didn’t negate the fact that in high school, I was 30 pounds overweight; every time I tried to workout I would have an asthma attack.

During University, I slowly started an exercise program with the advice of my doctor who said that believe it or not, the best cure for exercise induced asthma, is exercise itself! It slowly started to work; the more fit I got, the better my asthma got. Eventually I was able to get off some of the medication I was taking.

I started working at GoodLife 15 years ago as a Membership Consultant, then an Assistant General Manager, General Manager, New Club Openings, and many other roles. My best GoodLife accomplishment was when I became certified in BODYATTACK™ and BODYPUMP™ and started teaching regularly. I have been able to reduce my intake of medication dramatically since then and am able to teach these high intensity cardio classes. I am enjoying life so much more and am 20 pounds lighter than I was in high school!

It’s amazing what regular exercise has done for my life. It’s also amazing how our company is in the business of changing lives for the better through exercise – thank you to all of you who make this possible every day.

Alana Free, Vice President of People and Culture at GoodLife Fitness

Before

I felt 15 again; I was trapped in my body. I hated how I looked and felt and it seemed as though I would never be able to change it, no matter what I did. The person in my head wanted to live an active and adventurous life that my body simply wasn’t capable of. I began training with Carol in October of 2011, and the ways that my life has changed since then are absolutely incredible.

Every day I notice how much stronger I’ve become; how much easier tasks are that I didn’t even realize were difficult before. The pain in the knee I fractured is almost completely gone, the back pain I experience is gone, my immune system is much stronger, and my seasonal allergies are less intense. My thoughts are clearer, I have more energy – I feel like a completely new person.

I have lost nearly 20 pounds with my trainer already – I have seen this weight on a scale before but I have never looked this way in the mirror! My arms and legs are more toned, my posture is greatly improved, my skin and hair look and feel healthier, and my body is tighter to its hourglass shape. I feel as though I am in the best physical, mental and emotional condition of my life and I only intend to continue down this path.

I go to the gym 3-5 days a week, meeting with my personal trainer at least three times. Carol always has new challenging workouts for me and pushes me to do things I had no idea I was capable of! She has taught me how to care for my body both in and outside of the gym – helping me find the best ways to care for its special needs and give it everything it requires to be strong.

After

Socrates wrote “It is a shame for a woman to grow old without ever seeing the strength and beauty of which her body is capable.” The strength and beauty I am discovering myself to be capable of are reasons enough to maintain this lifestyle forever. Setting small goals motivates me to continue down this path, but the true motivators are the little moments that I experience along the way – sharing clothes with friends, getting piggy-back rides, climbing trees, and especially no longer wearing out the inseams in all of my pants! I went from wearing a size 20 to a size 10; my confidence is at an all time high. The future I saw for myself at my highest weight and the future I see for myself now are so incredibly different. My personal trainer pushed me through the hardest parts of my weight loss and was my cheering section when I had no motivation; my investment in personal training changed my life for the better. I can honestly say for the first time that I look as good as I feel… or even that I feel as good as I look!

Before

I had been going to the gym on and off my whole adult life so I thought I knew how to work out. I started out in a Foundation phase, training three days a week. In the Foundation phase Nate taught me basic movements and helped ensure I was using good form. Nate was always encouraging and always took time to explain why we were doing the movement and what its benefits were. I began seeing a change in my mind and body within the first two weeks. I had more energy, my skin looked better and I was losing inches.

In the Build phase Nate taught me how to build strong legs and a solid core. Having Nate push me each week as he increased the weights was definitely a benefit. Without him I am sure I would have lifted the same weight for the entire phase. Instead I was able to build several pounds of muscle and start dropping my body fat.

Once I finished the Build phase I was ready for my first Burn phase. At first I thought a lot of the workouts were impossible, but having Nate challenge me to push myself made me realize that I could actually achieve my goals. Nate taught me working out could be fun. I thrive on competition and challenge so it was definitely a great motivation for me.

So many times people would approach me during or after the workouts and tell me what a great job I was doing and how great I was starting to look. Having this positive feedback definitely kept me motivated. I have never felt better about my abilities or my body. I have so much more energy now, I feel revitalized, like a whole new person.

Nate provided the motivation to achieve my goals. Having him there also provided a structured plan and made me accountable for my results. Nate taught me how to work out on my own by improving my knowledge of the equipment and movements and by teaching me that it can be enjoyable.

I have started running and completed the Johnny Miles 10k and the Sole Sisters 5k. I have also completed my first cross-fit training session. My lifestyle has completely changed. Now I love being active and I am not afraid to try new activities. I now look for outdoor activities in my town.

If you try this, I can guarantee that you will love it. Stick with it and you will see results. I recently joined back on with Nate, still going 3 times a week!! Without this training I am certain I would not have stuck with the gym for this long. I want to share my story so others like me can get the confidence to make a change in their life.

Amanda’s Accomplishments

Completed 5k Sole Sisters Run
Completed Johnny Miles 10k run
Lost 28 pounds
Lost 10% body fat
Gained back so much self confidence
Went from a size 16 pants to an 8/10
Went from an XL shirt to a S/M
Lost 25.5 inches in total
I feel comfortable in my own body

Before

I started my journey to lose weight almost 2 years ago. My husband had left me and I knew that as a single mom I had to be healthy to be around for my kids and to set a good example for them. Also, seeing close family struggle with weight and health issues made me want to change before things got worse.

I work out at the Goodlife in Niagara Falls. I try to go to the gym 5 to 6 days a week; I usually do weights in the morning and classes in the evening. My favourite class is Zumba! It has become a passion of mine and I don’t miss a class no matter what’s going on. In fact, I love Zumba so much, I have plans to become an instructor shortly. My own instructor has become a great friend of mine and is the one who suggested I become an instructor and has encouraged me every step of the way. Her name is Carmen Allen and everyone at the gym would agree that we would be lost without her!

I also really enjoy YogaFit and Pilates and also the BODYCOMBAT class which is very empowering. I also have tried BODYSTEP, BODYPUMP and BODYVIVE. In general I love the gym and it has become a huge part of my life. I also quit smoking when I started working out and that has enabled me to push myself further with my goals.

After

Almost everyone has been supportive, although I have lost a few friends along the way due to jealousy and just because my life has changed so much and I have different priorities now. My family has been great though and when I am feeling down they pick me back up and remind me why I started in the first place.

I’ve come a long way considering walking up a flight of stairs used to be hard for me. It has changed my life and I’ve met some great people on the way. The gym is now my second home and I love all the trainers and staff. They are always pleasant and I feel they are on this journey with me.

I still have goals to accomplish and I am not even at my goal weight yet but I will get there for sure. I have been on my weight loss journey for almost 2 years and have lost 80 pounds with about 20 left to go. I want to run my first 5k this spring and hopefully a 10k by next fall. I also want to be a personal trainer so I can help others reach their goals and realize that it can be done!

Before

I was out of shape. My self-esteem and confidence were at an all-time low. I wore dark baggy clothes to hide my shape. I didn’t like being in pictures. I hadn’t worked out or played sports in years; something I used to enjoy doing. I had just proposed to my girlfriend and wanted to become a healthier person for her and for my future family. Most importantly, I just wanted to feel healthy again.

I was introduced to Adam in November 2011. I couldn’t have asked for a better trainer. Sure, he looked big and scary, but I found him to be very knowledgeable about fitness, easy to get along with, and was at all times a professional who took getting results very seriously. I had not weighed myself in a long time. Adam weighed me in and I was extremely disappointed to learn I was 224 lbs. and my body fat percentage was 31.6%.

After

Making changes to my diet was difficult at first. As a shift worker, I was accustomed to eating at all hours of the night, but after the first month of training in the Foundation phase I got on the scale again and I had lost 17 lbs.! To say I was pleased is an understatement. I was ecstatic! This motivated me to really commit myself to the process and to reach my goals. As the months went on, I am proud to say that I currently weigh 175 lbs. and my body fat percentage is at an all-time personal best of 9.9%!

I am looking forward to wearing a nice suit for my wedding day. I’m looking forward to starting and raising a family and being able to show them what their dad did. I’m getting compliments from friends and co-workers telling me how healthy I look and asking me how I did it. I tell them I did it by making an investment in myself, and in my future. This has inspired my fiancée and a co-worker to invest in personal training themselves.

Losing weight has brought forth a lot of positives in my life. I have had the pleasure of buying new, more form-fitting clothes. I am now confident and actually enjoy having my picture taken to make memories that I can share with my family that is to come. I am now trying new things. I have already run in a small marathon and actively participate in mixed martial arts classes. I’m in the best shape of my life and I couldn’t have done it without Personal Training at GoodLife Fitness! THANK YOU!

I joined GoodLife Fitness about 2 years ago hoping for better balance and easier movement in everyday activities. And that is where my journey began.

Janice masters a squat.

In the second year, the Fitness Manager spoke to me and after listening to my story suggested working with a Personal Trainer. I was skeptical at first; how could working with a trainer be any different? Wasn’t I already doing all I could do to increase my strength and movement? I can’t jump, run, or do push-ups like I see other people working with personal trainers do so what was there beyond the weight machines?

Well, on our very first session, Ellie hardly did any machines with me at all! Instead she assessed what she called my primal movement patterns. She wanted to know how much and to what extent my body could do the basic movements that we do in everyday life.

These basic movements were difficult, even scary. The idea of a squat or lunge frightened me as I had very poor balance but I was determined to try anything. Sure enough, with every step I improved the strength in different muscle groups, balance, and coordination.

I am now able to do: body weight squats without holding on to anything and with good range of motion, lunges (though I hate them!), push-ups on the Smith machine (this was one of the most frightening as I thought I might bash all my teeth in on that bar!), a plank on my knees, and abdominal crunches and twist with full range of motion.

My big AH-HA moment was when Ellie asked me to attempt an abdominal curl on the mat and I told her maybe I could work up to it in a couple of years! Two sessions later, Ellie said to “visualize your abdominals pulling your shoulders and chest off the mat.” I tried it… and I was up all the way to my knees! My jaw dropped and so did Ellie’s!

Ellie also has me doing band exercises, which have improved my range of motion greatly and I move my left arm in ways I never knew possible. One of the things that we do is isolated bicep curls and this has been one of the most exciting results for me. Before training, there was very little movement and I was not able to turn my forearm over, which had prevented me from doing simple tasks. On the bicep curl machine, I used to hold the left handle with my palm facing down because I could not grip and turn the forearm over. After a couple of weeks, I was able to perform the exercise properly.

Now that my forearm has started to turn over, I am no longer worried about looking in the mirror. In the beginning, there was also no shape or definition in my left arm and when I performed upper body exercises (i.e. the bicep curl) there was no muscle movement (i.e. contraction) visible at all. I didn’t have any feeling for what my left arm was supposed to do. After 2-3 weeks, the muscles started to “quiver” signifying nerve stimulation and this to me was huge! It was so exciting that it motivated me to work harder! It was hope that I could see some improvement in the function of my arm! The once shapeless bicep had started to change into a pebble size bulge, and now it has developed to a size I never thought possible. There is even some definition visible! This is what they had told me would never happen!

Janice keeps smiling through a push-up.

Finally, it is so rewarding when people I don’t even know come up to me in the gym when I am training and tell me how inspired THEY feel seeing me train! It’s a great feeling!

So far, it’s been a rewarding journey….it has had its ups and downs and there have been days when I’ve felt like I wanted to quit, but Ellie does NOT like to hear the Q word. I know sometimes it feels like baby steps and other times like leaps, but I know that I keep moving forward.

In 8 months I lost 70lbs, 61 inches and went from a size 18 to a size 4. My body fat percentage went from 44% down to 23%!!!

My sessions with Chelsie are always challenging. With personal training you are pushed to do things you never thought possible and it definitely takes you out of your comfort zone but what doesn’t challenge you, doesn’t change you, and that’s why personal training works. Some days I feel like I can’t do my workouts but Chelsie is always there to push me and give me motivation to finish. The sessions are tough but I always look forward to seeing what new program she designs next. In the beginning I could barely run 5 minutes, now I can run 5 miles!

Along the way, there has literally been blood, sweat, and tears but I wouldn’t take any of it back. I am much stronger now and in better shape than I have ever been in my entire life. Chelsie’s workouts push you to do things you never knew you were capable of and help you in areas you need to improve on. I can honestly say without Chelsie I would not be where I am today.

Along with training sessions I also keep a food journal that Chelsie checks on a weekly basis. She helps plan out my nutrition and makes sure I stay on track with my eating. Every week she gives me countless nutrition tips and recipes. I feel 100% more confident about the way I eat now than when I first started, and it is all thanks to her.

Before

Chelsie is my fitness and nutrition coach but it doesn’t stop there. She is a constant support system that helped me overcome my anxiety about trying new things and has made me a much stronger, more confident person. Thanks to her I believe in myself now and know that I can succeed. Training with Chelsie has taught me it takes serious dedication and hard work to get results, and that this is a lifestyle that I need to commit to. She has given me the confidence to do that. She literally changed my life and I cannot thank her enough.

Eight months ago I would never have thought I would be where I am today. I am a completely different person, inside and out. I have learned to love myself and my body. I am now able to do things I could never do before and truly enjoy life. I would encourage anyone who is thinking of signing up for personal training to talk to Chelsie! It’s a big decision but the best one you will ever make! You cannot put a price on health. It is an investment that will last for the rest of your life. Training with Chelsie is the best thing I have ever done for myself and I could not be happier with the results.

MYBootcamp was a phenomenal training program for me – and I’m just your average Joe. I’m a mom, a wife, I happen to be a fitness instructor, but I’m not one of those hard-core chiseled ab types…I run (on occasion), but I also eat – a lot. I generally think of myself as fit, but I absolutely have pounds to lose. I also get BORED. I get tired of “doing the machines,” and lose interest in cardio before the warm up is even over….but this- MYBootcamp- seemed different. The routine changes weekly (and there’s only a few repeats of exercises throughout the whole program), the work phase is short (90 seconds- you can handle ANYTHING for 90 seconds!), the intensity is high, but you know it’s going to end any second, so you CAN do another rep or two….there are other people sweating, and groaning, and LAUGHING with you, so YES, you can do one more…

And we did – we did one more every time, and then we got to chat and compare notes about how our week was going, what challenges we were facing with nutrition, or exercise, or even just with our kids! We commiserated together, and lay on the floor like rag dolls at the end of each session, “complaining,” but always looking forward to the next week and wondering what challenges would be ahead? Will we ever get to use TWO battle ropes? (Yes!) Is our coach going to make us do push ups AGAIN? (Yes!) Are we going to be able to stand UP after this? (Yes although some days it took a little longer!)

The result? We had a group that was focused on clean eating and improving our nutrition, so we learned a lot. We received recipes each week and could give our coach, Tracey Rump, topics to research and educate us on if we had questions….we made new friends, and bonded with each other amidst the dripping sweat and giggles. Physically, we saw differences: leaner outlines of our bodies, stronger upper bodies, more endurance, and definitely more agility. Personally, I found myself jumping higher and more easily as a participant in BodyStep, my legs felt stronger in my Yoga classes, the explosive power of my lower body has tripled. I have a greater desire to eat cleaner, and I feel more powerful. I feel like I have accomplished something….and I HAVE.

Thank you, Coach Tracey, and my fellow participants – it was a pleasure to share my mornings with you, and I can’t wait to do it again!!

-Maggie T.

In July 2011, I joined GoodLife with a relative, at her initiative. I didn’t have much faith that this was going to help me with my life-long problem, but I wanted to support her, so I went along.

Melissa Before

I decided that if I was going to do this, I might as well do it right, so I signed up to work with a personal trainer. I wasn’t convinced that this would make the difference for me, but if I failed (when I failed?) I didn’t want it to be because I hadn’t taken the whole thing seriously. At my first meeting with the trainer, I remember starting a sentence: “If I lose weight…” and he interrupted me to say: “When you lose weight!” I remember thinking that he had more belief in me than I had in myself, but I was hoping his faith wasn’t misplaced.

I started working with my trainer, Michael, three times a week. At first that was all he asked of me: just to show up and do the workout. I had always enjoyed sports even though I had never been fit, so just completing the workouts was not too overwhelming. Slowly Michael introduced me to the principles of Clean Eating and increased my level of activity. The pace was such that each change was just a little more than the last. This allowed me to take it all in stride and adjust without feeling overwhelmed. Keeping a food log was tiresome, but proved to be a really effective strategy to help me adjust my eating habits.

Michael found other ways to encourage me and keep me motivated. He got a bunch of his clients out rock climbing on Saturdays. By this time I was under 200 pounds, but I still felt awkward dragging myself up the wall. Still, it was great to realize that I wasn’t letting my emotional issues about my weight stop me from trying new and interesting activities.

I made it through the Christmas holidays without going off track in a major way and friends and relatives were really starting to notice. I had lost over 30 pounds in six months, which is only about 3 pounds every two weeks, but I was happy with this pace.

In mid-January I had a setback: Michael had to make changes to his schedule and could no longer train with me. I was devastated; I hadn’t realized how much my confidence in my ability to make changes was dependent on his support, but I was very worried that I would not continue to make progress without him. I started working with another trainer, Mike.

I really enjoyed the feeling of being strong and fit and capable. By March, I had lost a total of about 60 pounds and everyone was giving me positive feedback on my progress. The other Goodlife trainers and members as well as the front desk staff were supportive and complimentary which made me feel like I had a whole cheering section rooting for me.

Just when I was getting comfortable with the level of effort Mike expected of me, he introduced a new twist: he wanted me to run! Yuck – who honestly really likes running? But I decided that, like everything else he had asked of me, maybe I would be able to do it; maybe he did know what he was talking about. I started training at the end of March and the plan was to run a 5K in June. Training wasn’t the most horrible thing I had ever done; in fact it went well enough that I didn’t even balk when he switched it to an 8K on May 19!

Melissa After

As the date got closer, I was surprised at how incredibly nervous I was. I think it was because the run represented so much more than just 8K. After all, even at 220 pounds I could have walked 8 kilometres. I now weighed 160 pounds and felt like a completely different person. This run represented my chance to prove that I really had changed and that I could do so many things that I had never dared dream of before.

The day of the run was beautiful and sunny and, despite my nerves, the whole thing went very well. The first 6K was actually fun and, even though I didn’t set any speed records, I finished 8K without having to stop to walk, which was my goal. Mike ran beside me, encouraging me the whole way, as he had with every aspect of my training. Our next goal is a Triathlon in August. Unless you’ve experienced it, you can’t imagine the pride, excitement and incredible joy that come from being able to enjoy the challenge of training for this after having been sedentary, unhealthy and hopeless for so long.

It has been a year since I first walked into Goodlife and the changes for me in that year are unbelievable. I have lost 65 pounds, am no longer on medication for high blood pressure, have dropped from a size 18 to a size 10 and still the most significant changes are not in the numbers. It is the fact that I will catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror and not realize that it’s me, because the normal looking person there is not what I expect to see. It is the fact that I’m beginning to realize that I don’t need to worry that new people meeting me are looking first and foremost at my size. It is the willingness to try things that I thought I would never do. It is a powerful feeling to be 52 years old and yet feel young and strong and able to tackle anything!

I still have some progress to make and then I have to figure out how to maintain these changes permanently, which scares me a bit – I never want to go back to being the fat person that doesn’t feel worthy of happiness. However, the support and encouragement I have had from everyone at GoodLife, and particularly from Michael and Mike, has given me the belief that I can be the person I want to be!

Before

Success is a JOURNEY, not a destination. This is my journey.

For the first time in my whole life, I joined a gym at the age of 66! What made me walk through those doors? A health scare so bad it had me walking through the doors of the Emergency Room with a resting blood pressure of 220 over 170! I had never had high BP in my life! A family history of heart disease, stroke, cholesterol problems and cancer loomed but had never affected me. I could not let myself go down that same road. I was scared and something HAD to be done.

Up until this time, my husband and I raised a family of three, I held a fairly demanding career in education in addition to volunteer work and involvement in professional associations. I was blessed with relatively good health, although I had always had weight issues. A few times over my life I had lost 30 – 40 lbs. but never succeeded to keep the weight off. In the spring of 2011 I weighed in at 178 lbs. (I’m only 5’1”), I had a much reduced fitness level and was still working over 50 hours per week. This is when I ended up in the ER. My doctor made it very clear that significant, life saving changes were necessary, including weight loss, diet changes, and increased physical activity. I knew he was right.

Over the next two months I started BP and cholesterol meds and underwent a battery of tests, including a MRI to find out what had precipitated the health scare. Nothing irreversible was found – high BP, high cholesterol, and elevated sugar – all of which I could do something about. I knew this time I had to make significant and intentional lifestyle changes. I also realized that I didn’t have the knowledge and tools to do it on my own.

This is when I started ‘living the GoodLife.’ It wasn’t easy. I was making a commitment that only time would tell if I could keep. I felt intimidated by everyone and everything. I didn’t believe in myself or in my ability to achieve results. I needed a solution that was sustainable over time and took into account my busy life.

I chose GoodLife because after meeting with a consultant, I was impressed with the program, the facility, and the focus on wellness. I knew there were going to be no short cuts and wanted a serious approach which I felt I would get at GoodLife. My son maintained gym memberships for over 15 years, including GoodLife when in Canada, and speaks highly of his experiences.

Why Liz shares her story

I am sharing my story for three main reasons;

To give me a chance to make a public tribute to the incredible experience of joining a gym and hiring a personal trainer.
My trainer has been a tremendous help. There were many days that were really, really tough in the beginning and she never once gave up on me. She got me where I am today. When I first started, I needed external motivation from a Personal Trainer until I built confidence in myself and thus had my own internal motivation. For the past year I have worked out 3 times a week with about 2/3 of these sessions with my trainer. I do some of my workouts on my own, but I now know that I can do it! Not much in the gym intimidates me now. I do still look forward to my sessions with my trainer though as there is always some lesson learned, a little extra push, and the oh so important caring motivation.

After

To be of possible influence to others.
I am a very ordinary person who overcame some pretty elementary health and fitness issues – typical of a large percentage of our population! If other “ordinary people” battling these same issues can read and understand what a difference these changes have made in my life, I will have accomplished a major goal.

To document my journey so I can return to it, reread it, add to it, and use it as motivation.
Throughout this journey I have lost 35 pounds, 25 inches and 13% body fat. My pant size went from a size 18 to a size 10, t-shirts and blouses from an XL or 1XL to small or medium and I have also seen a change in the way my shoes fit a lot more comfortably. I no longer need BP meds and my cholesterol meds are reduced by half. I have learned for myself how stress affects one’s health. I had read about it, but having lived through it as I had before my health scare, really hit home to me. I have not only gained incredible strength in my body but also in my mind.

There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t thank GoodLife, my Personal Trainer, and my husband – for their solid support as well as ME – for making these wonderful changes. Because I believe that “success is a journey, not a destination,” I look forward to the many more miles on this road.

Stay tuned for more from Liz tomorrow!

They shopped at “skinny girl stores” and that wasn’t me.

Before

I tried countless diets that never lasted more than a few days. I have had a gym membership since I was 16 but the gym was so intimidating. Everyone around me seemed so excited about exercising! For me I was exercising because I had to, not because I “loved the burn.” Everyone there seemed to be so athletic and coordinated, I felt really out of place. Half the time I didn’t really know what I was doing, so I’d usually find an excuse not to go. I even tried signing up for a personal trainer. I mean, how could I possibly fail with one-on-one training? But those same old excuses kept coming up, so I eventually stopped showing up to my training sessions. Being fit just wasn’t for me and there was no way to change it.

In March 2011, I went on vacation to Las Vegas with a group of friends. It sounds like a great time, but I was miserable for most of it. We did so much sightseeing but I always tried to take the group pictures to avoid being in them. That vacation was a wake-up, because until then I had always downplayed that my weight was an issue.

After having spent a week trying to hide myself because I was too embarrassed of the way I looked, I knew that I had to take control.

I made the decision to make losing weight a priority. From all my past diet and gym experience I knew that I was my own worst enemy. I would need somebody to hold me accountable and keep me on track. I already had a membership with GoodLife and I knew some of the personal training staff. On April 7, I sat down with Kyle and we talked about my goals. We figured out what I wanted to get out of training and talked about goals and commitment and began on a six month program. That day was our first weigh-in and I weighed 245 lbs. We decided our first goal was to get under 200 lbs.

The first few weeks of training were overwhelming. I had never exercised on a regular basis and everything seemed so difficult. I constantly felt like I was in over my head but Kyle was always doing his best to keep me motivated. For the first few weeks I also thought since I was going to the gym, I could eat anything. Needless to say it was slow-going in the beginning. Whenever I would have a bad weigh-in, or have a hard time during a workout, Kyle would spin it into something positive.

He never let me get discouraged, even when I felt like crying and giving up; which happened more than I’d like to admit!

I had big goals, my six months of training was coming to an end and I was still not where I wanted to be. I was working out three times a week and still battling to lose weight. Reflecting with my trainer on the results I have seen that far, it frustrated me that I was undoing so much of the progress with my day to day lifestyle. I was still being my worst enemy. Living the “GoodLife” is not just exercising regularly but taking control of what I was doing outside of the gym. I couldn’t just come in and leave and expect the results I was looking for.

I had to embrace the “GoodLife” in every aspect of life.

Now understanding the commitment of what it would take, I was ready to sign on for another nine months with Kyle. This time, having a new outlook on my journey and more motivated than ever, we got to work. Knowing that I had Kyle for guidance and support along the way allowed me to believe in myself when I had doubts. He helped give me the confidence to keep chasing my goals, knowing anything is possible.

After

Over the past year, I’ve had quite a few bumps along the road. I’m a full-time student and also work full-time, so stress was a major hurdle. Trying to make it through exams without missing my sessions or eating like a maniac is still a struggle. But for every setback I think there’s been some huge achievement. The day I could finally hold a plank for a full minute I felt invincible! The day I finally made it under 200 lbs, even though it took longer than 6 months to get there, it was more than worth it!

I feel I wouldn’t have had as much success as I have without a personal trainer. Not just for actual fitness training, but for help with nutrition, motivation, and knowing when and how hard to push myself. Working with Kyle I’ve lost over 70 lbs, I’m down over 40 inches and I’ve gone from a size 24 to a size 10. I think bigger than the physical achievements, which have been great, have been the changes in my attitude and self-confidence. Now I look forward to my workout every day! When I first started training I wasn’t comfortable even walking into the gym and now I go to the group exercise classes at least twice a week. I still don’t “love the burn,” but I love walking out of the gym knowing I just worked hard.

I yo-yo dieted for a long time. I visited different doctors, got different diet plans and quit all of them half way through. By grade twelve I was depressed and lonely; my only comfort was eating. The depression became worse when I moved to Canada. Adjusting to a cold climate along with the pressure of being a newcomer in a strange land caused me to adapt by eating big portions of junk food every day. The few friends that I had were very fit and toned, so I never felt comfortable being around them. I often went out alone, but always felt as though people were judging me for my appearance.

Before

As the weeks passed, I became more depressed and didn’t care about my appearance. I came to a point where I didn’t care about what I was wearing. I would wear the same shirt over and over again on different occasions. My parents and my peers were all worried about my health. My father wanted to take me back to my home country. My friends kept telling me how sad I had become but even the knowledge that so many people were trying to help me didn’t make me feel any better.

One day I was at Hillcrest Mall, wearing the same sweater that I had been wearing for a week and looking and feeling miserable and I saw the GoodLife sign. I had no plans for losing weight that day or to even join a gym, but I impulsively went inside and asked for a membership. The people at GoodLife kindly welcomed me and guided me through the membership process. I also purchased a six session Personal Training starter package. It was after the six sessions that I knew I really wanted and needed to lose weight.

After

My trainer Sara Pontisso helped me understand the value of good eating habits, nutrition, different types of workouts and how to prepare my mind and lifestyle to match my new fitness goals. She guided me through all the ups and downs and was there for me when I felt tired, sore and discouraged. With her knowledge and patience I started to notice changes in my body. I was getting stronger and leaner by the day. She explained the goals for every exercise and every phase of training. The muscle growth stage resulted in the appearance of muscles I never even knew I had! She kept me motivated through every burn phase workout, when I thought my heart would beat out of my chest. The pounds of body fat seemed to melt off my body. In my strength phase I was amazed to start squatting almost one and a half times my body weight.

After 10 months, I am now a happy and, more importantly, healthy man, ready to go to university and start my ‘new’ life. As of today, I have lost over 50 pounds, 10% of my body fat and 11.5 inches in total. Sara instilled the importance of a healthy diet so I now eat healthy food seven days a week and I am quite disgusted with my past diet of fast food and pop. I am fully satisfied with my new appearance and how my muscles look in my new wardrobe. The shame that I had over the years of being overweight and miserable is gone. I can’t wait to go to university, start a new life and meet new people. I owe all that to GoodLife, its philosophy of maintaining a well-balanced lifestyle, and my amazing trainer Sara.

A friend’s 2010 Christmas e-mail included a picture, taken at his cottage that summer, of me standing in Lake Muskoka. I was shocked when I opened the attachment: there I stood in red swim trunks, and although I weighed exactly what I did in 1990 – almost 190 lbs – I didn’t think the man in the picture looked like me. He was fat.

Before

I had battled Lyme disease for over 10 years and in that time had suffered constant and increasingly debilitating symptoms. I was always exhausted and lethargic, with very painful arthritis in my right hip and shoulder. I was so badly crippled that I couldn’t walk without a cane. As he checked the Permanent Disability box on my application for a disabled parking permit, my doctor looked up and told me that my road back to health would be a very long one. Regular exercise might help, he said, but at that time it was all I could do to get to work each day, so the gym wasn’t even a consideration.

Not that I could always use Lyme disease as an excuse for not working out. I have been a gym member since 1984. Though, by the beginning of 2011, I hadn’t gone in almost 10 years. My excuses were all valid: I was busy with work; I have a full social calendar; illness. For years I told myself I’d get back to it as soon as I could.

My previous gym attendance was constant and regular, but the results never met my expectations. Over the years I had worked out both alone and with friends and in 1990 was going a minimum of 3 times a week. I looked okay and weighed a pretty good 190 lbs, but my body fat was high, my middle was anchored by a hefty set of love handles, and my energy level always seemed low. Sure I had developed some muscle, but I never reached the shape and definition I craved. I dreamt of taking my shirt off at the family pool, only to have everyone gasp at the sight of me; I eventually came to accept that it would never happen.

By January 2011, after more than 4 years of drug therapy and using a cane, my health had improved to the point that I could walk increasing distances without one. I pulled up that photo of me in the red trunks and thought: “I have to fix this, and if not now, when?” I had to get back to the gym.

