When I first met Rachel, I was 48 years old and struggling to overcome the effects of corrective heart surgery and a single bypass surgery seven years prior. I believe that part of this struggle was prolonged due to the medications prescribed to help prevent a reoccurrence and felt that I was beginning to slip into a depressive state of mind and physical condition. It was time for some changes.

My wife decided to hire a personal trainer for me as a surprise birthday gift thinking that this would be the best approach to achieving better fitness for me. She then contacted Rachel at Momentum Fitness because she was educated both in fitness and nutrition. After talking with Rachel, she was also happy to find out that the training could take place at home and not at a gym.

My rebound began in May of 2009. We chose to meet at my home once a week to go through a new workout routine for each week. Two weeks before I started, I weighed 219 lbs. I was over 30% body fat, and had a waist measurement of 43" and an abdominal measurement of 45". As Rachel explained to me when we first met, these were all indicators that my health was in a high risk category.

The pounds began to come off within the first four weeks and continued over the course of 36 weeks of weekly training with Rachel and two additional sessions in between on my own. The routines began to progress, and I was able to increase in reps and weights as expected.

After 4 months, my first goal weight of 199 lbs. was reached! I also began to jog on our treadmill for the first time three times weekly up to two miles. I have currently lost an additional 10 lbs. and now weigh 190 lbs., which is 5 lbs. shy of my overall goal. Also, all my prescription drugs have been eliminated as part of changes that I personally felt were needed. My body fat is down to 20%, and I have lost considerable inches in my waist and abdomen: they are now 38" and 39" respectively. This has put me in the healthy range and considerably reduces my risk for other disease.

Losing weight and getting in shape has made me feel better, increased my energy and also improved my sleeping dramatically. I'm thrilled with my continued workout results and am extremely grateful for all of Rachel's help and knowledge not only with exercise training, but with nutritional and dietary recommendations as well.

I must say that I have never been in this great of physical condition in my life, and yes.....life is good with many thanks to Rachel!