Island Fitness (206)842-5720 | Bringing Strength, Flexibility & Balance to Bainbridge Island

RESULTS
Some of our favorite success stories...

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client Connie Feikes trainer Diane Peterson	Why did you join Island Fitness? After many years of frustration of trying different exercise & weight loss programs, I decided that I wanted to see results. I like the atmosphere at Island Fitness. It’s relaxed and I do not feel like I have to get up in the morning and “get ready” to go work out. I get the kids off to school, put on my exercise wear and go—no primping required. What are your goals? My goals are to lose weight and get stronger and to stay committed to a program. By having a schedule with Diane it holds me accountable and I now she is there to help me. What are the benefits of working with a trainer? I look forward to my sessions with Diane. It is actually a love/hate relationship. Sometimes I hate what she is making me do, but I love the results. She pushes me beyond what I would do on my own. I give a lot more effort during my workout when she is there challenging me and creating new exercises. I never get bored! When she shows me a new exercise, sometimes I think, “wow, I can NEVER do that” and then before you know it, I’m doing it! She also shows me exercises that “look” very easy and then I go to do it and realize I don’t have the balance to do what she just did. But over time, when we continue to work these muscles I am eventually able to do it. What are the results of working with a trainer? I have had huge improvements in strength and balance. I didn’t realize how important core strength was until I started working on those exercises. I have noticed changes such as being able to put my clothes on while standing on one foot! I didn’t realize I was weak in that area until I started working on it. And as we get older, having that balance and stability is very important!! While on vacation in Puerto Rico, I was able to go climbing/hiking in the rain forest up to a beautiful area where there is a natural water-slide and swimming hole. The hike was quite challenging and many times I didn’t think I’d be able to climb up and over the large rocks and boulders. But since I had been working on endurance, core strength and building muscle…I actually made it! Diane is great! She keeps me moving and motivated to come back again and again. We are working as a team to achieve these results and she is oftentimes more committed to that goal than I am! Without her, I would not be seeing these results. It always seemed like exercise was something you do on your own, or along with a friend. But a trainer is like having a coach—they get you going, they keep you moving and they do not let you give up!

client Michele Muffoletto trainer Jillian Bateman	My husband and I wanted to make lifestyle changes—most importantly, new fitness goals. I personally wanted to get into a regular fitness routine and learn more about how my body works. I knew that weight loss and muscle gain would come with time. We picked Island Fitness because...Well, have you ever seen the movie Dodge Ball? Island Fitness has the “Average Joes” atmosphere with a sincere staff, minus the beer and dodge ball classes (Although I’m sure those classes can be arranged if there was enough interest!). It is a “home town” gym that is comfortable, helpful and welcoming, not to mention their HEALTHY approach to achieving your fitness goals. I wanted to have fun, because if I was going to make this lifestyle change, I had to like it. But I also wanted to be challenged. Having never worked with a personal trainer before, I was a little nervous—until I met Jillian. She brings her sense of humor to our workouts, but ensures a thorough, challenging routine. I appreciate both. She is excellent at tailoring the workout so I am constantly progressing, and it is nice to have someone to push you a little further. I am learning more about my body mechanics than ever before! I’m finding muscles that haven’t been used in years. I learned I have a “core” and that daily movements are easier and more efficient once that is strengthened. I couldn’t have asked for a better trainer and friend. Thanks Jillian!

client Tony Fairbanks trainer Jose Lugo	First, it is clear that Jose has a deep knowledge of exercise and human physiology, as is shown by the depth and intensity of the exercises being done. It is clear as well that he is very adept at making any modifications needed due to injury or other limiting factor. What I like in particular is that Jose creates clear, seemingly simple exercises, demonstrates them so that they are easy to understand, and takes you through them at a steady but intense pace. Finally, he offers regular encouragement so one feels that their effort is being recognized. I would recommend Jose to anyone who wants to make great strides in their physical training.

client Sue Entress Jan Redmond	Why did you join Island Fitness? To maintain a regular fitness regimen through out the year. Childcare allows me to work out on a regular basis. What are your goals? To maintain a healthy body, increase strength and endurance. Have you worked with a trainer in the past? No past experience—I’ve always felt a bit intimidated. What are the benefits of working with your trainer? Having personalized instruction on a regular basis allows me to tailor my workout for efficiency and results. What are the results of working with your trainer? • Less fat/more muscle mass • Measurable increase in strength • Greater knowledge of what works best for my body. I have really enjoyed working with Jan. Her knowledge and enthusiasm make training sessions inspiring. I feel completely confident, after completing our session, using all of the weight training equipment. Before my sessions with Jan, I was trying to compensate for my slowing metabolism by increasing my cardio workout. I was left exhausted and not seeing results. Adding a regular weight training routine to lighter, more frequent cardio workouts have given results while leaving me energized throughout the day. Great work! Thanks Jan!

