Tag: Client Achievements

Caroll Teague is September’s recipient of the Outstanding Effort and Achievement Award.  Caroll and I have been training together for almost four years and our progress is far from slowing down.  We started together at Bally Total Fitness, continued at Urban Active Polaris, and have been training in-home, twice a week, for all of 2011.  At the age of 65 Caroll seems to me to be in her prime.  She remains continually focused on reaching her goals and developing new ones.

It’s been so rewarding to work with Caroll for as long as I have.  I can remember having to start slow but that didn’t last long.  It’s hard to describe the vast amount of progress we’ve achieved over the years.  Caroll has literally done a “180” when it comes to her ability in physical fitness.  Some of the things I call on her to do now still surprise me when I think back to our start.  Her workouts nowadays aren’t terribly different from those of my youngest and most “fit” clientele.  She impresses me each week and I couldn’t be more proud of how far we’ve come.

With a main focus of toning, Caroll has blown my expectations out of the water.  She looks great and continues to practice good habits with her diet and exercise even on our off days.  Since last January Caroll has lost more than ten pounds and ten inches.  Her body fat percentage has come down more than 4%, and as I mentioned before, her workouts with me have quickly moved from novice to advanced.  She’s a hard worker and an inspiration to me and surely many others.

Caroll, fitness aside, I am so blessed to have met you.  You have, no doubt, become a second mother to me and I’m so appreciative of our relationship.  You work hard for me and that’s how we’ve been able to achieve such ideal results.  You never let up and I love that.  You constantly want to know how you are doing and what you can do differently to achieve your goals even faster.  The truth is that if you continue to hold yourself accountable and work as hard as you do, you will have no problem reaching even your toughest of goals.  You’re a strong willed individual and I have no doubt that you will continue to succeed.  Thank you for all of the wisdom that you’ve passed on over the last four years.  I look forward to training you over the next four and seeing what else we can accomplish.  Keep up the great work!

The Outstanding Effort and Achievement Award for August goes to Emily Lowe, who despite the infinite complaining, works just about as hard as I’ve ever seen anyone work.  Emily and I started training together in February and between the two of us it’s hard to say who’s had the more challenging six months.  Picture the toughest workout you’ve ever been through, then add a 20 pound weighted vest, and you might be on this girl’s level.  As a trainer, I literally have to construct the unthinkable and then ask myself, “what can I do to make this even harder?”  Just when I think I’ve got the perfect formula, Emily proves otherwise by finishing what I had previously considered a masterpiece workout without even taking a water break.

I love this girl to death because she keeps me on my toes as a trainer and keeps my creative mind churning. During the past six months, Emily and I have been training three times per week.  If you’re not convinced that this girl works her face off you should probably know that she does at least 30 minutes of cardio at the gym after each of our workouts!  What’s even more impressive is that you can find her at the gym doing cardio almost every other day of the week as well!!  She is the definition of “committed” and because of that we’ve been able to see some great results this year.  Despite our main focus being toning, Emily has lost over six pounds in six months.  In correlation with her primary goals, she has lost 16.75 total inches with the bulk of it coming off of her arms, waist, hips, and thighs.

Emily, with as much hassle as I give you, I hope you know how much I truly enjoy training you.  All of the things I’ve said above are sooo true.  You challenge me as a trainer and I can honestly say I appreciate that.  You prevent me from getting lazy and I look forward to training you each week.  Even more importantly, I appreciate the relationship we’ve gotten an opportunity to build over the past six months and I value you as a friend.  You’re an incredible person and don’t let anyone tell you different.  I do want you to know, however, that before it’s all said and done I am still hoping to make you puke or pass out during one of our sessions. 😉  Keep up the great work!  I look forward to seeing what we can accomplish next!!

Bernadette Romelfanger is the recipient for July’s Outstanding Effort and Achievement Award!  Bernie and I have been training together for almost three years and if there is one thing I’ve learned about her it’s that she never lets up.  Her tireless efforts have helped to boost her strength and endurance tremendously.  Many of the exercises that proved to be tough when we started are beginning to seem effortless now, which keeps me, as a trainer, on my toes!

This year alone, Bernie has lost inches in her waist, hips, and thighs, and has brought her body fat percentage down almost 2%.  She is committed to working out on her own three days per week in addition to our two training sessions on Wednesdays and Fridays.  Her consistency has been unfailing in the entire time I’ve known her, and because of that she is now able to complete some of my toughest workouts week in and week out.

