It was about a year ago that I made the decision to step up my self-care and include a regular exercise program. I had already been seeing Jillian for massage for several months and had several conversations with her about eating more healthy and stretching, but I was ready for more. Ready to bring about bigger change. The massage treatments had brought about some temporary relief to my shoulder, neck and back tension. But I was still getting headaches quite regularly and carrying some extra weight that I wanted to be done with.

I made the decision to join a gym and began with taking some of the group exercise classes, a fun and easy way to get started. It was a little humbling to realize how much work I needed to do, but it was a first step. Once I had been there for a short while, Jillian helped me with developing a workout schedule, incorporating my favourite classes, but also devising a plan to help me develop the strength I needed to help me get rid of my frequent headaches. Over time, new programs would come and each time we made a change, I noticed that I had gained not only the skills to accomplish each carefully designed new program, but that my strength was improving and my headaches were gradually becoming less and less. At the start of the new year, Jillian asked me what my fitness goals for the year were. Honestly, I hadnʼt even considered that I needed to set one until she asked me, but I thought about it and said Iʼd like to increase my strength, and I would like to lose about 20 more pounds by my 50th birthday in July. She responded with enthusiasm and gave me hope that it was really possible (despite my hesitancy, as I hadnʼt dared to dream that the weight I had chosen was possible for me again). I had struggled with weight loss several times over my life, but had always stopped short of where I really wanted to go, thinking that I would finish it my own way in my own time.

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Having Jill to guide me in the process was a vital piece of my success. She was there to encourage me, challenge my reservations, and help me believe in myself when I was losing my energy for the process. I know I am the one who did the workouts, and followed the nutritional plan she set out, but the journey would not have happened as quickly or as successfully if I didnʼt have her knowledge of the process and caring support to help. I have discovered that the MOST important part of the transformational journey is the mental adjustments that need to be made, and Jillian was very instrumental in helping me with that. I reached my goal two weeks before my birthday and went on to lose a little more beyond the goal I had set initially!! Since I started at the gym I lost a total of 30 pounds. But I also gained a lot of muscle :) People at the gym remark to me all the time about how I have transformed. I know itʼs true. I know that having Jillian as my personal trainer has made THE difference in my new healthy lifestyle. And the headaches - from 3 per week a year ago, to now - NONE!

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Heather W. (50 years of age)