Grace Titioka

"I had always considered myself as a pretty fit and healthy person, even though I went to the gym 4 - 5 times a week and I thought my diet was reasonably good I could never understand why there were no changes to my body and the extra kilos that I had put on whilst living overseas, just didn't seem to come off.  I could do 4 spin classes in a week, and still come out frustrated with the shape of my body. 

Eventually, going to the gym felt like a cumbersome chore.  As work would get more stressful, the more I turned to my vices that I had supposedly "under control".  Soon, it affected my moods and levels of fatigue increased.

Around 18 months ago I met Sandy, she suggested that as my body had been so accustomed to just doing spin classes, it needed variety to challenge it. She suggested resistance training and boxing. 

That Friday morning, I started training. It was a real wake up call, despite considering myself quite active and sporty, I realized Sandy was right.  My body had become so used to the motions and movements of a spin class that when it came to doing different exercises, I became light-headed and slightly nauseous. It didn't take long for me to confirm my next session the following Friday.

Sandy was always mixing the training up - boxing, resistance, strength work.  Every session was full of new and different activities.  Just as I thought I had improved and gotten into "the swing of things", Sandy would introduce a new activity.  Again, my body would feel the challenge.

Then, came the discussion of diet.  Sandy sat me down with a survey and as we went through it in detail, I came to realize what changes needed to be made.   For me, the lesson that I learnt was that I didn't need to take control of my bad eating habits - but to be fully eliminate them.

18 months later, I still think that I have plenty to work on. I believe that maintaining a healthy well-being entails physical, mental and dietary elements.  They all need each other to formulate a healthy, but also a happy person. 

Throughout our trainer/client relationship, Sandy constantly asks me how I'm feeling.  Sandy would always stress that what we were trying to achieve didn't relate back to weight-loss but rather, her questions are focused towards my general well-being.  I now have a better understanding of my body and listening to what it needs (and doesn't need) so that I can be a strong, healthy, resilient and content person."

Euan Thomas

The truth is I was quite sceptical as to how much value I would get from (Personal Training).

My belief prior to starting with Sandy was that as long as I was at the gym myself then it was pretty much the same and I was just saving the expense. The reality is completely different.

Firstly, Sandy was not simply interested in increasing the size of my biceps. Sandy took the time and genuine interest in discussing my lifestyle and my general health. Her consultative approach was at odds to typical trainer's who have simply asked me which area of your body do you want to work on.

Quickly, I discovered through my diet, my approach to food and health, my past history, my current and future lifestyle that Sandy had identified many opportunities for me to improve my overall well being.

Sandy's advice allowed me to make better decisions in my day to day life not simply just my exercise program.

• I now have 80-90% more energy than I did before starting with Sandy.
• I am sleeping the night through and waking up ready for work, not rolling over with exhaustion in the morning.
• My flexibility has improved significantly and reduced pain and interrupted sleep patterns.
• My digestion is now regular and my food and liquid intake instep with my goal to lead a more healthy life.
• My awareness around food types and their effect on my body and behaviour is such that I am in control and getting the best from my food.
• I enjoy the process, learn and have fun, it is not a process I dread, the work-outs are tailored, never repetitive and challenge me.

• Sandy and I focused on building strength in my knees which were weak and causing pain and restricting my physical activity. I could not run for more than a few minutes without pain in my legs and lower back. My knees have now recovered strength and flexibility to the point where I am pain free on the treadmill, bike and cross trainer.
• My overall strength and fitness has improved significantly, no longer am I putting my hand up at touch football seeking consistently to be rested and walks up Mount Ainsley in Canberra have gone from being painful and exhausting to simple and enjoyable bush walks with friends. I just feel so much better.
• My goals were to improve my overall fitness, as you can see from the above, with Sandy's guidance, I have achieved so much more.

Margo Fleisher

Email received 30/05/09:

Dear Sandy

Bernard Nasr

Email received 26/02/11

Before training with Sandy I had been boxing for about 9 years and constantly battled with my body fat and weight. I'd go on extreme diets and extreme training regimes in order to cut and strip the fat off my body. Unfortunately the high levels of training would only last 3 months at a time before I would burn out. It was not sustainable but the only way I knew how to get into shape. But staying there was my biggest challenge.
Since meeting Sandy, I no longer struggle with keeping the fat off and my energy levels are moderate now, and I never feel depleted after training leaving me feeling awesome and ready to do it again the next day. No longer do I spend hours on end in the gym to get results and with healthy sustainable eating which Sandy has taught me, I am able to achieve better results and have now seen the light through Sandy's teachings, that less truly does equal more.
 
Thanks for all your help and keep up the great work.
 
Bernard Nasr

Ben Beadman

Email received 26/02/11:

I had 2 slipped discs in my lower back!

After Sandy was finished with me I'm back surfing, Thai boxing and anything else I want to do!

Can't rate the advice highly enough! Such genuine help, professionalism and service.

I tired everything from Pilate's to Chiropractors and it didn't work. Live 2 Be Well got me back on track.

Can't thank you enough!!

Ben