Here’s your dose of motivation!

Our Client of the Month for May is…

Excellent job, Barbara Craig-Schniepp! One thing about Barb, she always brings a great attitude and a smile even when out of her comfort zone! We are proud of her!

Barbara Craig-Schniepp, now 70, is a retired teacher of two years.

In planning for her retirement n 2018, it was clear that she would need to replace not only some of the “people contact” of her job but also its physical activity.

“Having watched my late husband grow very weak very quickly due to lack of movement, I’d already determined not to surrender my mobility easily. I also know myself well enough to acknowledge that I wouldn’t stick to any exercise program on my own.”

“Initially, I began meeting weekly with a personal trainer at a large local gym. I was 68 ½ and starting to feel some of the aches and other deficits of aging. It turned out not to be enough regular exercise, and even the best of the young trainers weren’t able to satisfactorily adapt their workouts to both my “advanced” age and my decent physical condition at the same time.”

“A friend (thank you, Claire!) had been going to YPB, so in early 2019 I joined. It has been invaluable.”

One of Barb’s initial goals was to lose 10 pounds. During one of the YPB food challenges, she managed to shed 9 of them, and the challenge introduced her to a few new items, that she still uses regularly – spinach in smoothies, chia seeds, protein powder, & MCT oil.

“All produce small but noticeable benefits in my digestion and energy level. And 4 of those lost pounds stayed off, thanks to YPB.”

In Feb. 2020 Barbara received a diagnosis of arthritis in her lower spine.

“YPB’s Certified Functional Aging Specialist, Juan Guerrero, CPT-FAS, generously met with me to demonstrate specific stretches to strengthen the nearby muscles and thus reduce my pain. My trainers have been quick to offer substitute exercises when my back begins to pinch during a group workout. Again, YPB to the rescue.”

When COVID suspended in-person group training, Barb, along with many others, lost the detailed help, the camaraderie, and the discipline of having to leave their house (which always added positivity their days).

“Training through Zoom provided numerous technical challenges for me. But I persisted. Plus, forced isolation returned me to cooking the bulk of my meals, resulting in healthier eating and the loss of 3 more stubborn pounds.”

“At the same time, the stay-at-home orders took away most of my sources of emotional perspective.(I live alone, and my nearest family is 1500 miles away.)I became severely depressed.”

“Then the April ‘Selfie’ Challenge pushed me outside and walking, two things that I know always help depression, but I’m not sure I could have made myself do it without the competition, even though I didn’t care about the prize.”

“Again, YPB helped me stay sane.”

If you’re new to YPB or new to regular exercise, here’s advice based on Barbara Craig-Schniepp’s personal experience:

“Find and use whatever motivates you personally.”

“Ask YPB staff for help when something isn’t working well for you.”

“Focus on small successes instead of the failure to reach your Big Goal. For Example –“

• “Today’s lunch was 100% healthy and tasty!”
• “My hips didn’t ache at all today!”
• “I just balanced on one foot for 15 seconds without wobbling!”
• “I drank more than 48 ounces of water today!”
• “I walked with my much taller (& consequently faster) neighbor and didn’t get winded!”
  

“Be stubborn. Refuse to give up. Persist. It’s worth it.”

Helping people achieve their goals is the reason we do what we do every day! Thanks for letting us be part of your journey, Barbara!

Are you motivated by Barb’s story? I have a few opening next week to discuss your future YOU and how we might be a part of your journey as well. Here’s a link to 30 minute available appointment times by phone. https://bit.ly/2MaeImtt

Make it a fantastic day!

Success Story: How an Online Training Session Made a Believer Out of Me

I live in a small condo in the middle of a big city, with no room for workout equipment inside.

After the coronavirus hit a few weeks ago, I wanted to keep working out. I’m 56, and I’ve never gone two weeks without going to the gym. I was doubtful when I started hearing about gyms, studios, and trainers offering online workouts. I like weights, room to stretch, and cardio equipment.

Luckily, my city has miles of paths and plenty of beautiful parks right outside my door. And a friend in the fitness industry showed me how easy and effective at-home workouts can be.

Move Your Feet

Instead of driving almost every day to the gym, I started walking in the afternoons. I quickly got up to 4 miles at a pop, every other day.

It was good exercise, of course, and it felt wonderful to be outside and among people.

Seriously – birds were chirping, children were laughing, and the sunshine warmed my soul.

I remembered the physical and psychological benefits of walking. It doesn’t just make us feel good – it’s good for our bodies and it stimulates our minds.

Henry David Thoreau knew this: “The moment my legs begin to move, my thoughts begin to flow.”

Science agrees. In one study, experts found participants who walked more saw an 81 percent rise on a key scale to measure divergent and convergent thinking, the two main components of creative thinking.

Bloom Where You’re Planted

I pushed the coffee table into the corner for my first tentative attempt at a home workout. It was OK, but I needed someone to help me make the most of it.

