As a health care professional, working in a pediatric setting, with the weight of 233 Lbs; more I find it more and difficult to work with the children on the floor as I used to do. Getting up from the floor is even more difficult. So, I resulted into using the table mat to work with the kids, instead of using the floor mat. I get the job done, but it’s not as fun as getting down on the floor and play with these kids. Something has to be done. I need to loose weight. After trying to lose the weight on my own, and unsuccessfully, I decided to join a fitness center. I envisioned a center that would give me that one-on-one attention just like “The Biggest Loser”, the weight loss show on the TV. I don’t want a gym full of rows of exercise equipment with nobody attending to me. I might as well use the gym in my apartment complex and continue to do it on my own.

One morning I saw the “Downsize Fitness” advertisement on ABC 13 Morning Blend. Their presentation is similar to what I had envisioned. This is too good to be true, I said to myself. I wrote down the information but I waited for about a month before calling them. Eventually, I called them, I went there and after a free consultation I started the program. Guess what? Within two weeks I went from 233 Lbs down to 225 Lbs. The Downsize Fitness program provides me the one-on-one attention I need from my trainers everyday I go there.

Some of the good aspects of the program are: the trainers assisted in identifying reasons for my weight gain; they go over eating habits and formulate a healthy one; as well as offer a variety of workouts and training. One major aspect of the program is that the trainers are patient and companionate. They did not only tell me what to do, they show me, and get me involved. If you have some pounds to loose, or just need workout to live a healthy lifestyle, this program works. Don’t wait for a month like I did. I wish I called the same day.

J.A., from Las Vegas

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Thank-you Downsize for making it to Chicago with the best concept for a gym ever. My name is Lisa and here is just a little bit about me. At my biggest, I was almost 550lbs. Back in 1998, I had to do something and I underwent Gastric Bypass. The surgery was successful to a point I lost 200lbs in 2 yrs. However, I was stuck there at 350lbs. I have tried so many things and did every diet out there. I have joined gym after gym thinking this would be the one for me. I would go for a while and would feel like I wasn’t making progress and just thought about what all these other people there were thinking. Why is this fat chick here, she isn’t doing anything. I even got a personal trainer at the last gym I belonged too. Once again though felt uncomfortable working out in front of all these fit people. I thought the trainer was there to help me and at the time I believed it. After each workout I was breathing heavier and thought that was a good thing. I got a good workout in. But wasn’t seeing the results I had hoped for. With my severe asthma and bad knees I once again used it as an excuse to not have to go back and face everyone. Then I saw the ad for Downsize, I loved the idea and said well let’s try it one more time. If this isn’t the gym for me then there isn’t one at all. I went into meet Jason and get my assessment and was horrified. I was up to 357 mainly due to months on steroids for my asthma and 2 bad knees, just having surgery on one of them. I looked at that and said that was it. No more. Jason was awesome from that first meeting. He worked with me for 3 weeks before I was due to go in for my second knee surgery. As I was still healing from the first he really had to customize the workout for me. Most of my workout was sitting down and concentrating on just moving and getting stronger. Strange thing was I was starting to feel something, a burn, achy and I was sweating a little. At first I thought, wow was I out of shape. After those three weeks, I had lost 8lbs. I was excited, not as much as I wanted but with the encouragement of Jason he made me understand that I was not on the biggest loser and those results are not typical and I was not doing full-fledged all body workouts. I went for surgery and had to take a break as the recovery on the knee was not as good. But I did not give up. I worked at home a little, not as well as I should have and well there were the holidays and kids were home so there was more kid friendly foods. Yes the evil pasta returned.

After the boys went back to school I started back on Wednesday January 4th and expected to get on the scale and hopefully not gain all the weight back considering i was on the couch most days. To my surprise I lost another 3lbs. I was never so happy. I must have listened to what Jason was telling me and doing it without even realizing it at times. So I’ve been back and I am getting in there with the knee and all and doing what I can. Jason is teaching me how to reuse my body. He had showed me that I do have abs, i was sure they were gone, and we are working on finding the hips. I know they have to be there, just not sure where exactly. But every day I am there I get an actual workout in. I sweat. That means I’m working it good. I go thru about 8 cups of water just during my workout. I use Jason’s words of wisdom, burn or hurt. If it burns he doesn’t care and just work through it but if it hurts then he will adjust. It’s only been a short time back but I can say that Downsize and Jason are changing my life and for the better. I am going to owe them my life one day and not sure how i will ever thank them enough. I am learning how to find my body and think smaller, eat healthier and because of those things I am going to start to enjoy life again. Also the idea of working out with people who are like you is great and motivating. I think I will make lifelong friends there and can’t wait to succeed with all of them. Thanks again and get ready world the smaller healthier Lisa is coming and there will be no stopping her.

L.D., from Chicago