Goals In Motion Fitness Studio

Paula Neumann - Lost 101 pounds and had an 18% reduction in body comp in under 10 months.

Paula holding up her old jeans!! Paula with both legs in one leg of her old jeans!!!

When I started at Goals in Motion, I was determined to make a change in my life and I had heard and read about other people who had success with the program. I set a lofty goal to reach 100 pounds weight loss in one year. I had just turned 36 years old and, at my yearly physical, my doctor told me my cholesterol was too high, almost to the point where I would need medication. Are you kidding me? I am only in my 30's! So I got the gift that changed my life, from my husband Kevin, a 9 week challenge at GIM. Again I even thought to myself, are you kidding? Will you really get up at 4:30 in the morning to work out before going to work? I could barely get up to go to the office and had tried to motivate myself for months (or should I say years) to lose weight and exercise more. There were doubters in my life, including myself, that questioned I would stick to it or that I could even physically do it. Now I can say I did it! 101 pounds in under 10 months and 18% reduction in my body fat! As I promised to Sandy and Mardi, I would tell my story when I hit my 100 pound goal. I would hope this will inspire others to give Goals in Motion a try.

My name is Paula and I joined GIM in May of 2008. My good friend and coworker, Richelle, had been telling me about GIM ever since it opened. My friend Lore was planning to join in May and wanted me to do it with her. Believe me, I had doubts (for a very long time) that I could even fit it in my lifestyle or even be able to complete a fitness challenge. At that time, I knew I couldn't even do a single sit-up and I had never ran a mile in my life.

My weight has always been a problem. I was overweight as a kid until I started dieting in middle school. I would gain and lose weight with fad diets (sometimes exercising little). As I got older it got worse. By the time I was in college, I would gain up to 40 pounds over the school year, then diet all summer to lose it. If I didn't diet my weight would just continue to go up. After college I married Kevin, moved to Adel and started my "active" career as an accountant. Like most professionals, my work and married life became priority, not myself. For about 5 years I struggled with my weight and decided I didn't need to diet, especially since we were planning to have kids. Who goes on a diet before getting pregnant? When my daughter was 3, I was encouraged to join Weight Watchers and went to the meetings at my work. I lost 80 pounds over one year's time, mostly by cutting calories. Within a month of reaching my WW goal, I was happily pregnant again. And then all of the weight came back in almost 6 months! I lost some after my son was born, but then I was too busy for "diets". My husband and I decided to have a custom home built that year and two years after that we started our own management company, all the while I was still working full-time as an accountant. To say the least, I felt like I was too busy to exercise or plan meals! By the time I joined GIM I was my heaviest ever, 10 pounds more than when I started WW.

So how did I do it? I would say there were 3 contributing factors that have made my GIM experience successful: People, Nutrition, and Exercise. First I have to say my family, especially Kevin, have supported me at home by taking care of the kids so I can exercise every morning, helping with meals, and just listening to all my struggles and triumphs over the past year. Kevin even joined GIM and was successful in his 9 Week Challenge! (See his awesome before and after pictures on the winner's page.) Then there is Richelle (who ended up coaching me in the 9 Week Challenge) and my workout partner, Lori, who have provided endless encouragement and support. Richelle was there teaching me about good and not so good food choices, explaining to me how to do the exercises with proper form (or how to modify to suit my fitness abilities, or lack there of) and listening to me complain about the food or my aches and pains (and telling me to "deal with it"). Lore was at GIM everyday and would not let me quit. She continues to make sure I am not slacking off by setting up heavy weights or making me kick faster on the bag. Both of them had no doubts that I could do the program and I want to thank them for having faith in me. Of course I also need to metion Mardi and Sandy, owners of GIM. I believe that they truly want to help everyone succeed; they want to get to know you as a person and they set up an environment that is comfortable for anyone to ask for help or advice. They are inspirational and bring such an enthusiasm to the studio everyday. Who wouldn't be motivated by having Sandy or Mardi work out on the bag next to you or hearing them on the speaker telling you to keep going? I also want to mention the instructors and classmates are just fun to be around (especially 5:30 a.m.). Their positive attitudes really make the experience of exercise enjoyable (something I did not believe could be possible). Even though you may be one of many in class, I felt like I had a personal trainer because someone is always around to help and encourage, whether it is Sandy, Mardi, my coach, my workout partner, instructors, or classmates. Nutrition is another key factor contributing to my success. The GIM program teaches you about the importance of balancing protein, carbs, and healthy fat intake, that calories or fat grams are not the only way to "diet, that the quality of the food is just as important as watching the quantity and that this is a lifestyle change. My coach was diligent about reviewing my food journals and giving advice on how to improve them. I would never have believed I could consume less but still feel satisfied and energized. Sometimes the program may seem "restrictive" but cutting the crap food and eating healthy really makes you feel good and it pays off so much faster than any other program I have tried. I have to admit it took a long time to adjust the food - the withdrawals I felt from sugar were tough at first, but then I realized food is not the most important thing in my life. I wanted to feel better, be healthier, live longer, not walk around stuffed into my clothes, hating to decide what to wear to work (will it fit today?), shopping in women's only stores (like the one or two places at the mall). Don't get me wrong - I have not been perfect. I have been back to some old habits over the 10 months, mainly chocolate, cookies, and cake and I even gained weight over Christmas (what can I say, I like to cook and bake). But going to GIM reminds me to keep trying to reach my goals and say "what do I want in my life". It probably helps having people tell me almost every DAY - "Congrats" or "You look great" and even "I didn't recognize you".