By the end of January I was walking without support: I was ready. Considering my past experience I determined that to be successful this time, I’d need help. A personal trainer seemed to be the logical solution. I had to be sure that my workouts wouldn’t aggravate my still-sore joints, and I didn’t want to spend so much time working that hard, only to achieve my previous, lack luster results. I wanted to have more energy, to be and feel healthier, to look better on the beach. I knew that my family would never gasp as I took my shirt off at the pool, but now in my mid-50s I owed it to myself to be the best I could be. I had drawn my line in the sand.

I called the GoodLife at King Liberty Village and made an appointment for an assessment. The results were even more disappointing than that photo: I was honestly shocked at how much work I had in store.

I met my trainer, Jason Lau, for the first time on February 2, 2011 and I haven’t looked back.

From the very beginning Jason’s approach has been careful, considered and holistic. We reviewed everything from my sleep habits to my diet, my workout history to my hopes and expectations. He bristled when I told him I used to spend 3 hours per visit to the gym 3 times a week. “Not necessary,” he said. He made recommendations; he challenged me to aim high. When he asked what my target weight was, I said that we should start at an achievable 172 lbs – I figured losing 10% of my body weight would be an amazing feat. He smiled and suggested that 160 was a better goal. That seemed impossible to me.

Just 7 months later, I hit that goal: I weighed in at 160 lbs, down from the 189.7 lbs on my assessment. My blood pressure has dropped from 143/95 to 120/82, my biceps, then a flabby 13” are now 13.5” of defined muscle, and my body fat, 27% a year and a half ago is now 11%. My maximum plank time (and it nearly killed me) was 1:12, today I plank for a solid 5:15.

After

It’s been just 17 months since I took that first step back from the ravages of a disease that crippled me for years, and today I own my future. I use a phone app to record all my food and exercise; I am careful about what I eat; and I work out. Through it all I rely on Jason’s constant wisdom, guidance and encouragement on a journey that has changed my life.

Every day someone, a neighbor, friend, or even a complete stranger comments on my physical fitness. My brother opened his pool this spring and when I dropped my shirt there really were gasps, and amazing compliments, from the pool deck. I am not the same man who stands in Lake Muskoka in that photo. At 56 years old I am in the best shape of my life and feel better than I have in 15 years.

What part has Jason played in my success?

That’s easy. His consultative approach, commitment to my success and his care and attention – especially considering my long illness and its effects – have made him a full partner in my journey. Based on my previous, years-long experience, I know I could never have done it without him and that makes him the best investment I’ve ever made.

My wife had been going to the gym for more than six months. She was feeling better and looking great. We’d go to the track and I’d be lying down, gasping, while she cruised along easily, lap after lap, completing her 5K run. She had a goal to get healthy prior to starting a family and she was well on her way. I, on the other hand, was not.

Then something happened to me that opened my eyes to the truth – the nasty, ugly truth that I didn’t want to see. I had just climbed a flight of stairs at work. It wasn’t an abnormally long flight of stairs, I wasn’t carrying anything, but when I reached the top of the stairs I was out of breath! I was 30 years-old and winded from climbing stairs. I decided to make an appointment with the personal trainer my wife was seeing. As he weighed me I braced for impact, but still could not believe the numbers he was telling me – 32 per cent of my body was fat; nearly 100 pounds! That’s when it hit me; I was fat, and I needed help!

Before

The changes I was seeing in my wife were now the changes I wanted to see in me. She was working with a personal trainer and I decided that’s what I needed too. What was even better was the fact that now we would be able to work out together. My wife’s trainer invited me to join them for a session so I could see what was involved. The reality that I was unhealthy had finally started to sink in but I thought that, at the very least, I could handle lifting the same weights my wife was. Boy was I wrong! I started lifting the same weights she was, but quickly had to start lifting less. I felt embarrassed. This was more evidence that I needed to start working out immediately.

I had a goal. I had motivation. Now I just needed someone to help me set everything in motion. That’s where my personal trainer’s help, guidance and expertise were absolutely essential. He pushed me further than what I thought I could do. He motivated me when I wanted to sit down and stop. He encouraged me when there was a bump along the way.

After

Providing even more motivation to lose weight and get in shape was the fact that my wife was now pregnant with our first child. I couldn’t allow myself to be unhealthy to the point where I couldn’t play with her without having to take a break to catch my breath. I wanted to be able to set an example for her that would shape her habits for a positive, healthy life. Also, my wife entered the Success Story Challenge and won. She had done so well and was working so hard to maintain her fitness through the pregnancy that I was driven to do it as well.

Keeping my motivation level high was the positive response from friends, family and colleagues. My wife and I were shopping for groceries following a workout and we bumped into a woman I work with. Her reaction was incredible. She hadn’t seen me for a couple of months and couldn’t believe how much I’d changed. Her gasp was so loud and her response so boisterous that we drew attention from several other shoppers. It was a great feeling.

Another major change was my diet. I have always had significant issues with portion control and most of the food I ate had lots of fat, grease, and carbs. Not only was my personal trainer helping me with my workouts, but we would discuss all sorts of foods too. He gave me a lot of ideas for foods to try and I’ve enjoyed the variety that now makes up my diet. By picking the right foods, I’ve been able to better manage my portions because I feel fuller for longer periods of time. I also don’t have the urge to lie down and sleep following a meal. I now find that if I eat something high in fat, like the greasy burgers and fries I used to have weekly, it actually makes me feel terrible. I never thought that I would pass up a burger for a nice salad and piece of chicken. I look forward to eating vegetables and fruit and I’ve enjoyed all sorts of international dishes to which I would have otherwise turned up my nose in the past.

In the end I reached my goal. I lost 75 pounds and 19.2 per cent body fat. I lost a total of 43.5 inches! I lost 14.5 inches from my waist, another 7.5 from my hips and six inches off my chest. I’ve gone from wearing a snug, size 42 to a comfortable, size 32. My fitness level hasn’t been this high in a long, long time and I feel great! My strength has more than doubled. I’m surprised when my trainer assigns the weights for my workouts now, but I’m able to work at a much higher weight than when I started. When I walk by a mirror, I’m pleasantly surprised by what I see. I’ll stop and look at the new muscles I’ve developed. I’m not one to stand and admire myself, but the change has been so dramatic that I have to stare for a minute, almost to convince myself that it really is me.

Now I can’t wait for my daughter to be born. I can’t wait to go jogging with her and to play in the park for hours. I’m excited to pass on the good habits I’ve learned. Together my family is living the good life, for life!

“Don’t ever give up and don’t let bad thoughts be the only barrier between you and success because your body CAN do it!”

Then one day I saw a picture of myself and was horrified. I am a single mother and I thought of my son and what would happen to him if something happened to me. I thought of what it would be like not to see him graduate high school, go to university, get married or have kids of his own. I knew I had to do something to not just lose weight but commit to getting healthy.

Time to take action

I had never joined a gym because I didn’t think I would fit in with all of the “fit” people. However, with my body looking and feeling the way it was, I put all of my fears aside and got a membership at a GoodLife near my work. I started by walking on the treadmill but it was so difficult I would usually have to stop after about 15 minutes.

One day (in August 2011), a personal trainer approached me while I was on the treadmill. We got to talking and the next thing I knew I was booked for a physical assessment. I was shocked to learn that I was 211.6 lbs., had a body fat percentage of 42.7 and a BMI of 35.2. He also told me how my body pretty much had no functionality which coincided with all the pain I was feeling. He went on to explain the benefits of training with a qualified personal trainer. Needless to say, I was sold on the idea! I had committed to doing three one-hour training sessions a week and a 30 minute cardio workout seven days a week. ‘Yikes’ was all I could think.

Overcoming the doubt

When I first started with my trainer in September 2011, I was extremely nervous. During my first session I thought – Can I do this? Will it be too hard? Am I going to make a fool out of myself? Well it was hard and I fell a few times which was embarrassing but I DID IT! I made it through the first session! It was difficult. More difficult than I could ever have imagined but my trainer encouraged me the entire way through. Each and every session with her was difficult and just when I thought I couldn’t take anymore, she would tell me that I only had five more left and that I could do it. Knowing that taking the weight off was not going to be as easy as it was putting it on and her continuous words of encouragement got me through those difficult sets. Especially the lunges! With her, I watched the weight come off every month during my weigh-ins. I started to feel healthy, was sleeping through the night and felt so energetic and optimistic about what I knew I was going to achieve. Unfortunately, after five months she could no longer train me due to her own medical issues. But she never stopped encouraging me. I still get messages from her asking me how my weight loss journey is going. And that’s when I met Richard Lash.

Taking it up a notch

Richard was kind enough to offer to take me on as a client. Having watched him train other people, I knew how focused he was and how much attention he paid to his clients during their sessions. This was exactly what I wanted and needed. It became quite clear that Richard had an extensive history of fitness and health by everything he was telling me. This just made me more excited to work with him. I knew he was going to take my fitness to a whole new level! He started off by giving me a meal plan and then we were off to the races!

Richard made me do things that I never ever thought my body was capable of doing. He always pushed me to my limit, which far exceeded whatever limit I thought I had myself. He always told me that the body can handle a lot and even though you feel like you can’t breathe anymore, you won’t stop breathing. He told me this knowing that my breathing was only bad because my cardio wasn’t great. He was always good at ascertaining what medical limitations I might have.

At the end of every session I was tired but always happy at what I had accomplished. He always cheered me on, answered all of my questions and was just as committed to me losing weight as I was. In fact, all of the trainers who knew me always threw words of encouragement my way and it was great to know that so many people were on my side and had so much confidence in me. That extra boost helped a lot.

The results are in

Through training with Richard I watched my body transform. I had muscle that I never knew existed, a core that actually worked and a cardiovascular system like a tiger! I had, on more than one occasion, asked Richard if I was ever going to lose that nagging fat off of my stomach and he would always reply with “the goo will come off of everywhere, including your stomach. You just have to keep working.” Work I did and the “goo” just kept coming off. After nine and a half months of training I was down 59lbs! I got down to an amazing 153lbs! I lost 12.3% body fat and my BMI dropped to 25.5. I lost 8 inches from my chest, an incredible 13 inches from my waist and 4.5 inches from my hips. I guess that goo really did come off! That’s a total of almost 25.5 inches from those three sites. I went from a size 18 to a size 8 in a matter of months!

Training with Richard has changed my life. I look and feel like a different person. I am completely off of my blood pressure medication, have no more body pains and can finally breathe again! I haven’t even had so much as a cold in months.

“I knew I had to do something to not just lose weight but commit to getting healthy.”

Training is the best investment I have ever made

With all the knowledge that Richard has passed on to me, I know I’ll never be overweight again. I can only hope to inspire one person like my trainer has inspired me through this journey. To those people who are on the fence about losing weight with a trainer, I would tell them that they have to start somewhere to reach their goal. Having a GoodLife trainer gives you the comfort of knowing that you will be pushed to your limits, you will lose weight properly and you will have someone who is confident you can lose the weight even if you don’t think it yourself (don’t worry, you will once you start seeing results). Don’t ever give up and don’t let bad thoughts be the only barrier between you and success because your body CAN do it!

I’ll finish by sharing something that would motivate me whenever I had a tough leg workout. I would look at Richard, panting, and say “my legs feel like jello” and then I’d smile and say “but there’s always room for jello.” Fat free jello of course!

Candace – After

The day I joined GoodLife Fitness back in February 2011 was the day I decided to make a change in my life.

When I reached a weight of 190 lbs., I knew something had to be done soon since I was only 5’4” tall but at that time it wasn’t my main focus. When I finally joined, my main focus was strengthening my right knee. Having injured it many times through activities, the pain was hard to manage.

I wasn’t able to walk for long distances, run, kneel or squat. After a couple weeks, I realized I needed to try something new and get some help.

In March 2011, I met my Personal Trainer Alex for the initial assessment. At that time I explained that my main focus was improving the strength and stability in my knee. During the time of the initial assessment, he helped me realize that there were more goals to achieve than just knee strength.

Alex helped me focus on other obstacles that were preventing me from reaching other important goals such as weight loss, nutrition, cardio benefits and my self-esteem. At that moment, I realized there were more goals that I wanted to achieve with the help of my trainer.

Once Alex signed me up, I was a bit worried that we only had 2 training days to work with because I worked Saturdays and he didn’t work on Sunday. But to help me reach my goal he decided that he would find a way to accommodate me; and we got our third day.

From the beginning, he gave me the opportunity to consider achieving goals that were realistic such as losing 40-50 lbs., becoming stronger, improving my balance, eating better and building strength in my knee in order to be able to complete everyday activities. To help me stay on track with my eating I supplied him with a weekly journal of what foods I had been eating and soon learned how to eat balanced meals which helped me reach my goals.

Before I came to GoodLife and started training, I was a 22 year old girl working 6 days a week. I had not been very active, eating occasionally, skipping out on breakfast, eating late at night and not getting enough sleep. I knew that at a young age my unhealthy lifestyle wasn’t good for me but it was all I knew.

I experienced obstacles along the way that discouraged me. Half way through my program I had surgery and it made things more difficult. The biggest barrier I overcame was my dizzy spells which prevented me from being able to train at a normal pace. I had to constantly sit down and rest for long periods and sometimes didn’t think I’d be able to finish my session. It happened so frequently and ended up lasting a total of two months.

After I lost over 45 lbs., I experienced another obstacle. Two women in the change room would repeatedly ask me, “Why are you doing personal training? Why don’t you just do it on your own? It isn’t worth it.” Well I want everyone to see just how “worth it” it really was!

Candace – Before

My biggest changes are my appearance and my lifestyle choices. Alex knew when to push me to do more and yet still knew when I had reached my limits. He put up with my whining (which was quite often when we first started). My dedication, time and great patience got me to where I am now by surpassing the goals I set.

So far, I’ve lost 62 lbs., dropped 9 dress sizes (from 14 to 5), I’m more outgoing, fit, sleeping well, eating properly and able to squat and run every day without any pain in my knee.

Looking back on how hard it was to reach my goals, I would recommend a personal trainer to anyone who is struggling. Alex understood the things I could and couldn’t do, and found ways to help me overcome them. He has kept me on track and motivated me to do as much I possibly can. To anyone looking to improve their health and fitness and needing a kick-start to get started in the right direction, I highly recommend seeking out a personal trainer.

From the beginning my trainer always told me maintenance is the key! People always try to lose weight that they gain back each year. I simply make fitness a lifestyle now; it’s a part of me. I exercise and eat well; it’s all about balance… everything in moderation.

Currently I have been maintaining these results for the last 10 months now and I am thrilled.

My mother-in-law joined GoodLife in May 2011 and has not looked back.  She’s never belonged to a gym before and now enjoys working out 2-3 times a week at her local neighbourhood club.  At Sunday dinners she consistently tells me about the positive impact so I asked her to write me something.  Below is what she sent me.

After a week trial and great instruction from Liz, I joined GoodLife Fitness, Tantallon, N.S. in May 2011. My only goal was to maintain the strength I had and get a little exercise.

Liz the GM, Maureen and Kristin

To my surprise by September 2011 I no longer needed to wear the cervical collar which I had been wearing since my twenties (about 40 years ago). Another surprise was that I could now walk hills with little problem and keep talking.

The third surprise, which is sort of weird, was that I could now walk through waves in the ocean without being bowled over and falling under.

Now, in August 2012 I am on another program set up by Liz and still going and getting stronger.

I know this is short but I do want you to know, Kristin, this has made a big difference to me. Sanity wise too. I also can’t say enough about the wonderful staff at the GoodLife in Tantallon. They are so ready to help and answer questions, I’ve had a lot. Plus Liz gave me a lot of personal time which I appreciate.

My state of mind turned inward, particularly at my physical and mental being. At 51, having neglected myself due to work for so many years, weighing in at 237 lbs., out of shape, unhealthy eating, nagging aches and pains — I realized I had to make a life altering change.

Eugene – After

Having never stepped into a fitness center before in my life, it was with apprehension that I ambled into the GoodLife Fitness Center not knowing what would be before me.

What a surprise! The smiling faces and knowledge of the staff. The upbeat music. The clean and spotless facility. The sheer number of machines. I was impressed.

After signing up with the gym, I took a 3-session trial with personal trainer Dan Walinga. Dan spent the time assessing my physical capabilities, what nagging aches I was dealing with, showing me the mechanics of the machines, and how they could benefit me. Most importantly though, I wanted to determine if Dan would be a good fit for me to push me to reach my goals.

After my first week, I was convinced that Dan was the right trainer for me, and signed up for the long term. Together Dan and I worked out a training and nutrition plan that, if followed closely, would help me to reach my goals. But I knew I had to do my part.

So it begins

3 trainer sessions per week, 2 individual sessions per week, squats, leg presses, triceps presses, curls, cardio, pull-ups, push-ups, dead lifts, abs, stretches — we do it all.

I am getting stronger. My energy level has increased. Dan continues to push me to where I thought I couldn’t go, but I do. I have a new level of confidence. The aches I have had with my separated shoulder from over a year ago are being rehabilitated with Dan’s specific exercises, and my range of movement has returned to normal. I am in a new world, feeling better, healthier, and happier.

This new way of life has been infectious.

But more than ever: this new way of life has been infectious. Our family and others around us have engaged in this renewed lifestyle. Our conversations revolve around health and activities. We are conscious of our food choices, and committed to our exercise programs. In testament to this, 3 of our family members have since signed up at the gym. We now have this built into our regular weekly routine.

Eugene – Before

To summarize: the journey began on August 23 with a goal to lose 40 pounds by Christmas, a goal that I thought would be difficult to achieve.

The results: well, they were breathtaking. In a short period of 4 months…

• I lost 43 pounds
• my BMI went from 32.7 to 26.7 (a 20% improvement)
• my body fat % went from 30.9% to 19.5% (a 37% reduction)
• my body fat went from 73.4 pounds to 37.8 pounds … an amazing 48% reduction!

In retrospect, there can be no better investment than the one made in yourself. The journey has just begun, and I’m looking forward to every step along the way. Dan and GoodLife have given me the guidance and vision to realize this potential.

Thank You!

But it’s true what they say – you make the time.

Sivan – After

I was always involved in sports. I used to do martial arts, tennis, squash, basketball, swimming; you name it. When I got married and became a lawyer 7 years ago, my focus shifted. I always had time for my family, my work, and my social life. Gradually I gained weight, until one day I woke up and the scale read close to 200 pounds.

I felt hopeless. I was resigned to the fact that I had bad genetics. As external pressures kept increasing, I knew I had to do something.

I decided to join a downtown gym and sign up for personal training sessions. For almost 3 years I worked hard at it, trying to squeeze training sessions between office appointments, often rushing home for late dinners. It didn’t work. I continued to gain weight.

I would make a little bit of progress, and then fall back. It felt like climbing a steep mountain without any gear. It was extremely frustrating and depressing. I became convinced that it was not my fault. I made up excuses and concluded that I simply drew the short straw of a genetic lottery.

In December 2009, we bought a house and moved north. We already had a small child and my commute to work lengthened even more. My wife and I decided to visit the local GoodLife gym. When we went inside we were impressed. It was spacious, it was well organized, and it had state-of-the-art equipment. We signed up that evening.

Membership at GoodLife is not expensive, but times are tough. My firm specializes in labour and employment law. We see and consult people who are let go from jobs every day. Despite the misconceptions, it’s no different for lawyers. The economy is struggling. People have to make choices. Money is tight. So when GoodLife offered us personal training sessions, my wife and I were both hesitant. We both had personal trainers before and it didn’t work for us. It was nice, but expensive, and we saw few benefits. But after speaking with GoodLife’s personal trainers, we decided to give it another try.

It was one of the best decisions we ever made.

Sivan – Before

We have now been with GoodLife for over 2 years and the results are astounding. We both feel better, healthier, fitter, and energetic. The more I read about healthier food options and exercise methodologies, the more I began to understand the underlying concepts that form the recipe for a healthy lifestyle and, by definition, the good life.

“Healthy lifestyle” – what a cliché! You hear it everywhere. It’s a selling line for almost anything on television these days. The key, however, is to really understand what it means.

Health is an objective measure of physical, emotional and psychological well-being. While each of us is different, we all know when we are healthy and when we are not. We either feel good or we don’t. We feel strong or we feel weak. We feel truly alive or we feel like we are just living.

The word “lifestyle”, however, despite its overuse in the media, is widely misunderstood. I used to think that it only belonged to those people who have the time, who have the money, and who have stress-free lives. I was wrong.

It dawned on me that lifestyle is not an abstract idea. It is an actual physical concept. Imagine that your body is a car. It can run on premium gas or regular gas. It can be clean or dirty. It can be tuned or neglected. Most importantly, however, is that it has a steering wheel. Lifestyle, like a car, can be steered in whatever direction you choose. I finally understood that this concept is the underlying ingredient of the GoodLife recipe for success.

My current GoodLife trainer, Adam Grieg at the Aurora, Ontario location is unique, to say the least. For a guy in his mid-twenties, his knowledge of physiology and personal training is impressive, and I’m not easily impressed. He trains me 3-4 times per week, 1-hour sessions. I began training with him about a year ago. His workouts are limited only by my ability and his creativity.

During our sessions, we often talk about workout methods and their underlying scientific principles. We also talk about food recipes and exchange ideas. I am frequently surprised at how creative he can be with cooking ideas that supplement my training. To me, that is the hallmark of an excellent personal trainer: someone who can continue to challenge you both physically and mentally. He is someone who espouses the old Bruce Lee adage of having no limits as limits.

Since I began training with Adam, my body has undergone a significant transformation. I began noticing muscles I never knew existed. Friends and family were impressed. Everyone was asking me for my “secret”.

Truth be told, there is no secret. There is just a simple recipe. It’s called healthy lifestyle. And like most recipes, you can tweak it whichever way you like until you find what works best for you.

It takes time. You can make the time. I did. Everyone can. It’s simply a question of priorities. GoodLife is there to help you make the time. It is there to give you the tools, the expertise and the motivation to make the right choices. But you are the only one who can steer your lifestyle in the right direction.

That is not a cliché. It is a decision each of us must make.

I did, and I have not regretted it since.

Scott – After

About a year ago I joined GoodLife, met Joel MacLachlan and my life changed. I was a pack a day smoker since my early teens and 4 years ago I quit. I had never been active in sports, didn’t work out and didn’t pay attention to what I ate. I was overweight (40 pounds to date), unfit and my energy level was very low.

I bought a few introductory personal training sessions with the purchase of my GoodLife membership. At the time I didn’t think that personal training was for me but I figured I had nothing to lose by trying a few sessions.

After 2 weeks with Joel I was hooked.

As we progressed through various stages of fat burn, strength, build and TRX, I realized there was so much to learn about getting fit and building muscle. As I look back now I realize that there was no way I could have accomplished what I did on my own — I didn’t have the knowledge or experience. I now understand the meaning of team.

Teaming up with someone that believes in you, teaches you and sincerely wants to help you attain your goals makes for an unbeatable combination.

Each step of the way Joel tweaked and adjusted the program to maximize results. In one year I have lost 40 pounds overall (best estimate up 6-7 pounds muscle, down 46-47 pounds fat), removed 8 inches from my waist, doubled my strength and improved my cardio immeasurably.

Identifying problem areas and addressing them

At the beginning of the strength phase, I was experiencing excruciating pain in my shoulders and was unable to lift the heavier weights. Joel knew right away that I had rotator cuff issues. He showed me 3 low weight dumbbell exercises specifically for the rotator (I still do them as part of regular maintenance). After a few weeks the pain started to subside and by 4 weeks it was gone. Once this impediment was removed, I was very quickly on my way to great strength gains.

Scott – Before

I also had a tennis elbow issue which prevented any heavy bicep related exercise. Six weeks of TRX and the pain in my elbows was gone. Without Joel’s expertise and knowledge I would still be struggling with pain and would not have achieved anywhere near the gains that I have to date.

I am 49 years old and I am in the best shape of my life. I have a sense of well-being that I have never had before.

Life and work stresses are more easily managed and I am less likely to hesitate before doing anything that is out of my comfort zone. Pushing myself at the gym has given me the skills and determination to better manage life’s challenges.

Joel showed me what was already there: the will to win. He motivated and brought it out of me. He says that I am now an athlete, something I never thought possible. I have taken 10 years off my age and that I can do things most 25 year olds can’t do.

Even though I am turning 50, it feels like I am turning 25 (all in one year). I look around the gym and I see people of varying levels of fitness. What impresses and inspires me the most is the older group (we even have some 70+). When you talk to them, you know they get it.

I get it too. That’s going to be me in 20 years.

Darrell – After

Working in a stressful profession for over 30 years in the auto industry – a career comprised of long hours and steady travelling living out of hotels – led to making unhealthy choices. Even when you think that you are making better decisions, the lack of real fitness and nutritional knowledge lets you believe your health is OK.

At 57 years of age, on Christmas Eve 2010, when feeling run down and ill, I mentioned this to a friend who in turn called my wife. She convinced me that I needed to be checked right then. After some hospital tests, I was informed that I was having a heart attack and would remain in their care.

Over the next few days tests were performed and 3 stents were inserted in one artery of my heart. On New Year’s Eve day I was released to go home and begin recovery.

After recuperating at home for the first month I did lose some weight with dietary changes and went from 210 lbs. to about 198 lbs. I began a hospital rehab and exercise program in February 2011 and I attended information sessions with my wife and began to learn what is really involved.

I went to exercise classes and became a little more physically capable each week. I knew, however, that this was not going to be enough and the rehab classes would be ending soon anyway. My wife had been a member of GoodLife Fitness Clubs for a long time and she asked me to join.

During my initial tour of GoodLife we reviewed the idea of personal training. When looking at profiles of the trainers I found one that mentioned his CPR qualifications and figured that was a definite requirement. I met with Shaun Tang and was very comfortable with him as he listened to my tale of bad habits and the ultimate result. I took advantage of some introductory sessions where I obtained a basic understanding of how much was to be gained. I signed for an extended program and my work really began.

It was difficult in the beginning to get motivated each day and sore joints and muscles made it harder. Shaun’s encouragement and positive outlook toward my progress helped to change this lack of motivation. He educated me with tips to relieve some of the soreness and strain, and taught me to stretch correctly and how often. I focused more on the challenges and successes instead of the stress and strains of changing my body’s fitness.

Using Shaun’s recommendations to keep following the dietary plan I had and ensure I took some downtime also soon improved my overall attitude toward exercise. Sessions were intense at times given my level of fitness and we pressed ahead. Minor strains required changes to Shaun’s session plan but we always managed to complete them. He would change up the session to avoid a shoulder or forearm strain, or teach me how to better master a technique. It is important to note that the strains almost always occurred during my own workouts in between sessions with Shaun. Invariably they were caused by poor technique when I overdid some exercise.

The original goals were:

• to lose 20 lbs.
• improve cardio fitness and lose inches
• toning and gaining muscle mass
• reduce the number of medications I was taking due to the heart attack

As we monitored the results of the training, I could see significant results. All kinds of additional benefits began to emerge in my daily living as core strength improved. Everyday motions like tying my shoes, lifting groceries and heavier things like moving furniture became easier.

My posture and overall appearance improved immensely and all of this was noticed by friends and family. I even attended a high school reunion and it felt good as people still recognized me due to my healthy appearance. A great additional benefit was eliminating blood pressure medication and a heart rate inhibiting drug.

During this extended workout period, we sold a house and moved to a new one. I was glad for the change in my fitness because there were so many tasks involved. I could not have done them all without the months of exercise. Climbing stairs, ladders, installing lights and chandeliers were completed and I felt great. I also found that I slept more soundly and woke up feeling rested.

Darrell – Before

We blew away the original goals with my new healthy lifestyle and working out. More weight (38 lbs) and inches were lost; the fat percentage went from 28.5% to 18.9%. I lost 9.5 inches from my waist, 5 from my chest and 2.5 from my thighs. My pant size went from a 40 inch waist to the current 31 inches. I can jog for more than a kilometer; get my heart rate to a respectable 145 bpm. for extended periods and even complete spin classes. I couldn’t do this when I was 40 years of age.

I can’t stress enough how having a trainer was the perfect choice for me because I know how easy it is to revert to old habits. With Shaun’s training I have progressed from a 3 times weekly regimen in the first year to our current schedule of twice weekly. I fill in the other active days using Shaun’s advice on a program. My wife tells others that it’s like having a new boyfriend.

It is going on 1 ½ years now with no end in sight. I intend to always keep fitness training a part of my daily schedule. My life depends on it.

Rebecca – After

As a child I always thought that I had a weight problem. I was teased by my siblings and my dad would often make subtle indirect comments in regards to my weight and size.

I joined Weight Watchers for the first time at the age of 17, lost some weight then put it back on again. Each time I got progressively bigger.

I got married and shortly after that pregnant with my first child, when I was 212lbs. After giving birth I weighed 229lbs. I went to my doctor and she told me I need to lose weight and she encouraged me to follow what I did the last time as she was confident I could do it.

So I followed the Weight Watchers plan again, joined Curves, and felt pretty good. After 2 ½ years I got pregnant with my second child at a better weight, but still not the best weight at 186lbs. After giving birth to my son I was at a lower weight however it went back up after a couple of months to around 225lbs.

I was into the plus sizes (18-20) and devastated. I tried to lose the weight on my own with very little success this time so I joined Weight Watchers again and then decided I wanted more.

I was to the point that I would get undressed in the dark because I was embarrassed about the way I looked.

I joined GoodLife Fitness in February 2007 on a 6 week trial membership that I received for Christmas. This was the best gift I could have received. I met with Alix for a free Personal Training Trial session and then bought personal trainer sessions.

This is one of the best things that I could have done for myself.

If you want to maximize your results I strongly suggest getting a personal trainer. They are able to create a workout that is specifically designed for your body type. I also like the fact that I am never bored with my workout routines. The muscle definition that I am getting from these routines is amazing. I don’t think my arms have ever been as toned as they are now.

The thing you need to remember with getting a personal trainer is that you need to be committed. Have some goals in mind and be willing to make some lifestyle changes. Having a personal trainer is almost like a marriage, if you are both not committed to the relationship then it will not work. You have to want it as bad as your personal trainer wants to see you succeed.

I noticed significant changes in my body but wanted more. I saw some other girls in the gym and thought “wow, I want to be in that shape”. My sister-in-law, who came with me, said “We will never look like that”. That was it, I thought to myself “who won’t”?.

I was going to do it. I set a goal to be in the best shape of my life by the time I was 30 and to reduce my body fat and weight to a healthy weight range.

Rebecca – Before

As I got smaller I found it more difficult to lose the weight. The only two people that supported me were my husband and my trainer. They helped me realize that I needed to focus on what I wanted and ignore any negative remarks from family and friends. One of the best compliments I ever received was from someone who had not seen me in a while. She had to ask if it was really me. She was shocked, as I looked so different.

