Get Inspired by Success Stories at PUSH!FIT

My name is Carrie and I’m a mother, wife, grandmother and retired Resource Teacher.  Underneath all these titles was an unfit woman who was diagnosed as pre-diabetic.  I had unhealthy eating habits and was overweight. I felt that walking 30 min several days a week would not only help me lose weight but keep me lean and fit. Hahah, I was fooling myself. I even joined a typical gym thinking that was the answer but after several months on their ‘circuit’ or treadmill, there were no results.

I Joined PUSH!FIT after observing a friend lose weight, lose fat, grow stronger and lean up in just 3 months. The transformation was incredible so I thought “why not”,  I’ll give it 6 months and see what happens.

After 3 months I lost weight, and more importantly my BMI changed dramatically, I was eating healthier and making better choices in my diet. My Doctor was so impressed with the health changes that I went from seeing him monthly to ever 3 months. I felt amazing and started to make other healthier changes in my life 

On top of the nutrition education, coaching and weight in sessions I was working out in small group session 3 x a week. The coaches were amazing as they educated on how to work out properly and literally kicked our butts each session. It was easy to see results when surrounded by training who was available to coach, guide and support you  both with nutrition and the physical workouts 

It’s been over 6 months now and I’ve lost over 30 lbs and maintaining it.  This alone is an amazing accomplishment for me but the biggest change is how I feel, how much energy I have, how healthy I now am. I’m no longer pre-diabetic and my doctors now see me every 6 months. 

To anyone thinking of joining I’d say “do it”. Stop thinking that you can do this on your own. PUSH!FIT has years of experience working with clients for optimal results and you will get those result. 

– Carrie McInnes

What motivated you to join PUSH!FIT?

To be completely honest, a best friend of mine had already joined PUSH!FIT and suggested I do the 90 day Fit and Lean program with her. The studio is about a 35 minute drive for me but I agreed to try this out because I thought my friend was looking for an ally to help her accomplish her goals! Unaware of her true motives, I arrived at PUSH!FIT to complete my orientation and initial body composition. Listening to the results I slowly realized that she was gently telling me that I was overweight and WE needed to do something about it. (I love my friend.) I was nervous about joining because my hips were sore and I was having trouble climbing the stairs in my house. I had torn a muscle a year or two earlier which had limited my activity. As for the rest of my pain – I assumed I was having bone issues. Devastated by my weight and unsure about my physical capability to do anything about it, I drove home in shock and in tears.

Discovering where you`re at physically can be brutal and maybe a little humiliating; the truth is that I was approaching 40 overweight and sore. For me, my independent life was just beginning. I had dreams of travel and adventure on the horizon. I not only wanted to be strong enough to make my dreams a reality, but I wanted to enjoy every minute of it – which meant not using banisters and popping Tylenol. I had given 20 years of my time and money to my family (and I loved it)…but, perhaps it was time to finally admit that I count too: my health counts, my confidence counts, my dreams count.

As instructed, I made a list of what I wanted to accomplish:

• Lose weight (why is this always the go-to for women)
• Improve my strength
• Become healthy

I quickly dried my tears and it occurred to me that my size was clearly not a huge issue for me. Up until now, I was blissfully happy in my size 34 jeans (and slightly overflowing C cup bra) but I knew I was NOT blissful about my sore body. So improving my physical strength became my focus and bounding effortlessly up the stairs in my three-story home became my first goal. In the back of my mind I knew my jean size would reduce over time, but it was not enough to really motivate me to improve my eating habits and hit the gym. Weight loss quickly moved to the bottom of the list.

What results have you achieved since starting your program?

First and foremost, within 12 weeks of joining PUSH!FIT (working out approximately 3-4 times a week) – I was bounding up my stairs like a gazelle! Mission accomplished, it felt amazing and I was hooked! I never want to be weak again. (Incidentally, I lost 13lbs of fat). After the Fit and Lean program ended, I bought a one year membership. Working at my own pace I have continued to build my muscle mass and now that I feel confident about my strength, I have shifted my primary focus to my dietary habits. (I am a gorgeous gazelle now – maybe I do want to show it off a little…). Since I have joined PUSH!FIT I have gained 5lbs of muscle and I have lost 22 lbs. of fat. I can run, jump and climb with my nine year old son…and don`t even get me started on my confidence!

