Before I get into my story I would just like to say thanks for the new body, Shawn.  I could not have done it without you.  I am 56 years old and for the last 30 or so years I have been a Marathon Runner.  Thirty eight total marathons with two Boston Marathons in my resume. 

I always thought of myself as someone who was in good shape.  I never thought I required anyone but myself to stay fit and trim.  I had a regular routine including weight training and cross training.  When I met Shawn through a runners club I did not know her occupation.  As we ran together more and more we found there were similar running ability levels.  We then began pushing each other to greater heights.  Suddenly, Shawn began to out perform me and I wanted to know why.  I needed to do something to improve my game or get left in the dust. 

I then found out she was a Personal Fitness Trainer and Nutritionist.  I knew that if I wanted to develop into someone toned and fit like Shawn I would have to make serious lifestyle changes.  Initially along with my exercise routine, Shawn discussed with me the importance of a nutritious healthy diet, portion sizes, label reading (watching my sugar intake and eliminating processed foods) and adding good quality protein supplements to help achieve optimal performance.  It was then I found out how knowledgeable and qualified my friend really is.  Taking all her advice to heart I lost over 20 pounds!  That’s when I got motivated to take the next step and visit Shawn at her gorgeous, well-equipped fitness studio.  She was very patient with me as she helped me target specific muscle groups and explained to me the importance of changing your workout regimen frequently so your body doesn’t adapt to the same routine.

Shawn did a body fat test on me and we found I was not in as good of shape as I might have thought, especially after losing over 20 pounds.  Not bad, but room for improvement.  As an avid runner I was surprised that I was 22.5 % body fat.  Shawn set me a goal and after changing bad nutrition habits and training sessions with her along with a lot of hard work I had dramatic results.   In 6 months I am at 14.6 % body fat, I lost 8 % body fat and gained lean muscle.  My energy level is up and I feel great.  I did not need to lose anymore weight but still lost a few pounds anyway.  At the same time I went from a 32 waist pants to a 29 waist.  My cholesterol has gone down and my HDL (good cholesterol) went up from 59 to 63 and my LDL (bad cholesterol) went down from 159 to 92.  Even though I have a ways to go I was amazed at my results in 6 months time!

My running times are the fastest since I was forty, sixteen years ago.  I placed first in my age group at my last 10K in July 2009.  It is Shawn’s nutrition advice, training regime and friendship that have pushed me to look and feel like I never thought I could again.  I recently received a compliment from a woman in our runners club that called me “buff”.  That was nice to hear after all the hard work. 

I purchase protein supplements from Shawn that taste good instead of like chalk or cardboard.  She has educated me in the differences of replenishing my body with good quality protein after a workout versus all the junk that is out there on the market.  This makes staying on the diet plan easier and more enjoyable.  Shawn has taught me how to read food labels and stay away from the bad stuff.  All of these things combined are just what I need to keep achieving new goals.  Darn her anyway for always raising the bar and setting new goals for me. 

Shawn is tough.  Make no mistake about that.  But that makes my time and money worth it to see her.  I know she is hard on me but it is because she cares.  Shawn truly cares about all of her clients.  I trust her with my fitness guidance and I continue to learn something new each time I see her. The task of getting a better body is not easy.  If you are the type of person motivated to be your physical best, regardless of age, call Shawn and try her out.  I never thought I needed a Personal Trainer but it has paid me dividends in the form of a leaner, healthier, and stronger body.  This deserves repeating.  Thank you my good friend.  Thank you, Shawn.