Exercise is something I had dreaded and avoided, but the GIM program made me realize it was too important to go without it in my life. The program has variety which helped me from becoming bored. Both the strength training and the kickboxin made me feel empowered. There is something about beating up a bag that relieves stress and improves mood. I found the program tought at first, even felt like crying because I couldn't do it, but in my head was my coach "just modify" or "you can do anything for 10 seconds". I think the point is I was there and I should try my best and eventually it will be better. It is challenging but isn't that the point? If you want results it should be challenging! I think about how my 2 week goal was to do a single sit-up andnow I can crank them out with a 20 pound weight on my chest. Sandy and Mardi have told me that intense workouts and good/clean eating will get me where I want and keep me there. These words have proven true because not only have I reached my 100 pound goal but I am successfully maintaining a healthy weight by continuing to exercise at GIM and eating clean.

I would not have expected in 10 months time I would be in the best shape of my life. Thanks GIM!

WOW! If you are looking for a fantastic fitness program that is fun, in additon to having a supportive and friendly atmosphere, this is the one! Sandy and Mardi are great and they call every member by name. The coaches encourage you to set personal fitness and diet goals as you progress through the 9 Week Challenge. The coaches review your food journals and provide suggestions on your food choices. The coaches have team meetings so that you meet other participants and discuss your goals, obstacles, and progress. Everyone encourages each other. The instructors help you with the correct exercise form and push you to be your best.

Goals in Motion has been the best gift I could have ever given myself. Good health is one of the most important aspects of a person's life. To date, I am the oldest person to sign up and finisth the challenge. I set a personal goal to greatly improve my strength, flexibility, and balance. I accomplished that and much more!!!

Sandy was encouraging from the first day I walked into the studio and inquired about the class. I was wondering if someone my age was capable of taking these classes. I was encouraged to give it a weeks try to see if I would like the classes and to see if I was able to to perform the exercises and kickboxing. Well, I started the next week and never looked back. I signed up to start the challenge 3 weeks early as I knew I needed additional time to work on proper form. I improved in every aspect of the program----push ups, sit ups, body comp, sit and reach, and I also lost 10 pounds. I feel so much better and have more energy.

Many members have belonged to other fitness programs. However, they sing the praises of Goals in Motion as their favorite exercise program and many members have come back for another 9 Week Challenge or for maintenance.

In February 2007, I turned 50 and felt I was in pretty good shape. But during the past two years, pursuing my addiction to sports car racing, I started becoming dangerously fatigued towards the end of long races. Not a great idea when you are topping 170 mph. I knew that if I wanted to be competitive in racing, it was time to get myself into better shape. And for that I called my good friend Mardi at GIM.

Did I say better shape? What I found after my initial consult with Mardi, I found that I was in terrible shape! I am 5'10" and weighed a little over 200 pounds and my body fat was a staggering 26%!! No wonder I was getting tired. I needed a program to get myself into shape.

Most people dont think sports car racing is much more than driving around a track, and after all, its not that physically demanding driving around town, is it?

The fact is that sports car racing demands that you be in peak physical condition. The G-forces and stresses constantly have your entire body working to stabilize itself. Temperatures inside the car regularly reach over 120F. And with all the safey gear on (drivers suit, helmut, gloves, fire proof underwear) body core temps can hit 103F. Combine that with maintaining a 130-150 heart rate with no rest for up to 21/2 hours, sports car racing can be grueling. As all of these factors take their toll, mental fatigue becomes the major issue. The consequences for a mental mistake can be dangerous if not deadly.

Mardi developed an approach for me that began with personal training 3 days a week. We started off slow and it still nearly killed me. I had a special "dark" place in my heart for bag climbers and grasshoppers. But with Mardi and Sandy's encouragement, I stuck with it and began seeing results. I started losing weight, my body fat dropped, and my recovery time was getting shorter. After 3 months I had lost 20 pounds and dropped my body comp down to 21%. During that time I also managed to compete in a few races and felt an increase in stamina. This really seemed to be working!

After the 3 months, Mardi and Sandy convinced me to sign up for the "CHALLENGE." Piece of cake, I thought. After all, I had been "training" for 3 months, right? WRONG! The CHALLENGE was a challenge! I modified my diet drastically, I worked out 6 days a week instead of 3 days, and I drank lots of water. After a few weeks, I found I actually WANTED to go work out, I didn't hurt too much anymore, I felt better, and water started tasting, well, GOOD.

At the end of the CHALLENGE, I had lost a grand total of 35 pounds and dropped over 11% body fat. My ability to perform on the track greatly increased. I can drive at "limit" for hours now and feel great when I get out of the race car. In the late stages of a race, now I'M the one who is doing the passing, not the other way around.