That’s when I got an email from Drew, a local trainer I’ve known for years but never used. He’s a nice guy with a sterling reputation and a cover-model physique. Plus, he was giving a free week, so I had nothing to lose.

So, on Monday morning, I put my laptop next to the TV, cleared my floor again, and logged on for the session, along with about 10 other people. (Zoom is a snap!) Drew told us to find a couple of cans of food and a heavy book or bottle of detergent, plus a small bench or ottoman.

He then led us through a challenging full-body workout. My heart rate was up. I was sweating. At a few points, I struggled to keep up.

Drew was there with gentle encouragement for me and the others, and I stuck with it – glad at the end that I did.

More Than Enough for Now

I didn’t go for a walk that day, but I’m still going to incorporate it into my routine, along with online workouts at home.

Walking is a great exercise, particularly for other people over 50 and especially now, since we’re all facing challenges to exercise or even just to move our bodies.

Meet the challenge. Between simple walking and the magic of the Internet, I did – and I’m so glad.

As difficult as life can be right now, we all have to take care of ourselves.

We got this, y’all. Stay strong.

When you have a good thing going, make sure you keep it going!  It’s easy to treat exercise or diet like a program that has a beginning or end. What if reaching your first healthy goals were just the beginning of reclaiming your body at 50+ years old?

Wanda Avila is another one of our amazing clients we can’t wait to tell you about.  She was very hesitant to give Your Personal Best Training Studio a try at first, and once she did, she knew we could help her reach her longer-term goals almost immediately.

It’s a great feeling knowing that you are investing in your health not only working with Functional Aging Specialists but also by coming out of isolation and joining a community with similar goals, drive and aging concerns in mind.

“I’ve gained strength, stamina, balance, coordination, a community of friends, and a support group that is with me on my steps to becoming a better me every day.” ​- Wanda, 58

The AWESOME thing about Wanda is that she has tried some of our challenges before but this last one she really came to understand just what it means to put the pieces together.

She was our overall winner for our summer quarterly challenge not only for being a fantastic captain but for losing the most body fat percent, inches, and maintaining her muscle mass!

These are her numbers since joining YPB:

• Body Fat %: lost 6.3%
• Body Fat: lost 21.7 lb.
• Muscle: gained 3lb.
• Waist: lost 3in.

It is essential to know that Wanda didn’t stop as soon as she lost some scale weight, Instead she has continued on with her goals, loves coming to YPB and her workout community.

Wanda works hard, is dedicated, and a great person to workout with because her motivation is encouraging to everyone around her.

“I highly recommend YPB to everyone in the community to join us on becoming stronger, healthier, and feeling the best you can.”

Hear Wanda’s full testimonial here -​ 

Have you ever had a setback when you thought everything was going the right way for you?  Well you’re not the only one, and we’d like for you to meet someone that trusted us enough to help her overcome her bump in the road to reach her personal goals no matter what was trying to set her back.

Gina Hoff is one of the most motivated clients we have.  She is a 68 year old great grandmother who has a number of goals that keep her going.  Not only is she a great grandmother but she also works full time and never misses any of her work out sessions at our studio.  We love her personality, persistence, hard work, dedication and desire to move better, feel better, and age actively.

Her Setback …

Gina had a horrific accident in her home that dislocated her prosthetic hip about four months ago.  She was devastated not only because she would be out of her normal routine but also because   she would be missing her YPB family and would have to wear a hip brace for 3 months.

“I was upset because I knew I wouldn’t be able to go to my group sessions.”

As Functional Aging Specialists; though, we knew how to take care of Gina to make sure she maintained her functionality and range of motion and strength in her hip.  We structured and tailored her functional fitness workout specifically to fit her needs and eventually helped her get back movin’ and groovin’ again.

“They structured the lessons to suit me and in the past three months they’ve gotten me back on track. I’m well again.”

Hear Gina’s full testimonial here – 

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We understand that people have setbacks and things happen in our lives that are out of our control. If you are male or female over 50 and have had a setback we offer FREE consultations with the intent of getting YOU back on your feet and reaching your personal goals as well.

Our Functional Aging workouts are adaptable no matter the exercise or most limitations a person might have.

“YPB can help anyone no matter how old they think they are.  In the long run you’re going to live a lot longer and happier life.” ~ Gina H., 68

It is no secret that people look for all sorts of reasons not to workout or not to come into the studio and give us a try but the time is now.  Do not wait until tomorrow or until you come back from vacation or else something will just get in the way like always.

Lisa’s husband John, finally decided to commit to a program and stick to it and the results have been AMAZING!  They have been married for 13 years and John finally decided to change his diet and commit to working out and what a change he has made.

“My last weigh-in, I weighted 178.  I haven’t weighed that since college.” – John W., 67

He’s lost 5.7 percent body fat, gained 2 pounds of muscle, lost 12 pounds of fat, and lost another 3.75 inches of his waist!  His results have been amazing and it goes to show that if you work hard and are dedicated then you too can have amazing results.

