Coppell Fitness Camp 2014 Client of the Year Winners

Thank You for helping us choose choose our Client of the Year. Get You In Shape had 5 winners that are below. Runner Up Client of the Year Kelly Dark Name, occupation, where you live, and how long you have been in the Get You In Shape program? Answer: Kelly Dark, I am a Commercial […]

Coppell Fitness Camp 2014 Client of the Year Winners

Thank You for helping us choose choose our Client of the Year. Get You In Shape had 5 winners that are below.

Runner Up Client of the Year Kelly Dark

Kelly Dark Before After 2

Name, occupation, where you live, and how long you have been in the Get You In Shape program? Answer: Kelly Dark, I am a Commercial Insurance Broker and live in Coppell, I have been a GYIS client for 7 months

Where you were at in your life before Get You In Shape? What did your life look like? Answer: My life was pretty sedentary, I have a desk job and made no formal effort to include exercise in my routine. We walked a lot on weekends.

Why did you decide to join the Get You In Shape program? Answer: I was at a plateau with weight loss alone. I had lost about 20 pounds and wanted to lose 10 more. After trying several other class type exercise programs, it is the team aspect and variety I liked that makes this program unique compared to zumba, water aerobics or kick boxing. There is a great deal of social interaction and the people are all very friendly and encouraging and I knew this is what I needed to finish my weight loss journey.

What was your first experience or first impression with Get You In Shape? Answer: My first impression was that the sessions were fun, full of variety, the people are nice. Also the personal trainers are wonderful; they make it like a group session with a personal trainer aspect with their help with the exercises. My first impressions have not changed.

What are some of the tools from the Get You In Shape program you have used that has helped you? Answer: I track food and exercise, I have boot camp on my calendar as a reminder to be accountable…

What do you like most about the Get You In Shape Program? Answer: The variety of exercises is not only the best way to get in shape from a physical perspective but also from a longevity standpoint. If I don’t get bored, I don’t want to quit.

How has the Get You In Shape program helped change your life? Answer: It has made me love exercise, I feel great and I feel strong. I feel better about myself, I am a happier person. I am less stressed at work. It has also impacted my time management because I want to get exercise in each day I have to plan the other things I also need to get done.

What is your proudest moment or moment or results from the Get You in Shape program? Answer: I started out not being able to run a ¼ of a mile, now I can complete, without walking, a 10K.

What are the results that you have achieved from the Get You In Shape program? Answer: I have lost 10 pounds, 13 inches, gained leg and arm muscle, gone from a size 12 to a size 6, my blood pressure has gone from 140/90 to 100/60.

I would also like to speak to about joining with your spouse. If you join with a spouse or friend, you will have one more thing in common that you can share. My husband and I are at different fitness levels and have different challenges for ourselves, but we are still doing it together and it is one more thing that brings us together.

Runner Up Client of the Year Jim Dark


JimDarkBeforeAfter 1

“I’m really proud of the fact that I am in the best shape, literally, of my entire life. This includes my six year period as an Army officer in the 1980’s. I have more lean muscle mass, and I can do more pushups and situp than ever in my life.” Jim Dark

Name, occupation, where you live, and how long you have been in the Get You In Shape program?
My name is Jim Dark. I live in Coppell, and I am a History teacher in Arlington. I’ve been with the Get You In Shape program since April 14, 2014.

Where you were at in your life before Get You In Shape? What did your life look like? Well Kelly and I had been actively losing weight using mostly diet alone. While we do some walking, we weren’t active enough. Both of us were approaching our goal weights, but were having a hard time losing the last little bit of weight using diet alone. Inspired by a friend to increase our activity level, we checked out some of the programs at the Aquatic Center. Shortly after that, we decided to check out the Get You in Shape program

Why did you decide to join the Get You In Shape program? We were looking for an activity that we could enjoy, and something we could do together. We had seen the program in action before as we walked in the park on the weekends. After looking into Zumba, Aqua-cize, Cross Training and a few others, we decided to give this a try.

What was your first experience or first impression with Get You In Shape? I was really impressed with the staff and personal trainers. They were very encouraging and supportive. As a veteran, I’ve been to a real boot camp, and I don’t remember my drill sergeants being that nice! But the Get You In Shape team of trainers are constantly telling you how good you are doing. If you are doing an exercise incorrectly, they gently correct you and get you on the right track.

What are some of the tools from the Get You In Shape program you have used that has helped you? Well, the boot camp of course. Over the summer, I also took advantage of the Cardio Club program to do some really intense cardio training on my off days.

What do you like most about the Get You In Shape Program? This can be one thing or a number of things.

