HOW DID YOU FEEL ABOUT YOURSELF PRIOR TO STARTING THE PT SESSIONS?
I was not very confident and my self esteem had become quite low, due to the fact, I had given up smoking and put on over a stone in weight. The thing that upset me most was the fact that none of my favourite jeans would fit me.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE RUSS MEADOWS OVER THE OTHER PERSONAL TRAINERS AVAILABLE?
I chose Russ because he specialises in what I wanted: weight management, muscle building & conditioning, toning and shaping. Also due to his time and experience in the fitness industry. He also has a degree in Sports Science, which is very impressive.
WHAT METHODS OF ACHIEVING YOUR GOALS HAD YOU TRIED BEFORE?
I had been going to a ladies only gym, 3 - 4 times a week, doing 1 hour cardio each time. I believed this was all I would need to do, to reach my goals, and was not told any different by the instructors there. I became dismayed, after almost a year, with very little change to my weight and body shape.
WHAT TRAINING TECHNIQUES DID RUSS USE WITH YOU?
When I first started with Russ, I don't think my fitness was very good. The sessions were very tough but I felt really good after them. I could only run for a few minutes at a time, now I can run for more than 30 mins no problem. I feel my fitness has increased lots. Other than setting me programmes for me to do on my own at the gym, every PT session is different. I have discovered boxing, interval training, resistance training and kettlebells. I was so impressed with the kettlebells, I bought my own and Russ devised a programme for me to do at home.
WHAT GOALS WERE YOU LOOKING TO ACHIEVE THROUGH YOUR PT?
At my first session with Russ, I explained to him what my goals were. I wanted to lose weight and tone up. I also wanted to become fitter. After a few months, I am loads fitter, I have lost weight and I can actually start to see muscles.
PLEASE DESCRIBE THE PT EXPERIANCE
The experience is FAB, I think that’s why I still have PT sessions. Russ keeps me motivated throughout my sessions. He pushes me past my comfort level, which is really difficult to do on my own. The plans he sets out for me to reach my goals are different to anything I have done before, although REALLY tough, are what I need. I know a lot more about which exercises are best for me and so much more regarding nutrition and healthy eating. Russ is really supportive as well. I feel comfortable with him and if I have any questions I know I can ask him.
PLEASE LIST THE RESULTS YOU ACHIEVED:
DRESS/CLOTHES SIZE CHANGE was size 12, am now 8/10
WEIGHT LOSS: 1 stone
BODY FAT: 7%
BODY SHAPE I have a waist now
MUSCLE TONE / DEFINITION I have toned up all over, I feel the most difference I can see is my arms
HOW YOU FEEL NOW COMPARED TO BEFORE I feel a lot healthier and fitter, I feel happier because I can get an item of clothing from my wardrobe and I know it will fit, especially my size 8 jeans, they have not fitted me for over a year, just a few weeks ago I tried them on,,,, they fitted,, easily,, I just can’t tell you how happy that made me feel.
FITNESS INPROVEMENTS improved loads,, i can run 30 mins without stopping, I’m so proud of that,,, 30 mins might not sound a long time, but for me, it is when i could only run for 2 minutes at my first session with Russ.
SELF ESTEEM & CONFIDENCE have very much improved
SKIN TONE clearer skin,,, i think due to all the water i am now drinking and all the junk food i no longer eat.
SLEEPING/EATING PATTERNS eating for me has changed a lot, due to my shifts, I have to plan ahead, prepare meals to take to work, as I work 12 hour shifts, days and nights, its difficult sometimes as I have to plan all my food for the day/night. I feel I have more energy and am not as tired and I think this is due to the fact that I now eat quite healthily. I also drink 2 litres of water. I have only recently discovered the most common cause of a headache is dehydration. That was interesting.
HOW YOUR RESULTS HAVE HEPLED YOU IN EVERYDAY LIFE my job as a paramedic can be quite demanding, sometimes I am required to lift and I have more strength to do this due to resistance training with Russ, sometimes, running up stairs in blocks of flats (because the lifts are broken) used to leave me short of breath, but that has improved a lot too. The nutritional aspects have helped me at home, as everyone eats healthy now,, my 7 year old wasn’t very impressed initially, but she’s getting used to healthy now.
WAS THERE ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU ACHIEVED OR EXPERIENCED AS A RESULT OF THE PT THAT YOU WERE NOT EXPECTING? If I am honest,I really didnt think PT sessions would make the difference that they have done. I thought I would get fitter, but I thought I would be giving Russ a hard challenge to get me where I wanted to be. I think because I had been going to a different gym for so long without seeing any changes, I maybe thought the PT sessions would improve my fitness but not lose the weight I wanted to lose. After being fat (that’s what I saw in the mirror) for so long, I believed that’s how I would stay. PT sessions have got me back to how I was, but I enjoy them so much I’m continuing with them.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD ANY OTHER COMMENTS PLEASE DO SO HERE. Thanks for your time Russ