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Stacy Lewis, client since 2009 Since starting Fit4LifeNYC I have lost a total of 25 pounds and 6 inches from my waist, and I have tons of energy. I sleep better, my eating habits have improved and I actually look forward to those morning workouts (most of the time). I’ve met some great people, made some new friends, and I’m accomplishing things that I never thought I was capable of. I’ve reached my goal weight of 175 pounds (I started at 215 pounds) and I am in better shape now than when I was in college! If you would have told me one year ago that I would be waking up at 6AM to go work out four mornings a week, I would have said “yeah right!”—but here I am one year later, and I am doing just that. I’ve struggled with my weight since I was a teenager. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t thinking about my weight and food. I’ve tried every diet plan, diet book, exercise DVD, weight loss pills, you name it, I’ve tried it…and every time I didn’t see the results I wanted, I’d beat myself up for failing. At the start of 2009, I made a conscious decision to deal with my weight once and for all. I was tired of the start/stop roller coaster I was on and wanted to start living my life, not watching it pass me by on my couch. Emil came to my job and did a presentation on healthy eating habits for women. His approach was logical and sensible and I knew he was sincere about helping people live healthier lives…and then I got lucky… One of my coworkers won a free month of classes at Fit4LifeNYC at that meeting, but she wasn’t able to use it so she gave it to me…it was the best gift anyone could have given me. I started with Fit4LifeNYC in April 2009 at the morning class in Fort Greene Park. The first day was hard I will admit, but everyone was so supportive that it made the workout a lot easier and that motivated me to come back. I am so grateful to Emil and the entire Fit4LifeNYC Family for helping me achieve something I never knew was possible. Fit4LifeNYC has provided me an outlet to deal with the craziness of my everyday life. I would have never been able to do this on my own, and now I have the tools to live this way for the rest of my life. |
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Maggie, client since 2009 I was always active growing up. But when I got my first desk job I stopped all physical activity and started getting what people in the office world commonly refer to as "chair ass." I was often lethargic and stressed and didn't really know why. A friend of mine attended a session of Fit4LifeNYC and encouraged me to do the same. I quickly signed up having realized that this was what was missing from my life. Gyms were never my thing as I'm unable to motivate myself to keep going past the burn. Fit4LifeNYC gets my adrenaline pumping and my heart racing because I'm able to feed off the energy of the instructors and other students. Working out doesn't feel like a chore, its fun! And I've never felt more toned in my whole life. |
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Shoana Hew, client since 2008 My work shirt and pants are much looser. I feel great that I didn't throw all my clothes away and now I can see that I am losing a lot of inches off my chest, stomach, and thighs!! Once I met with Emil and felt how engaged he was with me, personable and professional, it made me think this was it, I will not look any further. The training has changed my mental outlook towards food. I think about food as nourishment & a source of energy. I no longer eat anything and everything just on an impulse or feeling. I have set myself on a schedule to eat in intervals throughout the day. I eat fruits, whole wheat bread, chicken, low fat snacks rather than McDonalds or Burger King several times a week. I feel much better about myself now physically & mentally. Emil encourages you, constantly challenges you, motivates you, and genuinely cares about how you are doing daily. It reminds me of when I was in the Army boot camp and my Technical Instructor pushing & pushing you to do your best regardless of the hardship or struggle to get there. I like that the entire process is regimented, because my life is pretty much one big time table and organized with columns and rules to achieve my ultimate goals. |
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Kelli Doss, client since 2008 I was one of those people who could always find an excuse not to exercise. I have had a million gym memberships and nothing stuck. Fit4LifeNYC really helped change my perspective. I started to focus on not just losing weight but being healthy. The support of the Fit4LifeNYC staff and the other Boot Campers has been extremely helpful. Now, working out has become a way of life. I don’t think about it…I just do it. My work schedule is pretty unpredictable and I am required to travel. When I know that I am leaving town, I usually ask my instructor to create a travel workout for me. I also check whether the hotel has a gym; if it doesn’t, I pack my own jump rope and band so that I can exercise in my room. To get that extra push and support, it has also been helpful to schedule exercise time with a colleague. It has always been a struggle to keep on top of my eating when I am out of town, but there are a few things that I do to maintain. I bring my own healthy snacks with me to meetings. This way I am not tempted to eat the candy or chips that they provide. When they order meals, I try to pick the healthiest option or modify whatever I am given (i.e. vegetable pizza, take cheese off of sandwiches, choose baked chips or carrot sticks, cut a muffin in half…). Finally, I drink a lot of water; this keeps me from drinking soda all day. One of the great things about Fit4LifeNYC is that Emil is very accessible and supportive. If you are struggling or feeling like you want to quit, email or call. He will help you work through it. This is a level of support and encouragement that you cannot get at a gym. |