One thing that I really enjoy is the camaraderie you get with your fellow boot campers. Everyone is obviously goal oriented and of a similar mindsight to you, so you have something in common with everyone. We’ve made a lot of friends at Get You In Shape. One thing that makes the sessions fun is getting the support of your friends. We work a lot in teams, so we joke and cut up, give each other a hard time all in good fun, and that tends to make the sessions a lot more enjoyable.

I also like how the exercised are mixed up. You rarely do anything for longer than a minute, so there is never any monotony at all. Sometimes I go two to three weeks before I repeat an exercise.

How has the Get You In Shape program helped change your life?
I was beginning to suffer some adverse health effects from my weight before I started my weight loss. I had elevated blood pressure and a rapid heart rate, and suffered from anxiety due to my work. By simply getting myself in better shape, I was amazed at how healthy I got, and how fast. Just two months after I started, I had a routine physical, and my doctor commented on how much healthier I had gotten since my previous visit.

What is your proudest moment or moment or results from the Get You in Shape program? I’m really proud of the fact that I am in the best shape, literally, of my entire life. This includes my six year period as an Army officer in the 1980’s. I have more lean muscle mass, and I can do more pushups and situp than ever in my life. I can’t run quit as fast as I did back in the day, but I have far better endurance. I recently completed my first 10K, and will be doing another one on Thanksgiving Day. I recently ran a personal best 5k time of 25 minutes, 8 seconds..I am seriously considering training for a completing a half marathon, something that a year, I wouldn’t have even thought possible.

How has the Get You In Shape Program impacted other areas of your life?
Well, my increase in activity has put an end to the anxiety issues that I was dealing with, without the need for any medication. I also sleep better now, and feel much more rested.

How has the Get You In Shape Program impacted other areas of your life? Well, my increase in activity has put an end to the anxiety issues that I was dealing with, without the need for any medication. I also sleep better now, and feel much more rested.

What are the results that you have achieved from the Get You In Shape program? I’ve lost 8 pounds over all since I started. I’ve lost a total of eight inches, which doesn’t sound like a lot. But I’ve notice that I am just a lot more solid, and a lot less flabby. I really enjoy the way I look now, compared to how I did look. Before I started losing weight, I was getting to the point that I felt embarrassed at time. Now I feel great, and I’m very proud of the results I have achieved.

I would just caution anyone considering this program to not be intimidated by the name “Boot Camp,” because it isn’t like that at all. It is challenging, but it is also run in a very efficient and compassionate manner. Anyone who tries this program will find out that the results are well worth it.

3rd Place Client Of the Year – Amy Bishop

3rd Place WON $100 + Free Month of GYIS Fitness ($249 Value)
Altogether, 3rd Place  won more than $400 in Prizes!


Amy Bishop Before After COY1
Name, occupation, where you live, and how long you have been in the Get You In Shape program?

Amy Bishop CPA – auditor at local public accounting firm in Flower Mound. I’ve been in the Get You In Shape program for 5 months (July 2014)

Where you were at in your life before Get You In Shape? What did your life look like? Before Get You In Shape, I was, and still, a mother of 7 year old twins (Josh and Makena) when a job that is very stressful and I make it stressful as well. I would eat my stress away. Well, I tried. I would grab candy as I walked by, handfuls at a time. The pounds over the years packed on. I was depressed because of how I felt about myself. I hated what I had allowed to happen. I was tried all the time after work and did not have the energy to play with the kids. Also, I had started to walk around the park and started the Couch to 5K program. I started to get pain around the knee and looked it up and it appeared that I had runner’s knee. All the research showed that I need to strengthen the muscles around the knee. So, I needed strength training. A co-worker reminded me of the time that I lost all my weight before and that I was doing some boot camp (which was Get You In Shape).

Why did you decide to join the Get You In Shape program? I decided to join Get You In Shape because I needed a change. I needed to focus on me and get back to a place that I felt good about myself.

What was your first experience or first impression with Get You In Shape? My first impression of Get You In Shape after returning back from when I was here (@ Get You In Shape) in January 2009 was the people. The personal trainers were the same and there were others that had been there when I was there back in January 2009. I don’t remember them but after talking with some, they mentioned how long they had been with the program.

What are some of the tools from the Get You In Shape program you have used that has helped you? Some of the tools I have used from the Get You In Shape program are My Fitness pal, Facebook community, the suggested nutrition products that are in the Nutrition System and the member’s only website for workouts when I was on vacation.

What do you like most about the Get You In Shape Program?
What I like most about Get You In Shape are the people and the community. Everyone looks after everyone. The personal trainers check in with you when I miss to make sure that everything is good.

How has the Get You In Shape program helped change your life? Get You In Shape has helped change my life by motivating me and encouraging me. I have more energy, strong and more motivated.

What is your proudest moment or moment or results from the Get You in Shape program? My proudest moment is my mile time. My first month was 11 minutes and 29 seconds (I believe) and November time was 8 minutes 57 seconds. I have not had that time probably since high school. I am ready to get to under 8 minutes as my next goal.