“I never thought I’d break 180.  I could see myself losing ten pounds, but I couldn’t see myself going below 180.”

Not only has his commitment changed him physically but mentally as well!  He has more confidence in himself and more energy throughout the day. He’s even had to get new clothes because his old ones fit him lose now.

Watch John’s Testimonial Here – https://bit.ly/2LvuPZu ​​

The YPB Family!

John would agree that he wouldn’t have done it without the support of Lisa and the YPB community.  The community doesn’t just involve his wife and trainers, it involves his workout partners too, who are pretty much family now.

“The small groups are great and it’s really fun to workout now.  It’s a great place to exercise.” 

Our job as Functional Aging Specialists isn’t to just give you a workout and take care of you. It is also our job to give you an AMAZING experience.  We get you to move better, feel better and age actively. This is all while having a fun and energetic atmosphere at the same time.

As John would say…

“If you’re thinking about it, Go ahead and try it.  It’s really a good thing for your life.” 

55 year old personal training client shares her health and fitness success in ONLY 6 weeks!

Janine has lived in Corpus Christi for about 35 years and we met each other at church during this time. Our youngest daughters are the same age and besides being a long time client, I consider Janine a trusted friend.

A Few Favorite Things

As a recently divorced and empty nester, Janine finds plenty of time to do one of her favorite things … hiking.

In Texas, she takes trips to Lost Maples, Garner State Park and Enchanted Rock at least once a year. The Big Bend Area is on her bucket list and yearly you might find her hiking in Colorado as well as periodically in Northern Michigan.

Last year she took a little different trip that included hiking 4 + weeks in Spain along the “Northern Way” of the Camino de Santiago (Camino del Norte) pilgrimage trail.

Janine has trained off and on at YPB for years to help prepare her for this type of hiking, originally for strength and endurance and most recently to help with balance.

“As I age, my balance is getting much worse and when hiking, on occasion, I find myself on ledges where good balance is critical. I also hike with a pole these days to help assure balance, but appreciate the additional training I receive at YBP.”

Nature photography is also a favorite pastime and a group of us get together to go “photo chasing” once in awhile at area wildlife refuges and anyone is welcome to join us anytime. We manage “meet ups” for photo chasing or just walking out doors for exercise through a private Facebook group called “Walk the Way”

Training at YPB

Janine has trained with us many different ways over the years.

• Private shared with one of her daughters
• Private … that she gave up while going through a divorce process and trying to figure out finances.
• Most recently through small group training that she really enjoys.

“Through all that training though, I wasn’t being as mindful about eating. I know enough about health and fitness to know that diet is about 80% of the process, so I decided to try the Muffin Top Meltdown Challenge to kick start weight loss and learn more about developing a healthy eating lifestyle.

I wasn’t sure how I would feel about the whole competition thing and weekly weigh-ins. Turns out it was just what I needed to begin losing the weight. Whenever I felt like cheating or felt like I was still hungry after eating the day’ planned meals, I would remember my team and the weigh in.

My team and the other teams were wonderful “accountability and support” systems through out the competition. I have been recommending the challenge to friends and will do it again in the future.”

Janine ended up losing 13.55#’s of fat, 3.75″ overall and reduced her body composition over 3%. Stay tuned for our NEXT Muffin Top Meltdown Challenge and be sure to ask Janine to be YOUR team leader!

… a body composition analysis! WHAT?

What is so Smart about SMART Goals?

By Marcia Keener, ACSM Wellness Coach

S          Specific

M        Measurable

A         Action oriented

R         Reasonable

T         Time line

In my last post, I talked about the need to develop the confidence that will help to sustain a behavior change. I introduced the notion of the SMART goal as one method I use with my clients to assist in building confidence in his/her ability to change behavior.  Often clients will jump into a new exercise and/or nutrition program with great enthusiasm, attempting to make significant changes in a short time. While this process may work for some, and even most of us in the short term, it rarely results in long term, sustainable lifestyle changes. SMART goals allow my clients to integrate change into their lives in steps, which allow for greater opportunity for success.

What does a SMART goal look like exactly?

Some would say that a goal stating “I will lose 25 lbs in three weeks” would qualify. It is Specific – 25 lb weight loss. Also Measurable – 25 lbs. It is also Time lined – 3 weeks. However, our goal falls short at this point.

A three week time frame for losing 25 lbs is not Reasonable nor is it Action oriented. This is a goal which would be difficult to reach and would not likely bring success, which builds confidence.   A SMART goal would be: “I will do resistance training with Terry/Melanie two times per week for one hour on M/W from 9:30 am to 10:30 am.” This goal is very Specific. It is Measurable. Action oriented, rather than results oriented. It is also Reasonable and has a very specific Time line.  Paired with a nutrition goal to support this training, the result would be fat loss/muscle gain. Smart?! Yes.

As the current goals are met each week, new goals are established which build on success and establish growing levels of challenge. Contact me to assist you in creating your SMART goals which will support you on your wellness/fitness journey.