Bernie, working with you over the past few years has been a privilege.  I look forward to training you each week and I am appreciative of your outstanding efforts.  You truly do challenge me as a trainer and I am thankful for that.  You work exceptionally hard, and even when I try to get you to complain you don’t!!  We’ve come a long way from where we started and I’m looking forward to seeing where we end up.  Keep up the great work and it will continue to pay off.  You’re workout ethic is the definition of “giving it 100%” and I love that about you.  Keep giving it your all!

May’s “Outstanding Effort and Achievement” Award goes to Lisa Frank who has done an amazing job achieving the goals she set out to reach in January.  Lisa started training at the beginning of the year in preparation for her July wedding.  Since the middle of January she has lost over 17 pounds and 15 inches.  Her body fat percentage is down 6% and she has more than tripled her original goal of completing five regular pushups without stopping.  In addition, Lisa stayed committed to a strict half marathon training program and was able to complete her first half in under two hours on May 8th!

Lisa’s dedication to staying active on our off days has really aided the pace of her results.  While we recently increased her training program to twice a week, she was training only once per week during her half marathon preparation.  She stayed devoted to running and/or lifting weights at least four times each week in addition to our workout.  Lisa has also made a significant effort to improve her diet by counting her calories and making better choices day in and day out.

Lisa, it has been an absolute privilege training you and Justin.  You two are a couple of exceptional individuals and have quickly become some of my favorite people to train.  The effort you have put into improving your health and appearance this year has been beyond outstanding.  I admire your commitment and the fact that you refuse to give anything less than 100% in all that you do.  Congratulations on achieving all of the goals you’ve set out to accomplish thus far.  You’re going to be a gorgeous bride and I can’t wait to see what post-wedding goals the future holds!  Your capabilities are endless.  Keep up the great work!!

The Outstanding Effort and Achievement Award for April goes to Jennifer Means, whose consistent dedication has astonished me from day one.  Since February, Jenny has lost more than ten pounds and 3.5% body fat.  Her total inches lost add up to 10.75.  That includes more than two inches off her waist and three inches off her hips.

In addition to our weekly training session, Jenny has taken the initiative to perform cardio and strength training exercises by herself on the off days.  She has taken the time to seek out varieties of fitness that are fun for her, making it much easier to stay consistent and on track.  During the month of March, Jenny ran over 65 miles in addition to participating in personal training and other strength training and cardiovascular activities.  She has taken full responsibility for reaching the goals she has set to improve her endurance and overall strength and I can assure you it’s paying off.

Finally, Jenny’s commitment to watching what she eats has been both spectacular and imperative to her success.  She has become committed to cooking healthy meals at home and logging her calories each and every day, being sure to stay within her recommended range.  As promised, Jenny has lost more than 10 pounds in just over 10 weeks.  Such results exhibit her commitment to success.

Jenny,  I can’t tell you how thankful I am that I got the opportunity to train you.  You have worked extremely hard since day one of us training together and that means a lot!  I admire your enthusiasm and the fact that you have taken it upon yourself to create a workout program outside of our training.  Stick with everything you’re doing and the results will continue to roll in.  You’re doing great and I don’t see things slowing down anytime soon.  Keep it up!

Each month I would like to start recognizing someone who is going above and beyond in regards to their fitness plan.  During the month of February, Rachel Lambermont has been that person.

Rachel and I are going on our third year of training together and the first couple months of this year have proven to be our best yet!  Not only has Rachel shown significant improvement in her confidence and will to try new things, she has also reached all of the month one goals she set out to achieve and then some.

After setting a goal to lose five pounds by February, Rachel has lost 13 pounds to date.  In addition, she DOMINATED her month one goal of being able to run a mile and is more than half way done with her goal of running that mile eight more times by the end of March.  Each time we train it seems she has knocked a few more seconds off of her mile time which is just an added perk acquired by her diligence.

Rachel, the dedication you’ve shown to improving your diet and giving your all during each workout this year has blown me away.  You’re really on the track to making a lifestyle change that will continue to bring you many rewards.  Reaching your goals for January is just the beginning…and look what it got you, an “Outstanding Effort and Achievement Award” and a high five!  (I’ll give you the high five tomorrow.)  Keep up the great work.  You’ve got a very proud trainer.  I can’t wait to see where we’re headed!!