How has the Get You In Shape Program impacted other areas of your life? Get You In Shape has given me the energy that I needed. I am able to run without pain in my knees. I have the energy to play with my kids. I sleep better. I am motivated.

What are the results that you have achieved from the Get You In Shape program?
I have lost around 30-32 pounds and around 14-15 inches since joining 5 months ago. I have the increased energy and sleep better.

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2nd Place Client Of The Year Joe O’Brien

Runner Up won $100 CASH + 3 Free Months of GYIS Fitness ($657 Value).
Altogether, 2nd Place won more than $800 in Prizes!


Joe Before After COY3

Name, occupation, where you live, and how long you have been in the Get You In Shape program?
My name is Joe O’Brien. I am the Director of Engineering for Triumph Accessory Services – Grand Prairie (Aerospace MRO Company). I live in Coppell with my wife Leanna, two boys Owen and Corbin, and our pup, Ryker.

Where you were at in your life before Get You In Shape? What did your life look like?

Much like it is now in the sense that life is still quite busy with a demanding job and young kids, but I was much less active on a daily basis than I am now.

Why did you decide to join the Get You In Shape program?

I wanted to see if it would help me to lose some weight. The financial commitment was not huge for the short initial commitment I made, and I wanted to see if this program could really help provide legitimate results in the short and, hope upon hope, the long run also. Honestly, I really doubted how good this program would be because I have had many subpar experiences with workout programs and workout commitments in the past. Several times in the past I paid for services I did not ultimately receive, other times I just had difficulty sustaining a commitment to working out.

What was your first experience or first impression with Get You In Shape?

My first impression with Get You In Shape was that the program was legitimate — By the way, this is a big compliment from me because I have had many experiences with workout groups that would best be termed flaky — I have always been athletic so I felt sure I could do the workout, but I also felt that the workout would be a good challenge. I liked the trainer-led sessions. I liked that the personal trainers were upbeat and positive. I liked that the workouts were outside. I liked that the same group of people were participating in the workout on a daily basis. I liked that I just had to come ready to work out and that I did not have to develop a workout regimen or routine every day. I liked that the workouts were different every day and that anyone could do the workout through modifications or decreased reps, etc. as needed — the fact that anyone can do the workout strikes me as analogous to the Biblical concept that it is not the healthy who need healing so come as you are. In the same way, come as you are to get in shape. If you wait until you are in shape, you will never get in shape…Gotta love flawed circular logic! — I liked that Get You In Shape provided knowledge to help answer questions like what constitutes good nutrition. I liked that I felt accountable to the trainers and the group of people to be there every day ready to work out and get in shape.

What are some of the tools from the Get You In Shape program you have used that has helped you?

Especially early on in the program, I gleaned knowledge from the literature Get You In Shape provides. I learned better what kinds of foods to eat, amounts thereof, etc. I had really been lacking some of this fundamental knowledge. Another tool Get You In Shape touts is the “My Fitness Pal” app for smart phones that helps one track calories associated with activity and food throughout the day. With this app, I realized that I was eating more food than I really needed and I was really blown away by how many calories are in certain foods that may be otherwise “healthy.” When I really started to pay attention to my caloric intake I was blown away with how many calories are in foods that I was eating on a regular basis. It really struck me at a personal level that our restaurants in the US justify charging higher and higher prices by providing more and more food which customers perceive as more value. In reality, though, most people do not really need as much food as even “normal” meals have in them. The bi-weekly measurements (weight and dimensions – waist, hips, arms, thighs, etc.) help me to stay motivated and accountable. The on-going fitness challenges such as the timed mile help to spur on my competitive nature. Get You In Shape provided me the “carrot,” and I hope to be a “carrot” for others.

What do you like most about the Get You In Shape Program?
What I like most about the Get You In Shape program is that it is not just about one thing. People are complex. We are not able to be easily categorizes and simplified into a small box. The Get You In Shape program is sustainable long term because the trainers are encouraging and provide accountability, because the group of people with whom you work out become more like family every day, because Get You In Shape encourages everyone in the program from the start to remind themselves of their reason(s) for getting into shape (health, family, increase activity levels, etc.).

How has the Get You In Shape program helped change your life? The Get You In Shape program has helped change my life by providing a sustainable program where I can come every day to get and stay in shape. Get You In Shape has given me a venue for sustaining a high level of physical activity.

What is your proudest moment or moment or results from the Get You in Shape program? I think my proudest moment with Get You In Shape what when I first weighed in at less than 200 lbs. My next proudest moment was when I first broke the 6 minute mark running the mile.