It's been 1 1/2 years since I first started going to GIM and I have to say it is the single best thing I have ever done for myself. I continue to work out at GIM almost every day and my performance on the track has continued to improve. I feel better, have more energy, and can see myself racing competitively for years to come.

I have exercised all my adult life, off and on that is. I would go to a gym for a while but never see any significant changes and then lose interest. I never pushed myself, when it got too difficult I would slow down, I didn't want to strain myself. Well, I can't explain what possessed me to even join GIM but I used the 6 Day Free Pass that the studio offers and I thought I was going to have a heart attack the first day. By day 3 I had an epiphany, thanks to two people I didn't know my life was going to change, my health was going to improve, and I was going to feel good about myself for the first time in a very long time. WIth the encouragement of these two people, I not only met my goals, I surpassed them. I was a 51 year old woman that kept telling myself "you don't look that bad for your age, just accept yourself the way you are." Thank goodness I didn't listen to myself. It still is not easy to see myself in a bathing suit but I so want other women to realize that you don't have to accept yourself the way you are. Your old self is in there waiting to get out. Whenever you are ready to make the commitment and the two people I have been talking about are there to do that. They are the owners of Goals in Motion and two of the most inspirational, genuine people I have ever met. They are Mardi and Sandy and I hope they know how much their caring support sets them apart from other fitness centers and how many lives they have made so much better. I am living proof!!

Height 5'4" ~ Age 40 ~ Weight 268 lbs (Oct. 2007, Initial Weight for GIM 9 Week Challenge)

As of Jan. 2008, Laurie had lost 50 lbs and continues to reach for new goals!!!!!!

My name is Laurie Scieszinski and I am a 40 year old wife and mother of three children.

My story goes as follows…..

My weight became an issue during my teenage years. I tried many fad diets, but never really learned how to eat healthy-only starvation and binge eating. I was a high school athlete and cheerleader, but never learned the importance of consistent exercise. At the time of my wedding in 1989 I was a size 14 and within 3 years, I was wearing a size 18. The next 7 years were my child-bearing years. The day I delivered my second son, I weighed 292 (and I am only 5” 4”). After he was born, my husband and I went on the infamous Atkins Diet, I lost 72 lbs. in 6 months, only to gain it almost all back -sound familiar?. I can’t count the number of times I joined and quit Weight Watchers, Weigh Down workshops or tried other weight loss plans. I tried personal trainers and different fitness classes at the YMCA. With no real accountability, I was getting no where in my quest for a strong, lean, healthy body.

When I joined GIM in October 2007, I weighed 268 lbs. I felt very intimidated and scared to sign up for the 9 week challenge. I really didn’t know if I could make it through one class, let alone 9 weeks. The night before the initial testing, I was so nervous I could hardly sleep.

After the first week I had a lot of muscle soreness (which was to be expected) but I also had a lot of pain in my knees. I addressed this with Mardi(my coach) and Sandy and they spent “one on one” time with me going over correct form on many different exercises and also encouraged me to see my doctor so I could “nip it in the bud” with some physical therapy. Through this time period (the first couple of weeks) I had many doubts about my self and whether I had the strength and/or the abilities to finish this program.

Mardi and Sandy and the rest of the staff were so encouraging and supportive from the beginning. They worked with me and “my abilities” from the beginning and continue to encourage me and push me out of my comfort zone on a daily basis…always looking to help me reach my next goal.

I have also been extremely impressed with the friendliness and support I have received from many of my workout partners. It would have been so easy for them to “mind their own business” and leave the “fat lady” alone to figure it out on my own. I am thankful to Hannah, Natalie, Sharon, and Joni for keeping me laughing when things were hard.

The food journaling was very helpful in that it was exactly the accountability that I needed. Learning to eat every 3-4 hours instead of the standard 8 am, noon and 6 pm, and making sure I was getting enough water and a good balance of protein, carbs, healthy fats and fiber contributed to much of my success. I had a lot to learn about nutrition, my normal diet consisted of way too much processed foods and not nearly enough whole foods or protein. Also, I was used to eating out at restaurants or at school sporting events-where very few things pass the GIM standards. I had to learn to plan, plan, and prepare food ahead of time. The only thing I had going for me was that I was not a coffee or pop drinker and I was used to drinking a lot of water. I will always be grateful to Mardi who put up with incomplete journals and excuses that I knew in my heart were just that, excuses. She has an unbelievable way of telling you what you need to hear in a caring, but very truthful way…this is a rare and refreshing quality.

Within nine weeks, I “lost” 36 lbs and in return, “gained” a great deal of self confidence! I did things in my nine week challenge that I never thought I would ever be able to do and that has been very empowering in itself. It has been fun to hear from others that they don’t even recognize me now…..even my own mother walked by me and didn’t know it was me!

Goals In Motion has helped me make many positive changes…. I have established real balance in my life and I am proud of the role model I am becoming for my husband, kids and others.

I joined the GIM maintenance program in December 2007 ………and on January 10, 2008, I hit the 50lbs weight loss mark….this was a huge day for me!