Coppell Trainer Spotlight of the Month: Joe O’Brien
The Get You In Shape team hand selects clients each month that we feel have transformed their health and fitness. This Get You In Shape Spotlight Rookie for September joined Get You In Shape in July 2014 and started seeing improvements 
immediately. Check it out below.
Name, what you do, and where do you live? Joe O’Brien, Director of Engineering for Triumph Accessory Services – Grand Prairie (Aerospace company), Coppell
Why did you decide to join the Get You In Shape program? I wanted to lose weight and get into better physical condition.
What was your life like before joining the Get You In Shape Program? Much like it is now, but minus some neck and back pain, some pounds, and with more energy and drive to improve upon this initial progress. I have minimal excess time due to work demands and family, but I believed that I could really benefit from getting back into shape through regular exercise.
What was your first impression from the Get You In Shape program? In the first week, I was very pleased with the weight loss I was experiencing and the tone improvement. At the end of the first month, I physically felt better: I noticed that I was sleeping better, my neck pain and back pain was subsiding and reducing in frequency and intensity, and I had lost around 10 lbs. I am now in my second month and am excited about improvements in my running ability in both speed and endurance.
What have been some of the tools you have used that have benefited you? I have been very impressed by the information made available through Get You In Shape. Especially early in the program, I would consult this information to learn what types of foods to eat. The My Fitness Pal app has been quite helpful in keeping me accountable in my eating. I have also benefited from using a food scale to determine the amount of types
of foods I will need to eat in order to meet a target calorie count. I have a digital scale on which I weigh myself several times each day (maybe too often J). This scale serves to keep me daily accountable in the foods I am eating, the workouts I am performing, and the effect these two have on my weight. Finally, I have kept a large (32-oz) water bottle on me throughout the day in order to ensure I would hydrate sufficiently for efficient body operation.
How is the Get You In Shape program different from other programs you have tried before? What makes Get you In Shape different or unique? I have worked with private trainers, gone through collegiate training programs, worked out on my own at home, and worked out on my own at various gyms. I have found Get You In Shape to differ from all of these programs because of the knowledge available primarily in the area of nutrition. I have always attempted to eat relatively healthily, however, I now know I ate too much (even though it may have been of good things), I did not eat often enough to maintain metabolism, I did not drink enough water consistently, and I too often indulged in sweets, alcohol, empty carbs, etc. not accounting rigidly enough for their caloric intake and/or their effect on my body’s ability to operate efficiently. I also really enjoy the trainer-led, outside, group workout, push yourself at your own pace (but push yourself as the trainers encourage you and keep you accountable!) format that is quite unique in my experience.
What results and benefits have you experienced in the Get You In Shape Program? In the first month, I lost 10 lbs. and many inches as my tone improved. Now in my second month, I have lost a couple more pounds and noticed more tone improvement and am noticing less frequent neck tightness, back pain, and knee pain. I am sleeping better and more energenic even though I get a little less sleep because I am working out at 5:30am! My flexibility has greatly improved, and my running speed and endurance have improved quite a bit.
What would you say to anyone looking at this program? This program is holistic. It takes into account that, in order to reach your goals, whatever they may be, you must address all aspects of your life. You must define and keep your goal(s) in the forefront of your mind in order to maintain sufficient motivation to sustain your effort and discipline, and you must know that proper nutrition is critical towards meeting your goals. The Get You In Shape personnel are fantastic! They are great motivators, knowledgeable and fun to be around. Another reason I believe Get You In Shape is effective is because of the program’s use of the concept of proprioception or muscle confusion. Get You In Shape constantly changes the workout order, duration, intensity, etc. so that your body does not easily plateau in its improvement. Know that this is a great program, but you will only get excellent results if you are consistent in your workout AND your nutrition.