client Eden Nordby nutritionist Alexa Rosenthal	At my mom’s suggestion I contacted Alexa in January and signed up for a nutritional counseling program. I wanted a program where I could get personalized advice and recommendations for how I could change my body and improve my health. At one-on-one sessions with Alexa I got to help design my own menus that were tailored to my tastes and my nutritional needs. It was exactly the kind of personal attention that I needed to make sure that I was losing weight in a healthy, manageable way and also a program that I could stick to because I helped design it. Having Alexa there to be my coach and cheerleader was the best way to keep me motivated and remind me of my goals. She also told me every time what a great job I was doing and how proud she was of my progress. I now have a much better understanding of how my body processes food, and what, when and how much I should eat in order to make a difference in how I look and feel. I also understand now how vital the combination of exercise and nutrition is to everyday life, even if there is no specific goal in mind. After the first few weeks when I hadn’t seen any changes yet, Alexa kept me focused and pretty soon I was seeing major results. I’ve learned how to make really responsible, healthy decisions that will impact my life and I have Alexa to thank! I am about half way towards my ultimate goal, but I already feel like I’ve achieved the impossible.

client Eve Leonard trainer Ishya Silpikul	A year ago I realized I couldn’t stay in good enough shape to live my life just by living my life! The law of middle-aged physics was in play: a body not in motion pretty soon can’t move at all. The next day i joined Island Fitness and signed up with a trainer. Here’s what I wanted: someone who wouldn’t coddle me or accept my excuses or allow me to be bored. Who insisted on proper form so I could trust her to take me to my limits without risking an injury. Someone who would push me to do what is best for me, beyond what I would do for myself. What I got was Ishya—and she’s perfect! Not that I don’t complain. But now I’m complaining while doing one-legged squats balanced on a BOSU! I’ve had a year of core strengthening when a year ago I didn’t know I had a core. I’ve learned that just when you feel good about what you can do, you’d better make it harder. Like pushing the proverbial rock up the mountain, Ishya-phean training means if it doesn’t keep getting steeper and heavier, you’ll soon start sliding backwards. Some days the worst words I hear are, “Now for your third set…” The best part? The last run of the day skiing with my three grown kids this past winter, when I realized I’m really loving my life.

client Pam Myles nutritionist Alexa Rosenthal	The older I got, the more difficult it was to lose weight and stay active. I started to increase my flexibility and strength by working with a Personal Trainer and taking yoga. When I added the Nutrition program it all came together! I've now lost 25 pounds, while increasing my muscle and losing fat. Island Fitness gave me back my hope, my health & my body!

client Thea Williams trainer Jillian Bateman	Since working out with Jillian, through her dedication, expertise, commitment, and positive attitude, I have been able to eliminate my lower back pain. I also feel more energized, and have gained more flexibility and mobility. It's called “feeling better all over”. Jillian has been able to identify my learned negative movements, which over the years has created my back pain. She enabled me to not only know, but to feel the proper spinal alignment in every exercise position. She's a champ! This is what is known as “working smarter, not harder”. I am stronger and healthier than ever before – and I'm not as young as I used to be! I actually look forward to my 3 times a week workout, and that was never me in the past!

client Barb DeWitt trainer Darcy Monette	I am writing to let you know how very pleased that I am with the personal training that I am receiving from Darcy. Last week I exceeded my expectations at the San Francisco Marathon and I feel very strongly that much of my success was due to Darcy's help. It is very important for me to share this feedback with you so that you are aware of the impact that she has made on me. Just to fill you in on my background a little bit…12 years ago I had a weight loss of 85#, no fad diet or pills, I simply began eating a balanced diet and increased my exercise. This was due to a health scare with my blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Although I feel that weight will always be an issue for me it is now definitely under control. Over the years I gradually increased my exercise routine and desire to be as fit as I can be. I joined Island Fitness several years ago and began running about 5 years ago. Within the past 2 years I have completed 4 marathons and 11 half-marathons. My running time has gradually increased along with my level of fitness, but I continued to experience extreme discomfort during the last 5 – 6 miles of each marathon. With the first 3 marathons, I found that I was absolutely miserable at the end of the run. I began training with Darcy last May in order to learn a different approach towards preparing for the SF marathon. She worked out an individualized program geared towards my goal, introducing me to a type of exercise routine I had never experienced before. She addressed my problems of muscle aches, nausea, dehydration, etc., through a daily program that would work on resolving each of those issues. She told me what and when to eat & drink before, during and after the run. Darcy supported, encouraged and challenged me both physically and emotionally in preparing me to do my best under any circumstances. The results were amazing. I completed the SF marathon 12 minutes faster than my previous one (Portland, 2006). My finishing time ranked me in the top 1/2 of all the runners, top 1/3 of women, and top 1/4 of women in my age category. My ‘split times' indicated that throughout the race my pace slowed by only about 30 seconds. I did not experience any nausea at all and although was admittedly exhausted after the race, I finally was able to feel the exhilaration of crossing the finish line knowing that I had done my best. It was a thrill like none other and a feeling that I will carry with me the rest of my life. All of the work and effort paid off. What's next? A few more 1/2 marathons this fall, then another full marathon at Disney World in January. Guess you could say I'm hooked. I hope to set an example for others who are facing the weight challenge that I faced. Although not easy, it is very possible to achieve long-lasting healthy results of weight loss. Island Fitness, as an advocate for promoting healthy lifestyles, can and is making the difference to its members. I have become quite a promoter of training as a vital part of developing and maintaining good health and I look forward to continuing my training with Darcy.Thank you for all that you do for so many.

