Success Stories

Raegan Morgan

Why has Raegan been successful?

Instead of wanting a "quick fix" or "rapid weight loss program", Raegan wanted to loose weight to improve her overall health, the right way. Is there a wrong way? Depends on your goals. If your main goal is to see the numbers on the scale change, and change rapidly, then a very low calorie diet such as Slim Fast, Atkins, Carb Busters, South Beach, or The Zone may be your choice. If your main goals are to loose body fat, tone and strengthen muscles, condition your heart and lungs, and maintain the weight loss after you lose it, you might want to follow Raegan's lead.

Raegan's success is evident in the changes listed in her fitness assessments. She was first evaluated in April, 2005. Her final measurements were taken recently. Raegan has lost more than 15 total inches! Her body fat percentage dropped from an unhealthy 32% to a healthy 25.5%. Her pants size is now a 12, down from a size 16! Her initial body weight was 182 pounds. Raegan now weighs 162 pounds. She has also improved her body mass index number (B.M.I.), her three minute step test score (shows aerobic fitness), hamstring flexibility, shoulder flexibility, and chest strength with pushups.

"Being able to put my wedding ring back on was another important success," Morgan said. Raegan appreciates her husbands attitude toward the positive changes she has made, as well. "I am very happy with the results," she said.

Raegan's workout days are far from over. She continues to set new goals. These include more muscle toning by lifting weights in her basement using dumbbells and a fitness ball, maintaining the twenty pound weight loss and lose about ten more pounds, and decrease her body fat to twenty-two percent. She feels that being a role model for her daughter by teaching and modeling good habits is a big priority.

I will miss working with Raegan regularly because she has been an incredible inspiration to me! I always look forward to the day I get to "graduate" a personal training client. I would like to take credit for her success, but Raegan is the one who put in the real work. She came to me for professional advice and REALLY applied the recommendations to her daily life.

Julie Matern

The client's side:

In May of 2004, I found myself to be in the worst shape of my life. It was time to do something to restore my physical health and I knew I would need some help to do so. I decided to hire a personal trainer and believe that doing so has been essential to my return to a healthier me. My trainer, Tracey Olson, has been instrumental in helping me to articulate realistic fitness goals. She took time to talk with me and knows that I don't particularly like exercising, and that my time is very tight. She designed a fitness program that works for me. She checks in periodically to see how I am progressing and changes my routine so I avoid boredom and derive maximum benefit from my program. On the days I just don't feel like working out I recall her advice to "just do something for at least 10 minutes and see if you can't get past that" which is great advice as I find I always do.

Whether you want to "get back in the game" or change up you current fitness routine, I would highly recommend working with a personal trainer. I consider the time and money to be well spent and know that I have benefited directly from Tracey's expertise.

The Trainer's side:

Julie and I first met in May of 2004. Julie lives in Berthoud with her husband and two children. She works as a preschool teacher. Julie had some very specific goals she wanted help working on when she joined Berthoud Athletic Club and hired me as her trainer. Her goals included:

Program set-up. Julie wanted to know how to safely use our fitness equipment and how to exercise to achieve the most benefit in the shortest amount of time.
Decrease body fat from 33% down to a healthier 25%.
Jump a clothes size from a size ten to a size eight.
Increase energy level and feel more optimism.
Increase muscle tone and definition.
Be able to ride her bike all the way up a steep hill in her neighborhood.

Julie and I worked together to set her up on a progressive fitness program including cardiovascular training to burn excess body fat and condition her heart and lungs, strength training to increase muscle definition and add muscle mass and strength, and a flexibility program. We also worked together to set healthy eating goals to help Julie with her weight loss while also building muscle and maintaining a high-energy-demanding life.

The Results:

Julie has made great effort toward reaching her goals. With consistency, determination and a lot of sweat she has seen some amazing improvements in just six months! Take a look at the measurement comparisons below from May to December.

Measurement May 1, 2004 February 18, 2005

Biceps circumference 12 inches 11 1/4 inches

Forearm 10 inches 9 1/2 inches

Chest 33 1/4 inches 32 inches

Waist 28 3/4 inches 27 1/2 inches

Abdomen 28 3/4 inches 27 1/2 inches

Hips 39 inches 36 3/4 inches

Thigh 22 3/4 inches 21 1/2 inches

Calf 14 1/4 inches 13 3/4 inches

Weight 140 pounds 126 pounds

Percent Body Fat 33.5 percent 24.3 percent

WOW! That is a loss of 8 1/2 total inches, a body weight loss of 14 pounds, and a decrease in body fat of 9.2 percent. Julie is now in the healthy range of body fat for women, 18-25 percent!

Julie has also noticed positive change in her cardiovascular fitness level. She has been able to increase the amount of time she can exercise and she can also work at a higher intensity and therefore burn more calories! She has almost made it to the top of the hill in her neighborhood while riding her bike!

Cheer Julie on as she works on her new goals when you see her at the club...

Stay in the healthy range of body fat through the winter.
Get in 175-200 minutes of cardiovascular exercise each week.
Check in with Tracey occasionally to get fresh ideas for exercise and mix-up her program.
Work on flattening and strengthening lower abs.
Continue to exercise regularly, at least four times each week.

What other clients say:

Tracey is very congenial and well-educated. She applies her knowledge of exercise and weight training to a superb degree. S. Johnson (in-home training client)

Tracey did an excellent job introducing and teaching us the importance of both aerobic exercise and strength training, as well as giving us a better understanding of and great tips for "healthy eating"! It was especially nice to have support and encouragement from other participants who were working on the same of similar goals.

I loved the motto of this class, "if you keep doing what you've been doing, you'll keep getting what you've been getting." I would recommend this class to anyone who wants to start to make a change in their lives whether its loosing weight or just getting into better shape. Step by Step Fitness is a great place to start! K. Felix (Step by Step Weight Loss and Fitness eight week class participant)

Thanks to Tracey I can now keep up with my twin granddaughters. My energy level has more than doubled. I look forward to my sessions with Tracey. She truly cares about my program, keeps my motivated and makes sure I am exercising safely and correctly. P. Morris (in-home training client)

Training with Tracey seemed expensive at first, but not as expensive as shopping for all the new clothes (including a swimming suit) that my new body fits into! B. McGrane, gym training client

As I age I know that exercise can make a big difference in my health and quality of life. Tracey really cares and keeps me motivated to exercise on a regular basis. H. O'Leary