Testimonials

Testimonial

I want to thank Loretta, Andrea, Charlene, Robert, Kay and Georgia –a fantastic team of instructors that have had a great deal of motivation, expertise and influence on my health improvement.  First off, I don’t think I’ve ever written a testimonial like this before, but I’m so pleased I wanted to share my experience.   So, about 4 months ago my wife decided for me (thank you Honey!) that she and I needed to do something serious (and soon) about our declining health and fitness. Nearing our mid 40s, we are business owners that were both suffering from the effects of working long hours, having bad eating and dieting habits as well as basically having a pretty low exercise level. I spend much of my career sitting in front of a computer, or driving for hours in my mobile office.  I had always lived with a classic “good year gut” thinking it was just genetic and basically tried to skip as many meals as I could each day to control weight gain.  I was losing the battle and was putting on more and more weight each year.  My wife has always been relatively thin, but she was developing a bad back and just felt very out of shape with achy joints. So around Christmas time, she researched a number of fitness gyms around the Chesapeake area and decided that the total nutrition/fitness/lifestyle change program that Wellness One offers – the Fit One program – sounded like what we needed -a whole lifestyle health modification program.

Loretta advised us to take it slow and work into the program.  Yes it’s true that I mumbled and grumbled a lot those first few workouts and questioned what it the world I had agreed to.  I tried thinking up excuses about how I could get out of this.  (I mean, it’s sooo much easier to sit down on the couch with a big bag of chips, than be exercising.. right?).  But the team of classmates and the instructors, were all very supportive to my wife and I and encouraged us to “stick with it” and just get through the first week and we would start to see a change.  They were more right than I knew.

After that first week, a change did occur in both my outlook and my strength.  I actually started to look forward to the work outs. I still was trying to make excuses..but now they were excuses about how to MAKE IT to the work outs.  Wellness One has an excellent line-up of Fit One instructors that rotate throughout the week resulting in each and every work out day being slightly different, which keeps it fun and far from boring. We got some new recruits into the program after week 5 and I made it a point to pass on the advice I received and encourage them to stick with it – just get past the first week or two.  I will admit that it took my wife and I about the first 6 weeks to be able to really put into practice all the excellent dietary advice that Loretta brings to this program.  For me the dietary change has turned out to be maybe the most valuable portion of this program –changing how and when I ate. But we have tried to go to a work out class almost every day we can, because I really see the benefit of the exercise as well.  The real exciting news for both of us is that we have both experienced a tremendous improvement. At the first few weeks, our kids would laugh at us when we’d come home.  At week 10 I had lost about 18 total pounds, with a significant loss of fat and pretty good increase in muscle mass.  What does muscle mass increase mean?  It means I can (almost) keep up with the Fit One instructors now. Wendy and I have increased the number of sit ups, pushups and a variety of other exercises we could do by well over double.  We both have more energy than we have had in years and the weight loss is continuing as is the muscle toning. We have gotten some of our friends to join and they too are beginning to see the benefits of the Fit One program.  I love fitting into old clothes.  My back has stopped hurting from sitting all day.  I can run up the stairs in our house and don’t get winded.  (oh, and the kids don’t laugh at us anymore, now they want to join!)  Need I go on?  Most amazing to me is that our story and experience seems to be shared by everyone who applies themselves to this FUN program. Yes Loretta, I’m admitting it – I am having fun.  Yes it is hard work, very hard work sometimes –  but I’m learning that hard work is OK.  It’s what it takes to tone muscle, burn calories and undo all those years of poor health habits!     Thank you Wellness One!      Eric and Wendy

 

 

Testimonial

 

Testimonial

Gary and I wanted to thank all of the  instructors, Lisa, and Mark and Loretta Richardson,
for all of your help and support during our Fit One class.  We both got so much out of this class not
only physically but mentally and spiritually as well.
 
I have been a member of the Wellness One Fitness Center for about four years, and had been
trying to get my husband, Gary, to join with me.  He had been struggling with some health issues
over the past couple of years that seemed to continually get worse.  He had always been pretty
active, but after breaking both his arms a few years ago his activity level started falling off. 
After a much needed physical at age 51 it was revealed that he needed to go on high blood
pressure and diabetic medicine.  Shortly after that he started having severe sinus issues.  After
three unsuccessful sinus surgeries within four months and being on and off steroids for a year
and a half, he had gained a lot of weight and his health was failing quickly.  He was also
diagnosed with sleep apnea in January of 2008 and put on a CPAP machine to help him breath at
night.  Gary wanted to exercise and get back in shape but he just felt so bad he could not bring
himself to commit to anything; not even taking a walk.  Finally, in March of this year after also
being diagnosed with high cholesterol and being put on yet another medication, he realized he
needed help in trying to get in shape.
 