client Sonja Fritts trainer Ishya Silpikul	Working out at Island Fitness with a trainer has improved my quality of life by helping me balance caring for my young children, managing my home, and improving my overall well-being. I started training with Ishya about eight weeks after my second child was born. I wanted to lose the baby weight and improve my core strength. Ishya and I met twice a week. Ishya possesses vast knowledge and experience, and training with her was fun and motivating. She introduced me to new exercises using the BOSU and other equipment, and she kept the workouts interesting by varying the exercises and constantly challenging me. It worked! I lost weight and increased my core strength. After working out with Ishya for several months, my husband and I took our kids on a hike at La Push that I had hiked several times before. Even though I was carrying my daughter in a back pack carrier, it was much easier for me than it had been in the past because of my increased core strength and overall fitness. I became pregnant again and continued to work out with Ishya weekly. Ishya customized the exercises to my physical ability throughout my pregnancy. When I was about seven months pregnant, I took an assessment test. To my surprise, I had less fat and a greater percentage of muscle than when I had first started working out with Ishya, even though I was seven-months pregnant! I continued to feel strong and gained less weight than I had during my first two pregnancies. I highly recommend working with a trainer like Ishya. Not only did I increase my strength, lose weight, and improve my health, I also achieved greater balance in my life.

client Diana Liljelund trainer Lisa Timmins	For Diana Liljelund, increasing the flexibility in her hips has made a huge difference in terms of her ability to move more freely, and to more fully “inhabit” her body. The specific combination of exercises in Diana's current training program are designed to build strength while at the same time work on her “three-dimensional” flexibility – in other words, on her movement in all 3 planes of motion (sagittal – or forward/backward; frontal – or lateral; and transverse – or rotational). Being able to stabilize as well as move the body freely in all these planes of motion is critical for establishing efficient movement patterns, and it has allowed Diana to exercise more intensely and thus progress more readily toward her fitness goals. Due to Diana's commitment to making exercise a priority, improving her eating habits, and making healthy lifestyle changes in general, she has seen tremendous results just since the beginning of the year en route to becoming a lean, mean, fighting machine! She has already dropped several pants sizes, losing 3 inches from around her hips, 2 inches from around her waist, and 3 inches from around her chest. Overall she has lost more than 10 pounds of body weight, shedding 15 pounds of body fat while building 5 pounds of lean muscle mass, representing a body composition shift from 29% down to 24% body fat. More importantly, though, Diana is just feeling really energized, and more excited about taking on new challenges. Great job, Diana!

client Jack Snyder nutritionist Alexa Rosenthal	About a year ago, I was told by my physician that my blood pressure was way too high. My probability of a stroke or heart attack was high. Wow! What a wake up call. The day after my medical appointment, i went to Island Fitness, as referred by a friend, to hire a personal trainer and get help with nutrition. Alexa Rosenthal worked with me for about three months to insure that my food intake was sufficient and that I was eating healthy nutritional foods. By creating a personalized nutritional regimen, she helped me lose 35 pounds. Her knowledge, assistance, and coaching was certainly one important component in moving me to better all-around health. I have not gained back any of the 35 pounds of fat I lost, as I follow the nutritional plan we put together and use it now and into the future.