How has the Get You In Shape Program impacted other areas of your life? The Get You In Shape program has impacted my life in that I have had to buy a new wardrobe of clothing!! Feel bad for me! Honestly, though, when I started the program I was wearing 38” waist pants and my 17 – 17 ½” neck shirts were a bit tight. I have now had to get rid of these pants and shirts because they are too big. I am back in a 34” waist (comfortably!) and 16” neck for my dress shirts. My XL shirts are now too big and blousy as well.

What are the results that you have achieved from the Get You In Shape program? Since starting the Get You In Shape program almost 5 months ago, I have lost nearly 30 pounds and 23 total inches, including 6 inches from my waist. I have improved my best mile time from 7 minutes and 28 seconds to 5 minutes and 52 seconds. Generally speaking, my overall fitness has greatly improved. For example, when I first started with Get You In Shape, I was able to really push myself and run a 5K with maybe an 8.5 minute mile average (at least more than 26 minutes to run a 5K). About a month ago, I ran a Get You In Shape community 5K in 22:05. Earlier this week, on my “off-day cardio” sessions Tuesday and Thursday I ran 8 miles and 8.5 miles respectively–about an 8 minute mile average but for 8 + miles!!. I have never run or been able to run this much in the past. In addition to performance improvements, overall, my body feels better. Specifically, my lower back, neck, and knees hurt less now than when I began!

I came across this picture of me from several years ago after I had begun a more sedentaryJoe Before After COY3 existence at work and my activity levels had significantly decreased following college. I did not realize how out of shape I had gotten. I had always been an athlete in great shape, but when I began working, had children, pursued advanced degrees and professional certifications, my activity level declined and my eating habits worsened. I did not place enough priority on building a new habit of sustaining healthy activity. I am grateful for the Get You In Shape program because, in the midst of a busy life, it provides a fantastic, sustainable venue to help me stay in shape!

1st Place Client of the Year Winner Candy York

Candy Before After COY 31

Name, occupation, where you live, and how long you have been in the Get You In Shape program? Candy York. I’m a Food Scientist and Director of Product Development for a small prepared food company. I’ve lived in Coppell since April of 2013. October’s session marked my first anniversary with Get You In Shape

Where you were at in your life before Get You In Shape? What did your life look like? Before moving to the Dallas area, I was averaging 10-14 hours a day at work and working on weekends. I didn’t have much time for anything other than work, so exercise and even eating right were not a priority. I was exhausted. With my health issue and complete imbalance on work/ life, something had to give.

Why did you decide to join the Get You In Shape program? After struggling for 3 years to get a chronic health problem under control, I finally had the energy to consider exercising again. It coincided with the Get You In Shape 6th anniversary promotion I saw in the margins of my web browser. I enjoy team sports and group exercise. And while I had heard of Fitness Boot Camps, I wasn’t sure what to expect.

The biggest change came from my fellow fitness boot campers. I’m a social animal and the warm and welcoming people at boot camp have become my friends. In a new city, being able to establish a community can be difficult. Regular activities we’ve done together (like paddle boarding), additional challenges outside of fitness boot camp and healthy dinners have helped me to make friends outside of work. Physically, I noticed immediate changes in circulation as the edema in my ankles was resolved. I definitely enjoy an increased energy level that I’ve begun to take for granted as my new normal!!

What is your proudest moment or moment or results from the Get You in Shape program? My proudest moment is realization of my “So That” Candy After_trickgoal I established in my introductory meeting had been met. My “So That” was to become physical able to participate in the active life of my grandson.) This October, not only was I able to easily navigate a 5 mile Trick or Treat route with my grandson, the following day I was able to jog by his side while he was on his bicycle. My amazement came at the time I realized the dog was just not walking but actually loping and I was maintaining my pace with the dog and with the bicycling boy. I still get emotional when I realized I had Candy After_walkingfulfilled my promise to myself. Now it’s time to revise my “So That”. I doubt it will ever be to run a marathon…that is not my dream, but someone else’s….but I’ll find something meaningful to achieve.

How has the Get You In Shape Program impacted other areas of your life? I’ve gotten involved in the community activities sponsored by Get You In Shape. Giving back is easier when the date and time are already established. I’ve also worked harder at cooking for one. Previously, it was easier to grab something “prepared”. The choices aren’t always as good as putting together something myself. When I’m successful, I enjoy sharing with the GYIS’ers.

What are the results that you have achieved from the Get You In Shape

Candy earning some cash in our 10 week Transformation Contest this year.
Candy earning some cash in our 10 week Transformation Contest this year.

program? My performance and my progress peaked at the end of June. I had lost 55 lbs and an overall total of 34.5”. It’s interesting to compare results of testing when compared to the measurements. The fastest times and greatest reps came at the time when I was at my peak. Shortly after July 4, I had some chronic health issues that have just recently been resolved. I’ve backslid a little, but continue to find that peak performance level. No matter how I feel, I always feel better after the Get You In Shape Boot Camp.

 

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