I made some significant changes to my diet with the help of my trainer and focused more on eating clean and from the proper food groups as opposed to calorie counting. I had one cheat day a week to keep my motivation going. I also keep a food journal to keep me on track. I am at the gym 4 times a week, weight training and love it!As of now I am 33, 5’9, 146lbs, have 21% body fat and am now a size 4. I am in the best shape of my life, and it was worth every blood, sweat, and tear!

I am hoping all of you moms are reading this, because I want you to be motivated through me. Don’t make excuses as to why you cannot make it to the gym. Plan ahead and have a backup plan. Never say I can’t. You can, it’s a matter of how determined you are to get there.

Celebrate you success by donating your clothing that is too big to a charity. That way you can never go back. I haven’t and it has been 6 years.

Thank you Alix for guiding me through my weight loss and strength journey!

Cody – After

Realization

In December 2010, I joined GoodLife with a friend after finding out that my blood pressure had reached hypertensive levels. As a healthcare provider, this frightened but motivated me to finally take control of my general health. I could not believe how out of control my health had truly become. Almost daily I would find myself out of breath doing simple tasks, sweating whenever I exerted myself in the least.

At the time I was only 23 years old weighing in at 287 pounds (37 percent body fat). My day to day activities included nothing more than work and computer games. It was nothing for me to eat fast food 3 times a day and eat a large bag of chips with a 2L bottle of pop as a nightly snack. I had become a cliché overweight North American.

I knew that if change did not occur soon I would have serious health problems, such as diabetes, before reaching the age of 30. At times I felt depressed and ashamed of my personal appearance. My health scared me and weighed heavy on my heart and emotions.

I knew I had to make a change.

The journey begins

Joining GoodLife in 2010 was not my first attempt at losing weight, but it was the first time I felt like I was going to actually do it.

The gym staff was more than welcoming from day one. I took it upon myself to exercise for the first couple months. My progress was slow, but I had started to chip away at my metaphorical iceberg. However, I still felt like this was not enough. I needed help to make sure I did not slip up and revert back to old bad habits.

I spoke to the manager at GoodLife and they recommended a personal fitness assessment to help me get on track. I met with a personal trainer the very next day and was surprised to find how out of shape I really was after seeing it on paper. I felt the trainer could see my determination as they talked me through the session and put me through test after test.

I remember collapsing during a 30 second plank. Barely being able to do a proper push up and falling down during a wall sit. Nevertheless, I felt they truly believed in my ability to push myself towards success. This made me believe in my own abilities.

They sat me down and explained to me how to set goals and said that in one year I could healthily lose upwards of 75 lbs. (my original goal). This made me want to succeed more than ever before.

Cody – Before

Training for success!

I can still remember the complete exhaustion I felt while leaving the gym the first time over a year ago after surviving my first training session. I had been pushed to levels my body had never experienced. I found myself becoming more determined to do better with each training session.

Twice a week I was exposed to exercise I never would have tried had I not been with a GoodLife Personal Trainer. Going to the gym was becoming something I looked forward to daily. My knowledge of fitness was constantly growing. I had no idea what high intensity interval training was, what a Tabata interval was, what a TRX suspension trainer was used for and much more before joining GoodLife.

This made me desire to look up new techniques for my workouts, and start conversation about fitness with my peers, friends and family. In addition, my trainer did not just teach me how to work out, but they also gave me the initiative and tools to learn more about nutrition. I now know how to balance my diet, measure nutrients, and incorporate tools into my diet for better decision making like I never have before.

My advice

My advice to anyone looking to make a change would be to become accountable to you first and foremost.

Joining GoodLife and taking the initiative to get a personal trainer is a sure fire recipe for success no matter how small or large your goals. Set goals that are realistic for yourself and do not be afraid to ask questions. I started with small goals that were not always based off the scale. I wanted to accomplish things such as being able to leg press twice my body weight, or to run a 12 minute mile. This was more important than losing 10 pounds a week.

Also, to be accountable you have to carry your goals with you outside the gym. This means watching what you eat. Buy a 10 dollar kitchen scale and find tools online that tell you how much calories you should eat a day. These two simple things kept me from eating too much better than any method I had used before.

Finally, do not be too hard on yourself. Progress does not happen overnight: you know what ‘they’ say, Rome was not built in a day.

Stay motivated and surround yourself with support. Document your progress at the gym and record what you eat. Remind yourself how well you are doing if you begin to question your progress. Many times I felt I would lose 5lbs in a matter of days and then get hung up for the next week not losing a gram. Yet the inches still decreased even if the weight was not.

Progress was always there, I just had to know where to look.

Achievement

I still cannot believe that I have lost so much weight. More than that, I cannot believe how much extra weight I had to lose.

As of today, I have lost 85lbs and a difference of 15% body fat since day one. I can leg press over three times my body weight, jog for 45 minutes, and work out a different muscle group every day, all while feeling confident that I’m making good decisions.

I work out at least 5 times a week, twice with my trainer, and find myself becoming stronger and leaner every time I hit the gym.

Thank you GoodLife! You have helped me become a new man who is sure of his abilities and no longer ashamed or embarrassed of his physical appearance. I have overcome barriers I never thought possible before joining the gym and now I hold my head high with confidence and possess new positive emotional state.

I can only hope now that my story will motivate others towards reaching out for help and achieving new goals.

During my first pregnancy I gained over 60lbs, which is outside the healthy weight gain during pregnancy.

I had never really taken care of myself before getting pregnant, and I thought it was definitely too late to take care of myself while I was pregnant. Friends and family had always encouraged me to eat what I wanted and as much as I liked as I was “eating for two” — which was a myth that I easily bought into.
It was not unusual for me to eat a whole cake in one sitting.

As a result, I was quite lethargic and battled with the general discomforts of pregnancy like back pain and mobility. I found it difficult to stand for long periods, I stayed inside in front of the TV a great deal of the time and struggled with insomnia, depression and self-image.

I hated the way I looked. Every pound I gained just made me feel worse about myself and my pregnancy, which led me to feel more depressed, which led me to eat more. It was cyclical.

I just kept telling myself I would work hard afterwards to loose the pounds. But inside I was very afraid of becoming just like others, who after having kids never lost the weight and continued to gain unhealthily as a coping mechanism.

I had definitely inherited some unhealthy thinking and unhealthy habits from my past. I had always been a slimmer person before pregnancy but definitely not a healthy person and I knew having a baby would end the slimmer stage of my life if I didn’t make some changes.

Taking the first step

Four months after my son was born I joined an outdoor bootcamp which helped me work off some of the post-baby weight. It was perfect. It ran from 6-7am in a nearby park. I could get my workout and be home before my son woke up.

While still enrolled in bootcamp, I found out I was pregnant with twins. I was excited but a bit disappointed to lose all of my progress. I was referred to a wonderful Personal Trainer at GoodLife. I was surprised to find out that not only could I exercise, but also get in shape safely with my trainer’s guidance.

I only gained 55lbs, which is less than my first pregnancy, and I was pregnant with twins! I soon found out that my initial goal of just keep the weight gain at a minimum was soon transformed into a whole new world of possibility.

It wasn’t just about me anymore

Now it wasn’t just about how I looked. As my trainer began to not just train, but also educate me on my health, I realized it was a lot more about my overall health and about the example I set for my kids.

I had always gone above and beyond to make sure my son ate healthy but he was getting to the age where “do as I say and not as I do” just wasn’t going to work. I felt like such a hypocrite. I would never allow him to eat cake or chips and watch TV, but here I was doing just that. I knew I had to make some drastic changes to my eating habits and activity level.

I also knew the physical demand once the twins were born was going to be overwhelming — especially since my first wasn’t even 1 and a ½ yet. I needed to be better, better for them. It wasn’t just about me anymore.

Getting down to business

So we got down to business. My personal trainer taught me specific stretches and exercises that increased my stamina and prepared me for labour and beyond. I had more energy than with my first pregnancy, felt less lethargic, and felt better overall — both mentally and physically. Any back pain or discomfort we worked out through stretches and strengthening exercises. My posture improved while my belly grew.

My trainer gave me advice and accountability regarding my eating patterns and prevented me from returning to bad habits of the past. The emotional support I received from the general community of the gym was amazing and boosted my self-confidence. I worked out three times a week right up until two days before my scheduled c-section at 39 weeks.

After giving birth to two beautifully healthy babies, weighing 6.6lbs & 7.6lbs, I was back to the gym six weeks after my c-section. Getting back into a routine definitely helped both emotionally and physically with the challenges of raising three young children.

I quickly recovered and began losing weight, which I can only attribute to having exercised during my pregnancy. My doctor had told me to expect to lose half a pound a week. Instead I began to lose two to three pounds a week.

Refreshed and renewed

Going to the gym not only helped me to get much needed time for myself, but has helped me be a better mother. Not only am I modeling better behaviour for my kids by eating right and exercising, but I am refreshed and renewed by having and accomplishing my own goals.

I could not have done it without my trainer and the rest of the staff and clients at GoodLife. The support has been outstanding. I never dreamed I could feel or look this good. I feel like a new person both inside and out!

Thank-you GoodLife and Christina, for helping me give my kids the irreplaceable gift of a healthy future and a healthy mom. You have changed our lives forever!

Kyle - After

My diet was out of control. On average I would eat 5000 calories a day and not even realize it. I didn’t care what I was eating and I made unhealthy choices every day.

A trip to McDonald’s for breakfast always consisted of 2 Egg McMuffins, 2 hash browns and 2 drinks. I was eating for 2 people and it showed! I had season’s tickets to the Windsor Spitfires and I insisted on eating at the hockey game where the meals were doubled up again.

At my old weight I wasn’t able to walk on the treadmill longer than 20 minutes but now I regularly do an hour and a half of cardio for fun. I’m very much into sports and look forward each spring to the start of the lacrosse season. Before, at my old weight, I’d be out of breath after just 5 minutes of play – I couldn’t keep up with anyone let alone chase them down!

I recently tried on my old jogging pants and took only 3 steps before they fell off! I can easily fit another one of me in them now. Clothes are fitting so much better, and this year back to school shopping was an absolute thrill. I purchased clothes from stores I’d always wanted to but as a size XXL I couldn’t fit into them! I now wear a size large with no problem and now get to choose the jeans I liked instead of just the ones that fit.

On my first day of school this year, a friend that I’ve known for years didn’t even recognize me; a few teachers had to look twice at me. Little things that most people take for granted, like fitting into the desks and being able to run up the stairs to the third floor without getting out of breath are so much easier now.

Mike, my trainer at GoodLife has helped me plan and create a healthy lifestyle. I’ve learned how to design my own workouts and I do those on the days in between my training sessions. Working with Mike has been a life changing experience – equal parts inspiration and perspiration! Whenever I would ask if we could lighten something up, skip a set or if I’d hit the wall and wanted to quit, he wouldn’t let me. Seeing the look on his face during my weekly weigh-ins is priceless. I didn’t think it was possible to see anyone happier about my weight loss then myself!

Mike taught me to set short and long term goals throughout this whole process and it has been a great contributor to my success. Achieving short term goals along the way helped motivate me to work harder to reach my long term goal of losing 137 pounds.

Kyle - Before

This spring I plan to try out for the Windsor Warlocks travel lacrosse team. Once, this was only a dream, and now it’s an achievable goal! My long term plan is to finish high school and go to college to become a personal trainer, putting my experience to work motivating others to achieve their goals.

This has been a life changing journey. I came into it not knowing what I wanted to do with my life or where I was headed, along the way I lost the weight of an entire person while gaining a healthy lifestyle and a completely new, different and positive outlook on life.

In the 9 months I’ve worked with Mike I’ve lost over 120 pounds. The over weight, unhappy, shy boy I once was has been replaced by a fit, healthy, happy and outgoing guy known as Kyle “Hardcore” Hartford.

To quote one of my favourite songs: “Never Say Never”.

Frank - After

Hello, my name is Frank I am a 17 year old, grade 11 student in Stratford, Ontario.

I am writing today about my success with personal training here at the GoodLife Fitness Club. My trainer Attila Gombos has been training me since the end of May 2011. I first purchased a 6 session PT Starter Pack, and after completing the sessions I realized that I definitely needed more advice, coaching and drive to reach my goals. I saw the true integrity and passion in Attila, and from the get-go realized he was the trainer for me, and I am very happy I made this decision because I reached incredible success.

My weight at the start was a very obese 262lbs at 5 foot 9 inches. My waist/pant size measured 42”, I wore XXL shirts and sweaters, and my body fat percentage was at 33%.

I was not happy with myself

I realized that I was not happy with myself and noticed myself slowly becoming depressed that I didn’t look like and perform athletically with my classmates. On the field I played rugby and was very slow and out of breath consistently, endurance was not my “thing”.

Frank - After

My goals were simply to lose 50 pounds, perform amazing on the field in rugby, and not be embarrassed to take my shirt off in the change room at school. I surpassed them quite a bit, overcoming such obstacles as peer pressure as a teen, laziness, procrastination, and also a family of bad food habits. Attila was always on my case after I missed one session with him with oversleeping, and made me promise not to miss again, and I haven’t.

Attila sat me down, helped me with my diet, and I, in turn, brought the knowledge passed on from him to my home and helped clean my entire family’s diet up and all of us began to notice a drastic change in our moods, energy, health, and overall appearance. Me, more so because I was also getting training from Attila 3-5 times a week.

Being an obese teen in high school was not the greatest thing in the world

Frank - Before

Feeling like everyone is “better than me” became a thing of the past because after 3 months of intense training and strict diet I managed to lose 50lbs. And now that I have been training with Attila for 9 months, I went from 262lbs to 199lbs as of March 2012. My waist dropped from 42” to 32”. My body fat went down from 33% to 14%!

My mood, confidence, and overall performance on the rugby field is ridiculous! I dominate on the field and am adored by my fellow peers. Making the town newspaper with my rugby team as well! I have qualified for the City Rugby team which is a dream come true. I started at a max bench press of 135lbs, now I one rep max out 250lbs!  Attila, not only showed me the healthy and fit side of life, but became my friend and mentor. I suggest anyone feeling under the weather, unconfident, dissatisfied with their overall appearance to definitely find a personal trainer like Attila, and let them guide you to the success that I have had.

Thank you GoodLife, I am living proof that personal training works!

My entire family; mother, father, and sister now get personal training at the GoodLife Stratford Club because we see the value in it and you cannot put a dollar sign on your health!

Melanie - After

Melanie is one of the winners of our Facebook Success Story contest.  This is her story:

“The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don’t want, drink what you don’t like and do what you’d rather not.” – Mark Twain

Aren’t those words so true?

 On January 11, 2011, I made a commitment to myself, to my family and to my health. I was going to be a better person.

I have been overweight my entire life right from when I was a teenager. I was always the girl with the beautiful face and the bright personality, never the girl with the nice body who was the pillar of health.

Back when I was 20 years old, my family doctor told me that I needed to get my health in check. At that time, I was diagnosed with high blood pressure. I was frightened and scared for my future. I asked my doctor what this meant for my life and he told me that I needed to get it under control because if it continued by the time I was 35 years old, I could have serious problems.

Well, here I was 32 years old, inching towards that dreaded 35 year mark and now in addition to the high blood pressure, I was borderline Type 2 Diabetic and told that I would have Type 2 Diabetes in no time at all, if I didn’t make the change.

It is a very hard realization when you look at yourself in the mirror and finally see what everyone sees. A girl, with a pretty face, who is killing herself with food.

At that point in my life, I couldn’t exercise, I was always tired, I had a hard time walking up the stairs. I was wearing a size 5-6 X in plus size clothing and just generally didn’t look good in anything anyways.

I joined Weight Watchers on January 11, 2011.

For the past 14 months, I have struggled, platued, cried, almost given up, but I haven’t. I have lost 71 pounds and almost 25% of my body weight. I am wearing a size 1X-2X, I am healthier, I am active and I am happy.

I joined Goodlife on January 27, 2012 almost one year after starting Weight Watchers. I was confident at that point that I could start exercising comfortably. I wasn’t as self-conscious as I was before. I now go to 5-6 classes a week and constantly challenge myself.

I am now a happier me. For my family, my friends and most of all, MYSELF!

My story started after gaining major weight when life handed me many different changes and challenges at a time in my life, one of which would be life altering for sure, my mother’s death.

After being stuck in the cycle of grief & other emotional baggage, I came to a

Brian - Before and After

place where I started to do some inner searching within my heart, discovering that I chose to subconsciously perhaps die, discovering one of the major reasons of the weight gain, the fear of change & the insecurity that comes with changes. It had taken time for me to discover that key, however as I continued the soul searching, many other facets of why I was eating the way I was & other underlying issues became to be made conscious and well I started taking my power back from the fat program, and guess what, I shut it off & turned the thin one on!

Once I did this the weight seemed to melt off my body, and ended up losing 210lbs.

Now maintaining that it is important to keep exercising & staying on top of things for sure, such as making a complete lifestyle change, after all I am choosing to live. To live is to be active and healthy.

At my highest weight, 365lbs, I had diabetes, arthitis, seep apnea, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, fat in my liver, gout, low energy, and depression & other stuff, but now ALL of it is GONE! I am healthy!

I have reignited my passion for joyful creating and cooking in the light once more, and discovering new foods that I would have not tried before, trying them and then incorporating the healthy food into my life.

I say just face the fear of the unknown & try it, if you don’t enjoy it, well at least you know that. Better still if you do, you have not only faced the fear of the unknown but you can embrace it in your life.

I recently discovered that I am athletic in my own way for sure enjoying things that I didn’t think I would such as my gym workouts, not to mention my other loves running, biking, walking, yoga and inline/ice skating. Imagine that, here was the fat boy growing up who couldn’t stand gym, now enjoying exercise!

I can’t tell you how much I took for granted in the past, and more importantly now how much I appreciate my body and fitness in my life, and now intend to live each day, enjoying the eternal moment of now, living the good life and valuing what divine has placed in front of me and brought into my life.

Thank you all for being a part of my team of support.

Keep up the good work, if I can do it, so can you!

In the first couple of years after I got married, I gained about 10-15 pounds. I tried my usually methods of dieting and sporadic exercise to lose weight but didn’t have much success, and I lost and gained the same 5-10 pounds over and over again. Before long, I was pregnant and then nursing and didn’t think that was the right time to focus on weight loss. I thought I’d tackle the problem after I stopped breastfeeding, but before I knew it, I was pregnant again. After the birth of my second child last November, I was 20 pounds heavier than I’d ever been, and had never felt more tired, sluggish and unfit. I knew I had to make some serious changes if I wanted to feel better.

I joined GoodLife about 7 months ago and started working out with my Personal Trainer, Rita. I had heard so much about the great success that people had had with Personal Trainers, and I was hopeful, but skeptical.

From the outset, however, Rita made me believe that there was a stronger, fitter person inside me.

My initial goals were weight loss, and Rita helped me tackle these from all angles. I kept a food diary and we discussed nutrition and clean-eating at least once a week. It was not easy to change my habits, and workouts were really challenging.  There were definitely days that, like in the past, I was tempted to stay in bed instead of working out, or cheat on my diet with a chocolaty dessert, but things were different this time. This time, I felt accountable for my actions.

Rita didn’t just tell me what to do, she set a positive example of how to live a clean lifestyle. I started to see the results almost immediately. In the first month, I had lost 12 pounds. People around me couldn’t believe the changes in my appearance, and constantly asked me about the secret to my success. I continued to work hard and lost steadily.

Before I knew it, I had been training with Rita for 5 months, and had lost 40 pounds and 12% body fat!  I had never felt better or more confident.

I continue to work with Rita three days a week, and do another two to three days of cardiovascular exercise on my own. My goals have evolved, and now I hope to become stronger and fitter. I’m still working on perfecting the push-up, and chasing after the elusive pull-up. I work as a family physician, and every day, I see patients with various consequences of poor lifestyle choices. Now, when I counsel patients on diet and exercise, I feel legitimate doing so, like I can be an example of positive change.

And then there’s the example I can set for my kids. Parents are their childrens’ ultimate role models, and I know now that I am a positive role model for fitness and good health for my kids.

My journey with my Personal Trainer has been incredible. When I started, I could never have imagined that I would achieve the results I have thus far. I feel stronger, healthier, and more confident than ever before. This has been a lifestyle revolution for me, and I have no intention of going back to the person I was before. I have my husband, my family and friends, and of course, my Personal Trainer, to thank for helping me to find this confident new woman inside me.

Last April, after feeling miserable for so long and scared that due to being obese I could get some of the diseases that my family suffered from – like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and cancer, I made the decision that I was going to make a lifestyle change. I thought long and hard about this and made a list of the pros and cons of changing my lifestyle- the pros outweighed the cons without a doubt.

I will be honest, I was scared to death to walk into the gym for the first time

Jennifer - After

because I was so fat, I was embarrassed of what people would think. I joined the gym and pushed past my embarrassment. I had set a goal of going to the gym five days a week for one hour but for the first few days on the treadmill I was so sore I could hardly walk and I was lucky if I made is four times a week for twenty minutes.

I knew this was the result of never having exercised before and I was thinking, “How in the heck I am going to be able to do this”?  But I stuck with it and eventually found my rhythm. Some days I felt great and other days I felt like I couldn’t get through the workouts, but slowly I started to lose weight and feel a bit better about myself. I had a big goal and at times I thought I would never get there but I stuck with it and by September lost 40 pounds. I was proud of my accomplishments and I wanted more, however, I had seemed to hit a plateau.

One day at the gym I ran into an old friend from university and she looked terrific which I told her. She told me that she had had a baby and was unhappy with herself. She had decided to invest in a Personal Trainer and had lost 100lbs. After hearing her story and seeing her results I decided to reevaluate the state of my heath and I was curious to see if I could do the same with a Personal Trainer. I will be honest I was not 100% sold on the idea, but the eyes do not lie and honestly I felt like I had nothing to lose and I wanted to see what I could achieve. As luck would have it there was a Personal Training promotion going on to try three sessions for $149. I thought about it and decided it was a low risk proposition so I signed up.

This was the start of how my life changed with the help of my Personal Trainer Laurie Boulton.

The first thing Laurie did was my body composition. Imagine my surprise to find out that even after losing 40 lbs. my body fat percentage was 43%, my waist girth was 46 inches and my blood pressure was high.

Now I was more convinced than ever that I needed some extra help and really hoped that Laurie was up to the challenge. I had been going to the gym for four months on my own and honestly thought I couldn’t work any harder. After the first workout with her I thought “There is no way I am going to be able to do this”, but with Laurie’s encouragement and my desire to get healthy I continued to push myself outside of my comfort zone. Slowly things started to get easier as I built my strength and endurance. When I was weighed and measured and saw the results I had with Laurie in such a short period of time, it was right then and there that I made the decision in invest in a Personal Trainer.

Jennifer - Before

Personal Training was a big investment, but I thought about the big picture.

I realized how much I would gain from it health wise, how much better I would feel about myself on the inside and out and over my life span how much this investment would be worth.

l knew this was one of the best decisions I was going to make in my life. One of the many things that I really love about having Laurie as a Personal Trainer is that she tailors my workouts for me and she pushes me to do things that I never thought I could ever do. When I am finished doing a challenging work out I feel so rewarded and happy that I was able to do it. There are times when I feel like I am not going to make it through and I have Laurie right beside me motivating me, pushing me and telling me that I can do this. She tells me to think about my success and how far I have come and I use that success to get through a few more reps or another minute of cardio and I do each and every time.

When I think back to a year ago there is no way I would have ever thought I would be able to do some of the work outs that we now do.

Prior to this I felt like I wasn’t living. I was sitting at home watching TV and drowning my sorrows in food and living in denial about my health and weight issues. Now, I go to the gym 6 days a week for at least an hour and a half. Two days I train with Laurie and I also participate regularly in other activities such as bike riding, skiing and running outdoors. Laurie has not only taught me the essentials of working out but I have also learned that eating healthy is equally important. Now my meals are filled with lean proteins, veggies, fruit and healthy carbs.

If I could inspire someone else to experience the success that I have had, the advice I would give them is first you must want to change – mentally, physically and emotionally. I would advise them to ensure they are educated on eating healthy because this is such a huge part of weight loss and finally to invest in a gym membership.

I learned that it is important to set small goals for yourself and celebrate them.

For my first goal, I said I would like to lose 10 lbs. so it didn’t seem so out of reach. I have made many decisions about my health that not everyone supports, but with the help of my family doctor and my Personal Trainer I am proud to say they are the right choices for me and have resulted in my having a strong and healthy body. Every day I have people asking me what the secret to my amazing transformation is and telling me that I look like a different person. I share my story with them because after changing my life I want to inspire others to change theirs. Many people tell me I am an inspiration to them and that makes me feel proud of myself. I never thought I could have such a positive impact on others.

Today I am proud to say I am 176.5 lbs., with a body fat percentage of 31% and a waist girth measurement of 32. So far I have lost 120lbs, 12% body fat, 14 inches of my waist and a total of 58 inches off my total body.

Recently, Laurie and I sat down and revaluated my goals. Along with losing about another 30lbs and 8% body fat I will be participating in the 10k Bluenose Marathon in May. I have never felt this great before, both on the inside and outside and I am so excited to take my new found confidence and continue this lifestyle journey, and you can bet that my Personal Trainer Laurie will be right by my side.

Stephanie - After

My journey began with one step, and then another, and another, and another. Literally. I walked myself fit and one morning, I woke up 30 pounds lighter realizing a series of hardships had led me down a path to self-acceptance. A rough, awkward, and fearful path, but one I wouldn’t trade for anything as it gave me this happiness, a blessing that for me had to be earned.

Being a survivor of sexual assault, I hid my pain at the bottom of cookies n’ cream ice cream pails and bags of mini eggs, a habit I later learned is common among women who have suffered a similar experience. Finally one day, at my deepest depression, I sought help from my friends, my family, a couple professionals, and my two beautiful, strong feet!

Stephanie - Before

I started walking everywhere and loved the feel of each season on my face, whether stinging cold or comfortably breezy. Then, after a river of tears and endless self-reflection, came that magical day I stepped on the scale and had miraculously shed 30 pounds. With that happy surprise I realized I’d accepted myself before even knowing I’d lost weight. I always felt so fat and hideous I couldn’t handle being looked at, but now I embrace my curves and the looks that find them, well most of those looks, it’s still kind of a foreign concept to me. But a happy one, just like my happy, walking feet!

Stephanie lends her thanks and support to the Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton. Visit www.sace.ab.ca to share your support.

Jalal - After

Written by Jalal, GoodLife Member

I joined Goodlife a few years ago. I’m 32 years old and have been training for about 10 years with minimal results. I lacked motivation to be consistent at the gym due to the fact that I couldn’t achieve my goals no matter how hard I tried. I would try the latest new workout programs and fad diets found on the internet but nothing worked. I honestly thought maybe I just wasn’t meant to get to that beach body I’ve always wanted. I was extremely discouraged and that’s when I decided to invest in a Personal Trainer.

I had read success stories at GoodLife about other people achieving their goals through Personal Training and that’s what inspired me to get a Personal Trainer. I always thought having a Personal Trainer was just a luxury but after spending the first 3 weeks with one, it soon became clear that it was really making a difference in a short period of time. I could see my body transforming right before my eyes!

Marvin Gonzalez, still my current trainer, approached my training in a very unique way. He catered my training to my own body type but more importantly, to my lifestyle. I didn’t have to train for hours a day and eat like a professional bodybuilder. When I first started training with Marvin, he did a basic assessment of my body. Muscle mass, body fat, weight etc. I told him what my goals were and he gave me a very simple plan and timeline. I started at 205lbs and 36% body fat.

My workouts with my trainer were never dull and were always constantly changing as I progressed. He also helped me with some severe lower back problems and rotator cuff problems due to not training the proper way for so many years. I just wish I started with a Personal Trainer years ago because having one has kept me motivated. He constantly encourages me and pushes me to do better and for that one hour I spend with him, I feel like I’m his only client. To have that much dedication to an individual just proves that they are there to help you achieve your goals no matter how far away you are from them.

Jalal - Before

I am constantly learning and am always excited when I walk into the gym because I know it will always be an amazing workout and I always feel 100 times better afterwards. Plus, having someone there to always work out with you and chat with you really completes the workout in an overall sense.

Marvin has truly shown me the importance of a good balanced diet and training program in order to help build a strong and healthy body. He has always been readily available whenever I have a question and is always willing to spend that little extra time with me. It is not only just his knowledge but how he applies it to different people and what their goals are.

Seeing is believing, and I’ve seen nothing but positive results from having a Personal Trainer. Not just physically but my overall lifestyle has changed for the better. I’m feeling more confident in myself and my friends tell me I’m always smiling for no reason. Getting a Personal Trainer isn’t just about changing your body, having a trainer has changed my life for the better. I am now 185lbs and at 12% body fat and it took me no longer than 6 months. The only downside is having to buy a whole new wardrobe, if that even is a downside. I would highly recommend hiring a Personal Trainer to everyone and anyone looking to transform not only their bodies, but their lives as well.

When I walked in GoodLife in October 2010 I had no idea how my life was about to change in the next year. Back then I was 34 years old, a successful executive, a workaholic, extremely stressed and 277lbs overweight. During this same time my career grew so did my weight for a very simple reason: I placed others and work ahead of myself. Little did I know then all of this was about to change.

Stephanie - After

Fast forward 11 months later and my life has done a complete 180 degree change.  I stopped smoking (and yes forgot to say I was a smoker for 17 years), I eat clean and healthy, I sleep better and my stress levels are well controled. I finally have been able to achieve what everyone was telling me I needed: work life balance. As a result I’m a better leader and in the mist of all of this I lost 95lbs… so far!

When I began my journey I quickly realized I would need someone to be help and educate me towards making the right choices so I signed up for Personal Training. I must say that this was one of the best decisions I had made in a long time.  Santino, my trainer and fitness manager was there for me every step of the way. Not only did he take me thru workouts 3 times a week but he educated me on how to make the right choices in many aspects of my life.

He taught me all about nutrition, how to eat clean and help me to overcome physical challenges. That said, more importantly he helped me understand I needed to put myself first to be healthy and happy.

Santino truly cared about me and my success and that made all the difference. He is a source of inspiration not only for me but has influenced many others.

After a few months of training something happened, I fell in love with fitness! I’m now at GoodLife 6 days a week doing strength and interval training as well as regularly participating in Group EXercise classes RPM, cycling and BODYFLOW.

Stephanie - Before

Fast forward to today and I achieved all the goals I had set for myself on the outset of my journey while picking a few more along the way. I realized that I was using food to cope with my emotion and stress and have now found through fitness a much more effective way to deal with it. I have a completely new outlook on life and I’m a better leader today both in my personal and professional life.

