Jacqueline Tapella lives in Coppell and has been a client with GYIS since May of this year.
Q: Where were you at in your life before the Get You In Shape? What did your life look like? Right before GYIS, I was just doing my day to day thing…being a mom to two young children, working full time and supporting my husband while he worked on building a new business. I did not work out and I tried to consciously eat mostly healthy foods. In the past, I have been in boot camps or involved in other aerobic classes through the YMCA or the Aquatic center. I really enjoy working out and staying fit, it just wasn’t a part of my busy lifestyle at that moment before I joined, I had other priorities.
Q: Why did you decide to join Get You In Shape? I actually knew that I wanted to start right after my second child was born in December 2013. I didn’t even need to be sold, I had heard about the program, read the website and knew that Brad and Cynthia went to church where my family and I attend as well. I knew that I wanted to be involved in a boot camp because it is my style of exercise. I love the group setting and motivation from everyone. So in January of 2014, I went to a free trial class. It was the 5:30am session and FREEZING! I opted for the indoor group and had a great workout, loved every moment even though it was tough! I was just 6 weeks postpartum. Right after the workout, I had my initial meeting with Cynthia to go over the whole program and the different plans that GYIS has to offer. I remember telling her that I plan to sign up and was excited to get started. The price was what held me back from signing up until I talked it over with my husband. It is a financial commitment and unfortunately, the timing was not great for us. As I mentioned, he was just starting his own company and we could not commit the monthly amount. I was so sad to call and tell GYIS that I would not be signing up but over the next year and a half, I would keep driving by Andy Brown wishing I was part of that group working out in the parking lot.
I stayed on the email list and in May of this year, saw a promotion for a month for $99. I knew that I wanted in, signed up for the month, went to the initial meeting again, this time with a group of people at the GYIS office and hoped that this time my husband and I could make the financial commitment work. He said that we both always try to help each other to do things for ourselves that keep us happy and healthy – GYIS, I have learned over the past 6 months is my “THING” that keeps me happy, healthy, strong and motivated in my own life and for my family.
Q: What was your first experience with or first impression of Get You In Shape? MY first impression was WOW, you really get your money’s worth in this program and WOW, they really care and want you to succeed. I love that attendance is taken, I love that we get measured every two weeks, I love that we have timed miles and get recognized for improvement. There are so many tools to help us succeed and reach our goals. I have not seen another program like this one and I am very happy to be a part.
Q: What are some of the tools from the Get You In Shape program you have used that has helped you? I LOVE the “my fitness pal” app! I had been familiar with it in the past but did not use it consistently unless I was really focused on losing weight. I used it for the first few months of my pregnancy to try to keep my weight gain under control. It is a great tool that I know will help me in the coming weeks as I get my weight back down after having the baby.
Q: What do you like most about the Get You In Shape Program? I LOVE the people and sense of community. It’s what keeps me coming back and what kept me working out up until the last two weeks of my pregnancy. I just didn’t want to not see everyone each morning even though it was way before the crack of dawn! Everyone (trainers and clients) are so motivating and positive, it makes me want to work harder and makes me excited to feel a part of the GYIS community.
Q: How has the Get You In Shape program helped change your life? GYIS has given me back my 3-4 hours a week of “me time.” It’s just enough to let me do something for myself so that I can put that focus and energy back into my family and my job. I feel healthy, strong, energized and confident.
Q: What is your proudest moment or result from the Get You in Shape program? Honestly my proudest moment so far has been being nominated for this award. I haven’t had the typical results thus far, given my current pregnant status but I have been motivated by other clients and complimented numerous times by clients and the trainers these past few months on my dedication to working out. Again – the PEOPLE in this program are amazing, I can’t say it enough. I am honored that I am one among others that has shown dedication to this program and I look forward to reaching new goals in this coming year.
Q: How has the Get You In Shape Program impacted other areas of your life? I mentioned it earlier about how GYIS has changed my life – the program has definitely helped with my energy levels and confidence. I am happier, stronger and love how I feel after I have been to an hour of boot camp. It helps shape my day – whether it’s with my family or at my workplace. I don’t consider myself a stressful person, I don’t let stress bother me too much but if I am ever feeling like I need a breather or to take a few breathes and relax from stress – GYIS sessions can always do the trick!
Q: What are the results that you have achieved from the Get You In Shape program and how has Get You In Shape played a role in your results? My goals for the 6 months that I have been working out with GYIS were to work out a few days a week during my pregnancy, gain a healthy amount of weight, feel confident over the summer in a swimsuit while pregnant and stay in shape so that after the pregnancy, I would be able to get back to my average weight easier. I have gained a little more than I expected but I feel great this time and I feel like the weight stayed within my belly area as opposed to going to all areas of my body. I have good muscle definition and I feel stronger even though I have gained weight. I feel like I have attained my goals over these past 6 months and I know that GYIS is the ONLY reason I have stuck with these goals. My last two pregnancies did not involve working out and I felt very different than I do today.