What do I like best:

I love this studio. It is a 100% no judge zone. The guided workouts are fantastic and effective. The trainers are outstanding, encouraging, and they are willing to work with you to achieve your best self…whatever that looks like for you. There is a lot of value in knowing that you are making the most of your time when you are working out. The trainers ensure that you are maximizing your potential and executing the movements correctly to avoid injury. The PUSH!FIT culture is unique. There is a combined focus on physical health, mental health and nutrition – and in my opinion all three are equally important and necessary to reach your goals. The culture extends beyond the trainers and the program. The other members have become some of my greatest supporters!

What would you say to someone on the fence about joining our program?

I don’t believe that I would have accomplished what I have accomplished over the last year on my own in a regular gym. We all have our reasons for deciding not to join and I am not sure what is holding you back, but:

• If it is time – you should be a priority in your own life. You count too.
• If it is health – you have to start somewhere and you are not alone. At times it will be really hard, (you might even swear at your trainer) but I promise you it is worth it.
• If it is money – price is only an issue when there isn’t value. PUSH!FIT is worth every penny. If you can find the money, invest it in yourself.

Join. You will not regret it.

– Courtney White

I wanted to start a fitness program as I had not made a lot of time to exercise consistently since having my son. I was feeling low on energy, I had lost muscle and wanted to get back to my pre-pregnancy shape. In addition to that, I compete on a high level sports team and wanted to be in the best shape possible so I could perform well.

Since joining PUSH!FIT, I have been able to lose inches, body fat and more than 15lbs. I feel toned, strong, healthy, confident and fit. I have surpassed my goals and feel good about myself again.

What I like most about PUSH!FIT is the group training sessions. They are small, the trainers are experienced, friendly, and provide motivation and encouragement. Workouts are planned for you and modifications can be made to suit all levels of fitness or any limitations you may have due to sports injuries etc. The fit and lean program was also beneficial and taught me how to eat even better and balance my meals properly based on my individual needs.

I would definitely recommend coming to PUSH!FIT to achieve any fitness and/or health goals. I have never had such great results or a program that was easy to stick with. It takes dedication and hard work but it’s become a lifestyle for me!

– Jacqueline Harrison

For the past 10 years, I had been consistently putting on a few pounds a year from a love of junk food and too much wine. My clothes size started increasing and everything was getting tighter. The final tipping point was when I saw a picture of myself from the back and actually didn’t know who it was. I knew then that I needed to do something to get back to the me I pictured in my mind.

To date I have lost almost 20 lbs. Although this is great, the big deal is not the pounds, but rather the way I feel and look. I feel healthier, stronger, leaner, more energized, and more motivated than ever to keep going to hit my end goal. I’m happier with myself and the biggest bonus is that none of my pants fit anymore!

As someone who had never set foot in a gym in her life, I needed the trainers to teach me what to do, how to do it, and to make me push harder. Kevin and Christine C. keep me accountable, and are great motivators! The Nutrition program has taught me how to build better meals and overall make healthier choices. Christine L. makes sure I am following through on my goals and helps me refocus whenever I fall off track a little!

For me, there was always the excuse that I didn’t have time or it was not the right time because of travel or whatever else was going on in my life. The truth is, there is no perfect time.

If you really want to succeed, you will find the time!

– Jennifer Marenick

I joined PUSH!FIT on the recommendation of my friends and neighbours, Kathryn and Nathalie, who were already diligent members and in fantastic shape. Prior to joining PUSH!FIT, I felt I was in reasonable health with a normal BMI and using running and skiing as my primary forms of exercise. At first, I didn’t feel like I needed a new fitness routine. However, with age, I was frequently injured with knee and hip issues. After attending a try-out class, I was hooked on the idea.

Looking for a complement to running, PUSH!FIT seemed like a logical choice. What I didn’t realize was how it was the best choice I could make. Joining PUSH!FIT opened my eyes to how to build lean muscle, strengthen joints and reduce injury. Within the first two months, I was shaving time off my runs, skiing harder and feeling stronger. During that time, I decided to try a 28-day HIIT Challenge, losing just over 7% body fat – amazing results. In my opinion, PUSH!FIT’s best features are its efficiency, support, accountability and sense of community.

Efficiency – a high intensity, one hour work out, including warm-up and stretching, all completed before the chaos of getting a family out the door to school and work. . . and easy to fit in at least 3 times a week.

Support – fantastic trainers, who bring a unique perspective to each workout, providing individual feedback on technique and motivation within a workout.

