I became highly motivated and interested in making some changes in my lifestyle soon after I had quit smoking. After accomplishing something as difficult as quitting smoking it sparked within me an even greater motivation to want to continue making healthy choices by the desire to add exercise into my life. Making this decision was the first step but my next was in finding someone qualified and experienced.

I met Shawn Ferrando at a local golf course where she and I were both taking lessons. Isn’t it funny how you can meet the person you are looking for in the strangest of places? I expressed to her my interest in weight training and gave her a synopsis of all my health problems that would need to be addressed. I have had over 24 major surgeries (3 of which have been spinal) and the spinal fusion I had was giving me terrible pain and problems. I was also recently diagnosed with having another ruptured disk in my back above where the plate was fused and stenosis of the spine (narrowing of the spinal column) and was advised by my doctor that surgery was indicated again. After Shawn shared with me some of her past work experiences, how long she had been training and her many certifications, (one of them being that she was highly qualified and experienced in working with people undergoing rehab), my choice was made and I asked her to train me and she agreed.

I am approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall. When I began weight training on October 25 2002, I weighed 217 pounds and had 48% total body fat. My chest, waist and hip measurements were 46 – 39 – 47. I had a pronounced forward gait due to the spinal fusion and could not stand or walk with proper posture. Now, almost one year later I can stand and walk with fairly good posture and show very little forward gait. I have become much stronger and more confident. Shawn has worked with me on core balancing exercises to help me through everyday life activities and help strengthen my back and abdominal muscles.

With Shawn’s motivation, expertise and guidance, my weight has gone down 45 pounds. I currently weigh 173 pounds and my body fat is now at 35%. I have lost several inches all over and a total of 17 inches in my chest, waist and hip measurements, which are now 40-35–40. I have gone from a size 26 to a size 12 in dress size. While I still have more to lose in all areas, Shawn has also taught me how important it is to lose weight in a safe and timely manner.

I cannot tell you how much working with Shawn has changed my life for the better. I actually feel like a completely different person and I look forward to continuing to work with her until I reach all of my goals. I encourage anyone who suffers on a daily basis with aches and pains like I do to look into weight training, as it will improve your quality of life. I can’t thank Shawn enough for all her patience in working with me and showing me that sometimes you have to take “little steps” in order to ultimately achieve the “greater final goal”.