Rick:

I have been a member of Anytime Fitness since it opened in 2004. I remember when there were only a few aerobic classes and they were not available every day. During that time I mostly lifted weights. I began to add aerobic classes into my schedule when they were offered every day. I started taking cycle classes and had a lot of fun doing them.
In 2008, I hired personal trainer Nanci Bosick. She introduced me to Plyometric & interval training and encouraged me to eat right, push myself, and stay with the program. I have lost 34 pounds and will continue to work hard even at the age of 61 years old.

Peggy:

My Fitness Journey

In actuality it is my journey to fitness, which started the first part of May, 2011.  I read an article in the Prescott Woman magazine about Leanne Shearer and her success not only as a spin instructor but as owner of Anytime Fitness.  I was inspired by the article and decided to contact her and get some information on the spin program and perhaps joining Anytime Fitness. I must mention that I was also inspired by my daughter who came to visit and is amazingly fit!   Leanne was extremely easy to talk to, explained the program and offered me a two week guest pass to try out the facilities and take a spin class to see if I liked it.  Also in the conversation with Leanne she mentioned a fitness trainer by the name of Rebecca Acoutin whom she said was fabulous and who had trained her and most of the other instructors at Anytime Fitness.  Leanne suggested I talk with Rebecca. 

It was only a few days of using the guest pass and taking Leanne’s spin class (after which I could barely walk for three to four days); I decided on May 13 to join Anytime Fitness.  I signed up for several spin classes until I found one spin class with spin instructor Donna Terry.  The class was perfect, and it seemed to suit me and my fitness level at that time. Donna was very supportive, encouraging, and made me feel at ease as a newcomer to the program.  I really enjoyed spinning, but felt that I needed some additional direction.  It was then that I emailed Rebecca Acoutin.  I met her for a consultation and she explained to me that she could definitely help me, but it was no easy road that I would be traveling.  A lot of hard work, self-discipline and a change of diet were needed, and I had to be willing to take that on.  Right then and there I signed on with Rebecca as my personal trainer and that is when my true journey to fitness began.  Just a side note, on May 13, 2011, I weighed 158 pounds.  I began to train every Monday and Wednesday with Rebecca, spin on Tuesdays and Thursdays with Donna, and do my own workout on Fridays and Saturdays.  The first few weeks were painful to say the least.  I had aches and pains in places I didn’t even know existed.  There were days I would wake up and I could barely get out of bed, but I did and am better for it.  Each day I found myself getting stronger, able to do more of what Rebecca asked of me and yes the pounds were coming off!!  I am proud to say I have never missed a training session!  As the sessions progressed I also came to realize that Rebecca was not only “My Fitness Guru” as I fondly call her, but she became a true friend.  She is an amazing trainer who inspires you and encourages you to push yourself even when you think you don’t have one more ounce of energy to give.  I have accomplished feats that I never thought I could.  I am lifting weights, working on abs, jumping rope, running around buildings and I continue to spin as often as I can.  I am now taking Leanne’s hour spin class, which is also amazing, along with my Tuesday Thursday spin classes with Donna.  Did I mention I am 61 years young?  I have now been in training with Rebecca for a little over two months and I feel fantastic, everybody says I look fabulous.   It is hard for me to believe that I have accomplished so much, but that belief came to reality on August 8th.  I woke up in the morning as I always do at 5:45am and decided to get on the scale, which I do not do on a daily basis. I could not believe it, I was down 23 pounds and I was super excited.  That excitement carried to the gym when I began to workout with Rebecca on the spin bike.  I took one look at Rebecca and my emotions got the best of me and I completely lost it.  Tears began flowing; it was something that I did not expect.  At that moment I realized just how much I really have accomplished, how hard I have been working, and how great I was feeling, and I’m looking pretty good too.  However all the accomplishments, all the hard work, my new “Butt by Rebecca” could not have been done alone.  I owe a great deal to Rebecca.   I composed myself and put more into that day than ever before.  I plan on continuing with Rebecca until the end of August. I still have a few more pounds to shed.  In September I am taking a trip to visit my daughter and son-in-law, my two granddaughters, my best friend and my parents. None of them know I have been on this journey to fitness.  I can’t wait to see the looks on their faces.  When I get back from my trip the first person I will want to see besides my husband and my two pups, is Rebecca and all the great people at Anytime Fitness.  I also plan on continuing the journey, not to fitness, but to stay fit.

Thank you Rebecca, you are “MY FITNESS GURU”, my friend and inspiration.  Also thank you Leanne, Donna and my spin buddies, at ANYTIME FITNESS.

In all sincerity,
The new and improved,
Peggy Vax