I achieved my first weight goal and decreased my body fat from 54% to 27.2% and lost over 33 inches. I went from wearing a size 22 to 10. My physical condition has improved so tremendously that I just completed a 50K bike ride and will be participating in my first triathlon next year, the possibilities are endless now! People tell me that my story is inspiring.  If sharing it motivates just one person to take the first step and decide to make a change then I truly have succeeded in my endeavor.

Taking the first step is the most difficult part of the journey, the next steps will be easy with the support of the professional team at GoodLife. I’m sure you heard of the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child”, well this is what I receive with Santino’s team: Rosa, Alex and Allan, all of them have a part in this story.

Thank you GoodLife!

I was diagnosed with scoliosis when I was pregnant with my son 6 1/2 years ago and I had a lot of pressure on my back. I would just roll over in bed and be in excruciating pain. My doctor had told me that she would like me to see a neurosurgeon so see why I was gaining weight so fast and she didn’t want to understand that I was eating fast food constantly and not exercising.

Amanda – After

It all started in August 2010.  I was with my husband and he was picking up his daughter from her mother’s house. My son was 4 years old at the time and he saw McDonalds and screamed the whole way there and back because I wouldn’t stop and get him a burger. As soon as that moment hit, I realized that my beyond poor eating habits not only affected me but they affected my son. I was working 4 part time jobs to make ends meet and my husband had 1 job. I was running between jobs and constantly eating take out and pure junk food. After that night I knew that I had to make a change not just for me but for my family.

The next day, I went into Parkway GoodLife and met with the MC and she took a great interest in me and her showing that she cared made me feel so much better. I was so excited to start and I had set my goal rather high at 100lbs. I had a lot of mixed messages from family and friends. I was told by someone that I couldn’t lose the 100 lbs that I wanted in 1 year like I set my first goal to.

When I started, I was 390 lbs and have since lost 125lbs since August 2010.

The fact that this person told me I couldn’t do it made me push myself that much more to achieve my goal. I knew I could do it but having someone push me down made me second guess myself.

I was using a website to track my food and cut out all take out and junk food from my diet. I would walk 5km every time I was in the gym until I lost some of the weight and start to wander out further in the gym. I gradually had members come up to me and tell me that they had seen a big difference in the year I was here working out from the beginning until now. I am like most people that worry what others have to say or think. I had terrible anxiety and think the worst out of every situation.

When I was hired on here at GoodLife I was the quiet meek person but I am slowly coming out of my shell. I have always hidden behind my weight like it was my security blanket. Food has always been my comfort and even through this journey I still have my days but my GM Sandra Golding and MC partner Tara Ritchie help me more than I think they know.

Amanda – Before

I am still at times the quiet meek person but they push me further and further each day. I definitely have had many changes since December of this year and if they allowed it I would still be sulking and being down. Sandra and Tara just tell me to snap out of it and leave my personal stuff at the front door when I come into work in the morning. I am ever so grateful to be a huge part of GoodLife.. In December I was nominated for the Core Value awards and if this had happened when I first started here I don’t think I would have been able to walk across the room in front of a few hundred people to accept this award.

I have always hid behind everyone else and with Sandra Golding Tara Ritchie and Melody Russell encouraging me and showing what true caring is, they mean the world to me. Sandra and Tara inspire me to become more out there even though my personality is more quiet and they are much more outgoing than I am. Mel is always asking me how I am making out personally on my weight loss goals and how I am doing professionally.

As Sandra would say, it takes a village to raise a family. Parkway is my family and I am looking forward to losing the next 100lb and rediscovering who I am.

I first found GoodLife Fitness when my original facility merged with the company.

When I was taken on a tour of the facility, I was somewhat intimidated as it was so large and I wondered if I would continue working out. However, nothing ventured – nothing gained so I, with some of my friends, took the bull by the horns and decided to try it out.

I have not once regretted that first step! It helped that many of the instructors from our original facility made the move with us and were still teaching the classes I wanted to take. I have always been used to the freestle classes but soon discovered there were many others that I would enjoy along with these. I tried out a number of them – some I discarded and some I still do – along with the freestyle when it is offered as this remained at the top of my list.

Then, I met Newbody and fell in love!  How does one describe Newbody? It is a class that fills me with happiness and if I could do this each and every day, I would. It is a class that is “doable” by people at any level of fitness and any age. The heart is given a great workout as well as many muscles which I didn’t know I owned. Even though I do BODYPUMP, Newbody still introduced me to these new muscles.  Ah yes – now we come to brain gym. What a concept! Exercising one’s brain by keeping the body working also. When I first heard this I was somewhat puzzled. But what it does is make you think and concentrate on doing two things at once – at least to me it is. After a while, this occurs without you realizing it. As with any class, you get out of it what you put into it and it is just wonderful when you manage to finally get a new move.

Mo Hagan – the innovator and creator of Newbody – is a lady who asks for 100% of your energy and you find you are giving her 110%. Why? Because you want to! The instructors whose classes I take are very motivating and encouraging and will help you perform a movement correctly by making a gentle if indirect suggestion. They are always willing to stay after class to help you physically make the correction. Over the years I have had at the gym I have made many strong relationships with the instructors and with other members many of whom are much younger than me and I am inclined to call them “my other daughters”.

Perhaps I should just add that I am a girl of somewhat mature years and enjoy each and every visit I make to the gym. I do all of my classes early in the day as I find my day goes so much better once I have stretched my body and my brain. I enjoy working out in a group setting as I find other people’s energy gets the best out of me and we have so many laughs during the course of the class. I try to do two classes each time I visit but if not then I try to walk sometime during the day and I generally DO manage to get in my 10,000 plus steps!

In a nutshell – I love GoodLife.  My classes and the friends I have made mean so much to me.

Its hard to believe how far I have come in just little over a year. Looking back at last January 2011, when I stepped through the doors of GoodLife, I am reminded of how different my life was, how different I was.

I had started my weight loss journey almost 1 year prior.

Initially weighing 234 pounds , I had decided it was time to get healthy.

I had a family history of diabetes and I personally suffered with high blood sugar and depression. I struggled for years with the feeling that I was never good enough and I wasn’t worth anything. I turned to food for comfort and quickly packed on the weight. I was trapped in this cycle of self pity and self medicating with food for years, until one day I just decided I had enough.
With a balanced diet and exercising on my own at home, I managed to lose 40 pounds, however I had reached a plateau for about 2 months and was quickly becoming discouraged. My body wasn’t responding to my usual routine and I knew it was time to take it to the next level but didn’t know where to start.

Nyasha - After

For years, I had avoided heading to the gym. I would go for a few months (usually as my new year’s resolution) all gung ho and would eventually drop off like many do. I would get sick and take a week or 2 off or I would get bored doing the same old thing (treadmill and weight machines) and never return, wasting my money paying the membership fee for a full year. I also felt very self conscious about my size and my physical fitness. I knew there would be people there so much more fit than I was and I know how judgemental people can be. Being a big girl most of my life, I knew what it felt like to be gawked at and talked about. It never feels good.

Enter Goodlife.

What had initially attracted me to GoodLife was its Group EXercise classes; particularly their BODYPUMP, BODYCOMBATand� BODYFLOW classes. I remember going to their open house and watching the demos of the different disciplines they offer and the feeling of excitement it gave me. The instructors had so much energy and they looked like they were really enjoying themselves as well. I wanted that feeling.

I was first in line on the Saturday when the class schedule was launched.

BODYPUMP, BODYCOMBAT and BODYFLOW, the three classes that first piqued my interest, were back to back. I would try them all that day. Under the gentle coaching and motivating of the instructors, I worked muscles I never knew I had in BODYPUMP, BODYCOMBAT made me sweat like never before and BODYFLOW gave me this inner calm that I haven’t felt in the longest time. It was awesome! The instructors were very approachable and assisted me with any questions I had regarding my form and technique after the classes were over. What made it even better, was that all the other participants in the class were just everyday joes like myself. Everyone was so friendly. For sure I was going to like it here. Needless to say, I couldn’t move the next morning, but I had a big smile on my face. This was it. This is what is going to push me that much further to my goal.

Over the next few months I went to every class I could.

Nyasha - Before

I made sure to try them all. They each had something to offer and the more classes I went to, the more of a difference I was beginning to see in my body. Not only was I losing weight, but I was beginning to tone up as well. I started to have muscle definition, which pushed me more. If I had one of those low days when I didn’t feel like going to the gym, I would remind myself of the fun I would have with the friends I had made going to the classes. I had developed a support system of amazing people, all of whom I had met in the group classes. That is one thing I have noticed about GoodLife, that I haven’t witnessed in at any other gym. Everyone, including the staff, trainers and instructors, are so nice and so supportive.

I also saw a difference in my demeanour. I walked head held high and looked people in the eye. My confidence was growing and everyone was seeing it. I even developed enough confidence to start using the free weights with the big boys. BODYPUMP made sure I had the proper form and technique I needed to get on the floor and give myself a good workout. I remember being in the middle of my workout and another member asking me if I was a trainer. How amazing was that? I was smiling all day after that. Me? A trainer?

I loved my classes, particularly the BODYCOMBAT, which helped me develop not only my fitness, but my inner strength. No matter how bad my day would go, I would step into a BODYCOMBAT class and the stress and aggravation would disappear. I was a warrior. I was a fighter. I was strong. I put all the energy I had into it. Every class I would empty my tank and with it all of my frustrations. I would be at work counting down the hours before I can get to the gym and punch/kick it out in class. I had become obsessed!

Then came the day that would change my life forever.

After one of our many combat workouts, another member suggested that I become a BODYCOMBAT instructor.

I had thought about it, but I didn’t know if I was capable of doing it. Did I have it in me? The old me would have just filed that idea away in the back of her mind, but the new me (another 40 pounds down!) knew I should at least try.I had developed such a love of fitness; why not do more with it? You gain nothing by not trying. I had decided a while back that I I wanted to help and inspire others to love fitness like my Group EXercise instructors had done with me. Pay it forward. I just didn’t know how. Maybe this would be the path I would take.

I approached one of my BODYCOMBAT instructors. Jenny (who also happened to be the Team Leader for Durham region), and informed her of my intentions and asked how can I get started. Through her I was able to register for the BODYCOMBAT training in November 2011.

I won’t lie to you, going through my BODYCOMBAT training and transitioning from a member to teacher, has been the hardest thing I have ever done both physically as well as mentally, but also the most rewarding. Some days are more challenging than others, but what makes it worth it are the people around you, who cheer you on, enjoy your class and keep coming back. I have met more amazing people, including my 2 BODYCOMBAT mentors Steve and Cynthia and Team Leader Jenny, whose patience and guidance with me has helped me grow my skills and confidence in this discipline. I am eternally grateful for their support.

January 23rd , 2012 5:45pm, I subbed my very first BODYCOMBAT class.

How fitting was it that the class I subbed was one of the first BODYCOMBAT classes I started with that little over a year ago? I loved teaching so much, that I have since decided I want to do it full time. I finally feel like this is what I am meant to be doing with my life.

The girl I was at the beginning of 2011 seems like almost a distant dream. I have grown so much and learned many things this past year. Most importantly, never give up on yourself, know that you are so much stronger than you think you are. All you have to do is try. You may fall off the horse sometimes. That is totally ok. The most important thing is to get back on it. Don’t give up. Your health and fitness goals are possible. Anyone can do it. You just have to find what inspires you. Group EXercise did it for me.

I went from being a 234 pound, sedentary, depressed individual with horrible eating habits, low self esteem and no drive to do or be anything in life, to a 147 pound BODYCOMBAT instructor.

And this isn’t the end for me. I plan on adding other disciplines to my roster in the near future. No looking back. Onwards and upwards always.

First I fuel my body with a good breakfast (oatmeal with dried fruit or some whole grain toast with a bit of peanut butter are favourites).

Then I remind myself of this: even if I feel like I could only function at 20% at the gym, at least I will have worked out. If I stay home and sit on the couch, I gave 0%. In other words, anything is better than nothing, so even if I’m dragging, I’m still moving, burning calories and building muscle, even if it’s at a slower pace than if I were well rested. Let’s face it, if I only worked out when I felt 100%, it would rarely happen.

The beautiful reality is, as soon as I walk through the gym doors, I feel a surge of energy. I don’t know if it’s from seeing so many others working toward one common goal of improving their health, or if it’s from the friendly smiles at the front desk or seeing a familiar face on one of the machines. Whatever it is, I always find that I’m able to do more than I thought I would and I leave the gym feeling good about having pushed through the tiredness and I’m always glad that I went. This concept was revolutionary in helping me lose my weight and keeping it off.

Having said all of this, it’s important to incorporate days off for recovery and to listen to your body if you have an injury or illness. But if you simply don’t feel like exercising, tell yourself “I’m doing it anyway” and you’ll see amazing results!

After a lifetime of obesity, Julie Horner lost 135lbs by walking into a Group EXercise class, falling in love with it and never looking back. She is now an instructor with GoodLife and teaches BODYJAM, ZUMBA and is working toward her SH’BAM certification. Based in Ottawa, she is a mother of two and her husband, Roger, has lost 50 lbs and now teaches RPM. Julie wants to inspire and encourage others to overcome hopelessness and find a new life on the other side.

Cindy - After

Last May, I hadn’t been feeling very well and knew something was terribly wrong. My daughter-in-law’s mom hadn’t been well either, and I didn’t want to concern my family more with my dizziness and irregular heartbeat, so I kept quiet.

When my husband and I went to the grocery store I had to sit down right on the floor because I almost passed out, but I thought I was just tired. My family kept asking me to eat healthier and start going to the gym. I said I don’t like to sweat and that I was fine.

The next day I was at work and I took a spell. My heart was flipping all over the place and I thought I was having a heart attack. I almost blacked out. They took me out of my workplace and into an ambulance.
I was so upset with myself when my son and his wife, my daughter and my mom were waiting for me. I still can’t get the look of their faces out of my mind.

The doctor came in and asked me what I do for exercise. I told him I have a gym membership. He asked how often I use it and I said: “Oh I’m supposed to go?” He didn’t find it funny.

That was it for me.

My whole family has been 100% supportive and the gym has been my lifeline to finally turning my life around and making a complete lifestyle change. My mom goes to the gym with me all the time. My daughter has been the confidence builder that I needed and I just got my husband to join too. My son Nick and his wife Aimee do my work out routines and call faithfully every Wednesday and Saturday to see how much my weight was.

I have gone back to see the heart specialist and he gave me a clean bill of health and told me that my blood pressure has gone down 20 points and whatever I have been doing to “keep it up!” because it’s working.
I have no more dizziness since my blood pressure is normal. When people say to me that being heavy doesn’t affect your way of life – in my case, it really did. I don’t know where I would be right now if I wouldn’t have become an active member at the gym.

My very first time going I was so nervous that I was shaking and almost in tears from embarrassment. When I entered the gym, an Associate named Justin made me feel so comfortable and did follow-ups to make sure I kept coming back.

I have a goal in May. There is a 5K walk and in my last two walks I finished in 1 hour 5 minutes and 56 minutes. This time I really want to finish in 45 minutes.

I know I don’t have a Personal Trainer but the people at GoodLife are so helpful. If I ask something I’m not sure of, they will help me out. I really believe GoodLife saved my life and I am very focused and confident that I will hit my goal.

Since I started, I have lost 55 pounds and I have another 35 pounds to go. I have gone from a size 22 pants down to a 16, and from a 3X to an XL. I can almost buy regular size clothing now and it has been 8 months since I started my journey.

“She’s an inspiration in my eyes.” – Sara, Cindy’s daughter

It all started with my yearly New Year’s resolution to lose weight and get healthy once and for all.  We’re all familiar with that drill right?  So, in early January I found myself heading off to join Weight Watchers, yet again. This too has been a yearly tradition for most of my adult life.

I am a 47 year old mother and have spent most of my life battling my weight.

I, unfortunately, come from a gene pool of heavier, mostly sedentary people, where food has

Christina – After

always been the focus of family gatherings.  Like many young girls I became aware of my appearance at an early age and went on my first diet when I was in grade 7.  I enjoy food, tend to be an emotional eater and have never been particularly fond of exercising.  Primarily concerned with how I looked I began my life of unsuccessful yo-yo dieting in an attempt to get that swim suit model body which God had somehow forgotten to grant me.

After several years of on-again, off-again dieting, I suddenly found myself prey to what I like to call The Mommy Rut.  For mothers out there, no further explanation is necessary.  But for the rest of you, the Mommy Rut is a mental state where everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, becomes about the kids and taking care of the family.  Nothing wrong with that.  After all, having a family and being a good mom was a goal from the beginning right? The only problem is, like many other working moms out there, I became so engrossed in the role and busy lifestyle that I forgot about me the woman and let myself go completely.  Sound familiar?

After many years of being Mom, I found myself middle-aged, with an 18 year old daughter and heavier than I’d ever been in my life. But what disturbed me more than the way I looked, was the way I felt!

I was always tired, sluggish and had less and less energy to do things.  I was sick to death of always feeling this way and huffing and puffing while climbing a flight of stairs.  For the first time in my life I really didn’t care about how I looked, I just wanted to feel better!

So on a whim, heading home from a Weight Watchers meeting I stopped in at the GoodLife, Hazeldean location, just to check it out.  Exercise has always equalled a big, fat, YUCK in my books, so I had very low expectations.  I was greeted in a friendly fashion and passed on to the general manager.  He gave me a one week trial pass along with great advice on how to get started and what classes would be most appropriate for me given my present health and plantar fasciitis condition.  Curiosity peeked, but still doubtful about exercising, I attended a� BODYFLOW class the next day and actually enjoyed it! Feeling more encouraged, I spent the next couple of days trying a few different things and surprised myself by signing up for a 6 session introductory package with a Personal Trainer in order to learn some of the machines.  I thought once shown how to use them I could proceed on my own.  An on-going Personal Trainer?  What for?  Like most people, I figured show me what to do and I can do it myself.  Who in their right mind could justify spending that kind of money on themselves anyhow?

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is when Ryan Lambert, Personal Trainer, came strolling into my life and began changing my perceptions and attitude.  Our initial meeting was spent discussing my personal goals and lifestyle, taking blood pressure, body measurements and determining my body fat percentage.

I was shocked to learn that my typically low blood pressure was 140/82 and even more shocked to hear that my body fat percentage was sitting at a whopping 43%!  For some reason hearing Ryan tell me that I was basically half fat, hit a real nerve with me.

I decided then and there to do something about it and to prove this kid wrong!  Desperately wanting to feel healthier and stronger, I began my training sessions immediately.

Christina – Before

Ryan and I hit it off from the beginning.  With his easy-going, playful nature and understanding of my limitations, he introduced me to various machines and exercises, all the while pushing me and encouraging me to give it my all.  I was surprised to find myself not only learning, but enjoying my sessions.  I mean, really enjoying them!  So much so that by the fourth one I didn’t want them to end.  Was this really me?  I had always dreaded exercise and viewed it as nothing more than a chore needing to be done in order to lose weight faster.  But here I was, having fun, joking around and feeling a real sense of accomplishment, all the while sweating my butt off!  This was definitely a first for me.  There was no doubt I wanted this feeling to continue.  I knew then I had to keep training, no matter what.  I could not maintain this level of motivation on my own.

But how could I justify the expense?  I realized then that as parents we spend large amounts of money on our kids, but seldom spend it on ourselves. Remember the Mommy Rut? I decided enough was enough and that I was important too.

Besides, what better cause is there to spend my time and money on than my own health? I figured the benefits of improving my health would outlast any hockey season or dance recital by far.

And so, with that decision made, the real fun began.  Ryan continued to plan an increasingly challenging program tailored to meet my specific needs.  Each session was different from the last, presenting something new and thus, never boring.  He shared his knowledge regarding health, eating and exercise with me, as well as took an active interest in my weekly weight loss success.  He encouraged me, kept our sessions motivating and fun and above all made me feel successful and special.  Don’t get me wrong, it was hard work.  Really hard.  At 214 pounds I was in really bad shape. Believe me when I say Ryan heard more than his fair share of whining from me!  But he always took it in stride, laughed it off and then pushed me even further.  As our trainer/client relationship developed, I began challenging myself as much for me as for the pleasure of seeing the surprised look on Ryan’s face each time I surpassed yet another goal.

There was no way I was staying half fat!

Along with my training, I explored and made good use of many other classes and equipment which GoodLife offers.  I soon discovered that the treadmill, stepmill, spinning, BODYFLOW & Yoga were all activities I could carry out despite my plantar fasciitis, as well as enjoyed.  So even though my favourite gym activity remains training with Ryan, these others became an important part of my regular routine.

So here I am, six months later, 73 pounds lighter with a body fat percentage of 23%.

I have for the first time ever, reached my Weight Watchers goal, become one of their lifetime members and am a regular here at the gym.  As I look back at pictures taken just this past Christmas, I do not recognize the unhealthy woman staring back at me.  What I do remember however, is how crappy she felt all the time. I may no longer look like her, but more importantly, I no longer feel like her.  I am in the best shape of my life and I feel fantastic!  It may have taken me a long time, but I can honestly say that thanks to GoodLife Fitness and my awesome trainer and friend Ryan, I have truly learned that being healthy (not just skinny) requires a balance between healthy eating habits and an active lifestyle.  They have given me not only the tools with which to be successful, but more importantly, they have helped develop an attitude and love of fitness which I will carry with me long after I leave this place.  It is my hope that upon reading my story, others may also become inspired and begin their own journey towards a healthier, more active lifestyle.  If I could do it at this point in my life, then anyone can. I guess I’m proof that you really can teach an old dog a new trick!

Christina is one of our Success Story winners for January. If you are interested in working with a Personal Trainer and overcoming some of your own health challenges, sign up for a free consultation today.

Megann – After

Not knowing how to cope with the lifestyle change of becoming a stay at Mom I watched as the scale crept up to 250 pounds.  By the time my son turned 18 months, I became pregnant with my daughter and the same cycle started all over again. Once she was born I can remember trying so hard to lose the weight and to say I was unhappy with myself was an understatement. I had given up all hope.  After trying different diets my waist was at an all time high and I didn’t even realize what my weight actually was.

I was wearing a plus size 24.

Stretch marks were starting to appear on my thighs, hips, upper arms, and abdomen.  I felt horrible all the time, suffered from terrible heartburn, and indigestion 24 hours around the clock.  My back and feet ached all the time.  I was experiencing migraines every day. I couldn’t fit into any of my clothes and dreaded the thought of going shopping, so I lived in stretchy pants and oversized t-shirts.  I was eating fast food every day, sometimes three times a day.  I was drinking pop, fruit juice and alcohol on a daily basis.  I didn’t even know what water was.

The first point when I realized that I needed to change my life happened on January 12 2011.

I was suffering from a bout of pneumonia and horrific asthma.  After getting both children to bed I decided to go to the Emergency Room where I was taken in right away and started on a various inhalants.  An E.R. doctor came and spoke to me within moments “Megann, you really need to take some weight off.  In my guess your asthma is weight related”.  This was my breaking point. I cried there in the Emergency room.  I cried on the drive home.  I cried most of the night through.  I was devastated and didn’t know where to begin.

The following day I decided to get on the scale to find out that I weighed 300 lbs.  I was horrified, but at the same time was enlightened because I finally knew exactly what I was dealing with.  Within a week I was down 10 pounds and was excited at the prospect of losing more and more.  After about a month I had lost a total of 14 pounds and was confused as to why my healthy eating wasn’t proving to be more successful than I had hoped.  This is when my husband and I decided that we would join the GoodLife at Penhorn Plaza.

I had purchased a 6-pack of Personal Training starter sessions since I had no idea how to work out. Tim Martin was the trainer that I was assigned to and got a call from him shortly after signing up for the package.  He sounded just as excited as I was to meet and get things going, which gave me tremendous hope.

I won’t lie, I was nervous.

Megann – Before

We met at the gym a couple days later where we talked about my goals, went over how much I was eating, and what I was doing to keep active. I wanted to lose 110 pounds, tone up, and increase my mobility. Tim really listened to me and empathized with me that being overweight not only comes with physical issues, but emotional and mental issues too.  He continued over the next few days to teach me the ropes of the gym. I was on the last day of my training package and Tim sat me down to talk about signing up with him to continue on.  He explained where we would go over the next year and how he would take me there.  I wanted this more than anything I’ve ever wanted in my life.  My emotions got the best of me and I broke down, not knowing if I could afford training since my husband was the only one working. I was near sobbing when Tim said “You know Megann, it’s people like you and moments like this that make this job worth it”, which I’ll never forget.  I knew that he really did have hope for me, and wanted to see me succeed.  It felt amazing to have someone who didn’t know me believe in me. After discussing it with my husband we signed up 52 sessions and decided that we would have to make some sacrifices.

Here I am today down 100 pounds, wearing a size 10, feeling stronger, healthier, having a new lust for life, and a new found confidence.  I have more muscle now than I even knew I had and I’m fitting into my old clothes again.  I feel like I belong at the gym.  I no longer suffer from aches and pains, get migraines, or heartburn.  I can run again, I can jump again, and better than ever.  I am learning to accept me for me.

Tim has taught me not only how to exercise properly and strengthen my body, but to think more positively and take pride in my achievements.  Still today, he has the same enthusiasm as he did day one, pushing me further than I ever expected with each session.  Teaching me about “build” and “burn” and how each stage will further me in my weight-loss journey.  After years of failing and not believing that I could accomplish what I’ve accomplished in the last 7 months.   I have come to the conclusion that anything is possible if I put my mind to it.  I will be forever grateful to the E.R. doctor, to GoodLife and Tim, and the immense support of my husband.  If I can do it, anyone can!  I strongly urge anyone who’s reading my story to take a look at your life.  Are you living it to the best of your abilities?  Can you take the time for yourself to sign up with a trainer and give yourself the best gift of life you can ever give yourself?  I bet you can!

Megann is one of our Success Story winners for January. If you are interested in working with a Personal Trainer and overcoming some of your own health challenges, sign up for a free consultation today.

My name is Inyoung Lee, I immigrated to Canada in 2006 from South Korea. After little more than 4 years of my married life in Canada, I broke up with my ex-wife in the winter of 2010. It was the most painful experience I have ever had; and now my life had been destroyed through overeating and over drinking. I had a hamburger for breakfast, pizza for lunch and hot wings with vodka for dinner. I could not pass a day without eating junk food and I could not sleep without being drunk. It lasted for three months and my entire life was utterly devastated. I almost dropped out of school and my friends started to avoid me thinking I was behaving erratically.

Inyoung Lee – After

By the time I realized that I was ruining myself my weight hit 185lbs. It was the heaviest I have ever been in my life.

Whenever I saw myself in the mirror, I felt ashamed of myself and my self-esteem got smaller and smaller while my pant size got bigger and bigger.

In 2011, on my 25^th birthday, I vowed to change my life.

However, I had no idea how to change my eating habits and lifestyle. I found out that there is a Personal Trainer named Sang-Il Jo who also came from Korea. I visited GoodLife Fitness at St.Clair to consult with him about my situation. The reason I chose him as my Personal Trainer was not only because he can speak fluent Korean, but also he is one of the best trainers in Toronto area. When I explained my whole story he listened to it with a sincere attitude. Thankfully he was willing to be my mentor and help me to build a better life. Frankly speaking, I thought that the cost of training seemed like a really large investment at first. However, now I believe that the final result of my Personal Training was worth more than any dollar value.

Through consecutive consultations and continuous exercises with Trainer Jo, my body and mind were greatly changing in a positive way. Initially, I expected that Personal Training would just change my body but now my lifestyle is totally changed.

Now I live a more diligent, well-established and energetic life than ever before.

Inyoung Lee – Before

Trainer Jo showed me how steady exercise and healthy eating habits can change a life.  It was not easy to change my eating habits entirely at first. According to Trainer Jo’s advice, I decreased the number of times I ate out to once or twice a week and ate homemade meals for the rest. Trainer Jo taught me how to exercise, too. I worked out three times a week for the first two months, and increased the number of training as I improved. Since I was a total beginner, he especially emphasized on teaching the right posture and movement for each exercises. He also gave me a lesson in anatomy so that I can easily grasp concepts of each muscle working on its relevant exercises.

During 6 months, I have lost more than 40lbs since I started Personal Training and my body shape looks just great. My body fat percentage dropped from 26.8% to 9%. I wear 29 inches pants from tight 34 inches.

Now I am working out at least three times a week to keep my body in shape, and enjoying the happiest moment in my life. The most significant achievement that I earned from my Personal Training with Trainer Jo is a firmed self-confidence that now I can achieve anything I aim for.

Inyoung Lee is one of our Success Story winners for December. If you are interested in working with a Personal Trainer and overcoming some of your own health challenges, sign up for a free consultation today.

I knew I had to exercise

Several factors prompted me to get back to the gym for the first time in years. I liked to eat and didn’t get much exercise. As a result, I’d been overweight for most of my life. Some close relatives had suffered from cancer, stroke and heart disease, and I wanted to avoid a similar fate. I had no energy and I had trouble sleeping.

I also had a sweet tooth, poor eating habits and no willpower, so exercise seemed like my best option for losing weight. However, on my last few attempts to get into an exercise routine, I’d started strong and then tapered off without seeing any results.

After

This time I checked out Personal Training, and was fortunate enough to meet Karin in April 2010. She assured me that I’d get results if I participated in the program she’d design for me. At my initial weigh-in, I discovered I was at 208 pounds. I was mortified that my weight had crept that high, but it helped convince me to take advantage of the program and commit to two sessions a week to drop some of those pounds.

However, I wasn’t optimistic about actually reaching the weight-loss goal I mentioned in our first meeting, particularly since I’d never liked strength training very much. But I quickly began to enjoy my sessions with Karin. Her positive attitude was contagious. With her encouragement, I began to exceed my perceived limits. The workouts were challenging, but I felt great afterward. I began to work out regularly even when I didn’t have a session scheduled, and Karin provided advice about my cardio workouts too. My energy increased and I started sleeping better. In the first month, I lost five pounds and several inches.

Those results encouraged me, and I was surprised by the ripple effect of the exercise.

After putting in all that work at the gym, I found myself reluctant to neutralize it by indulging in sweets or junk food. So I started eating better.

Working with a trainer also helped me break my pattern of fading after a few weeks. At the start, I would sometimes skip working out for a couple of days. But it never stretched into more than that because then I’d have a session with Karin and I’d get back on track. Knowing that I was going to get on the scale regularly also spurred me on.

Carrie – Before

The pounds continued to come off. I got stronger and more confident, and worked harder, as I achieved results.

Karin made sure I was aware of the increases in the weights I used or the number of reps I did. The word “can’t” slowly receded from my vocabulary. I’d been reluctant to venture into a spinning class because I thought it would be too hard, but Karin convinced me to try. I was hooked after one class and it became a regular part of my regimen. By Christmas I had lost over thirty pounds and my original goal of shedding at least sixty no longer seemed like a pipe dream.