client Leona Salazar trainer Loretta Stanton	My family didn’t have the greatest genetics – Mom died very young and Dad died soon after retiring -- so when I was turning 50 seven years ago, I decided it was time to do something about my physical condition. I began a program of Pilates training and low impact aerobics but still had trouble losing weight. I joined Island Fitness in January 2007, and started training with Loretta Stanton, who introduced me to many types of workout exercises, all of which looked impossible to do. Little by little, month after month, I became stronger, more flexible and balanced. Still, I continued to have trouble with my weight. I decided to see Alexa Rosenthal for nutrition counseling in August (apprehensive because I knew from the past that “diet” meant deprivation). After discussing my concerns and goals with Alexa, she was able to develop a healthy meal plan incorporating those things I absolutely love and refuse to give up. With the combined efforts of Alexa and Loretta, I learned it’s all about portion control, good eating habits, eating the right foods and exercise. I’ve dropped over 20 lbs. since August without “dieting” and we’re still working on my body fat percentage. For me, working with Alexa provides the accountability factor I need and maintaining a food journal is an invaluable tool to keep track of what and when I’m eating. Loretta continues to challenge me in ways I never thought possible. Most importantly, the programs created by Alexa and Loretta are designed especially for me based on my body type, lifestyle and eating habits. I’m not on a “diet.” I eat real food, watch my portions and follow a comprehensive exercise routine. Borrowing an expression I heard recently from Olivia at the gym, I consider myself a “work in progress.” Consistent meetings with Loretta and Alexa have given me amazing results. The fact that I enjoyed Thanksgiving, a 24-day cruise, Christmas, and a week in Jamaica without gaining an ounce is absolute proof that what they’ve taught me works! Thank you Loretta and Alexa!

client Libby Rogers trainer Diane Peterson	Libby Rogers came to us wanting a new bod for her wedding, and ended up getting a whole lifestyle change. Before this transformation, her days were spent working long hours and taking care of everyone else -- which left her stressed, hurting, and not happy with herself. Now that she’s working with certified personal trainer Diane Peterson, Libby has discovered her inner athlete! Her amazing natural balance and her newly developed core, muscle, and cardio strengths enable her to do things she never would have expected. She’s also worked with one of our staff nutritionists to develop healthier eating habits, in order to sustain the new physical demands. Utilizing all the club has to offer, Libby has surpassed her original goals and continues to strive for new challenges. She’s still working those long hours and taking care of all those people in her life, but now has the energy to take care of herself. And that energy is infectious; in fact, you always know when Libby’s in the club, because everyone is just a little bit happier.

client Nancy Johnson trainer Diane Peterson	My journey into fitness started several years ago with a specific goal of getting in shape for skiing. I signed up for a few weeks of training in December, just before our annual Christmas holiday ski trip. Unbeknownst to me how lucky it was at the time, my trainer Diane encouraged me to continue training beyond the ski trip, and I made a commitment for January, for 3 times a week. And I kept that commitment. Diane also encouraged (or rather insisted) that I add a spinning class to my workout regime in order to improve my cardio, which has always been my biggest challenge. As a side benefit to improving my fitness level by following Diane's guidance, I also had dramatic improvement in the strength and mobility of my left ankle (which had become arthritic from breaking it on a ski slope many years prior). I no longer had chronic pain - and after 6 months of training, my left ankle was so much stronger and flexible that I could now wear high heels! As exciting as that was, I had no idea what bigger challenges loomed ahead. I stayed committed to my training with Diane, as well as added group classes for cardio. My workouts were always appropriately challenging because Diane continually customized my program so it never got old or easy (though sometimes I wished for easy). Then, inexplicably, I developed shortness of breath, and was treated over several months for asthma. Unfortunately it was more serious, and in December of 2007, I left the hospital on portable oxygen, diagnosed with fibrosis of the lung - most likely caused by hypersensitivity to something in the environment. The doctor said that exercise would be good for me - but, wow, arriving at the gym with an oxygen tank can be a little bit uncomfortable. However, Diane - knowing me so well - was totally willing to take me on and adjusted my training to my new reality. We began basing my exertion on keeping my blood oxygen level in a safe range, which was easy to monitor with my finger O2 meter. Meanwhile, Diane has done an excellent job customizing a program for me which helps to keep up my strength and, even more importantly, my spirits. As my lung capacity decreased, we focused on Pilates Reformer training, which allowed me to maintain my strength while exercising at a safe O2 level. Being able to do jumping jacks on the Pilates Reformer to strengthen muscles that were severely weakened (due to long-term high dosage steroid use) has been a bonus. Also, with encouragement from Diane, I continued indoor cycling; even if I could only make the pedals go round, it still kept me active. The good news from training has been that I have not developed pulmonary hypertension of the heart - about which my doctors are extremely surprised but needless to say very pleased. My activity level also surprises them, based on what minimal lung capacity I have - but it does not surprise me, because I know that my long workout history and my continuing exercise has helped to keep the rest of my body strong and healthy despite my Crappy Lung Syndrome.