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Mira Grice, client since 2008 I’ve been taking classes with Fit 4LifeNYC for almost two years now and I have to say that I am hooked. I’m in the best shape of my life and it is because of my involvement with this program. Classes are diverse and fun and the support I get from the other participants encourages me to come back for more. I can actually say that because of Fit4LifeNYC, I enjoy working out! I recently missed two months of class due to a back injury and couldn’t believe how much I missed attending. I also couldn’t believe how much my fitness decreased after not working out for such a long period of time. That experience taught me that I have to keep exercising regularly if I want to continue to look good and, more importantly, feel good. |
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Monty Mattison, Slim Down Instructor & Personal Trainer Monty is a popular Slim Down instructor and Personal Trainer. He first joined the Slim Down Program in 2007 as a participant and lost 45 pounds in 6 months! His caring and sensitive teaching style makes him a favorite with fitness beginners. –E.R. |
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Sheba, client since 2007 I would definitely recommend this program to others. Its something I look forward to every day and if I don't attend a few classes in a row I start to miss it. I lost 25 pounds and went from a size 12 to a 4! I feel confident enough to wear a bikini, something I thought I would never be able to do. |
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Mark McLean, client since 2007 Winner of a 2008 JUNO Music Award. Performed with Diana Krall, the Backstreet Boys, Quincy Jones to name a few and recording highlights include Gladys Knight, Andrea Bocelli, and Billy Joel. –E.R. I love Emil’s attitude and philosophy towards healthy living. I’ve read several health books and plans and they all involved sacrifice and foods that I don’t enjoy. Fit4LifeNYC is not a diet plan. It’s about a lifestyle change. You set your goals and Emil will help you achieve them. I like the fact that each training session is different. I like not knowing the next exercise. This way I don’t have to think and I just do it. You’d be surprised at what you can do when your mind doesn’t have a chance to get in the way. I’m more in touch with my body. I used to ignore all the signs of fatigue. I now realize that the body is in constant conversation with the mind. Especially when it comes to nutrition and rest. Furthermore, I feel lighter even though I’m gaining muscle weight. I would absolutely recommend Emil. He’s really laid back, supportive and provides a fun workout environment. If you’re serious about improving yourself, Emil is the perfect trainer for you. |
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Julio Diaz, client since 2009 Emil - I wanted to take a moment to tell you that taking your class is paying off. I took my first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class in months. The condition I was in was off the hook! Even my instructor and an old classmate noticed the difference in my form and technique. I've slimmed down a lot and my cardio is off the charts. Your classes are great! It's one of the biggest reasons why I'm performing at the level that I am. There are other good trainers out there but you guys are the best...period! I know... I know... I've said it before and I'll say it again... thanks! My small/medium t-shirts are fitting nicely. |
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Louly Benkert, client since 2007 When Louly came to me seeking my personal training services she was in the process of completing physical therapy for arthritis in her left shoulder. Once I conducted her health history I also found out that she has Type 1 Diabetes, osteoarthritis in her neck, hands and feet, and to top it off her spine has been fused for the past 28 years. –E.R. I decided to work with a personal trainer because I found that I was no longer going to the gym - I would plan to go and find any reason not to go. Having a Fit4LifeNYC trainer come to me in my home gives me less excuses! I discovered, to my dismay that my friends were right when they told me that when you hit 40 everything in your body starts to dramatically change. I wanted to get back into shape, to increase my flexibility, and to have more energy - exercise is definitely the best way for me to attain those goals. Working with my trainer is never boring; they gear the workout to my specific goals and to my body, and vary the routine enough so that it never feels "routine." My daughter Ellie, who is 16, started working with a Fit4LifeNYC trainer shortly after I did and now my father, who is 79, works out with one as well. I hope to continue for years to come! |
| Daniela Markowitz, client since 2007 I decided to start training with a personal fitness trainer because I wanted to challenge myself and push my body to work harder. My initial goals were to become stronger and more toned all over. I didn’t have a membership to a large gym, but I do have access to an exercise room in my building. My Fit4LifeNYC trainer was willing to come to me and it has worked out great because they are so creative and know many exercises that don’t require fancy equipment or a great deal of space. Since I have began training, my flexibility, posture and strength have improved. My arms and legs have become more toned and my abdominal muscles are stronger. I enjoy the encouragement, wisdom, and motivation and I look forward to our training sessions together. Regardless of how lethargic I may be feeling before our workout, I always feel wonderful afterwards and am thankful for being introduced to Fit4LifeNYC. |
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| Melissa Bernardin, client since 2008 Hey Emil! I absolutely must thank you. Right before summer started, I put on my FAVORITE summer dress and it was way too snug for my liking. I honestly figured it had just shrunk or something since I hadn't noticed any major weight gain or anything. But I HAD noticed feeling really unfit, which is why I joined Fit4LifeNYC. Fast forward through fun classes with you and the other instructors all summer and not only do I feel great, but I put that same dress on last night and it turns out it hadn't shrunk at all. Apparently I was just too out of shape for it 2 months ago. :) But now it fits BETTER than it did when I bought it 6 years ago!!! Fit4LifeNYC rocks my world. Thanks for EVERYTHING!! |
