I was in the gym one afternoon in early 2012. I was in "getfit" mode! What I really wanted was a personal trainer to whip me into shape for my wedding and motivate me to go to the gym. I had hired trainers numerous times before, but had not yet found one in DC. Then, there, on the other side of the gym, was Sean, training another woman who lived in my building. He looked friendly and had an athletic build - a good indicator that he would understand how to coach me, an athletic woman, in toning my muscles and strength training. I told Sean that I wanted toned arms and shoulders and a sculpted, muscular, sexy back. My principal goal was to look fit and fabulous in my wedding gown. Of course, toning and honing the rest of me wouldn't be okay by me too!
After our first session, I could tell Sean knew what he was doing. He definitely had a better sense of how to get me to the body that I wanted than had any of my other trainers. I started working with Sean twice a week, every week. He encouraged me do aerobic exercise on the other days of the week, particularly encouraging the treadmill and elliptical machine. He was always positive and enthusiastic about reaching my fitness goals. His attitude was very motivational!
One month after we started training together, I found my wedding gown. It was strapless, with a fitted bodice, sculpted waist, large skirt, and it dipped down in a "V" shape at the back. While placing the order for my dress, the seamstress took my measurements - waist, chest, hips, thighs. I took a deep breath - I wanted to be smaller and more fit by my wedding day.
Sean and I had our work cut out for us - only a beautifully sculpted back, strong arms, and cut shoulders would do the dress justice. Every day that we met, Sean put me through a rigorous routine of upper and lower body exercises and core strengthening routines. Within a month or so, my balance had improved markedly and exercises that had been difficult and tiring at the start were no longer as challenging. Sean always mixed up the routines, as well, so that my muscles didn't get used to any particular moves. Sean tracked my progress through monthly fitness assessments. These indicated improvement, but my first dress fitting would be the ultimate test.
The women at the bridal shop smiled and gathered around to watch me try on the dress. I was amazed at how much the dress had to be taken in. Since purchasing my dress earlier in the year, my measurements had all gone down by at least one inch! I was thrilled and couldn't take my eyes off the mirror, where I caught glimpses of the increasingly defined muscles on my back, arm and shoulders.
The improvement that I was seeing was an amazing motivator. I ultimately went from a size 8/10 to a size 4/6 for the first time in more than 8 years! rI saw, the more fervent I became in our exercise sessions. I was dropping clothing sizes, ultimately finding myself at a size 4/6 for the first time in at least 8 years, and developing musculature I hadn't seen in ages. Friends and family notice the transformation and I was thrilled!
My husband and I recently received the photos from our wedding. Thank you Sean for giving me the body that I wanted to shine on my wedding day! read more