Fourteen months into the program, I have taken off 60 pounds, 37 inches and 12 percent body fat. My BMI has gone from 34 to 24.5 and I’ve dropped seven dress sizes.

I work out at least five times a week. I’ve overcome my own doubts and uncertainty. I’m in much better shape than I’ve ever been before and have lots of energy. I’m enjoying myself and I feel great.

My increased confidence has spilled over into other areas of my life. I was recently promoted at work. I’m participating in activities I wouldn’t have tried a year ago. I reached my goal of losing 60 pounds and am now aiming to drop 75-80. Eating well and exercising regularly have become habits that I know I’ll be able to maintain in the future.

I’m very grateful for Karin’s guidance and support, which have made all the difference in this successful endeavour to get fit. I would also like to thank the staff members at Weber GoodLife who took the time to offer encouraging comments.

Carrie is one of our Success Story winners for December. If you are interested in working with a Personal Trainer and overcoming some of your own health challenges, sign up for a free consultation today.

Here’s what I had for breakfast today. It made my dog quite envious.

I’ve had a revelation about my eating. Over my life time my weight has varied dramatically. I have been on every diet known to man. I’ve gained and lost 100s of lbs. When I signed up at GoodLife last September, Coach Mike began to challenge almost all of my long-held assumptions about eating.

I had a neatly constructed way of eating that I thought could keep my weight from climbing again. It generally involved a lot of cereal bars and copious amounts of diet pop — Diet Vernors to be exact  (which I travelled to the States to procure because they don’t sell it in Canada anymore). Also, Diet Jello and Diet Fudgesicles… in short, lots of aspartame, some fruit, raw veggies, breads, grains, little or no fat and not much protein.

When Mike started encouraging me to eat protein at every meal and cut out breads, reduce my fruit and eliminate diet pop I thought — no way… this guy is crazy! I almost gagged at the thought of eating meat in the morning. But he gave me ideas like a slice of roast beef wrapped around a pickle or shepherds pie with cauliflower mash on top. And that some butter on veggies is actually okay. It all ran counter to what I truly believed was the right way to eat. I doubted it would work for me. I was scared that if I altered my eating system, I’d lose control and start gaining weight.

But I decided to take a leap of faith and embrace this Paleolithic way of eating. I stopped counting calories and measuring quantities obsessively. I moved into these changes gradually… letting go of things a bit at a time. Now I have a handful of berries, some almonds and a couple of slices of ham or roast beef in the morning. I’m less hungry and I am actually eating better and more than I did before. I’m avoiding processed foods and dabbling in organic produce and grass-fed beef. For the first time in my long life of dieting I feel like I’m eating like a normal person and my weight is not the predominant focus of every waking moment. And I’ve lost weight… go figure!

Paradoxically, letting go, relinquishing rigid self control can trigger a new and more natural state of regulation and balance.

14 days to go… hangin’ and bangin’

I dead lifted 115 lbs today! I can’t believe it… on a barbell, one giant circular plate at each end plus a smaller one. This type of move is referred to as a dead lift. You bend over with the barbell on the floor in front of you and pick it up as you straighten up. They call it hanging and banging in lifting lingo.

I am amazed at myself…. I did 5 reps, 5 times! You really feel it in your shoulders and your core. Wow, thank you god or whomever for a healthy body… thank you Mike for coaching me to this point even though you say this is just a “warm-up”!

Julie – After

At over 320lbs, my doctor told me that if I didn’t do something about my weight, I wouldn’t likely live to see my 40th birthday and my little girl would be without a mother. I had been overweight my whole life and since the age of 8, had tried every kind of diet known to man, resulting in a devastating yo-yo effect that left me squeezing out of a plus size 28.

I was terrified to go on yet another diet because I knew that it was the dieting itself that had contributed to my ballooning so I had to try something completely different. I had to drive to pick up my mail (only 3 blocks away) because it was too much for me to walk that distance without having to take breaks to catch my breath. So when my friend asked me if I wanted to join GoodLife with her, even though it seemed daunting, I decided to give it a try since I had tried everything else.

I hated exercise

The problem was that I HATED exercise because it was painful, boring, and exhausting. I forced myself to go twice a week and felt better that I was actually doing something active.

One day, I nervously skulked into a BODYJAM class and hid in the back corner of the room. I was terrified because I felt so out of place since I was twice the size of everyone else, but I quickly realized that I was the only one who was judging me. The instructor (Stephanie) was warm, genuine and inviting and she actually looked me in the eye, making me feel like any other person there and before I knew it, I felt comfortable and was swept away in the most fun and exciting hour I could ever imagine.

I actually cried through much of the class because I realized that I had finally found something I truly enjoyed and could do at my own level. I had to have more! I found out where I could do more of these classes throughout the city and ended up hopping from one club to another to get to as many as possible because it satisfied something inside me that had been missing most of my life. I felt included. And this strange side effect started happening to me; since I felt so good I was eating better and the weight was falling off.

A year later

A year later I was auditioning to become a BODYJAM instructor and during my training I broke my 100lb weight loss milestone.

Julie – Before

I also discovered I was pregnant, which was thrilling but scary at the same time because even though I wanted a second child, I was so afraid that this momentum would be lost, or worse, that I’d end up back to where I started. Despite my new lifestyle, 6 months into the pregnancy, I developed complications to the point that I was basically on bed rest. I ended up with a c-section, so it was another 6 weeks before I could start coming back to the gym. Naturally, after almost 5 months of being sedentary, some damage was done and by the time I returned to the gym, I had to overcome a 40 pound weight gain.

Getting back on track after my pregnancy

It was hard for me to get to the gym beyond my scheduled classes with a little one in tow and I was so tired because the baby didn’t start sleeping through the night until she was well over a year old. I was not committing to the gym the way I needed to see results, so I decided to hire a Personal Trainer. This made all the difference! Since I had appointments booked, I was committed to go and I quickly discovered that no matter how tired I was, my trainer (Chris) made it the perfect balance between fun and challenging. As before, since I was feeling better about myself I was eating well again and lost the 40lbs I had gained in pregnancy and have since lost an additional 35lbs.

Where I am now

This means that between Group EXercise and Personal Training, I’ve lost 135 lbs, gone from a size 30 to a 10 and I feel like a completely new person. I am currently teaching 4 classes a week (BODYJAM and Zumba), training twice a week and try to participate in as many extra classes as I can. It feels amazing to be smaller than I was at age 12 and yet I am so much stronger than I’ve ever been.

My entire family is living a healthier lifestyle now, including my husband who has lost 50lbs and has since become an RPM instructor. I feel like I’m a better role model for my daughters and it feels so good knowing that fitness and health will be a priority in their lives. I never imagined a life like this and it shows you that absolutely anyone can do it!

Watch a video of Julie’s story here

http://ottawa.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20120126/ott-amazing-people-Julie-Horner-120126/20120126/?hub=OttawaHome

I have been considered overweight and/or obese from the time I was approximately 5 years of age.

I spent my entire childhood hearing doctors tell my parents that I needed to lose weight and

Heather – After

being teased and bullied by peers, friends and adults.  As a teenager and adult, I often turned to food as a comforting strategy to deal with my emotions.  I ate whether I was happy, sad, angry, depressed- it didn’t matter.  I was embarrassed to participate in physical activities and shied away from sports, physical education classes, and anything else that I felt may showcase my clumsiness and lack of physical stamina.  For most of my adult life I weighed between 230-240 lbs.

Throughout my early adulthood and up to about 18 months ago, I constantly yo-yo dieted and made attempts at losing weight and exercising, only to lose some and then regain.  I often took out gym memberships and would attend for a month or two, then my attendance would drop off again. I was dreading attending each annual physical appointment with my doctor, knowing that I was experiencing high blood pressure and joint/muscle pain, and that diabetes and heart disease were inevitable family issues that I would be dealing with too.

In early 2010, I finally decided that my mental, physical and emotional health had reached its most vulnerable levels, and I finally began using my Goodlife membership.

My best friend joined me at the gym and this made me accountable to attend.  I began to see success through losing weight and beginning to try new activities at the gym.  Seeking new challenges and wanting to lose weight, build muscle tone and retain my fitness goals, my friend and I began partner training with Personal Trainer and Fitness Manager Felipe Gabriele.

I will admit that I was quite nervous beginning personal training with Felipe, having spent most of my life “failing” at physical activities.  However, having Felipe’s guidance through workouts 3 times a week quickly helped me begin to understand the mind and muscle connection that I had been missing for so long, and how I was capable of doing more than I had ever thought possible.

Working through the first foundation phase, I learned the importance of proper posture, form and technique when performing each exercise, and began to see immediate improvements in my coordination, strength, and self-esteem.  I quickly began looking forward to each session as we moved through build and burn phases- because with each week, I could results physically, mentally and confidence-wise.  Considering that when I first joined Goodlife, I usually hid in the women’s only area, through my sessions with Felipe I was learning how to use equipment and machines that I would have never approached on my own, and now can use any area of the gym with a sense of pride and energy!

Heather – Before

Felipe not only provided support during personal training sessions, but also provided guidance and suggestions for other workouts and as well as nutritional advice. He consistently provides me with workouts that combine his knowledge, experience, and understanding of our needs as his clients to create exciting workout sessions that keep me challenged and excited to return.  I have lost weight, gained muscle, and reached goals that I never thought were possible.

As of July 2011, I have lost approximately 110 lbs, and now weigh 125 lbs (the last time I was this weight, I am pretty sure I was about 9 years old!).   My body fat percentage has gone from 48% to approximately 13%, and from wearing a size 18, to a size 0! High blood pressure is no longer an issue. I participated in the 10 km Mississauga Marathon run and completed it in a time of 1 hour flat, completed my first tri-triathlon on Labour Day weekend and wore a bikini for the first time in my life on summer vacation!

I have truly made a lifestyle change in terms of what, when and how I eat, how often I exercise and am active, as well as how I deal with my emotions.  Exercise has become my daily form of stress relief and helps me keep a balance in my life.  I have created stronger relationships with friends and family members who are supportive and have eliminated the toxic people in my life who did not encourage me to live a healthy lifestyle. Having my best friend at my side has kept me motivated and committed to continuing to pursue my goals of building muscle, endurance and toning. I am healthier and happier than I have ever been before and am living the good life!

Heather is one of our Success Story winners for December. If you are interested in working with a Personal Trainer and overcoming some of your own health challenges, sign up for a free consultation today.

36 days to go

We need to keep up the hiking as we will be walking at least 10k each day of our climb.  Vince and I walked out to a largely deserted Leslie Street spit on a beautiful Saturday morning, it was more like spring than early January with beautiful views of downtown Toronto across the water.

Walking along in full Kili gear (loaded back pack, walking poles, heavy boots) belting out my best Carrie Underwood ( with my iPod ) only to discover two people directly behind me.  This was highly amusing for them and embarrassing for me.  Despite the slight ebarrassment, we still managed to complete the hike. Approximately 5k out to the end of the spit and 5k back.  This hike was remarkably easy compared to our first few hikes of similar length back in August.

Vince finally agreed to be photographed.  I was getting worried that others would think he was a phantom husband and make-believe co-trekker or perhaps even a vampire.  Now that we have captured him on camera, he is fully committed! There is no turning back now….

35 days to go

I’ve been doing the stairs in my condo building. Coach Mike says this is the best way to build up the cardio fitness I will require.  I go up 24 stories 5-6 times in a row.  I’m afraid to sing in the stairwells now, after my mortifying experience at the Leslie Street spit yesterday.
I confine myself to dancing up the stairs to the music from my ipod, and only in the upper, less traveled floors. �

Today I have strapped on a 12lb. backpack to better simulate what the Kili experience will be like. I am wearing my new Lululemon groove pants that I got for Christmas. They are a size 12 and none too roomy, however size 12 is the biggest pant size Lululemon sells.  I mean, REALLY? What happens to those of us with bigger bums and big thighs?  How are we supposed to look trendy while working out?

34 days to go

One of the things compounding my challenge to get fit is the fact that I am suffering from menopausal hot flashes - I have about 15 per day.  I break into a full blown sweat, forehead, upper lip, cheeks, everywhere.  I sweat in places I didn’t think had sweat glands.

When it happens in the office, I try to pretend that I just ran up the stairs or just got back from the gym but I suspect people know the truth.

These flashes usually begin with a twinge  of anxiety followed by an immense heat that makes me want to scream and go running naked through the streets of downtown Toronto looking for a snow drift to throw myself in, but since we don’t get much snow in Toronto anymore,  I would settle for a nice big pile of ice rink shavings outside an arena.

They say exercise is supposed to make hot flashes better.  Coach Mike has told me that red spanish or Sardinian wine coupled with grated organic 85% or higher dark chocolate taken in combination also lessen menopausal symptoms.  The presence of a substance called resveritrol is what does it.  I now carry a purse size grater with me when I go out and limit my wine choices to Spanish tempranillos.  I hope its working,  I’m thinking it is. Otherwise I’d be having upwards of 20 30 hot flashes per day!

I also try to focus on how far I have come.  When I started climbing the stairs in September, I could barely make it to the 4th floor without getting winded but I just kept going and sure enough I somehow got my wind back and then it slowly got easier.

It’s the same with the weights.  Little incremental improvements add up and will get me to the top of Kili!

I’m told that the mountain guides on Kili say “pole, pole” which means “slowly, slowly” in Swahili.  They repeat this frequently to the climbers because a slow and steady pace is the only way to reach the top.

Check back next Friday for more updates from Nives as she prepares to climb Mount Kilimanjaro!

By Jonessa MacNeil, GoodLife Fitness Member

We all have days we remember — maybe a birthday, a graduation day, a wedding day. For me, it’s the day I died. It was May 17, 2000 and I was 18 years old. I was clinically dead for 12 minutes before being resuscitated. While I remember nothing of those 12 minutes nor the many days thereafter while in a coma, I vividly remember the person I was before that day.

On that fateful day in May, I underwent orthodontic surgery, commonly referred to as “jaw surgery.” Immediately after surgery something went terribly wrong. An OR nurse noticed I was in trouble and called a code.  Twelve minutes without oxygen left me with a dim prognosis. The first EEG showed only “mylonic jerks” for brain activity. The diagnosis was hypoxic-ischemic brain injury with right side paralysis. I suffered seizures while in the ICU and my parents were told that I could end up non-responsive. I was on anti-convulsive medication for quite some time.

Jonessa has become a master at spin class

Eventually, I was sent to the Stroke Unit where I learned how to sit up. The next stop was Rehab.  During the assessment, those examining me weren’t confident I was strong enough to handle the program. I remember my Mother saying, “Jonessa, they don’t think you can stand up.” I mustered everything I had and stood — not for long, but I stood! It was one of the few times my parents were grateful for my stubborn streak; if not for that stubbornness, medical personnel said that I probably would never have ever gotten out of the hospital bed. My Mother calls me “her amazing woman.” Rehab was tough, with many tears and many falls due to balance issues. But my goal was to get back home. I missed my friends and I wanted my life back! Eventually I graduated from a wheelchair to a walker to walking on my own, although with an uneven gait and legs that would sometimes give out on me without warning.

Among other things, I had to learn to swallow again and to come to terms with vision loss. Initially it was thought I would be blind, but one doctor gave us hope that it was possible that some vision would return, and eventually some did. I’m still without full vision, so I miss driving the car and running up and down stairs. But at the same time, I’m thankful for the vision and mobility I have left. Recovery was slow and laborious. I attended rehab for a year while trying to get my life back together. But by that time my friends had graduated and went on to new lives, and I missed them terribly.

I went back to college part-time, gradually building up to where I could attend full time. I graduated. Over time I was able to be productively employed. Some people think there is no room in the workplace for those who are unable to work as fast as they. But I work hard and to the best of my ability. For the most part people realize their lives too can change at any given time.

Jonessa during the early days of rehab

I am proud to say that I am employed at Empire Theatres Limited as a daily box office auditor; Empire Company is an organization that values a diverse workforce. One day at work I heard that a new GoodLife Fitness club was opening in the mall where I work in New Glasgow, NS. I was thrilled because it was going to be all on one level, which meant I didn’t have to worry about the difficulty of maneuvering stairs. The head trainer at the time was Shaun Mckeough, who is now regional manager for New Brunswick. Whenever I went to the gym, no matter where he was, he would shout, “Hey, Jonessa! How’re you doing today?” He always made me feel welcome and it put me at ease. Over the months I’ve been able to increase the time spent on the treadmill and noticed that my legs and arms grew stronger.

Being a member of GoodLife has not only improved my physical ability but my mental outlook as well. I don’t feel as isolated as I used to and while I still miss the friendships I once had, I appreciate the friendliness of the staff and club members. Club manager Ruthie Burns will often jump on the treadmill beside me and talk and walk with me for a while, which I think is great! My parents are GoodLife members who enjoyed their spinning classes. On Saturday mornings, they would go to Fit Ride while I walked the treadmill. One day, Group Exercise Leader Carol Forbes suggested that I come to spin. My first thought was that I would never be able to do it, but with her encouragement I signed up. Initially it was scary because of my balance, but now I go as hard as I can when sprinting and climbing and it feels wonderful: I feel like I’m free! If I get tired, I sit down until I catch my breath and give my legs a rest and then get up and go again. I love the music and the energy it gives me, and I look forward to each class.

Joining GoodLife has been the best thing I’ve ever done. I love the sense of belonging, the sense of being part of something good and the sense of accomplishment I feel after each workout. GoodLife is not just for people brimming with health and vitality. It’s for people who are young or old, strong or weak, thin or overweight.  It’s also for people like me — people limited by something physical but not willing to give up in their mind. GoodLife works for me!

Jonessa’s story was originally featured in the November/December 2011 issue of OptiMYz magazine.  GoodLife Members can subscribe for FREE!

Written by GoodLife Fitness member, Nives.

Reflections on a middle aged couple’s decision to get in shape and tackle Mount Kilimanjaro!

Okay, so maybe it’s a mid-life crisis or maybe it’s a chance for two former couch potatoes to really put themselves to the ultimate physical and mental challenge and raise some money for a good cause at the same time!

A few years ago I became enthralled with the idea of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, the world’s tallest free-standing mountain. It’s located in Africa between Tanzania and Kenya and stands almost 20,000 feet high (19,340).

It’s regarded as a trek rather than a technical climb but poses great challenge because of the altitude.  Success is often based on how well climbers acclimatize to the high altitude. About 20,000 people try to scale it every year and only 1/3 of those people reach the summit. The trek starts out in equatorial rain forest and by the final day of ascent climbers are buffeted by snow, wind and arctic temperatures, all while trying to breathe through what feels like a straw and walking so slowly and laboriously that each step forward takes herculean effort.

My husband had always been fit and athletic in his younger days but having recently reached 58 years of age, one might say that his glory days have started to slip away into the mists of memory. I am a somewhat un-coordinated, life-long dieter, who has always struggled with weight fluctuations. Though active and healthy I am not athletically gifted. I’m 54 and have a surgically altered knee.

Yet, something about the prospect of Kilimanjaro made me want to push myself. Together, with my best girlfriend (age 60), we had been nurturing this dream for about 5 years. Then, through a lengthy process of persuasion and logic, I convinced my husband to join us and go for it.  Just this last week his best friend (age 60) has joined our little group. The 4 of us will be doing the climb in February of 2012.

Once committed, we realized we needed to seriously step up our level of fitness. We joined the new GoodLife gym on Yonge St in Toronto just a block away from where we live.

We didn’t think we needed trainers. Surely it couldn’t be that hard. We knew what we had to do to get fit!

Nevertheless, we decided to just try out this personal trainer “thing”.

Preparing for the climb

I scanned the bulletin board biographies and zeroed in on Mike Demeter. His credentials as the ‘mid-life make-over specialist’ gave me hope.  If that wasn’t enough, as soon as I met him, experienced his energy, drive and personality, I was sold. This man could help me push myself to realize my dream.

Applying my customary persuasion, I convinced my husband that he needed a trainer also. He picked Justin Depaelsmaker – a great young guy with a depth of knowledge in kinesiology and a simple, direct and no nonsense style.

In addition to my knee, I had been struggling with hip and back pain that I just attributed to old age. With some simple strengthening techniques and muscle activation coupled with a program heavy on building strength (pulling plows and dragging weights), I began to see what a profound effect a properly designed and executed training program could have. It’s been an eye opener. We started simply with small changes and built on each success.

Where we are now

We are now 4 months into our prep. I have muscles. I can run up 24 flights of our condo building 5 times in a row. I see Mike twice a week. I feel stronger than ever. I have no hip pain and my knee is strong. I’ve also, without benefit of “dieting” in the traditional sense, completely changed the way I eat and have lost some weight in the process. All of this achieved through what I’ve learned holistically about my health and wellbeing from Mike.

My hubby has regained the muscles he had when I met him and has experienced big improvements in his blood pressure. He looks amazing. So, just the getting ready part has already produced great results!

Now the real challenge lies ahead!

We leave in a few short weeks to begin our climb. We decided we would reach out to our friends, family and fellow GoodLife members to make this climb more than just about us. We decided to dedicate our climb to raising money for GoodLife Kids Foundation.

So we are asking you to support us on this adventure and in so doing help kids across Canada have the opportunity to benefit from an active life.  Knowing we have this great cause will give us that extra little spurt of strength and determination when our spirit is flagging on the toughest part of that mountain!

We want to summit and unfurl a banner in support of GoodLife Kids Foundation and all the amazing work they do. It’s our way of saying thank you to Mike and Justin and everyone else at GoodLife for changing our paradigm of what it means to be fit and healthy, and for helping us prepare both mentally and physically to accomplish this dream.

Please help us support GoodLife Kids Foundation. Let’s make this a Kili climb for Kids! DONATE NOW

An update on Nives and Vince’s progress

37 Days to Kili Klimb for Kids – Countdown!

“My workouts are gaining new instensity as I hope I have built enough strength and agility to tackle this mountain.  Here  is a picture that captures my most recent “strong-woman” workout. I have to admit, I sure feel a lot stronger and hoisting that bag around is kind of fun.  The final phase of this particular workout involved repetetive kettle bell swings and pulls in a count-down fashion, all masterfully orchestrated by Mike. It left me in a puddle, to my trainer’s great glee!”

The journey to a “new me” started in July 2010. That day I made the decision to make drastic lifestyle changes in order to achieve life goals that I had set out for myself.

In my late teenage years I fell ill. I caught pneumonia and, for an asthmatic teenager, it was not a pleasant experience to say the least. I was on medications and oral steroids for the better part of a year. I did eventually recover but experienced life altering side effects such as extreme short term weight gain from a combination of medications and a completely sedentary lifestyle because of illness. Due to such a drastic weight gain, my health kept deteriorating over the next few years leading to a chronic pain condition and high blood pressure. I began to see a pain specialist for my back and SI joints. For a period of time I let my pain and unfortunate circumstances take over my life. I started to withdraw from social activities and the public in general because I didn’t want to draw attention to myself and I didn’t feel I deserved it. Consequently, I became very introverted.

Andrea and BODYCOMBAT instructor, Maxine

The day came in July 2010 when I told myself “that’s enough”. There were things I wanted out of life that I knew I deserved. I set goals that day and have never looked back. I joined a weight loss center and they have coached me each and every day with my diet and nutrition. I learned a new way to enjoy healthy eating and achieve my goals. They provided me with a lifestyle change that will stick. I began to exercise after a month on my program. For the first 10 months I used DVD’s at home. After about 10 months of doing this my weight loss began to plateau. I tried a number of methods to banish the dreaded plateau but I was not successful and I was starting to get discouraged.

In June 2011, I walked into GoodLife Fitness and have never looked back. I was set on trying their group exercise classes because that was where I thought I would feel most empowered. After being in a plateau for 6 weeks I was overwhelmed. I looked over the class schedule and decided to try their BODYCOMBAT class. When I walked in, the instructor immediately came over to me and said “Hi. I’m Max. Is this your first BODYCOMBAT class?” She continued to explain that the class was a high intensity cardio class inspired by mixed martial arts such as karate, boxing, taekwondo, tai chi and muay thai. She also explained it would take a few classes to develop the proper form and learn the choreography.

I had my first class that day. Goodbye plateau.

Max inspired me to work harder with her motivational teaching style. She taught me how to relax and move again. She taught me how to love exercise and how to make it fun. I have now acquired the core strength required for proper pain control through this class in particular. She also motivated me to try some of the other Goodlife classes like BODYPUMP, BODYSTEP and Zumba which I now regularly participate in and enjoy.

I have lost 146 pounds as of today. I am now looking forward to my new life and to achieving the long term goals I have set for myself. I am happy to have had this experience just for the reward of inspiring others. This can be a daunting task for anyone. I am here to tell you it can be done. I am living proof.

If you were to ask a group of women if they can shave their legs in the shower I’m sure the result would be a good show of hands.  If you asked the same group of people how many have pain lifting their legs while in the shower, I’m sure the show of hands would be considerably less.  I would be one of those people who would have put up their hand to having significant pain while lifting their leg to shave their legs.

Kelly – After

All my life I have had pain, in different areas and at different times, which I’m sure we’ve all had in our lives.  As I’ve gotten older the pain has increased a little more each year.  My doctor suggested physiotherapy and I gladly went to my appointments hoping that this would be the answer to the pain I felt.  After several sessions on different parts of my body, they did not seem to help.  I did not feel any better nor did I feel that I benefitted from these sessions.  Back off to the doctor I went in hopes of trying to resolve the pain that I felt.  When I went back to the doctor, I was told that there wasn’t much more that they could do and that I was just going to have to live with it.

This is where my life took a turn for the better.  As I started my sessions with Angella, I told her that I wanted to lose some inches for the wedding.  After our 1^st session, Angella was stretching out my body after a great workout and I clinched my mouth in pain.  She asked me if it hurt I said yes!  Angella told me that I should not be in pain to the degree that I was & thus transformed my losing inches sessions to rehabilitation sessions.  I told Angella my history of doctor’s and physiotherapy and said that this was just the way it had to be and she said with confidence that this is not the way it has to be nor should it be.

I didn’t believe her at the time and continued on with my training with her.  I still did my regular workouts along with eating healthy but where I saw the most improvement was in my flexibility, movement, mood and overall wellbeing.  Before my training, I would stand in the shower to shave my legs and only be able to hold my leg up for a few seconds without being in terrible pain.  The pain in my hip made it very time consuming to shave my legs as I would have to put my leg down several times.

After training with Angella, I can now shave my whole leg with considerably less pain that I had prior.  To think that I thought this was just something I would have to live with!  My mood & overall happiness has changed as well.  No more am I sad and grumpy all the time & upset at the way I look & feel.  Each day I continue to improve and it just makes me very excited about life again.

Angella Lee which we’ll just call her the “General Lee” as she can drive you to work harder than you ever thought it was possible as well as racing across the finish line with results that you can not only feel but attain.  She is an amazing trainer and together I feel that we make a great team.  She has a friendly ear to listen as well as push you to work harder than you ever thought you could.  She can drive you to a whole other level which you may think is impossible but is possible.  Who does a squat on a stability ball??  I can now!

I am still working towards my goal of being pain free but I know that this is a goal that is more than attainable.  There is a future for me without pain and I thank GoodLife and Angella for making this not only a possibility but a reality.

It is Monday morning, I completed a Triathlon yesterday and the alarm has yet to go, I feel alive and I am content; thinking about what the last year has done for me.

It is just over 12 months since I walked into the Aurora Goodlife gym, nervous, concerned and uncomfortable.

I was unhappy with my weight and after having a good heart to heart with my doctor I knew

Charlie - After

I needed to do something. My work has provided, for a number of years, a health and wellness program that could be used for a Goodlife membership, so this is where I had decided to start.

Like most everyone else I had been a member of a gym before, but had never really figured it out or used my membership to any advantage. I really did not know where to start.

So, it was a great relief to be met at the door by a welcoming smile and an offer of a tour of the gym. Susie walked me through the space and explained how I could get started immediately using a simple preset routine, or by joining a class. Susie also explained the benefits of a Personal Trainer – I was highly skeptical, however I knew that I had a lot to learn so I signed up for a 3 session personal training introduction.�

Prior to my visit I had looked online and knew there was an RPM class so I jumped in.  The instructor was fantastically welcoming, helped me set up the bike, explained what was going on during the class and it flew by. I was hooked. I felt brave and went in for a Body Pump class on Friday and my experience was repeated, it was great.

The next week I met with Mike, the Personal Trainer for the first of my three sessions and I immediately knew that personal training was a massive step. Mike discussed my goals and was encouraging and instructive. He helped me understand the machinery and what activities would help me with my plan.  We flew through the initial three sessions and then presented me with a series of options. After some discussion about my schedule, I signed up.

Charlie - Before

Over the next 8 months I went to multiple locations across Canada (my job entails travel), attended classes that were easy to find thanks to the online schedules, and worked out. Mike worked with me on scheduling our appointments and we did not miss one.  Having them in my blackberry made all the difference, the time for me was taken and booked. My initial experience upon walking into a club/class was repeated at every location I went to.

The results were there for everyone to see. I had folks I had known for 20 years walk right passed me on the street because they did not recognize me or my new attitude towards lifee. My doctor was wildly impressed.  She did not think that I would do anything as she has conversations about weight with people every day and nothing happens. I did tell her that I am sure that with the help of the entire GoodLife team I would not have done it! My family noticed the difference as I changed the quantity and quality of what I ate and they followed.  We now eat significantly less junk and cook from scratch most days, forgoing processed foods – all part of the nutrition discussion with Mike.

Now, I also know this is a journey that has just started, but the way I feel today is fantastic and I know that the team at GoodLife will be there to help me on my journey whenever required.

Christina – After

I was letting my weight hold me back.

My mom died at 51 from a heart attack. I turned to eating for comfort instead of dealing with the grief and I gained even more weight. My doctor told me my blood pressure was getting high, 130/90, and told me the best thing to do would be to lose weight. I finally realized I’d had enough and needed to change my habits before my body gave out on me.

There were so many things I wanted to experience in life and I needed to take control so I joined GoodLife Fitness.

Starting at GoodLife Fitness

For years I went to the gym on and off. I would go regularly for a few weeks and then skip a few. I would let other aspects of my life dictate if I had time to go work out. When life got busy and my stress levels increased the gym would be one of the first things to go. For a while I went 5 days a week doing cardio and weights. Eventually I became frustrated by the lack of results. I was trying so hard and yet the changes I yearned for weren’t happening.

I talked to a Personal Trainer about losing weight and they asked me what things I wanted to do. I expressed my desire to compete in a triathlon. I have never run and thought with the weight I wouldn’t be able to. Right from my initial conversation with Kathy she expressed her confidence that she could coach me to achieve my goals.