Accountability – you cannot hide at PUSH!FIT. You want to be at work outs and are missed when you’re not there! The body composition analysis and ongoing follow-up keep you going.

Community – the support of fellow health conscious members, each with their own goals, and expert trainers, all looking out for you.

PUSH!FIT has been a great catalyst to taking my fitness up a notch and increasing my awareness of what more can be done!

– Karen Agro

About 10 weeks ago I started with with Christine Line’s team at PUSH!FIT studio. I had signed up for a triathlon in August and while I’d done these types of races before, I hadn’t done one quite this big.

Twice a week I would meet up with Christine Chisholm and she’d work me over. I must say, I was really intimidated at first. Everyone at the gym was so young, fit and buff.

Ten weeks later I’m excited to say that I’ve noticed some significant changes in myself. I’m stronger, I feel better and I pushed myself beyond what I thought I could do. My race is this Saturday. I have to swim 1.5 kms, ride for 40 kms and run for 10 kms. I know I’m ready for this and I have the Christine’s at PUSH!FIT to thank for it!

If you are looking to step outside your comfort zone and achieve a little bit more, give Christine Line a call. She and her team will help you make it happen!

– Lisa Von Massow

Who are you and what do you do? 

Marie Dickie. Retired, volunteer, Grandma, aiming to build and active and productive life in retirement.

What was the problem prior to starting with PUSH!FIT? And how did PUSH!FIT help you fix it/ find a solution? (before and after)

I live with constant low back, neck and nerve pain. I was approaching a milestone birthday and I had slipped into a rut of inactivity which only fuelled the pain. I was feeling blue and desperate to get control of my body and my life. I attended one of Carl Weston’s back clinics and was so impressed with his knowledge that I booked an assessment and signed on for personal training. I’ve been with PUSH!FIT for 4 months and I’m amazed at my progress. I enjoy the hard work required to strengthen my core and the muscles supporting my spine. I’m not pain-free, but my posture and strength have noticeably improved and my mental state is positive and hopeful for my future.

What has been you personal experience with the trainers and the studio?

Carl keeps my personalized program up to date. The trainers are always attentive, supportive and encouraging. They read my signals and know when to push me harder, or back off if I’m experiencing pain.

The studio is well equipped to keep my workouts interesting.
I enjoy and benefit from the group classes especially Body Fix.

What would you say to someone on the fence about joining our program?

I would say “Go for it. You’re worth it; you can do it; and your body and mind will be glad you did it!

– Marie Dickie

What made you decide you wanted/needed to start a program?

My journey started simply from a referral from my Chiropractor. I knew I had to make changes in my life but had not taken the initiative myself and really didn’t know where to start. I had been very active my whole life playing basketball and volleyball but through various injuries over time as well as work and family commitments had moved away from that and become very inactive. I had also joined a gym previously but had very mixed results. I had an assessment done at PUSH!FIT and was shocked at how poor my results were. From there we went through a comprehensive list of options and worked out a training and nutrition program that best met my needs.

What results have you achieved since starting your program?

I have been ecstatic with the results I have achieved so far. I have lost over forty pounds in three months and more importantly my energy levels are through the roof. I feel healthier and stronger than ever and feel confident in my ability to continue to achieve results. I no longer just want to plop down on the couch when I get home from work and feel better able to participate in my family’s lives.

What do you like best about our program/ having a trainer?

The program overall provides a great balance between pushing you along but ensuring it’s at the right pace. The nutrition program does not overwhelm you to start and layers in concepts at a pace that make sense and are sustainable. All trainers are highly qualified, are consistent and make sure your workouts align to your overall goals. They also put a lot of focus into doing things the right way to ensure maximum results and to minimize risk of injury. The trainers also provide great advise on how to navigate through those situations that may have prevented you from achieving your goals in the past whether that be a stressful period at work or simply a long weekend with the guys!

What would you say to someone on the fence about joining our program?

You really need to reflect on what you have done in the past and why it hasn’t worked. This is not just about getting some exercise, it’s about a lifestyle change in a supportive environment that focuses on doing things the right way.

– Matt Martin

What made you decide you wanted/needed to start a program?

I could just image how the conversation might go with my wife if she were to say to me: “Mike, I’ll love you when you are old, I’ll love you when you are bald, I’ll love you if you are fat. But, you don’t have to be all three.” Maybe that would be the nudge I’d need. So before it got to that, I thought I do something about the later.

