“After having two children and sitting behind a desk for 10 years, I managed to go from 140 pounds to 179. I refused to go shopping and hated the thought of the Size 12 I had become. Going into a dressing room under florescent lights was more than I could bear. In addition to the extra weight I had gotten plantar fascitis, a foot problem that typically occurs when excessive weight is gained, and for those who have high insteps, and go from wearing high heals to flats. I was in a significant amount of pain and could not wear anything but tennis shoes.
I decided it was time for a change, but knew that I would be limited because of my feet, and the fact that I had two children to manage. I talked to Dawn, who assured me we could be successful in reaching my 35 lb. weight loss goal, without further aggravating my feet.
Dawn set me up on a program that I really enjoyed. It got my heart rate up without exhausting me. The workout program she gave me was like homework. I didn’t cut corners, because I knew she’d notice the next time we met. Frankly, I never gave it much thought. I just do it! However, if I had been by myself, with no one to “check my work” I’m sure I would have faltered and cheated… cheated myself.
Dawn helped me see the positives in the weight room instead of all the cellulite that I was focusing on. Each time we met, she noticed something I hadn’t—like muscle definition, or extra room in my clothing. We changed up my workout each time, to keep me interested, and, what I didn’t realize was that she was forcing those muscles to work differently and harder in the process.
Dawn’s constant positive reinforcement, her inspirational nature, and just plain no-nonsense attitude gave me more steam to keep trying. People started noticing the weight coming off, and I started having more and more energy. I looked forward to my workouts as an accomplishment… something for me. I relished in adding more weight and mastering new exercises.
The best part about all this is that I have never dieted. I have always been a good balanced meal eater…okay, a big balanced meal eater; but I don’t eat junk food or drink soft drinks, so I was frustrated that I could gain so much weight. Dawn taught me that the extra activity of my workout, coupled with simple, workable changes in eating, would make the difference. It did, with no starvation.
Thanks to Dawn, I’m thrilled to be wearing a size 8 and weighing 35 pounds less that I did when we started January 1st. My focus now is maintenance, and feeling good about myself; and yes, abs of steel.”
Chris Sitz
