A new gym had opened a mere three minute drive from my house. I was ready. I had no more reasons not to go to the gym. Being so time starved, like so many other people, this location was perfect. No more excuses, the gym was right there!

As I walked in, I was waiting to feel intimidated, embarrassed or judged. Instead, wow, the staff were simply amazing! I saw people of all shape, size and age who all have their own reasons for wanting to make a change to feel better, to be able to have the energy to do the things they want to do. I was sold!

I was ready to make a commitment to myself to get healthier and stronger. I knew the best way for me would be with a personal trainer to get me off on the right track. My trainer, Allyson has been my God send. She is caring, dedicated and motivational. With her expertise and guidance, I have lost 50 pounds in 10 months, built some nice muscles and developed a new understanding about the choices I can make in my life to get and stay healthier. Allyson shares her wealth of information about food choices as well as exercise and truly cares about me as a person, not just a client. 

I no longer struggle with stairs (or pickle jars for that matter). I have more energy and stamina for my very demanding job. I am halfway to my goal weight loss and I will never go back to being sluggish and tired all the time. People are complimenting me on my looks and success. I am proud to tell them how I achieved that success.

I'd also run a marathon - though, when I say run, I was really dragging my legs for 26.2 miles. I wanted to incorporate more weight-bearing exercises, nutritious movement (including barefoot shoes and animal flows), and figure out how to engage particular parts that weren't quite working "right." 

As a grad student, I sat and typed a LOT. My shoulders were tight and I'd lost some spinal rotation mobility. As part of the AI issues, my right hip *always* ached. Initially, my goals were to get my shoulders and back working more and then figure out my hips. I knew this would take time -- and it did -- but it was so worth it! 

Allyson worked with me to create a program that would gradually build strength while addressing these long-term issues. I learned the importance of rolling out (I can't go anywhere without a lacrosse ball now!) to get tendons and ligaments and muscles to activate. For spinal rotation, we had to work on building some basic strength first, while also learning new ways to do spinal twists. Setbacks happened all the time. I'd realize that something else didn't have full range-of-motion and we needed to work on it. Rather than push me to just build strength, Allyson understands the importance of longterm health for your whole body. She is super creative at coming up with ways to address setbacks and flareups within a current plan and would modify workouts on the spot if I suddenly couldn't do a certain exercise. 

I have been to physical therapy for years because of hip pain. Allyson is the first person to figure out that my right hip was not the issue -- my left hip was not engaging at all. My right hip hurt because it was doing all the work! Since then, she has now gotten my left hip to engage and taught me how to stretch it before exercising on my own. Before Allyson, if I was lying down on my back, only my right foot would "fall out" to the side. My left foot would not budge. Now when I lie down, both feet naturally fall out. 

Through all of this, Allyson was also helping me build strength in my core and legs for running. Her running assessment helped me understand that I wasn't actually using my legs to propel myself... I was dragging my legs while my upper body pulled me forward. Now I can feel my hips and glutes activate and feel the push-off in my calves. 

Allyson has so much knowledge about how the body works and how to teach people proper technique for just about anything - lifting, squats, animal movements, running, swimming, etc. She's also delightful to work with! She's flexible and can adapt to changing needs or goals. My proudest accomplishment last year, which Allyson worked into our workout plans, was doing a handstand. This brought together all the work we did on my shoulders, hips, and abs and I'm happy to say that at 40, I can do handstands! 

I've worked with Allyson in-person and online and highly recommend her. She takes the time to get to know her clients and invests in their success. She will share recipes, encouraging words, and (if you're lucky) her adorable girls as workout partners. I didn't think I could ever stick with a trainer for two years... Allyson has made it an easy choice!!