I decided to invest in Personal Training and committed to training twice a week, one hour each session. My sessions are challenging, pushing me out of my comfort zone, and best of all, fun! I look forward to meeting Kathy at the beginning of my day and wondering what program she has planned. I’m doing exercises I never dreamed I could do! My balance and strength have improved and the inches are coming off. With my determination and my Personal Trainer’s encouragement, the results I’ve always strived for are finally becoming a reality!

Christina – Before

Learning to run is hard. My first week I wasn’t able to run more than 3 minutes without stopping. I was so discouraged I wanted to give up. Kathy’s inspiring words and confidence motivated me to keep trying. Each week I ran a little more.

Within 3 months I was running 5 km and in 6 months I ran my first 10 km race in just over an hour!

My Personal Trainer offers so much more than just strength training. Kathy offers support, wisdom, guidance, encouragement and friendship. We regularly discuss my goals and make adjustments when needed to help me achieve success.

It’s great to finally feel proud of myself for what I’ve accomplished!

I train every week, run regularly, completed my first triathlon and I’ve lost 65 lbs. I have gone from a size 22 to a 12. I’m stronger, more confident and happier than I have been in years. At my last doctor’s appointment my blood pressure was 121/78.

My new goal

Thanks to my Personal Trainer I know I can succeed. It requires dedication, hard work and belief in myself. Working out has become a part of my lifestyle. It is no longer the first thing to go when life gets hectic. When stress increases I head out for a run or a session at the gym to clear my head.

I have new goals to aim for now. This summer I’m going to move up a level in the triathlon, improve my running skills and I’m thinking of entering a half marathon in the fall. Having a Personal Trainer who is passionate and dedicated has inspired me to turn my life around, believe in myself and reach for my dreams.

Chrstina is one of our Success Story winners for October. If you are interested in working with a Personal Trainer and overcoming some of your own health challenges, sign up for a free consultation today.

By the age of twenty I was over 200lbs and, since then, I have not been under that weight for over 20 years.

Kerrie – After

I used to bounce around from 230lbs to 250lbs but as I got older everything became more difficult to do then I crept up to 260lbs then 270lbs and by the time I was 40 I was 299lbs. I am sure there were days when I was over 300 but I never went on the scale on those days.

One day you feel enough is enough. That day was June 18th 2010 for me.

I was at the mall feeling good about myself. I had on makeup, I was dressed nice and my hair was done. Then I walked by a window and saw my reflection. The reflection did not look at all like how I felt inside. I was huge, who was I kidding.

This realization made me feel horrible so as I walked to my car I decided to just walk into the GoodLife in the mall and get some information. I had been to gyms before and had been overwhelmed with their lack of interest. I was turned off by extreme fitness levels, the perfect bodies and the tight outfits, but I thought just deal with it and see what they have to say.

Well I have to admit, I was impressed. I was greeted right at the door with a smile and it seemed everyone was happy.

They gave me a tour, talked about Group EXercise classes, Personal Training and my goals. I knew I needed this.

I signed up for a GoodLife membership that day and bought a six session Personal Training starter package which I felt was very important to help me become committed. It helped me get familiar with the gym. My trainer, Peter Wright, talked about classes, nutrition and goals during these sessions. He helped me realize how important each component was in order to be successful.

Kerrie – Before

I loved the experience I was having and really wanted to be successful but my 6 sessions were almost done. I talked to my trainer about my options. I am a single mother of one so, as you can imagine, any commitment would be difficult but we discussed goals and they were realistic. Let’s face it I had a lot of weight to lose.

So I made a one year commitment and never looked back. This was for me and I needed it.

I did have one major issue to deal with. Due to my weight, about two years prior, I had torn my meniscus in two places in my knee and I was going to be having surgery in just a few weeks. Peter had told me that was not an excuse to stop it was only one limb and I could still work the rest of my body. Now I knew there was no turning back.

I had my knee surgery on July 23 2010 which was a Friday and was at the gym (crutches and all) on the following Tuesday. Personal Training has kept me on track and accountable to my goals. Peter monitored my progress with weight checks and measurements and tons of positive reinforcement. I will say in the beginning it did seem so time consuming but very soon the gym became a priority and fitting time in for the gym was no longer a challenge. I wanted to be there. We worked on different parts of the body with different resistances and interchanging programs over the year. I worked with Peter three days a week for one hour sessions and did my cardio three other days in the week. I was working out a total of six days a week. I loved seeing the transformations in my body (like fitting into a smaller pair of jeans!).

By Christmas I had lost 50lbs and I was feeling great. My energy level was back and I was swimming in the morning and spinning in the evening. Now this is where the one year commitment was a huge benefactor for me. I was thinking I had my lifestyle under control then I went to my relatives for three days over the holiday and gained 12 lbs. I really think if I did not have the next appointment with Peter booked I may have lost the battle right there. I am glad that I had that test and I am glad that I had the tools in place to continue with my success.

Now it has been a full year I have done my first Try a Triathlon and loved it.

I am now training for my first half marathon in October. I have learned how important all aspects of exercise are, resistant training and cardio, to be as strong and as healthy as I can be.

I have lost 90lbs and over 54 inches of my body and I feel fantastic. I now ride my bike 23 kilometers round trip to work and a year ago I could not even get on a bike.

I went from a size 24 to a 16 and sometimes even a 14 I can shop in any store and know there will be clothes that fit. I can sit comfortably on an airplane and not get that dirty look when someone realizes I will be sitting next to them. I am not perfect and I don’t have to be, but I am definitely enjoying the high of feeling good. It is called Goodlife for a reason and I am really glad that my trainer taught me how to enjoy it.

Kerrie is one of our Success Story winners for October. If you are interested in working with a Personal Trainer and overcoming some of your own health challenges, sign up for a free consultation today.

My overweight lifestyle restricted me from so many things I loved to do.  I couldn’t shop in regular stores.  I could hardly swing a golf club or walk 18 holes. I wouldn’t go on vacations or attend social functions because I was so unhappy and looked terrible.

Jennifer - After

That was my life on October 18, 2010. But that was also the day I opened the door at GoodLife, walked in, and was introduced to a Personal Trainer named Lindsey Sawatzky.

I had sunk so low that I was reluctant to even set foot inside a gym, let alone become a member. I also held out no hope that a Personal Trainer could help me turn everything around, not in the shape I was in. It felt too late for me to change.

I had no way of knowing that I would be dead wrong on all of this, and that thanks to Lindsey and GoodLife I was about to be reborn physically and mentally.

Even with all my reservations I hit it off with Lindsey as soon as we were introduced. I felt a connection with her right away. We did my weigh in, took measurements and did my body composition.  It was clear that I had to make drastic changes. I was frightened at what lay ahead. But Lindsey started motivating me, even at that first visit. I didn’t think I still had hope left in me, but I surprised myself. As for Lindsey, she was amazing. Lindsey allowed me to wonder if in fact there might be a light at the end of the tunnel, if I might still have a shot at living the good life.

I couldn’t do a lunge to save my life.  I was out of breath after only 10 minutes on the cardio equipment. A plank? Not a chance. I couldn’t support my own body weight.  I was wearing a size 22-24 in pants and shopping was the bane of my existance.

Since that first day in GoodLife my opinion of Lindsey has only become stronger. In short, she is a phenomenal person — knowledgeable, professional, and caring. She told me I could do it. Despite all my doubts, all the negative energy inside, I believed her. Soon I started to believe in myself, too.

Jennifer - Before

My program involved three one-hour workout sessions a week with Lindsey, and cardio on my off-days. The gym has now replaced food as my addiction. I’ve gained a new respect for my body and what it can endure. Just as important, Lindsey has taught me responsible nutrition, how to eat right, not starve myself.

Workouts at GoodLife have been fantastic, enriching my mind, body and spirit. They have focused on core strength, flexibility, weight loss and muscle mass, and have turned out to be a labour of love for me, and a true physical and mental reawakening. I proved to myself that I could do it. And I’m still doing it. Since I started, I have lost 69 pounds, and 44.5 inches. My entire shape is changing and I have started developing muscles I didn’t know I had. And I’m just getting started.

I feel I belong at the gym now.  I can do an hour spin class then weight train for another hour.  I am running on the treadmill for half an hour without stopping.  A plank? Absolutely.  I actually can do one for a minute. And that’s after working out hard for an hour.  Just last week I went shopping and to my surprise fit into a pair of size 14 premium denim jeans.  I cried in the change room.  Who knew that slipping on a pair of jeans could be life changing?

A huge goal for me at this time is to keep training and run a 10 K.  I love running and yearn to feel the sun on my face.  I know I can reach that goal thanks to the new me.�

I now see every workout as an investment, a deposit into my account of health, fitness, and the good life. The dividends are already rolling in, and I know the results will last me a lifetime. I have the tools and resolve to continue on my journey.  I believe in myself and am committed to a healthy lifestyle for the rest of my life.

Jennifer is one of our Success Story winners for October. If you are interested in working with a Personal Trainer and overcoming some of your own health challenges, sign up for a free consultation today.

I am sure my story starts like many other women’s stories. I was 13 and I thought I was fat. I don’t remember what or who triggered those feeling but I know they stuck. For 5 years

Melissa - After

I skipped meals, looked in the mirror and cried, and loathed myself. The year before I entered university I lost 30 lbs, not the healthy way I might add, and finally thought I had reached my physical ideal. However, I then moved to university 5 hours away from home. All of a sudden I was surrounded by all this food I had denied myself for years and I was all alone in a new city. I completely broke down. I binged and binged on anything I could get my hands on. I ate so much that my meal plan ran out before the end of the year; I became increasingly depressed. In less than a year I put on 50 lbs and I was once again miserable. That summer I joined a gym and managed to lose 25 lbs which I kept off for a year. Then another setback, I moved home for the summer and my poor choices combined with the stress of being home resulted in gaining back the weight and then some. At this point I weighed 190 lbs, I don’t know what pants size I wore because I was so ashamed of myself I refused to buy new ones and just wore leggings. I knew I was overweight and unhealthy but at this point I had just given up.

 My wakeup call was 2 years ago at my doctor’s office.

They had done some blood work and found that my cholesterol was high, dangerously high. I was 21 at the time and was referred to a lipids specialist and dietician. I remember my first appointment; the waiting room was full of aged 65+ men and then me. I knew this was not something I could brush off.  I immediately cleaned out my cupboards, went to the store and stocked my fridge with healthy foods. Through testing we found out my high cholesterol was partly due to genetics but I was determined to do what I could to get healthy. Over the next year I lost 45 lbs simply by walking more and eating properly.

For years I have said to my friends, “The minute I graduate and have a good job, I am going to get a Personal Trainer!” Well I did graduate, I did land a good job and I started thinking, why not? What have I got to lose? I dragged my boyfriend to GoodLife and made him sign up with me because I was too scared to go alone. Now, I have never been athletic in any shape or form. Not in the slightest. I never played sports as a kid; I hated gym class and would be on the ground wheezing after running the 100m. I always said I couldn’t do anything athletic and that I would never be able to run. Upon joining, I bought 3 introductory sessions to try out just to see if personal training was for me. After my 3 sessions were up we talked about signing me up for 9 months of training. I remember sitting in the office terrified. What if I did this and it didn’t work? What if I just couldn’t do it? Can they even train someone who can’t run for more than a minute?!             �

The answers are yes it did work, yes I could do it, and yes even I, who could not run for more than a minute, was not hopeless.

Melissa - Before

GoodLife matched me up with Sarah Madeley as my trainer and to this day it seems like a match made in heaven. All I remember about our first session is burpies. But not even ‘real’ burpies, they were the modified ones and I only had to do 10 at a time. Nine months ago I would have slapped myself for saying ‘only 10 burpies’, at the time it was brutal. I think I asked where the defibrillator was. Sarah, being the amazing trainer that she is, just smiled and counted down from ten as I cursed various deities. I trained with her religiously 3 times a week and every week I felt stronger; as a bonus the pounds were still coming off! When I was ready, she helped me plan out my nutrition, focusing on eating to fuel my body which was hard for me to adjust to. I can’t say it was easy.  I worked as hard as I could every time we worked out, it was literally blood, sweat and tears. I planned out my nutrition meticulously to make sure I was getting the proper nutrients to build my muscle and keep me fuelled. I would even drag myself to the gym for our 830am appointments after working until midnight the night before and getting called into work at 3am.

Despite the difficulty of it, I can now do things I never in my wildest dreams could have imagined; 50 consecutive push-ups, real pull ups, and even running 10km. No that is not a typo, I can in fact now run a 10km.

I would encourage anyone who is thinking of personal training to go for it. It’s a big leap to take, but in the end it is worth more than you could ever imagine. I still wake up some days and am amazed at who I was less than a year ago. I also hope that I have helped to inspire a few people, mostly my family. The majority of my family is overweight and their health is a constant worry for me, it’s actually one of the reasons I decided to get in shape. I thought maybe if they saw me doing it, they would be inspired to start getting healthier too. I want to be around for a long time, and I want my family to be there with me.

I have now lost a total of 62 lbs and am still getting used to this new me. Now that I am done training with Sarah I plan to keep up my new found love of running and may even have to get my own kettle bells so I can kick my own butt 3 days a week.

Sarah will sing my praises if you start asking her about my fitness journey, but I think someone needs to sing hers. Every single step of the way Sarah was there encouraging me, she never let me put myself down or cast any doubt in my abilities.

I am so lucky to have met and trained with her, she has literally changed my life and I could never thank her enough for that. This whole experience, has in a way, healed me. I love my body; I love that it is so strong, I love that it can do so much for me, and I love that it is now healthy. I still have less than stellar days where I’m not 100% happy with how I look, but those are few and far between compared to what they used to be. When I suggest we go for a 10km run on the weekend, my fiancé often looks at me and says, “You’re not the Melissa I met.” He is 100% right. I am not the same person anymore. I am strong, I am determined, and I am truly happy.

Melissa is one of our Success Story winners for September. If you are interested in working with a Personal Trainer and overcoming some of your own health challenges, sign up for a free consultation today.

How I started

Carolyn – After

It was with some nervousness and apprehension that I had signed up for a membership at a GoodLife Fitness club that was about to open. My journey toward a healthier life began in May 2010 when I met my Personal Trainer, Garnet, for an initial assessment. I had concerns about being able to do the exercises, being so out of shape; being able to stick with it due to fatigue and soreness; and being able to overcome my fear of sharing such a personal experience with a complete stranger.

At the beginning, he gave me the opportunity to consider achieving goals that seemed possible such as losing 25 lbs, becoming stronger and improving my balance in order to be better able to complete everyday activities. Although I needed to go much further in terms of losing weight, he didn’t push the issue.

To my great surprise, the connection with the Personal Trainer was immediately comfortable and encouraging.

I found Garnet’s expertise at balancing the amount of exercises with helpful suggestions about nutrition and having a positive outlook, to be the prescription I needed for success. For example, I supplied him with a weekly computer spreadsheet of what foods I had been eating and also learned to keep track of the calories, protein and carbohydrates that I was consuming. As summer was approaching and I would be away for some of my training sessions, Garnet also provided me with a suggested workout schedule that I was able to incorporate while on vacation.

One year later

One year later, I am happy to report that working with Garnet, I have vastly exceeded the goals that we set together:

• Beginning Weight was 254 and now is 154 (loss of 100 lbs.)
• Beginning BMI was 38.5 and is currently 23.4.
• Beginning Body Fat percentage was 50 and is now 31.
• Loss of 56.5 inches overall.
• Balance is greatly improved.
• Strength and agility and stamina are greatly improved.
• Ability to do things that I thought I would never be able to do again such as: climb ladders, get up and down with ease, throw a softball, ride a bicycle and enjoy all forms of exercise.

One of the biggest bonuses I experienced is having the confidence to try new things.

Carolyn – Before

Attending sessions with Garnet, working out on my own and trying out a variety of fitness classes has become part of my regular weekly routine and it is a rare day when you won’t find me spending a portion of it at the gym. Throughout our sessions, I have also learned a lot about how muscles and joints respond to weight training and gained knowledge about other important aspects of exercise which I will be able to put to use later on when setting up my own routines.

In terms of outdoor activity, I am now able to walk and hike great distances and have recently purchased a new bicycle which I ride wherever I can. (Previously I hadn’t been on a bike in almost 10 years!) Future plans include a return to downhill skiing, mountain hiking, swimming, kayaking and all the pursuits I used to enjoy so much when I was younger.

As my journey continues I would recommend that taking on the task of improving your health and fitness with a Personal Trainer is truly worth it and has changed my life immeasurably. Many thanks Garnet!!

Carolyn is one of our Success Story winners for September. If you are interested in working with a Personal Trainer and overcoming some of your own health challenges, sign up for a free consultation today.

Walter has been a powerlifter for 16 years and won several world, national, and provincial championships. One aspect of his remarkable story that impresses me most is that it wasn’t a victory streak that caused him to set his sights on the Guinness World Record, but instead a determination that came from a temporary setback.

“In the past year, I didn’t do as well at the nationals as I wanted to,” Walter explains. “I felt I was flat in my training. I needed a change in focus that would bring me back to where I was before and go beyond.”

He turned to fellow powerlifter, Mark Giffin, who is also the fitness manager at our Guelph Edinburgh club. “Walter and I have had a long-term association as powerlifting colleagues and I’ve been his trainer for many major competitions. When Walter wanted to re-focus to get back his edge, we designed a program to work on his core and postural muscles, and we did some speedwork which was out of his routine,” says Mark, who has also won several powerlifting championships and set five world records.

As Walter persevered, he heard that the Regis and Kelly show would be featuring a Guinness World Record week. Determined to break the record, Walter continued training, with Mark’s guidance, to achieve an even higher level of endurance. “We worked at this for five months,” recalls Walter, “and I first ‘unofficially’ broke the Guinness record at the Cambridge GoodLife club two weeks prior to my appearance on Regis and Kelly.”

Not surprisingly, after Walter broke the powerlifting record on Regis and Kelly, he was besieged by media interviews. Now here’s the thing that’s so great about Walter as a person. He didn’t use the interviews to just talk about his training or his past championships. Instead he took the opportunity to convey a message very close to his heart, and mine.

“I’m 53…I want people to know that it’s never too late to get the benefits of regular exercise. When we’re just beginning with fitness, we all start in the same place, but a lot of people, especially if they’re ‘older’ may get discouraged because they think they can’t accomplish what the younger fitness members are doing. But I’m here to tell you that you can be strong in your fifties and sixties and beyond.”

Walter’s message of being able to accomplish his health and fitness goals at any age and doing it drug-free are a great fit with our vision and values at GoodLife. Thank you, Walter, for using this platform to share these important messages to inspire others to get started on their path to fitness or to encourage them to attempt to achieve a goal that they never thought was possible.

Walter, you are a great ambassador for GoodLife! On behalf of all GoodLife members and associates, congratulations!

First, I lost  around 20 pounds by cutting down on and selecting the proper foods to eat. Losing

Janet – After

this initial weight allowed me to walk without running out of breath.

Second, I knew to keep the weight off and lose more I needed to make exercising part of my daily life. I thought a gym was my next step. I remember walking into the local GoodLife Fitness, feeling a little embarrassed and shy but I knew I had to do this. I was at a loss really because I knew nothing about how to start, where to go from here, what questions to ask.

My first contact was with Jill, a very cheery, happy and friendly customer service representative at the front desk who described what GoodLife was all about.  She made me overcome my first fear, that of being in a gym. I began training in a February – the dead of winter. Jill had lined me up for six introductory sessions of Personal Training with one of their Personal Trainers. I learned the importance of good eating habits as exercises were explained along with the importance of stretching and breathing. Those six introductory sessions went fast and I wanted more.

So taking the next big step I made a commitment for going forward with more Personal Training to keep me motivated, keep me coming to the gym, keep me learning about what exercises are good for my body, to basically keep me healthy – and it has worked. Through those first winter snowstorms and all I committed to getting to my Personal Training sessions on my way home from work three times a week.

Knowing that someone had blocked off time for me made me keep that appointment – I couldn’t let them down.

Personal Training allows me to question what I am doing in order to understand and learn what the exercises are about. I knew nothing about the gym equipment, exercise routines, what muscle did this, why stretching is important, etc.  But all this knowledge was eventually passed on to me by Ben, my personal trainer, who has stood by guiding me through this journey of a healthy lifestyle.

Janet – Before

Also motivating me is my younger son with whom I now compare stories about what we do at the gym – interesting conversations that I thought we would never share as we try in our own ways to better ourselves.  Him to maintain his weight and build some defined muscles, me to stay healthy. ‘How much weight did you lift today mom?’, ‘How many push-ups?’, he would ask.

I am not a person who measures oneself by numbers. My measure of improvement is based on happiness, how I interact with others, how others interact and see me, my stamina and endurance.

I have not been used to receiving compliments, but a simple thank-you to people who do comment makes me feel good that they have acknowledged my accomplishments. When they ask what I did, I say ‘there is this guy, Ben, at the gym’ which catches their attention. I explain the Personal Training program that Ben designed for me which started with simple exercise sets using the various machines, free weights and eventually progressing into circuits to build up good lean muscle while burning calories to lose weight.

For numbers – I have lost 72 pounds and 5 dress sizes. I remember when Ben put 70 pounds of weights in my arms as a means of feeling what that amount of weight was like. Wow! And I had that weight on this body.

I can walk for hours without panting for breath compared to the 5 minute walk when my story began. I have a waist where there was none before. I have defined shoulders and arms which were not before.  I am able to run which I have not done for many years.

One of the barriers that I have overcome through this journey is that feeling of my heart beat and wondering why it is beating so hard when I am doing nothing – this has now gone as I have reduced my blood pressure level, built up my heart rate and lung capacity.

And those 70 pounds have stayed off. The soreness in working out muscles that had not been previously used came and went as the months of training went on and these muscles became toned and used to now being worked.

My lifestyle change is one of putting my health before work.

I go to the gym for my personal training sessions instead of working late.

I laugh more. I feel good. And to challenge myself more my personal training improvements have allowed me to progress into RPM classes, which I do three times a week.

My message of inspiration to others would be to pay attention to how you are feeling, don’t ignore what your body is trying to tell you.

Little by little, it will take time, you can do it. Talk to your trainer and let them know what routines you like, what is difficult – they have a wealth of knowledge and will adapt routines for your self-improvement. Personal Training is just that – a personal thing just for you at your own pace and time to accomplish what you want.

I have now been with a Personal Trainer for two years and it has been the best thing I ever did for myself. I enjoy the structure and demands of Personal Training and I look forward with anticipation to Ben’s creativity in changing the routines on a regular basis.  This experience has made me a happier person. I love it all and the new me!

Thanks so much Ben and GoodLife for changing and improving my life – that’s what you did, made my life good.

Janet is one of our Success Story winners for August. If you are interested in working with a Personal Trainer and overcoming some of your own health challenges, sign up for a free consultation today.

Heather - After

potential in terms of fitness I needed to commit to much more than twelve sessions. Over the next few months Usman worked with me on the basics, perfecting my form and building my strength so as to provide with me with a solid foundation. Through Usman I’ve learned the importance of strength training. While I love my cardio and run at least three times a week on top of my sessions with Usman, he has taught me the importance of building lean muscle mass and how it will contribute to my overall health, improve my metabolic rate, and aid in the prevention of injuries.

Less than a year ago I weighed in at 350 pounds.

At this size life was barely livable. I spent each day hiding from the world, avoiding social situations at all costs. I felt terrible about myself, I looked terrible, and I had no energy for life. I knew something had to change and I decided to deal with the weight once and for all. When I started training with Usman I had already lost 110 pounds strictly through food restriction. While my body was, no doubt, better off without those extra 110 pounds, I didn’t feel truly healthy. Losing weight through diet is only one part of the health equation, and I had been neglecting the importance of physical activity and fitness.  My first session with Usman brought with it the harsh realization that I was incredibly unfit, in spite of my weight loss. Over the past four months and a bit I’ve shed an additional 50 pounds but, more importantly, have adjusted my body composition. With joy I’ve watched as my body fat percentage has decreased, my lean muscle mass has increased, and my body has become increasingly toned. Furthermore, my energy levels, self-esteem, and excitement for life have all increased exponentially since beginning my training at GoodLife.

I’ve discovered the joy of physical accomplishment.

Heather - Before

I’m scheduled to run my first 10km race a week from now, and plan on running a half-marathon within a few months. Training with Usman has given me the physical strength, mental strength, and self-belief necessary to tackle these races. Running a half-marathon has always been a dream of mine, even at 350 pounds, granted at that weight I thought I was kidding myself to even dream of ever being able to run 21kms. Training with Usman has made this dream a reality.

Working with a GoodLife Trainer has truly changed my life. The physical changes are obvious; I’ll live longer, I look better, and I’m physically fit for the first time in my life. There are, however, changes that run deeper than these. If you are considering training, stop procrastinating and sign up today. You will always be able to find a reason not to, that is easy – the hard, but crucial decision is to choose to do that which requires sacrifice and will be difficult but ultimately will change your life. Training is hard, it takes dedication, and (at times literally) blood, sweat, and tears – but the beneficial changes to your body, mind, and spirit are priceless.

Heather is one of our Success Story winners for August. If you are interested in working with a Personal Trainer and overcoming some of your own health challenges, sign up for a free consultation today.

It was almost my 25th birthday and my mom couldn’t keep my surprise gift a secret anymore.

Nasma - After

And she had to tell me as she was so very excited for me. Her life saving gift was a Personal Trainer at GoodLife Fitness. I wasn’t sure how to feel.  I was excited, scared, and nervous, but my new thinking was to take everything positive, try it, and do my best.

The journey had begun. It was not easy, and every day was a struggle, between my inner self, between the food, between friends and between the treadmills. I was not sure of myself, if I was going to cheat and let the inner demons take over again. I wasn’t even sure what my goal was and I wasn’t in the mindset of having enough confidence in myself that I can do this. Every day I noticed a change, even the slightest change, for me it was a great win.

My Personal Trainer always motivated me and pushed me to do things I had never done before, even refused to do, but I did them now. I hated it at the beginning, but I did it, and eventually realized how great I feel after I finish my workout. I trained 4 days a week with my trainer, and 2 days on my own, with one day of absolute deserved relaxation. I used to have drag myself to the gym but now when I put on my gym clothes, I have energy and am ready to go to do my awesome workout.

Every second Friday, I weighed myself with my trainer.  We made it such a positive event, and I keep seeing the weight drop little by little. It might be so discouraging at the beginning, when you think you have so much to lose, and you have only lost 10 out of 80 pounds, but I started giving myself small goals to achieve.  I didn’t think of the big number that I needed to lose at the end, I thought of 10 pounds at a time! It makes it much more motivating, more satisfying that you have achieved something and it confirms you are capable of finishing this whole journey.

Nasma - Before

My trainer and I have worked to achieve great fitness goals. I had never run on a treadmill, it was my worst nightmare; I didn’t even know what how long a mile was! Now I run it and I have no problem with it. When I first started, I remember stopping every one minute, saying I can’t do it, finding excuses, but minute by minute and day by day, with a very patient, motivating trainer I was able to do a one mile run with no stopping.  Eventually I increased my speed, and cut my time. My trainer also gave me a challenge day and I try to beat a time and beat it the next time we do it. I always thought of myself as a non-competitive person, but I guess I was wrong; it gave me more motivation and energy to do the best I can and achieve a better time. I couldn’t let stress, negativity or food cravings take over my day or my life.

Now I solve my stress or problems effectively. I find working out helps clear my mind to make the right decisions. Before, the only way to solve my problems was food and running away from reality. Now I have more confidence in myself, and I know any obstacle I face in my life will be handled without high caloric intake, but having the confidence I am capable of achieving things and never give up and keep trying. I am now stronger physically and mentally, ready to take on new endeavors.

Nasma is one of our Success Stories for September. If you are interested in working with a Personal Trainer and achieving some of your own fitness goals, sign up for a free consultation today.

By Linda Boyko

I joined GoodLife Fitness’s Toronto Street Club for Women and  had my first session on May 3^rd.  It was shortly after I weighed myself one day and saw I was the heaviest I had ever been.  Aside from my weight  I was also checking my blood pressure regularly on the machines in the drug stores and was consistently getting a “high” result.  I’d walked past the Toronto Street Club daily on my way to work but kept putting off going in for a tour.   I think a lot of women think about this before they act on it.  It was that step onto that scale that day in April that made me decide that it was time.  After having a tour of the Club I decided to join and  signed up for the 6 sessions with a trainer offer to see whether I felt having a trainer was something I wanted to do.  After three sessions I knew I wanted to continue with a trainer.  I felt it would insure I was using the machines correctly and would keep me motivated.

Kiersten, my Personal Trainer makes each workout interesting.  I never know what we’re going to be doing until I’m there so I’m never bored by the same routine day in and day out.  We’ve used all the equipment at one time or another.  She encourages me to try new things and adjusts my program, weight etc. as I progress. I never thought I would EVER say this but I actually look forward to going to the gym and miss it on the weekends when I’m not downtown.

The changes I’ve experienced in my health are the most important ones.  My blood pressure is now in the optimal range, I no longer have lower back pain and my energy level is much higher.  Of course being able to wear clothes 3 sizes smaller is a pretty nice bonus.

That’s it in a nutshell.  I feel a lot better about myself and doubt I would have the  motivation without having a trainer to keep me on the straight and narrow.  Thank you Kiersten for helping me make the changes in a sensible and efficient way.

By Douglas Simpson-Dietrich

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking over the last year or so, and it seems I’m not as happy as I thought I was, or as happy as I used to be.  Oh, don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with my life, per se.  It’s just that I haven’t been feeling challenged, content, happy or very interested in my work for some time.  I enjoy some aspects of it, but more and more it wears on me.

I make a comfortable living, my bills get paid, I get to have vacations twice a year (one week each), I get some freedom in my work schedule and I’m my own boss.  And yet, I’m still not as happy as I feel like I need to be.  I have found this great need inside to be around positive, energetic people.  I seem to feed on that positivity and feel better for it!  And I’ve been feeling like I need to help somehow.

So along with this thinking about how I’m not happy with my work comes the inevitable question “What will make me happy?”  That, my friends, is the million-dollar question, so to speak.  I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about that.  But it really breaks out into a larger set of questions: How can I make a decent living, be happy, surround myself with mostly positive people and find a way to help others?  The challenge grows!

Challenge one: income.  The decent living is nice, but I think if I were doing something that made me happy and was helping somehow, I’d be alright with earning less money.  Besides, if you’re doing what you love, it will show, and that will hopefully bring me some measure of success, which can translate into a comfortable living.  But I can learn to live with a little less.  If you saw my place, you’d know I could stand to live with less!