Gary came in for a visit to Wellness One on Thursday night, March 26th.  Coincidentally, a
class was taking place and we were able to observe a class.  He immediately liked what he saw
and wanted to join, but not by himself.  He only wanted to do the class if I joined with him.  Of
course I was more than glad to do this for him and was so excited that he was willing to try
something.  I have to admit, it was a real stretch for me to get excited about kickboxing; that just
does not fit my personality. But, I was happy to go along for the ride.
 
We began the class on March 28th, and even after going on two cruises during this time I’m happy
to report that the class was a success!  Gary lost a total of 22 pounds, 5 1/2 inches off his belly,
and over 4% body fat.  But the best part was that he was able to cut his meds in half and
completely get off the cholesterol medicine.  He even no longer needs the CPAP machine at
night.  His snoring and breathing are under control and we both are able to sleep so much better
now.  Another benefit is that doing the classes together was a fun experience for the both of us.
We have grown closer in our marriage and have made new friends.  Even though I didn’t have a
lot of weight to lose, I benefited in getting physically stronger, more toned, and feeling more
confident about myself.  I grew to love the kickboxing class.  For the first four weeks I was
pretty sore only because I was using muscles I had never really used before. 
 
We both have signed up for the maintenance program and are excited to continue our journey in
getting and keeping physically fit.  Thanks again for everything! 
 
Gary & Penny 
 

Testimonial

I am a 56 year old CPA whose work life is incredibly sedentary.  My efforts to stay active (running, softball, water skiing) have been severely limited since hip replacement surgery in 2004.  Walking down the hall for a cup of coffee is as physical as my day normally gets.  Despite my efforts to hold the line on my weight, it was drifting upward, and I just could not seem to stop it.  I saw the Fit One ad in the paper, and noticed that it was located at Wellness One in Chesapeake, VA, where I am a member.  It looked to be an ideal vehicle for reversing the upward direction my weight was headed, and, to my great relief, that’s what happened.

            A 6 day per week commitment for 10 weeks is obviously a major one, but I found that family, coworkers, and clients have been understanding and encouraging.  With some planning, I was able to schedule the sessions so that I was never absent except for 3 days when my wife and I went out of town for a long 36^th anniversary weekend.  As I attended sessions and followed the eating guidelines, I could see continuous progress both in weight and stamina.  Progress motivated me to work hard to make more progress.  After 5 weeks I was down 15.6 pounds, 2.5 waist inches, and had more than doubled the number of pushups I could do in a minute.  As the progress became noticeable (clothes looked too large), people started calling me “slim”, commenting on the changes to my body, and asking how I did it.

            My doctor has told me to expect, based on my family medical history, to contract diabetes in a few years.  However, he also told me that I could avoid diabetes if I could get down under 200 pounds.  Before Fit One, that was becoming a seemingly unattainable objective.  I made that my goal at the beginning, knowing that this would require a 30 pound weight loss.  This did not seem very likely to happen.  As I progressed through the program, it began to seem possible and finally looked probable.  By the end of the program, not only was my final weight loss 30 pounds, but my doctor had eliminated daily blood pressure related prescription drugs with monthly copays totaling $70 as a direct result of changes to my body brought about by the Fit One program.

            My objectives are met, and replaced by the new objective of maintaining my new weight and body.  I plan to continue observing the eating guidelines, and to follow a more flexible but regular exercise program to stay active and maintain.  A program requiring the commitment, focus, and effort of Fit One tends to develop relationships among the participants.  I could not have been happier for the accomplishments of my fellow participants, and they have been wonderfully supportive.  The instructors did a marvelous job of getting the most out of us each session.  Our coaches were upbeat and supportive.  I am truly thankful to all of the instructors, coaches, and fellow participants.  I could not have done it without them.

Testimonial

First I would like to thank Gabrielle for talking me into signing up for the Fit One presentation, as well as Lisa, Loretta, and Robert for their support.

I must admit that after hearing the presentation I was a bit skeptical, however I do have Multiple Sclerosis and I knew I needed something to jump start my metabolism. MS patients have a slow metabolism, along with other issues especially-problems with balance.

 I decided to give it a try, and also committed myself to following the diet in hopes of losing some weight at the same time.

 Within 2 weeks I noticed my clothes fit better and I thought my balance had improved. At the 5 week mark I was surprised to learn I had lost 14&1/2 lbs and 2 inches.

 By 10 weeks I had lost 25 lbs and 3&1/2 inches, my balance has improved considerably, and I feel stronger. The mix of kick boxing and band work does pay off! My neurologist was very surprised at my improvements.

 All of the instructors were helpful and supportive, encouraging everyone along the way.

 6 nights a week for 10 weeks is quite a commitment, but then again so is getting into shape before you reach a point where you no longer can.

 Do yourself a favor and give it a try, you’ll be glad you did.