Testimonial Tuesday - Madison

Hello!

It has been awhile since we highlighted a client, so we are back in action and have a client to share with you. This particular client you have met before. Madison Hespen, almost Brown, has joined us once again and this time her training routine was a bit more tricky to work with. Previously, Madi trained with us for nearly one year back in 2014, where she gained motivation and education to take what she had learned to apply it to her daily life. She then found a passion in running and kickboxing in Omaha.

Unfortunately, this all had to come to an end in December of 2015 when she was diagnosed with a rare disease Dermatomyositis. This is a rare inflammatory disease causing muscle weakness and a distinctive skin rash. When exercising, one must be very aware of the body and know when too much is truly too much. In addition, you have to start very slowly, while modifying many exercises to work with the weak muscles that flare up quickly.

Thankfully, all side effects have subsided and Madi has been cleared to exercise in moderation by the doctor. It was then that our journey together began again. She started her second journey with us in June and has seen wonderful success in these short two months! Her strength has improved drastically, for example, when she first started in June she was squatting body weight and today she is squatting 67 pounds 30 times. Her VO2Max has improved by 10%, demonstrating a larger capacity of heart and lung health. She has also lost a total of 4.5 accumulative inches, as you can see within her before and after pictures below. Lastly, Madi is feeling better than ever since being diagnosed. She is even back to working out on her own on her days away from FITness Into A Lifestyle!

Congratulations Madi on a job well done! As we all know life continues to challenge us and through these challenges we discover who we truly are. Madi is a strong, driven and poised young lady who has concurred a rare disease at a young age and we are so proud of her accomplishments! Keep up the continued great work Madi!

Your Motivator and Companion,

Gabby Skinner

Personal Trainer & Owner

1900 E Military Ave, Suite 218

Fremont, NE 68025

402.459.1541

www.fitnessintoalifestyle.com

Testimonial Tuesday - Kevin

Happy Tuesday to All!

Wow, it has been sometime and I am sorry for that. Life has been crazy busy, in the best possible way and that means blogging had to take the back seat! We hope you enjoy some of these upcoming success stories.

Without wasting anymore time, it is well over due, everyone meet Kevin! Kevin and I have known one another for sometime, the relationship however was much more of just an acquaintance as my younger brother and his son were in the same activities growing up. Then finally being a poor broke high school girl and needing some gas money I found myself working for Kevin and his wife Betsy at the locally owned Gambino's pizza. From here our relationship was always mutual and I always looked up to their hard work ethic! Years then past and it was not until Jake and I wanted to think about options to expand our business that Kevin and I crossed paths again. We wanted to discuss the restaurant business with him and his wife. It was then at this meeting where Kevin knew that FITness Into A Lifestyle was his chance to achieve some of his health and fitness goals.

Rewind, let me fill you in on Kevin's journey! Kevin's lifestyle has always been deeply involved with business, family and God, physical activity however, was not a regular part of his life. From an early age he has struggled with maintaining a healthy weight and being in the restaurant business never aided this process. Prior to training with FITness Into A Lifestyle, Kevin had tried boot camps with other trainers here in Fremont and even fad diets. All getting him immediate results, but gaining more than lost after completion of the programs. Therefore, Kevin now being mid 50's was determined to find something to help improve not only his quality of life but also the longevity. He was ready to eliminate the worry about his weight stopping him from doing the things his wife and kids wanted to do!

Kevin, August 2014:

Although it has been a lifetime struggle, Kevin really began his journey to his "ideal" physique 15 years ago, with the last eight to ten years being the most serious. The picture above demonstrates where Kevin was two and a half years ago. Tasks like tying shoes, carrying items up and down the stairs and getting on the floor all had to have a strategy. Kevin, was mentally ready for a change! He and I began our motivation and companionship back in April of 2016. When he came to me he was 350 lbs, hypertensive and not being medicated, extensive pain within both of his feet, and a resting heart rate of nearly 90 beats per minute. With strict orders to visit the doctor before we would begin an exercise regimen, he was given the okay to proceed after the addition of a blood pressure medicine. From here we took training one step at a time.  In my recent interview with him he expressed that these small steps were the hardest part of the training. "To believe that exercising only twice a week was going to help me achieve my goals, seemed far from the truth, but you(Gabby) have stuck to your word from day one" said Kevin. 

Overall, Kevin has hit many many milestones within our nine months together and I am so very proud of all his accomplishments and determination to get where he is today. Below, is a list of a few of his accomplishments:

Kevin's Accomplishments:

Weight lost - 72 lbs.

Inches lost - 27.75"

Blood Pressure - 162/95 to 136/86

Resting HR - 90 bpm to 77bpm

*Competed in his first ever race - 2 miles on Thanksgiving

*Does not have to plan his life around his weight.

*Able to complete exercises on and off the ground.

*Eliminated all foot pain, now complains his feet get cold! :)

Your Motivator and Companion,

Gabby Skinner

Personal Trainer & Owner

1735 Churchill Drive

Fremont, NE 68025

402.459.1541

www.fitnessintoalifestyle.com

Testimonial Tuesday - Madison

Happy Testimonial Tuesday!

Today on this Tuesday we feature Madison H. Her journey to a healthier lifestyle began nearly two years ago when she realized she had let herself reach a weight she never wanted to see. At this instant she took life into her own hands and began a search for an accountability partner. Madi joined FITness Into A Lifestyle in May of 2014. When first joining, her physical ability pretty minimal but her determination was larger than any client I had ever had, with this the sky was the limit!

Beginning her journey she came to FITness Into A Lifestyle twice a week, set SMART goals and tried her best to workout on her own in between her personal training appointments. Within the first three months of training she dropped 17 lbs, increased her VO2Max by 40% and decreased her inch measurements by three inches. These substantial improvements in just three short months reflect directly on her high determination and motivation that she brought with her since day one.

After a year of training Madison's life took her to Omaha, where her journey only continued! When clients leave FITness Into A Lifestyle I personally get a little nervous and unsure of where they are psychologically in their process to a healthier lifestyle, but I never doubt anyone when they say they are ready. The same was true with Madi's journey to Omaha I can honestly say I was a bit nervous. I knew that her love for running was very minimal and joining a gym would be her best bet to allow her to lift weights as well as giving her different options for cardiovascular work. 

To this day Madison has accomplished so much more! She joined a running group through the Red Dirt company in Omaha and as of a few weeks ago she completed her first half marathon. In addition to this great accomplishment, running has become a way of life for her and she is a great example for all. With hard work, determination and motivation even your least favorite thing in life can become one that has helped you achieve your largest goals and dreams!  

Through all of this Madison has found a new way of life and a new found confidence in herself! Madi said when asked how she rates her satisfaction/confidence level compared to when she first began her journey? 

"When I started I was embarrassed that I was always being judged for my size. Now, I embrace it. I’m so much more confident. And being confident is satisfying." 

A high standing ovation to all her accomplishments in and out of the gym! Keep up the great work Madison! We look forward to keeping in touch as you reach your next goal year after year. 

Your Motivator and Companion,

Gabby Skinner

Personal Trainer & Owner

1735 Churchill Drive

Fremont, NE 68025

402.459.1541

www.fitnessintoalifestyle.com