Challenge two: helping.  I have fibromyalgia (remember, it doesn’t have me!) and I have worked very hard to get my pain under control, lose weight, get fit and live a full, active life.  I’m no one special, so if I can come back from the brink of a mental breakdown, learn to manage my pain, lose 60 pounds and change my body from a pained, exhausted wreck into a fit, strong and healthy condition, then surely a lot of others could!  Perhaps they could even benefit from my experiences.   If you know me, you know I “have a voice” and I’m growing increasingly comfortable sharing that voice in public situations.

Challenge three: positive vibes.  How does one find a group of people who are generally positive and happy?  I have realized, through my consideration of the above challenges, some of the things that make me happy, and given that I’m a pretty ‘average” kind of person, there’s likely a lot of people who would find at least a few of the things that make me happy would also work for them.  The things that makes me happiest though, upon reflection, are being healthy and fit and working my body in the gym; on the road (running) and in daily life.

Now I know I’m not unique in this experience.  It is a scientific fact that those who exercise tend to be happier.  They can’t help it!  The body gets flooded with endorphins during and after exercise and endorphins create a natural “high” for the brain.  Exercise makes me feel energetic, alive, alert and capable of handling most things that get tossed at me.  Again, this is a scientific fact that is a commonality of literally all human beings.

All of the pieces finally came together a few weeks after my first half-marathon in May, 2011.  It hit me so hard that I was surprised I didn’t see it before, or see it coming!  I want to help others like me come back from “fibro” hell and realize that they really can do more than just exist!  More than that though, I think I can help others find the health and resultant happiness I’ve discovered from fitness and exercise.  I want to become a Personal Trainer and I want to inspire people to get fit and healthy!  And ideally, I’d like to work and learn with Goodlife.

I think my age and life experience will be a benefit in this endeavour.  I’m 44 years old, I’ve lived and experienced a good deal of what the world is about; I’m generally a person with a positive outlook on life and I have found my voice.  Exercise is something I enjoy doing, it’s something I can do and I know I could help others to find health by exercising.

So, it’s off to the next chapter in my life now.  I don’t know where this will lead me or how successful I’ll be, but I’m excited and I feel ready to take on this new challenge.  It’s an opportunity for me, and I intend on taking it!

I have to admit that when I wrote last month’s marathon training post, I was nervous.  As I mentioned in my cross training post, I was in the middle of recovering from an injury that was caused by improperly fitting footwear and over training.  I wasn’t even sure that I was going to be able to START training for this marathon, let alone finish it.

After completing the BMO Vancouver Marathon, instead of taking some time off to rest and let my body heal before starting training again, I over did it.  Exactly 2 weeks after the marathon, I ran a half marathon, then less than 2 weeks later I participated in the 90km route of the Tour de Victoria. After that, just 8 days after the bike ride, I ran yet another half marathon.   I simply did too much.

It was in that second half marathon that I noticed that a minor ache I had been feeling in my foot since the marathon had turned in to a serious pain.  There was a point that I considered dropping out, but being stubborn, and wanting my finishers medal, I pushed through.

Immediately after the race, I was at a walk in clinic getting my foot checked out and I heard the words every runner dreads; possible stress fracture.   I was sent for x-rays & a CT scan and both came back normal. So with no real diagnosable reason for the foot pain, I was told I could get back in to it slowly.

When I returned to running, I really focused on my feet and what they were doing while I was out on the road.  What I noticed was that I was running on the outside of my foot a lot and that it was especially painful on the uphill and downhill stretches.  I brought my discoveries up with the staff at Running Room and we came to the conclusion that it was time for me to be fitted for new shoes.

I cannot stress to you enough how important it is to be properly fitted for your shoes. They are the most important thing you will invest in when it comes to your running.  Also, your feet will change depending the amount of mileage you are running, so you can’t assume that the shoes you wore while training last year are the right shoes for you now. It is a really good idea to be properly fitted at the start of each training season.  I learned this lesson the hard way!

You see, I learned  that the shoes I had been wearing had too much support & construction. They were actually over correcting my slight pronation and pushing me to roll outwards on my feet, which is what was causing the pain I was feeling when I was running up & down hill.  I also discovered that I know wear a size 9.5 in my running shoes, vs. the 8.5 I was wearing 3 years ago when I started distance running.

Once I was fitted for new shoes, I was back at it in full form. I caught up with the training program pretty quickly. This week, our long run is 23km and out work out is hill repeats. It is all really just a matter of routine now, and putting in the hard work.

No matter what distance of race you are training for, I really encourage you to invest in the right shoes for you! They may be expensive, but they will save you pain in the long run!

Lesson learned!

Check out Kirsty’s blog at www.iamthenewme.com

Cheryl - After

When I joined GoodLife in January 2010 I had no idea how my life would change over the next 15 months. My weight has been an issue for as long as I can remember. I have always been on a diet. I joined my first weight loss group with my mother when I was just a teenager. Last year, at 41 years old, my weight was beginning to cause health issues. I was battling acid reflux, sleep apnea, higher than normal blood pressure and had absolutely no energy. I worried about the example I was setting for my children. Being 75 Ibs. overweight made me morbidly obese and I realized something in my life had to change. So once again I started another new “diet”, I managed to lose 9 Ibs. on my own but it was slow and difficult, it was winter and the weather made it difficult to walk outdoors so I decided to give GoodLife Fitness a try.   The only exercise I had ever done was walking so I was very intimidated walking into the gym that first night, I really felt like a fish out of water, but everyone was so welcoming and I soon felt very comfortable.

“Together we set small goals, because at that point the thought of losing 75 Ibs. was inconceivable.”

When I first joined GoodLife I decided to hire a personal trainer for a few weeks to show me how to use the equipment and develop a workout routine. To my surprise, my trainer did so much more than that. Having a personal trainer held me accountable to someone and kept me focused and motivated. It wasn’t long before I realized the benefits of utilizing personal training for the long term.

After many failed “diets” I didn’t believe that success was possible. I didn’t know it at the time but what I needed most was to change my attitude and to start believing in myself, and that’s exactly what my trainer did for me. He would not allow me to doubt my ability or to be negative. Together we set small goals, because at that point the thought of losing 75 Ibs. was inconceivable. As I gradually began achieving each of those small goals, my confidence grew. Then something amazing happened, I started to believe that I could actually lose that 75 Ibs. and that changed everything! Once I started believing in myself nothing could stop me, I was on my way to a new me!

Eating clean and feeling great!

To achieve my goals I’ve had to make many changes in my life and change has always been difficult. Having my personal trainer as a guide to teach me why I needed to make those changes certainly made the transition easier. He taught me the importance of “eating clean”. Slowly I came to realize that this is not a diet, its how my life is going to be from now on. I feel so good when I’m eating healthy. It’s true that nothing tastes as good as healthy feels.

Cheryl - Before

Exercise has now become an important part of my life. I go to the gym five or six days per week and I absolutely love how working out makes me feel. I have such a feeling of accomplishment when I finish a difficult workout, like an RPM class. I meet with my personal trainer, Josh, once a week and he always has a challenging workout ready for me. As well, he designs strength training workouts for me to do on my own throughout the week. He has shown me how important it is to frequently change my workout routine. Before I joined GoodLife I couldn’t climb the stairs from my laundry room without stopping to catch my breath. Now I feel strong and fit just like an athlete and I’m in the process of training to complete my first 10K run!

Reaching my goals and inspiring others

Over the past 15 months I have lost 75 Ibs, 66 Ibs coming off since I joined GoodLife. I have gone from wearing a size 22 to a size 8!! I have had to shop in plus size clothing stores since I was 16 years old and now I can shop anywhere…it’s so much fun to go shopping now!! At my first assessment my resting heart rate was 95 and now it is 51. My blood pressure is normal, my sleep apnea is gone and I no longer take medication for acid reflux. Most importantly I am much healthier, happier and confident. My family has also benefited from the changes I have made; we are all more active and eating healthier. I am very proud of all that I have accomplished. People tell me that I have inspired them to lose weight and become healthy. It makes me proud to think I’ve inspired anyone.

“As parents, we often put everyone else’s needs first but I have come to realize that it is important to make yourself a priority, it makes you a happier person and in turn everyone in your life will benefit.”

The best advice I can give is that hiring a personal trainer has definitely been the key to my success. I never felt like I was alone on this journey because I’ve always had my trainer to motivate me, get me through the plateaus and cheer me on. It has been the best investment I’ve ever made. As parents, we often put everyone else’s needs first but I have come to realize that it is important to make yourself a priority, it makes you a happier person and in turn everyone in your life will benefit. This past year has been the best year of my life. I now love who I am and will never go back to being that unhappy person living an unhealthy life. A friend once told me that losing weight and learning to live healthy is a journey without a finish line. She was right, so now that I have reached my weight loss goal my journey continues. I continue to set new fitness goals to challenge and motivate myself, who knows where the future will take me but for the first time in my life I feel like the possibilities are endless!!

I try my best to always set aside some time for myself and the way I use that time always varies.� Some days I’ll just go outside and throw the ball around with friends or shoot some pucks. But the one thing I’m always make sure of, is to use that time to unwind from my busy days.

When you find yourself running around all day, whether it is going to a friend’s house or working, it can be hard getting motivated to go to the gym or go for a run outside. When I find myself trying to debate between watching some TV or going outside in this scorching weather, it can be hard to find that motivation to move. The one thing you always have to keep in mind when being active is that it doesn’t always have to be a set workout or going for a run. You can do fun stuff that interests you and your friends.

For instance, a few days ago, I invited over  a few of my friends and found a nice big hill where we laid out about 6 big tarps, turned on the sprinklers and hose and made a massive slip and slide. Not only were we doing all the work running up and down the hills setting it  up, but we also had a blast doing it! �

Finding alternatives can sometimes be half the battle. In this heat going to the gym is usually a good start because you know that it will be air conditioned. You can also make your physical activity a day long excursion where you go to your local beach or water park. With this beautiful weather, there are no excuses for sitting on your couch and not taking advantage of the sunshine.

Athletic, enthusiastic and involved, Katrina is a great GoodLife Teen Fitness role model. Follow her weekly blog this summer. She’d love to hear from you!

When I was 34 I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia an often debilitating chronic pain condition.  I was told that not only was it unusual for man to be diagnosed with “fibro”, it was rarer still for a man my age to be diagnosed.

Now, whether or not this is true, I can’t say.  I do know that for me it was both good and bad news.  The good news was: I wasn’t crazy.  The pain I was feeling wasn’t an indication that I was losing my mind.  It was real!   The bad news was, it was real.

As is typical with “fibro” patients, you slowly stop moving because movement hurts.  It’s an automatic defence mechanism.  When you break your arm, you immobilize it to minimize the pain.  The problem is that stopping moving is the wrong thing to do.  I know, it’s counter-intuitive, but that’s what has to happen.  You have to keep moving!

I stopped moving, and started packing on weight.  The truth was, I’d stopped moving more than necessary before the diagnosis came along.  I can’t say I was particularly active before “fibro” came into my life, but I wasn’t the couch potato I’d become since.  By the time I hit 210 pounds, my pain was nearing intolerable limits, I was having trouble maintaining employment, I could barely remember anything from one minute to the next and I knew that something had to break.  Soon.

I said to a friend of mine recently, that when I was at my lowest and knew something was about to break, I realized that life was for living, not for merely existing.  I was existing.  I knew that somehow I had to find my way back to actually LIVING life, instead of getting through it.

The break that came happened to be a good one.  I was put into the Fibromyalgia Day Program at St. Joseph’s Hospital in London.  I was lucky to have been fast-tracked into the month-long program because of my apparent medical uniqueness (remember, 34, male and diagnosed with fibro).  I was going to be a guinea pig of sorts.  Because so few males get diagnosed their response to the program is of particular interest to doctors who study fibromyalgia.

When I went in to the program, my left leg had atrophied from lack of movement.  I had to walk on my toes on that leg.  My pain was out of this world.  So I did the 30 days in the Fibro program and amazingly, came out with my left leg not only not atrophied anymore, but I was walking normally again.  They showed me in that program that I needed to move, and that the right movements would help me.

So I started moving again.  This is harder than it sounds when your brain has become trained to think that moving hurts.  Un-learning a lesson like that is no easy feat!  But I did it.  And I felt better.  So I moved some more.  And I lost weight and felt better still.  And then I lost more weight, and …. well, you get the idea.

And now, after 5 or 6 years of moving again, and exercising regularly, and working with my trainer, Shawn Slade, at Goodlife Fitness, I have just completed running my first half-marathon!

Just doing it, for me, is an amazing achievement.  Had someone told me 10 years ago that I’d be where I am today, I’d have said they’d lost their minds.  Yet, here I am.  I ran my first half-marathon on Sunday, May 15, 2011 at the age of 44.  I completed it in 2:04:12 (h:mm:ss), which I’m told isn’t a bad time.  I’d set a personal goal at 2 hours flat, but I’m still pleased with my performance.  I have room for improvement!

To that end, I’ve already signed myself up to run in the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon on October 16, 2011.  I want to beat that 2 hours!

What the future holds for me looks completely different than it did 10 years ago.  I don’t know what is out there for me, but now I know that I can meet it head-on, with a strong, capable body.

I weigh in at about 180 pounds, but I’m fit, strong and I actually have a pretty decent body!  My pain is still there and still causes issues from time to time, but those times are now in the minority, by a very long stretch!  I have Fibromyalgia.  It doesn’t have me.  I plan to keep moving.  I plan to keep exercising regularly.  I plan to lead an active, full life.  I plan to LIVE.

I am a runner.

That is what I do. I run.  I find a goal race & I focus on that. I run uphill, I run downhill, I fun short & fast, I run long & slow. I don’t ‘cross train’, I just run.

I’ve heard it in talks & presentations over and over. Cross training is good for you. Cross training will help your running. Cross training will make you stronger. I’ve heard professional athletes & medical professionals go on about the benefits of cross training, but I just didn’t HEAR it.

All I ever heard was “there is all this other stuff you can do that will take your time away from running”.

I guess I should have paid better attention.  It turns out all those professionals were right.

At first, my interest in ‘cross training’ was sparked by an interest in participating in the Tour de Victoria, mass participation cycling event.  The event sounded really exciting, and it was for a good cause, so I figured I would give it a try.

I borrowed a bike from a friend and hit the roads.

I couldn’t believe how much fun I was having while EXERCISING!  It wasn’t long before I was looking forward to my rides as a way to get out there and stay active, without the impact running has on your body. After completing the BMO Vancouver Marathon on May 1^st, I was paranoid about getting injured if I went back to running too soon, so I spent most of my time exercising on the bike.

Other than a couple short runs, to make sure my legs knew what to do before 2 half marathons, I focused on the bike.  I thought I had this cross training thing figured out.  Cycling when you are a runner = cross training right?

Then the time came to give the bike back to its owner, and I was back to being ‘just’ a runner.  Only it was around this time I was told that I couldn’t run because of an over training injury.

Great! Now what am I going to do?  There is only so much time that can be spent on a stationary bike at the gym!  And even though it’s not something I do often, the elliptical trainer isn’t really ‘cross training’ is it?

Hit to Fit

So, with being banned from running, and bored of the stationary machines, I decided it was time to hit up some of the Group EXercise classes at the two GoodLife locations in town!  I also decided to give something new that our VicWest location is offering, HitToFit.

Now, I like to think I am in good shape. I’ve finished 2 marathons and 12 half marathons, as well as countless races of shorter distances! In my mind, I am a fitness machine & I can do anything!

Wow, was I humbled at HitToFit.  There are no machines here. You’re just using your own body and a few pieces of equipment to get a full body work out!  It was definitely a great challenge, and a fun way to work out without running!  And I felt it the next day!!

I have really discovered that the Group EXercise classes offered at GoodLife are a great way to add some variety and more importantly FUN to your workout! Even if you are totally uncoordinated like I am, you can work your way through the classes without much trouble!  And, the more you go, the easier it becomes!

HitToFit, Group EXericse & cycling have definitely become a regular part of my training routine. Even now that I have been given the go-ahead to return to my marathon training, I am still having fun making sure that least one workout a week is some form of cross training!  And as a bonus, the cross training is benefiting my running!

Why didn’t anyone tell me that sooner?

Check out Kirsty’s blog at www.iamthenewme.com

Maria - After

A typical dinner in my house was pasta, some sort of fried meat and of course dessert. When you add to that biweekly trips to McDonalds and all the chips and cookies in the cupboards it is easy to see how I became so overweight.

As a kid in school I was teased and bullied because of my weight problem. Because of the bullying I didn’t join in when the other kids were running around and playing. My self esteem was so low that I would often just sit by myself and wait for the school day to be over. I wish I could say that the teasing just happened at school but the truth is no matter where I went I would hear people make rude jokes or stare at me.

The Surgery

On July 29, 2009 I had Gastric Bypass Surgery, I weighed 455 Ibs. The surgery seemed to be the answer to my prayers. Members of my family had had the surgery and lost a lot of weight and didn’t have to exercise at all. I hated the idea of exercising. After the surgery things weren’t as easy as I thought. I would get sick almost every time I ate plus I developed pain in my stomach about six months later (we will come back to that later). As time went on I started to notice that family members that had the surgery were starting to put their weight back on. In fact one family member put so much weight back on that she now needs a wheelchair to get around.   I took a hard long look at myself and my lifestyle, and decided that if I wanted a healthy long life that I was going to have to work for it.

“I don’t want to die”

On May 3, 2010 I joined GoodLife Fitness and met with a trainer named Chuck. Chuck put me on the scale and I weighed 310 Ibs. I told him that I wanted to lose weight. He asked me why I want to lose weight, what was the main reason. I answered him as honestly as I could – I told him “I don’t want to die”. We started training the very next day.

The support Maria needed

Maria – Before

The first workout was one of the worst days of my life. I felt that I couldn’t do any of the movements right, and that everyone was looking at me. Chuck kept telling me over and over that everyone feels that way at the beginning and that it would get better and I would come to love working out. I thought -no way was that every going to happen. At the end of the first workout he asked me to run up three flights of stairs. I made it up the first one and a half before I had to stop running and start walking and hold onto the handrail. He then gave me his cell number, not the number for the gym, but his personal cell and told me that I can call him any time if I have any questions, problems or just need to vent. That made me feel like this person really cared about me and my health. It made me see that he saw me as a person and not just an appointment he had 3 times a week.

We kept working out 3 times a week for an hour plus he would give me workouts for the days I didn’t work out with him. I started coming to the gym 6 times a week- me, the person that would rather have a surgery then workout. It wasn’t easy. I don’t drive so I have to take the bus or try to get a ride. Sometimes I have to wait at the gym an hour or more before my training sessions. It’s well worth it, I can’t miss a day now, and I’m hooked.

“I now finished my workouts running the stairs I could hardly walk up before, however now, instead of just once, I do them 10 times.”

As the days and weeks passed I kept losing weight and started to get comments from everyone at the gym on how great I was doing and how great I looked. People told me how seeing me in the gym everyday working as hard as I do, helped them work harder towards their goals. My energy is through the roof. I now finished my workouts running the stairs I could hardly walk up before, however now, instead of just once, I do them 10 times.

“I have lost almost another whole me.”

I now weigh 230 lbs, I have lost 80Ibs since I started training with Chuck and I’m 225 lbs from my heaviest weight – I have lost almost another whole me. Now that I have lost so much weight I can see what my earlier stomach pains were- I have a hernia. I’m not sure how long I’ve had it or how long it would have taken me to find if I had not lost all the weight. I will be training any way I can, right up to the day of the surgery and as soon as I can after it.

I will never stop working out. I will never go back to being the unhealthy unhappy person that is in the before pictures. Getting a Personal Trainer is the best decision I made and has been worth every penny I spent. I would recommend it to anyone.

Maria is one of our Success Stories for July. If you are interested in working with a Personal Trainer to achieve your fitness goals, sign up for a free consultation today.

For the first time in her fitness history, she found a club that she truly enjoyed for a few reasons: 1-because of the location, 2-because everyone is very friendly and welcoming and 3-because the club is kept in excellent condition. She feels good walking into the club and is able to have fun while exercising.

We sat down for a Q&A with Barb to learn more about her passion for fitness and the experience she has had with her Personal Trainer.

Q. What are your fitness goals?

A. My main goal is to keep healthy. Heart disease, among other things, runs in my family so I want to do everything I can to stay healthy. Maintaining my weight and keeping toned are added bonuses.

Q. How has fitness contributed to your work/life balance?

A. Sometimes after a busy day at work working out is the last thing I want to do, but once I get there and start my workout I feel much better. I find I have more energy now so working out has definitely improved my lifestyle – it has become a part of my daily/weekly routine.

Q. What is your experience with your Personal Trainer, Kiersten?

A. Having personal training is the best thing I’ve ever done! It’s my gift to myself. Having a trainer gives me the incentive to go to the club and I know that I’m getting excellent guidance and exercise. My training sessions seem to fly by because I have a great trainer and we get along so well. Before I know it our hour is over and I’ve enjoyed working out.

Q. What her Personal Trainer, Kiersten says about Barbara

A. I can’t say enough good things about Barb. She works hard and is committed to her sessions. The secret to her great success is her attitude. I believe a positive attitude allows you to ‘show up’ for life. Barb always shows up. She’s a great inspiration!

I was unable to move my head without pain and had lower back issues for over 10 years. I struggled with weight gain during this time and the inability to exercise without pain. I gradually regained my range of motion back through weekly chiropractic and physiotherapy but was afraid to do much exercising in fear of hurting my neck and back again. I went from 138 pounds in 1988 to a disgusting 228 pounds in January this year. I had gained 90 pounds!

Joanne - After

I tried losing weight through dieting, but found the weight just came back again. In February 2010 I started with another weight loss clinic. They had me eating only 850 calories a day. I was to eat one fruit per day, no whole grains and green veggies only. It was mostly protein I ate.

I did manage to lose some weight and I walked daily. The frightening part was that I lost 20 pounds of muscle mass. My body fat had only decreased by 2% in 2 1/2 months. I was depressed and hungry all the time and had no energy. I was ready to hit the nearest smorgasbord.

I decided to visit the closest GoodLife Fitness centre and see if they could help me. I spoke to the General Manager, Marc who reviewed my concerns. He spent over an hour assuring me that their Personal Trainers would work with my neck and back issues and design a program that worked for me. Plus, I would not have to starve myself anymore.

Renewed hope

Mark also gave me a book to read that was written by the owner of GoodLife. Patch also had sports injuries to overcome and through exercise and training he worked through these issues and had totally regained his strength and flexibility again. This gave me renewed hope. I was excited and determined to get back into shape and get this weight off I had been dragging around with me for years. I desperately wanted to feel good about myself again.

I work with my Personal Trainer 3 times a week and we focus on CORE work. She pushes me to my limits and has great exercises that have really helped flatten my stomach. We discuss clean healthy meal planning for energy and I am eating more and still losing weight. I also attend the BODYPUMP classes as well, 3 times a week. Every other day I attend Newbody Classes, Yoga and Zumba classes.

Joanne - Before

The Zumba classes are what really have helped my cardio, butt and my legs tone up. Darlene Willie is a fabulous trainer and Zumba instructor. Her smiles, high energy and encouragement keep me coming back. Zumba is so much FUN… you don’t even notice you have spent an hour exercising and are burning fat.

• Weight – 228 lbs. in mid-January 2010 – now down to 172 lbs. Lost 56 lbs.!
• Decreased my body fat from 51% to 28%.
• I have gained almost 20 pounds of lean muscle mass.
• Went from a XXLarge pant size to a Medium.
• Went from a waist size of 45 inches down to 35 1/2.

My neck and back are so much stronger now thanks to all the careful training I have had at GoodLife. I have gone from looking like I was ready to give birth at age 58, to a leaner and healthy body. I have toned my body and built muscle as I have lost the weight. I have no hanging skin or cellulite left in my legs and butt. My blood pressure is normal. I have no cholesterol issues and I am on NO medications!

Renewed confidence

Everyone that sees me cannot believe the weight I have lost and how much younger I look. I no longer feel FAT and depressed and do not hide from the camera anymore and plan on getting lots of family photos taken with my grandchildren and great granddaughter. I can look at myself in the mirror again with a renewed confidence about myself.

The staff greet me every day by name and are so friendly. The management team has been very supportive, focused and interested with my progress. I tell everyone I see what GoodLife has done for me. I am happier now with my new lifestyle that includes fitness every day. I also look forward to seeing the new friends I met that work out with me each day. I can’t wait to get down to my goal weight of 148 pounds and look hot and sexy in a swimsuit again before I turn 60.I will do it!

Thank you GoodLife, you did give me my life back and what a GOOD LIFE you gave me.

Joanne is one of our Success Stories for July. If you are interested in working with a Personal Trainer and overcoming some of your own health challenges, sign up for a free consultation today.

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I’m so thrilled that I accomplished the goal that I reward myself by NOT going to the gym. So one week passes, two week passes, three week passes and then four week passes. Then I decide enough is enough as I start to watch my waist thicken and feel a bit puffier than I would like to be.

It was fun not to go the gym…I had all this extra time!

But I missed not having a goal. I really did.

After 4 weeks, I went back on the treadmill and I have to admit, 5 km was a bit more challenging than I wanted it to be. But I went on it 3 times that week and I went for two bike rides that week. (40 km and then 60 km). It was my first week riding again (since last year) and I have to say that all that running I did in the spring and the winter, really paid off.

I’m feeling really good on the bike and ready to do 80 km this week. I just need time!
Does anyone else feel this way after they accomplish a goal?…That you need to take a break from the gym for a while? How long is your break? 1 week, 2 weeks or more?

PS: my next goal is a Sprint triathlon in September. I’m already projecting another 4 week break after that race. I just know it!

Cheers,
Vicky Weiss
www.momwhoruns.com
@momwhoruns

So why are we thinking about Thanksgiving in June?

Well, here in Victoria, for over 30 years, Thanksgiving weekend has also been marathon weekend.  And for the last couple years it has been the Goodlife Fitness Victoria Marathon weekend.�

This year will mark my 4^th consecutive year participating in the festivities, and my second time running the full marathon.  2008 was the first year I participated, and that year I started out in the 8K Road Race. In 2009 the Victoria Marathon was my first marathon & last year I gave the half marathon a shot.

I’ve always trained for my distance races with Running Room, they have a great 18 week program that helps you gradually build up your mileage, as well as helping you work on speed & hill training. I complement that with the time spent at my local GoodLife Fitness locations.

Last weekend we had our first group training run. This is where we figure out our pace, and get assigned to our pace groups for the remainder of training. Out of the 25 participants; about half of them are first time marathoners!  It makes for a great mix of experience & excitement!

This is my favourite phase in training.  It’s a time to meet your new training group, a group of people you are going to really get to know over the next few months. And it’s also a time to think about and plan your goals for race day!�

It is really important to think ahead and decide what you want your race day to look like. These first few weeks will set the tone for the rest of your training.  Is your goal just to finish? Is your goal to set a new personal best time? Is your goal to qualify for Boston?�

These are the things you have to consider right now, so that you can decide just how hard you want to push yourself over the next few months to get yourself there!�

If you read my previous post “To not die… & other goals” you may recall that I ran a marathon earlier this year, and I set a goal completing the race in under 4hrs.  That didn’t happen.  I came in at 4:12:40, a disappointing 13 minutes slower than I planned.
�

When I look back, I can see that I didn’t stick to my training plan, and that’s  what stopped me from reaching my goal.  I got bored, I got distracted, I lost my motivation.  The good news is, this time around, I have fewer distractions & excuses and more time & determination!�

I’m going to make the 2011 GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon my best marathon yet.

So, now it is time to sit down and write out a training plan.  I’m going to make sure that it is realistic and achievable.  I will be certain to schedule some downtime and relaxation, as well as cross training so that I can avoid the boredom I felt training for the BMO Vancouver Marathon� earlier this year!

The great thing is, this time around I also have more accountability. I’m going to be writing a monthly GoodLife blog post updating everyone on my training progress, as well as sharing my training tips for anyone else out there work is working towards  a goal race!

You will be able follow along with my training, both here & on my personal blog,  and see if I finally reach my goal of getting my marathon time under 4hrs!�

I love getting out and running in this gorgeous west coast scenery, with the sun shining down on meand I am looking forward to a great summer of training.

Check out Kirsty’s blog at www.iamthenewme.com.

I mean I really love cupcakes!

I have been known to get in the car & take day trips to another city if I hear they have a good place to get a cupcake.  If I have a bad day, I want to console myself with a cupcake. If I have something to celebrate, then it is celebrated with a cupcake.

I love cupcakes.

So why am I telling you this on the GoodLife Fitness Blog?

It’s simple really.  I like to have my (cup)cake & eat it too.

My previous posts have mostly been about eating healthy, working out & losing weight.  But honestly, who can be perfect all the time? Who can eat lean protein, steamed veggies & whole grains day in & day out? No one I know.

We are all human, we crave treats. We reward ourselves for a job well done with an edible delight. We celebrate life’s many milestones by raising a glass. We can’t be perfect all the time.

It has been proven time and time again that anyone can restrict their calorie intake & increase the amount of calories they burn in order to lose weight rapidly, but that is not what I am about. That is not what GoodLife is about.  You cannot live your life constantly focused on working out and watching what you eat. You need to relax every now & again and in enjoy it.

In my opinion, scheduling downtime is just as important as scheduling your work outs.  A day without a workout will do 2 things for you. It will let your muscles recover & rebuild, and it will let your mind relax and get refreshed for your next work out. I personally cannot imagine going through this life, maintaining my weight and fitness, without having the occasional day of to relax and eat some ‘naughty’ food.

Really, it is all about Balance.

When I am training for a race, or working towards a goal, I never schedule more than 5 days a week of exercise.  Of those 5 days, I tell myself that 3 of them are ‘non-negotiable’ and the other 2 are flexible.  You need to account for the days that you just don’t feel like it, the days when your body is telling you no. And you have to learn to ‘forgive’ yourself when you miss a work out.  You can always make up for it another day.

What kind of life would it be if you were living every day feeling guilty about something you ate, or missing a work out?

So you skipped Thursdays work out to go out for a drink with friends?  Did you have fun? Good!  Missing one workout isn’t going to derail your fitness goals!   You went to a birthday party last night and had an extra slice of cake? I bet it tasted good. Now just add a little time to today’s work out to make up for it!

The point I am trying to make here is that you need to have some fun; you need to relax and have your treats.  It is good for the mind, body & soul!  As long as you’re still burning at least the same amount, of calories as you are consuming, there is nothing to worry about!

Now excuse me, I hear a cupcake calling my name!

HOW?

First, I signed up for DailyMile. This is a website that allows you to log on after each work out and state what you did, how you felt, etc. Usually I would write “on the treadmill at GoodLife Fitness” then I would write my miles, my distance and how I felt after the workout  (i.e: feeling great, not sore at all).