From the age of 25 to 42, my weight crept up to almost 240lbs. At nearly 6’4” I wouldn’t have been described as “fat” but I certainly felt “Doughy”. I play a few sports, but each year I seemed to get a bit bigger, a bit slower, and a bit weaker. I was getting injured. It was getting more difficult to keep up with my kids on the ice and ski hill. I imagine skiing with my grand kids one day, but I know that If I kept going down this path not only would I be setting a poor example for my 10 and 8 year old, there would be no ski trips with grand kids in our future.

What results have you achieved since starting your program?

Six months ago I could barely do a handful of push-ups, and was carrying too much weight. The good news is, with a decision to do something about it and the right actions, we were able to loop off 30 lbs of fat. In the past few months, and found a muscle or two that had been hiding for a couple of decades. I feel strong, fit and have energy. This outcome was the direct result of the advice, structure and accountability PUSH!FIT Studio provides. Nothing like having a coach kick your but into shape and a community to lean on. Before I started one might have consider me relatively active, playing golf, hockey, and skiing. As it turns out, the old me was a guy who has some sports equipment. I’m proud to admit, the new me is in shape. I’d no longer describe myself as doughy, I’d describe myself as fit and thrilled.

What do you like best about our program/ having a trainer?

I’ve tried to lose weight on my own in the past. This is the first time I had a professional build me a program and a trainer to coach me. Nothing like having a trainer to get you to do, what you know you should do, but don’t want to. I just have to show up and move how they tell me and make better eating decisions. Nothing drastic, little, better decisions on a consistent basis. Most of us know the difference between good food and bad. The right coach makes it work for you. Pretty straight forward, and because I pay for the advice, I do it.

Finally, Time is very valuable to me, so getting the most out of the time you are “building strength and endurance” (I hate exercise, I like to build strength and endurance, sounds cooler), and helping you put the right fuel in your body to you get to your results quickly is key. There is way too much noise available on weight loss, and fitness. I benefited from having a professional to give me something that would work for me, was tailored specifically to my issues and would help me attain my goals. The value of advice is difficult to measure, how do you put a price on Health?

What would you say to someone on the fence about joining our program?

You owe it to yourself to be the best version of you possible. We get one life, I invite you to do what you can to live it well.

– Mike Woods

About 5 years ago, I realized that, although I was an active person, I wasn’t exercising regularly. So I started running and exercising at home but felt I had reached a plateau. My level of fitness was not where I wanted it to be. I joined PUSH!FIT on the recommendation of a friend over 2 years ago and I am so glad I did!

Since joining PUSH!FIT, I have seen significant gains in my strength and overall fitness. I am stronger now than I have ever been. The trainers provide new, high energy workouts that leave me feeling great. I love the small class size because I get a personal trainer-like experience with the social aspect of working out with others. The trainers challenge us to ensure we are working hard. No matter what level you are-everyone gets a great workout.

There are many things that happen to us on a daily basis that are beyond our control. I think focusing on what IS in our control such as making the time to exercise and making healthy choices is very important. If you are thinking about "doing something", PUSH!FIT is a worthwhile investment in yourself. The focus at PUSH!FIT is on healthy living, not just a quick fix. They provide the whole package and they support you all the way!

– Nathalie Desbois

At first I thought I would join PUSH!FIT to just to lose a few pounds and shed some of the baby weight. Little did I know that it would be the beginning of a larger journey! Looking back at the past year, I have to say that being at PUSH!FIT has become more of a personal challenge to find "myself". I think all of us have this inner person that you know is the REAL you. That looks a certain way, and behaves a certain way. Over the years with work, kids, and other commitments I feel like the true me got a bit lost. Exercise has been the one thing I can control and getting stronger and fitter has been the motivation to keep going. Plus it extends into other aspects of my life and makes me feel more balanced.

I am definitely a lot stronger physically and I’m a lot more comfortable wearing sleeveless clothing because my arms are more defined. The best is the boost in confidence in one’s abilities.

I enjoy the fact that class sizes are small and friendly. The group of trainers are wonderful and extremely supportive and each workout is different. You can’t come to these classes and fade into the background. You will get called out to push yourself but in a positive way.

If you are thinking about it the time is NOW not in a few months or a few years. Do this for YOU. You won’t regret it!

– Tara Lad