Jeff – 6 Week Transformer

Hi gang, I’d like to start off by saying a big thank you to the entire team at Body Fit for guiding me through this challenge. I couldn’t have done it without you. Here’s my story: This year I turned 40. It wasn’t a secret, and it wasn’t a mid-life-crisis panic experience, but it’s still a pretty big milestone. My version of hitting 40 included a stressful full-time job, 3 wonderful/busy kids, and an amazing wife (whose efforts don’t get recognized enough). After a summer of pretty good physical activity, and passable eating habits, I fell into a FUNK. This funk consisted of extra stress at work, extra stress at home, a very busy schedule, and poor eating and drinking habits. When you add those things up, it leads to bad sleeping patterns, elevated blood pressure, and a negative attitude. I needed to hit the RESET button, but I didn’t know exactly what it would take. Luckily, Andy reached out and provided a solution: The Christmas Crunch Challenge. Now listen, this was no walk-in-the-park. This was a serious proposal, and I had to buckle down and take it seriously. However, the way it was presented (and the fact that Body Fit stood behind the program with a money-back guarantee) convinced me that it was the right program for me. This was going to challenge my body, my habits, and my mind. This challenge was what I needed. The first week was a little awkward, and the diet was a challenge to get used to. After a few days, this particular challenge revealed what it’s all about: will power, belief in yourself, and determination. Without those elements, it would be impossible. During weeks 2 and 3, we got into a groove. My body was feeling better than it had in months, and my mind was clearer. Hard work, great coaching, and the STTFP rule was starting to produce results. Weeks 4, 5 and 6 were about “the grind”. We worked harder in the group sessions; we lifted more, and ran further. The diet continued to be tough, but with a bit of creativity, it got tastier. And results? YES, there were plenty of results. My wife, my kids, friends and co-workers all had compliments and inquiries about my transformation. My confidence grew, my attitude was positive, and the program was working.

A couple thoughts on working out using your own plan vs. working with the Body Fit trainers:

1. Yes, running is good…..but a specific interval plan, with heart rate targets, is better.

2. Yes, lifting is good…..but specific super-set circuits are better (especially with a team that giggles).

3. Yes, biking/elliptical is good……but rocking out for an hour with a punishing-yet-kind trainer is better.

A major bonus of the challenge was the support and camaraderie of the team. I can’t say enough about the ladies in my group, and I’m positive that we achieved more as a team than we would have if we were going solo. Now that the challenge is ending, I’m very happy with my results, and I’m thrilled that I got to meet and work with this dedicated team of people. “Team” is an important concept for this type of challenge, as the support and hard work of the “team” is what drives you to finish strong. Thank you Body Fit! Jeff Cowling

Rosanne – 6 Week Transformer

My name is Rosanne Middleton-Hanley and I live in Uxbridge. I have just finished a 6-week Christmas Crunch at the Body Fit Gym. Although I did not achieve the 13 pounds of fat weight loss, I did lose 9.5 pounds of fat which I was pleased with. The first 2 weeks were the hardest to get through on way less calories, no alcohol and the physical workouts. My difficulty was managing the food during the day leading up to the evening workout. Too much supper and the burpees were scary, too little and I quickly ran out of steam. But gradually things balanced out and I could see and feel the results. The best thing was being motivated by working out with three amazing people and one great trainer who kept me honest and committed. So here we are six weeks later and I have joined the Body Fit Gym ready to lose another 10+ pounds and gain strength and flexibility. I am looking forward to changing my lifestyle gradually and am looking forward to getting in shape and training with a gym buddy in the New Year. Thanks to Body Fit I am feeling and looking better than I have in years and intend to improve with their help. I recommend the Crunch program if you need to kit start your future towards a healthier and happier lifestyle.

Elaine – 6 Week Transformer

I decided to apply for the Body Fit Christmas Crunch Challenge because I was only losing ground trying to lose weight and get fit on my own. A year a half ago I had one hip replaced, and if I didn’t do something soon, I would be looking at replacing the other hip and the knees as well. And it seemed the weight kept creeping up, and the bigger I got, the less I wanted to do. I didn’t like how I looked, so I avoided going out and gave up on most activities. It’s easier to just stay at home and give in, right?

I also have a stressful, sedentary job as an accountant and work a lot of hours. Time was going to be an issue, and also served as my excuse in the past. Everything took priority over me. My adult kids and husband were worried about my health, and it was past time for me to start getting serious about it too.

I applied for the Challenge and was accepted.

The meal program was well laid out, and easy to follow. Choices were limited, but for me that was ok. It made the food planning and prep easy.

The exercise part of the program involved working as a group with a trainer twice a week, and then working out on our own 3 – 4 times a week. There were 3 transformers in our group. This setup was quite motivating; we worked well together and none of us wanted to let the group effort down. We could talk with each other and the trainer about any issues or successes, and support each other along the way.

The first four days on the meal program, I wasn’t hungry, but my head pounded and I was exhausted – I couldn’t concentrate. As this began to ease, I realized I was sleeping better than I had in a very long time. Workouts continued in earnest, and old injuries began to resurface, raising concerns as to whether or not I could continue. But with the help of my physiotherapist and modifications to the workout program by our trainer, my body got stronger and began to handle the workouts better.

With the time of year, there were Christmas parties and dinners which I attended, but these did not present the challenges I thought they would. There was always support to help with planning ahead what I would eat, and how to cope. And there was always lots of encouragement to stick to the program and stay the course so i would achieve the results I wanted.

I plan to continue on in the program. The structure, the encouragement and knowledge of the personal trainer, and the group support have combined to make this the most successful program I have been in (and I’ve tried a lot over the years).

Elaine Watson