I added some virtual friends and poof – they write you back with a “great workout!”, “what race are you doing?”, “way to go”, etc.

DailyMile also sends me a weekly log of how many miles I ran that week and how many donuts I can now eat as a result. Isn’t that cute!!

Its a really user friendly website and I strongly recommend it.

Next, I downloaded an app called AllSportGPS onto my iPhone. It wasn’t cheap ($9.99) but I love it and I use it, so it’s worth it. I just push start at the beginning of my run and at the end of my run it will tell me my distance, average speed, duration, average pace and more. It even shows me the map of where I ran. Plus it keeps a record of my sessions so I can compare this run’s stats to my previous runs.

Cheers,
momwhoruns

I love technology these days. Do you use technology as well to keep you motivated?

I ran the GoodLife Toronto Half Marathon in the rain today and I have a lot of people to thank!! I am normally a pretty decisive person but when it comes to “races”… I procrastinate. I’m always signing up for them at the LAST MINUTE.

Case in point: this past Friday which was the last day to sign up and pick up your race kit.

After studying weather patterns like a mad woman, I realized the weather was going to be lousy. I called up a buddy who said “think positive”. I replied “I cant”. I then asked him if he ever ran a race in the rain. He replied “I raced a half ironman in the rain for 7 full hours”. That answer certainly put things in perspective for me.

Then I tweeted “looks like rain on Sunday…cant decide if I should register. So nervous”! The words of encouragement came pouring in:

@aurorameyer: a half marathon in the rain means no sweat stinging in your eyes. It also means investing in more Body Glide, wet clothes rub.

@karmasdogma: I did a 20km training run in rain. Wear a hat to keep rain off face. Use good (not cotton) running socks. Good luck.

@Ontario Culinary: it’s refreshing. You’ll do great.

@Botdenlrma: go Vicky. It smells great outside when its raining maybe that keeps you going

@KiddingAround: Perhaps the rain will be refreshing. Best of luck

@MichaelNus: the rain will cool you down

@CookTrainEatRce: rain or no rain, it’s still 13.1 miles and you have trained for it. You will be golden.

@HorriblePeanut: Ive done a 32 k training run in the pouring rain. Just concentrate on the the feeling of WIN you will get and a hot shower

@HorriblePeanut: YOU CAN DO IT

After all those great tweets…I went down to the CNE grounds and registered!!

So how did it go? I had a terrible sleep (which is what happens every time before a race)..woke up at 7 a.m., got dressed, make an egg white omlette and a piece of toast and at 7:20 a.m. I was picked up by my buddy’s friend. We got to Mel Lastman Square and before we knew it, it was 8:00 a.m

By 5 km…I didnt notice the weather anymore!! I put one foot infront of the other and kept going. The last few kilometres up University were brutal. I was stopping more then I wanted to.

Finally after 2 hours and 16 minutes I crossed the finish line. I felt great!! I walked to grab a taxi and treated my muscles to the best spa ever…Body Blitz!

I dipped into the sea salt pool, the green tea pool, the cold plunge pool, and also took advantage of the infrared sauna and the eucalyptus sauna. I rested. I drank an ice tea and left feeling AWESOME.

I will actually be able to climb down the stairs tomorrow AND sit in a chair thanks to the water therapy at Body Blitz.

I really had a great day. Thanks again to everyone for all the words of encouragement. It really made a difference.

Cheers,
momwhoruns

More than 10,000 people from 40 different countries participating in this year’s marathon.

Brendan Kenny, a 25-year-old school teacher from Dundas, Ontario, finished in first place with a time of 2 hours 27 minutes 20 seconds. He improved over last year’s second place finish.

The fastest time amongst women was 2:54:51 by Melissa Begin of Nashville, Ontario.

For a complete list of finishing times and results, click here.

Love was in the air at this year’s marathon, as well. Rodney Merchant and Jessica McGann tied the knot after completing the marathon together.
Racing to the altar: couple ties knot after Toronto Marathon [Toronto Star]

Photo Gallery [Toronto Star]

Faces of the Toronto Marathon [Globe and Mail]

From our Community Events and GoodLife Toronto teams:

From OptiMYz TV:

From the blogosphere:

Mom Who Runs – Running the GoodLife Toronto Half-Marathon… in the Rain
A Whole Lot of Soles – Race report: GoodLife Fitness Toronto Marathon

Jessica - After

“Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me” and “Beauty comes from within” are things I was told growing up. There are fundamental problems with these sayings: names do hurt and it’s hard to be beautiful on the inside when you don’t love yourself.

I was born a pudgy baby and grew into a plump child, overweight teenager, and then an obese adult. No surprise, really. My whole family is “big boned” so being fat wasn’t a choice; it was inescapable. I felt hopeless with my weight. If all of my family members were overweight and they couldn’t do anything about it, what was I going to do? I felt as though genetics were what made me overweight, not my habits or my lifestyle. It was a family heirloom being passed down from generation to generation. Other things I was destined to inherit were diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, acid reflux, and depression.

It doesn’t need to be said that I led a sedentary lifestyle with a lot of pre-packaged and processed foods. That was not my problem, though. There are lots of skinny people who ate how I did and lived the life that I did. I was going to be fat either way, I thought, so why not enjoy my food and watch TV instead of exercising. The problem with that outlook was that I wasn’t enjoying my life. I was overweight so I didn’t love myself. That made me depressed, so I ate food to make myself feel better. I was in my early 20′s and already taking over $100 a month in prescription medication for depression and acid reflux.

My whole outlook on life changed

Fast forward to December 24, 2008.

I’m sitting at home with my boyfriend and he pulls out a ring and asks me to marry him. This is when my whole outlook on life changed. The proposal of marriage meant a lot of things. It meant someone saw something inside of me that was worth loving. As the saying goes, first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes a baby in a baby carriage. The thought of having children and bestowing all of the aforementioned inheritances on to my children was a game changer. I would never wish the things that I had to endure in my childhood on anyone. If there was even a remote possibility that my weight and my health could be improved it was worth trying.

A week or two later my now-fiancée and I called GoodLife Fitness at the Devonshire Mall in Windsor and made plans to go in and talk with someone about my options. Joining a gym was a scary thing for me so I didn’t want to do it alone. My fiancée and I went in and met with the Assistant General Manager and he showed us around. Then he sat down with us to talk about joining the gym. He told us that since my goal was losing weight, and since I had never stepped into a gym before, he recommended the Personal Training program. I signed up for 12 starter sessions with a Personal Trainer so that I could learn how to use all of the machines properly and to get a jump start on my new lifestyle.

Jessica - Before

Setting my goals

Soon after my first encounter with the gym I got a phone call at home from my new Personal Trainer. He introduced himself and set up a time for me to come into the gym so we could meet and talk about my goals. Going to the gym was a very intimidating experience for me. I had spent my whole life being the fat girl and people never had a problem letting me know. I was scared to go to the gym; only skinny, good looking people go to the gym, and I was certain that they were all there waiting to give me dirty looks for being the fat girl. I was determined to make a change in my life, so despite my trepidation I went in and started walking on the treadmill.

My new trainer Jimmy found me, introduced himself, and we sat down to talk about what it was that I wanted out of Personal Training and how he could benefit me. Thankfully, Jimmy was able to understand my concerns and aspirations as well as make me feel completely comfortable. He made me feel confident that I was going to be able to meet my goals with a little bit of hard work.

Our 12 sessions went fairly quickly and at the end I was down 6.75 inches and 20 pounds. There was no question in my mind that I wanted to continue on this journey. Jimmy’s vast knowledge and never ending encouragement were tremendous motivators.

We continued to work out 3 times a week for over a year.

An astounding success: 90lbs, 48 inches, 15% body fat

Now as I sit here writing this I am down 90 pounds, 48 inches and 15% body fat. I am off of my medications for depression and acid reflux and have been for over a year. More important than what I have lost is what I have gained. I have gained self-esteem that I never thought possible, the knowledge & ability to continue losing weight and toning my muscle. But most importantly I have gained a love for myself. I know that if I was doing it alone from the beginning I would have given up after a month or so of no results and gotten nowhere.

My Personal Trainer has been a blessing in my life. Jimmy was able to teach me things I never had any interest in learning, show me things inside myself that I never knew existed, and keep me moving when I thought I had nothing left to give. If I was losing faith in my ability to keep going, he talked me out of it and kept me motivated.

Jimmy showed he genuinely cared about me as a person. He was more than just a Personal Trainer. He was a life coach, a therapist, a motivator and a friend. He never made me feel like I wasn’t doing well enough or that I was doing something wrong. He gave me so many wonderful things that I can never thank him for, nor do I think he will ever fully understand what he has done for me.

I now eat healthy and exercise because I want to. I can see the benefit in a healthy, active lifestyle and there is no turning back for me! I enjoy sharing the knowledge that Jimmy has provided me and have had many offers to come live with people so that I can keep them on track with their healthy eating and exercising.

I love sharing my successes with other people so they can get motivated to start taking as much joy and pride in their life as I now do. I would highly recommend Personal Training to anyone who has any interest in changing their life for the better.

Jessica is one of our Success Stories for April. If you are interested in working with a Personal Trainer and overcoming some of your own health challenges, sign up for a free consultation today.

Tracy - After

Getting started was by far the hardest part. I knew that if I was going to have any hope of reaching my final goal that I was going to have to take that first step and make the committed decision to follow it through. I had tried and failed at just about every diet out there, each time gaining back more weight than before I started.

My husband and I had both battled with weight for most of our adult lives. He ended up having to have surgery for a hernia and they would not do the surgery until he was a certain weight, so thus began his weight loss journey. I watched as he began to lose weight, look good and feel good and as much as I wanted that too, I just wasn’t there mentally. I wasn’t ready to take that first big step yet. I was miserable and hated the way I looked and felt, but for some reason, I just couldn’t commit to it yet.

To be honest, I’m not even sure I was 100% ready for it when I walked into the gym that first day to meet with Ranjna, the woman who was to become my Personal Trainer down the road. I knew that Personal Training worked because I had seen what it was doing for my husband. I just wasn’t sure it was going to work for me.

I signed up for the training sessions but it was about another two months before I was in the right place mentally and actually started my sessions and my journey towards a healthier lifestyle. It almost felt as if I had to get in all the bad eating I was ever going to do before I started this dreaded “diet and exercise” thing again. For me, this was it. I didn’t want to fail again.

So there I was, finally ready to take that first step. Boy was I in for the change of my life and I didn’t even realize it yet. I was so out of shape that I thought the first training session just might kill me! I had never in my life worked out like that before and it was one heck of a painful hour! I was almost afraid to go back for the next session but I managed to drag my very sore body back in there day after day and week after week. I was working out 6 days a week (3 days with my trainer and 3 days on my own) and at some point it just started to feel great!

Tracy - Before

My trainer was amazing. She constantly encouraged me to keep going and was always changing things up for me to meet my needs. She was a wealth of knowledge and was so helpful. She always had the answers I needed. I think she definitely listened to her fair share of whining from me too.

I knew that she truly cared about me and my success and that made all the difference in the world. It made me want to keep going and to succeed not just for me, but for her too. The one thing people kept asking me was “What kind of diet did your trainer put you on?” The answer was always the same, “She didn’t.” There was no magic diet or magic pill. What it came down to was common sense eating!

I knew what I was eating before wasn’t good for me. We all know what foods are good for us and which ones aren’t. It was just a matter of eating the right foods instead of the wrong ones, and eating them in the proper portion sizes. That combined with the exercise and the expert knowledge of my trainer and before I knew it, I was loving the way I looked and the way I felt. I was a different person, or at least I felt like I was.

As cliché as it may sound, I felt like I had been given a new lease on life. I lost 70 pounds and have never felt better or had more confidence. For months everywhere we went people commented on my husband’s great success and now they were commenting on mine. It felt really good, better than any of those calorie rich, unhealthy foods ever tasted! I felt like for the first time in years, that I was able to hold my head up high and be proud of myself for something I had accomplished.

My whole world had changed. I had more confidence, more energy, and respect for myself instead of self-loathing. I remember the first day that I was able to go into a regular clothing store and buy whatever I wanted off of the rack…WOW! What a great day that was. It felt amazing and I was thrilled.

I have a love of photography and now, with the weight gone, I am free to go out and hike deep into the woods to photograph beautiful places I never would have gone to before because the only way there would have been far too difficult for me when I was overweight. Not only that but if I had not lost the weight I never would have had the confidence to pursue my photography in the way that I am now.

This one step that I took has made so many changes in my life and all of them are for the better. I eat healthier, I have more energy to do things with my kids and my husband, I am a better role model for my kids and I can hold my head up high when I walk now instead of hanging it in shame because of the way I felt.

Since I have lost the weight I have had many people tell me that I am an inspiration to them and every time I hear that it just blows me away. I never thought I would be an inspiration to anyone but if I have inspired even one person to live a healthier, happier lifestyle than that is good enough for me.

Goodlife Fitness and my Personal Trainer have changed my life! I will be forever grateful to Ranjna for all that she has been through with me, all that she has taught me, and what she has helped me to accomplish. I know people often say that they can’t afford Personal Training but what is the price of your health and happiness worth? If you ask me, it is the best money you will ever spend.

What is more important than investing in yourself and in your happiness and your health?

Tracy is one of our Success Stories for May. If you are interested in working with a Personal Trainer and overcoming some of your own health challenges, sign up for a free consultation today.

These opportunities don’t come around very often, and when they do, they usually involve packing up everything you own, leaving friends & family and moving to a new city or province to start all over again.

A number of years ago, I almost did just that. I went out of province looking for a change of scenery, a change of job, a change of lifestyle.

Circumstances happened that stopped me from moving out of the province, and (now) I am glad for it.  I have learned that you can get a fresh start, right where you are without leaving everything behind.

My idea of exercise was lifting a martini glass to my mouth for multiple reps

The 'old me'

When I look back at the ‘old me’ I see someone who, despite the smile on her face, is incredibly unhappy.  I see someone who would stop at the drive thru on her way home from work to get the ‘extra value meal’  then go home and eat it in bed before rolling over and falling asleep with the garbage still on the night stand.  I see someone who would spend her time partying to drown her sorrows. I see someone smiling to hide unhappiness.  I often joke that before my weight loss my idea of exercise was lifting a martini glass to my mouth for multiple reps.

When I look at life now, I see a person who is 10 years younger that she was 5 years ago.  I see someone with so much more energy,  someone full of life, with a bright future ahead.  I see a confident, strong, independent woman, who can do anything she puts her mind to.  I see a new me.

If you can believe it, I still get up and go to the same job I’ve had for the last 10 years.  I still sit at the same desk, in the same office, and do the same work.  Sometimes I look around and think about how much my life is still the same, then I realize just how much it has changed.

Now, I do extra laps for the heck of it

Yes, my 9-5 world is still the same, but the way I spend my spare time now is so vastly different from how I spent it before.  In the past I would come home from work to sit on the couch and lose myself in hours of internet & TV. Now I have started to ride my bike 20km home from work, then do a few extra laps around the neighbourhood for the heck of it.  Now, my Sunday mornings are spent meeting my running group downtown and running 15-35km before lunch, rather than sleeping off the night before. And those trips to the drive thru for the extra value meal have been replaced with trips to Goodlife Fitness for some time on the treadmill or stationary bike.

The 'new me'

This journey has been a long one, and it has had some rough patches, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.  I am sure I have burned some bridges along the way, but they are probably bridges that needed to be burned.  I have lost friends & gained new ones, and more importantly – reconnected with some distant ones.

This journey wasn’t easy. It took a lot of time & hard work, but it was most certainly worth it. The way I feel is pretty much summed up in the title of my personal blog: I am the new me. I truly feel that I am a new person, living a new life. I feel like I have really gotten a fresh start on life.

Stay tuned for more about my journey!

Kirsty Sheldon

Make fitness a priority this spring and sign up for an event in your area. There are incredible benefits that can be gained by participating in a local event – friendships, sense of community, fun…and, getting in shape while training isn’t so bad either!

I have never trained so hard and so long for something – the journey was immensely joyful and challenging. Unfortunately, 10 days before the event I was about 5k into an easy 8k run and started feeling some mild discomfort on the outside of my left knee.

Hoping it would just disappear, I did only 2 more short easy runs on the treadmill before leaving for Philly and felt REALLY good at the start line!

The knee discomfort started again around the 3 mile mark. I pushed through it and honestly felt like I would be able to continue to push through it right to the finish line. Cardiovascularly, I had lots left in the tank!

At 18 miles both my calf muscles started to spasm. In all the years I’ve been running, I’ve NEVER had a cramp on a run before! At first I wasn’t even sure what the spasms were. I pushed through until it consumed the entire muscle. I stopped to stretch at the side of the course, talking to myself the entire time – PUSH THROUGH!!

I attempted to start running again, and the cramping started almost immediately after the first step. I told myself to push for just 5 more minutes, and to my surprise the cramping then started on the inside of my groin up and down both legs. It was debilitating! My legs were not cooperating but my heart really wanted to move!!

I had to walk. Lots of mental talk at this point… was it because of my knee? Did I spend too much time on my feet the day before sightseeing with the kids? Did I not hydrate well the past few days? Is this a mental block and am I creating these cramps? I knew I could do this but would I?

When I was just shy of the 19mile mark, the cramping seemed to have stopped. I gave it another try – my legs

retaliated!! I knew it was over. I knew I would have to walk the last 7 miles or risk serious injury. The mental battle was more painful than the physical pain. I decided to give myself a 1 minute pity party – sobbed and walked – and that was it. Then, all the positive thoughts I could muster up prevailed as I thought – ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE.

And that I did! High 5s to all the bystanders offering support, smiling at all the witty signs they were holding, thinking about  my fan club back home… I only let in happy thoughts!

I pushed through and eventually crossed the finish with a smile on my face. Not the finish I was dreaming about, but the finish where I felt the warm embrace of my wonderful husband and my beautiful kids.

When Do I Like to Exercise?

I’ve been thinking about this lately….when� is the ideal time to exercise?

Lets talk it out…

IN THE EARLY MORNING

Pros: I get to start my day off right, and ensure I get a workout in

Con: I’m exhausted by 2 p.m

AT LUNCH

Pros: I get a mid-day exercise break and that feels great

Con: I feel kinda rushed

AT NIGHT

Pros: I’m not sitting on my couch watching TV and noshing

Con: Often, I don’t feel like getting in my car and going anywhere after a long day

See? It’s all very personal. Everyone is different.

I’ve tried working out in the morning, at lunch and at night. I wish I went at the same time every day but that’s just not realistic for my lifestyle at the moment.  So, I end up going to the gym at all different times! One could say “EVERY DAY is different”. This means, that I keep my gym clothes in my car with me and not at home so that if an opportunity arises that I have some spare time…I can squeeze in a work out.

I’m curious to know…when do you go to the gym? Are you consistent?

I’m your average 30-something single gal. I spend my work days sitting at a desk & my evenings juggling a second job, my two adorable dogs & my self-imposed training schedule. With everything I have going on, the most important things in my schedule are my group runs & my gym nights. That’s my Me Time. That’s what keeps me sane.

I am one of the lucky people who gets to live in the beautiful city of Victoria, BC on Canada’s gorgeous west coast.  Out here, we have the good fortune of being able to be outside & active almost year round. With the scenery we have, it would be a crime to not spend as much time as possible outside in the fresh air enjoying being fit & active. Unfortunately, I haven’t always seen things this way. I haven’t always been fit & active. I’m here to tell you the story of how I found my way to a healthy lifestyle through GoodLife Fitness.

Me, Before

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been inactive and overweight. I can look back now and blame it on so many things: lack of activity, an unhappy relationship, and emotional eating to name a few. The thing is, the past is the past and there’s no point in dwelling on it. Instead, I’m here to tell you about what I did.

So, what did I do? I looked around & took stock of my life. I looked at the people in my life, what I was doing with my life, and what I wanted from my life. What I realized was that I wanted more. I wanted more than to be overweight and riddled with health problems. I wanted more than a life that revolved around what was on TV and what I was going to eat while I was watching it.

I wanted to LIVE a good life.

In 2007 I started to take control of my eating habits. At first everything was so easy, so fun, and so worth it. But slowly, that all wore off and after a few months I was struck with the reality that being healthy is hard work. I was going to have to make some real changes. I was going to have to get in shape, too.

Knowing myself – knowing that I don’t do anything when I’m not accountable to someone, knowing that I function best in a group activity, and that I like to be outside – I decided to take a “Learn To Run” class. On the first night, I thought I was going to die. I had never exercised a day in my life and now I was paying the price for being inactive for 18 years. But, week after week it got easier and soon I was signing up for races.

That day changed everything

One of those races was the 8K event at what is now known as the GoodLife Victoria Marathon in October of 2008.

The day that changed everything

That day changed everything. The impact of seeing people of varying shapes, sizes, ages & fitness levels pushing themselves to the limit inspired me to take it to the next level.  It made me realize that anyone can do anything they put their mind to – that I could do anything I put my mind to.  That day I made the decision to run a half marathon, which then lead to running a full marathon in October of 2009!

It was the decision to take running to the next level that eventually brought me to GoodLife & all I can say is that I wish I had done it sooner.   The results that I have seen over the last few months in my overall fitness, as well as measurable improvements in my running have amazed me.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step

I have made a commitment to myself; a commitment to live an active, healthy life. Yes, there are days when I still want to sit on the couch in my pyjamas & watch TV instead of going for my weekly long run. Yes, there are days that I want to go straight home from work & not go to the gym. Yes, there are days when I struggle to be active, but I made a commitment to myself and I intend to honour that commitment.  So, on those days where I don’t want to be active I just think back and remember where I was. I remember what got me started on this journey & remind myself that I don’t want to go back down the road I was once on.

All in all, since having the realization that I needed to make some major changes in my life, I have given away over 60lbs, run over 30 races (including 9 half marathons & a full marathon) and formed amazing new friendships. I am now in the process of training for my second marathon & have also taken on the challenge of participating in the 90K Tour de Victoria cycling event in May 2011.

I wear a ring on my right hand that says “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”  My journey began with my first step back in 2007, and it has brought me to where I am today.  So whatever your first step is, take it. Then keep taking one step at a time until you get to where you want to be.

Stay tuned for more about my journey!

Kirsty Sheldon

Inspiring and Memorable

“Wow – I have had some memorable Members! The most memorable have often been my older participants who TRY! I will never forget the lady who survived a DOUBLE LUNG transplant and was a regular of my Mississauga Newbody class. You would never have known! Another faithful BODYFLOW member I remember from Niagara Falls – she was 86! She always impressed me with what she could do and was such a joy to teach. Currently I teach a Weston class with DAISY – she is a beautiful 78 year old lady who loves to wear a pink bandana and a gorgeous smile during BODYPUMP! INSPIRING AND MEMORABLE!”

Sara Burton - Group EX Regional Manager, Brampton, Weston, Vaughan

Moved to the Beat

“This memory is from a while ago when I taught at the Brant Street Exclusively Women’s Club. There was a member there who came regularly to my Saturday morning classes and she was totally blind. She was able to follow my directions flawlessly. She moved to the beat of the music and my vocal cues and she never missed a move!”

Group EXercise Leader

Recycling in RPM

“I have a member in my RPM class, Art Wais, who walks in with at least 10 sheets of paper towel every week.. throughout the class he is constantly blowing his nose and dropping his paper towel on the floor and it’s become a little inside joke for us all. So, one day I presented him with a gift at Christmas from Santa… his own personal “Blue Box” that he places next to his bike when he cycles!!!

The class (and Art) were hysterical when I presented his gift!”

Sue Montesi - RPM Team Leader, Niagara Falls Town & Country

She Went the Extra Mile

“Vicki Clark is definitely someone I won’t forget. A couple of years ago, I taught 2 classes back-to-back on a Saturday morning and when I went to gather up all my gear at the end of the 2 hours, I found out that  the instructor  who had taught the class before me had taken my car keys by mistake. This was a major problem for me because I live in the country miles away from the Burlington area. Vicki came to the rescue that day and offered to drive me home so I could pick up my extra set of car keys. She drove me to my house in the midst of a major snow storm and brought me back to the club. I thought this was just amazing and I will never forget how she eased my dilemma through such kindness. That day she definitely went the extra mile for me.”

Susan Ellis - Group EXercise Leader

You Better Kick My ___ Today!

“My most memorable member at the moment is Catherine from BODYATTACK. Before class one morning she was in a car accident and (while thank goodness she is ok) incurred about $8,000 worth of damage to her car. Despite this she said she couldn’t miss the class and that GoodLife is the only place where she could feel happy after the accident. She said to me as she walked in that day, ‘Renee, you better kick my a** today cause I know this is the only way I can relieve my stress right now!’”

Renee Lefort - Group EXercise Leader

As a sales rep, I find myself driving from one account to another, sometimes travelling from one end of the city to another and back. So, there are some weeks where I will go to four different GoodLife’s in one week in order to get my fitness in.

I keep at least half a dozen fitness class schedules in my car to help me out.

I might go to one gym for a BODYPUMP class at 9:30 a.m., or another gym for a Zumba class at night, and another gym at noon for a quick run. I have even found GoodLife clubs in other cities when I need to be out of town for the weekend.

If I think back to why I originally joined GoodLife in 2007, it was because of one particular location that was really convenient for me to get to…I’m not even sure I was aware that I could “gym hop”.

But, when the amount of travel I have to do for work increased I was determined not to let that effect my training. So, I do what I have to do to fit it in when I can. Now, I would never consider joining a gym that didn’t have a “gym hopping” feature.

I love my job

I’m lucky that I have the flexibility to stop in at GoodLife to take a class or simply run on the treadmill during the day. Therefore, I always keep my gym bag in my car. Never can be too prepared!

It’s even fun to multitask by scheduling an evening workout during a time when I know a good hockey or tennis game will be on the TV in front of my treadmill!

It’s also kinda cool to know that I have been to a variety of GoodLife’s. I feel welcome at each location and it’s not like I’m stepping into a strange environment when I try out a new one. It really does suit my lifestyle and I’m never bored of going to the same gym day after day.

After my workout…I’m a better employee. (Hope my boss is reading this). My head is cleared and I have more energy to tackle my next big meeting!

What do you do to make sure you get your fitness in each week?

Cheers,

momwhoruns

I’m just like any other Mom or Dad reading this – I feel like I’m constantly running all day long. Not in the “marathon” sense of the word (although I’ve done that too). I mean running to work, running to the gym, running to pick up my kids, running to the grocery store…you get the picture.

But, I love being a Mom and wouldn’t trade that for anything.

What keeps me sane? Fitness. Not what you thought I was going to say, right? I know…when my day is already full of working and running around with kids…wouldn’t I much rather curl up on the sofa with a beer & a great book to relax? The answer is: heck, yes!

I make fitness part of my routine because it’s what allows me to keep going. It’s my me time, my stress-buster, and (honestly) my energy source.

That’s why I’m so thrilled (really, really thrilled) to have been asked to blog for Living the GoodLife. I’ve been a GoodLife member since 2007 and am eager to share my experiences with you about my journey to a healthier more active lifestyle.

In upcoming posts, I hope to share some of my favourite healthy recipes, stories from the good / bad / and ugly days at the gym, my love for group fitness classes and more!

Here are a few more details about me:

• Age: 45
• Kids: Yes, 2 ages 15 and 11
• City I Call Home: Toronto, Ontario
• What I Do For a Living: Food Sales Rep
• Three Things to Know About Me:
  • I was a couch potato until I turned 40
  • I’ve completed 2 half marathons, three 10km runs, 1 try-a-tri, 3 Sprint Triathlons, 1 Olympic distance triathlon (more about these experiences later…).
  • I love food..,good food. I also like eating in restaurants (cheap and cheerful) and cooking in my kitchen too.

Cheers for now.

Vicky Weiss

Eileen – After

In 1990 I was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis, a form of arthritis causing loss of mobility of the spine and some joints.  My doctor at the time told me I would likely end up in a wheelchair.  Coming after my recent divorce, I blindly accepted his opinion; my confidence was destroyed.  What followed was years at a very sedentary job with little exercise as well as repeated doctor visits and medications that did little to  reduce the pain and stiffness.

It all added up to me becoming very depressed and overweight.  For years, I tried numerous diets and exercises but never was able to keep the weight off.  I had high blood pressure, was constantly uncomfortable, frequently short of breath and had stopped going to many events with friends due to my limited mobility.  I had given up.

The day I joined GoodLife Fitness was the day all that began to change.

Getting my life back

Today I’m happy to say, I’m more than 75 pounds lighter and have flexibility I never dreamed of!  I can do pushups (me! who scoffed at the mere suggestion this time last year), lift weights, do lunges, walk for long distances, climb stairs and even sit on the beach – a little thing many people take for granted but I was not able to do for years.  The changes in diet and exercise have given me back a life beyond mere existence.

Working out with Paige, a fabulous Personal Trainer, three times a week has changed my life unbelievably!  She suggested ways for me to alter my eating habits and meal preparation.  She designed a series of exercises and encouraged me to keep active even on days when pain and stiffness would have sidelined me before.

Starting out by walking on the treadmill, advancing to running, stationary cycling and rowing to warm up before my exercise training I began to see changes in myself that amazed me.  Paige helped me to accept the Ankylosing Spondylitis as a condition to work with, not an excuse to avoid exercise.  She saw me through a total lack of confidence and fear of trying anything new.

Today I marvel at how she saw beyond that negative attitude when even I could not.  She helped me see what I could become and work towards that goal.  With her encouragement and knowledge I came to rethink my attitude towards exercise and life in general.  She celebrated victories which at first I wouldn’t even consider victories.  Her unwavering belief in me kept me going.  Without her positive attitude I never would have made it!

Paige’s support has given me strength, courage and hope.

She has touched my life far beyond simple fitness training.  The difference in how I eat and how I feel about nutrition, health and myself is mind boggling.  The exercises have given me strength, endurance and self confidence.

Eileen – Before

Along with the weight loss, I am thrilled to say that my BMI has reduced from 49% to 30%.  My body shape has changed radically.  What a fantastic feeling when people tell me they didn’t recognize the new me.

I no longer dread seeing my image in full length mirrors or shop windows.  Now I am proud to have my picture taken instead of avoiding the camera or making excuses. Clothes shopping no longer sets off a chain of depression and more binge eating.  Being able to bypass the Plus size section gives me great pleasure.

But by far the most rewarding thing has been to go on social outings with friends and enjoy the “simple” activities I so long denied myself.  I’m taking up activities I had long ago dismissed as being out of my comfort zone.

Bring it!

The life I had come to accept is no more!  I now willingly face challenges without fear or apathy.  I have proven to myself that I can do it!  My response to new exercises or challenges in life “Bring it!”.

Thank you Paige and GoodLife for helping me to take back my life!  I know I can do it, you can too!