Shape It Up Fitness » Testimonials

Healthy Pot-Luck Picnic

Nicole Simonin — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 05:25:23 +0000

Thanks to all the campers who came to our Healthy Pot-Luck Picnic!!!

We had a great workout to start off with and burned off those calories so we could enjoy our picnic!

Over the 1st half or our boot camp season, I have met some incredible women. All the new campers come in with the same look ”what did I get myself into?” and are comparing themselves to other campers …but after a couple classes they become aware that everyone is at a different fitness level and everyone is working at their hardest level. They realize that not everyone is looking at them but focused on what they are doing….and that’s what it’s all about. The S.H.A.P.E. Method is about your personal journey and how you are going to reach your goals. So far we’ve had some personal bests:

from Sharon, who “can’t” run, is now running (and is getting better at it each day!)…

to Sue finally doing a full push-up!…

Liz lifting much heavier weights then she thought she could do….

Pat losing 16 lbs and 3.5% body fat…

Christy shaving 2 minutes off her running time (and slimming down her thighs)…

Mary cut 2 minutes off her running time and accomplishing a 5K…

Tara losing 10 lbs and 6% body fat…

Dawn quitting smoking (YEAH!!!!)…

There is one person who absolutely amazed me this season… I didn’t think this woman was going to make it past week 1. When she first started, she had a lot of questions and was incredibly unsure of herself. After having a couple breakdowns followed by some breakthroughs this woman is a totally different person than the one I met back in March. She is stronger, more determined and more self-confident. She has tackled obstacles along the way and will not give up. She has lost 37lbs and 7% body fat!!! She truly deserves to be recognized for her support to other campers and SIU along with her unwaivering committment to herself….

And our winner of most improved…

Shelle McGovern !!!

These are just a few of the accomplishments of these inspiring women. I am grateful to have such a rewarding job and it’s because of the great campers that attend class. Each camper brings something special to SIU Boot Camp and our boot camp family is growing (and shrinking in inches) everyday!

Thanks for making SIU Boot Camp Special!

Nicole Simonin

If you would like to join our boot camp family click here to request your FREE Trial Class….

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I Am So Glad I Joined Boot Camp

Nicole Simonin — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 10:49:46 +0000

6 weeks ago I knew that I had to do something to lose weight and become more active. After having my hip replaced I became very lazy and I came home from work, after sitting all day, and I would sit on the couch and watch tv and snack. I put on about 20 lbs. What really woke me up was having a blood test done to test my cholesterol level and finding out that I was borderline diabetic. I was determined to get in better shape and change the way my lazy lifestyle was causing other health problems.
After the first couple Shape It Up Boot Camp classes, I thought I was too old to do this. I thought about quitting but I continued to go to class. I was doing a little better each week. Nicole would not let me shortcut any exercise because I was tired. Boot Camp is not easy but after the hour is up, the rest of the day I keep going and I do not think of sitting down or napping like I did a couple months ago.
I looked forward to each class and I tried to do a little more each class. I have more energy every day and I have a new outlook on buying my food and eating food. I have lost 11 pound. I am so glad that I joined the boot camp.
Thank you Nicole for you patience, persistence, and caring.

~Pat Nardella

I Feel Like I’ve Accomplished Something Great!

Nicole Simonin — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 10:48:23 +0000

Before boot camp, I felt hopeless. I had worked out at the gym 5 times a week, met with a trainer once a week for 6 weeks, cut out “white” stuff, reduced the amount of sugary crap I was eating, and lost not a pound. Then I hurt my back but tried to keep exercising. After 8 months of not really exercising, I knew that I needed to start again. I wasn’t happy. I found out about the Shape It Up Boot Camp program at the park and thought my prayers had been answered. This was going to be it! During the first 2 weeks, I was enjoying boot camp so much. I was feeling stronger and I wasn’t feeling as flabby. I loved trying to do everything at class even if I couldn’t do it all. It was great. I love the classes. They are challenging and after every one, I feel like I accomplished something great. That is what kept me coming back. ~ Angie Farls

Shaved Off About 2 Minutes Running Time

Nicole Simonin — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 10:47:15 +0000

When I started the SHAPE program, I was not unhappy with myself but I was not happy either. I felt that I needed to be stronger and weigh a little less in order to be more competitive in the local triathlons. Compared to the other female athletes my age I am pudgy as well as a weak cyclist because I lack power in my legs. I frequently was placing fourth in my age group in a sport that only awards to third place, and I was very frustrated….Once in the SHAPE Boot Camp, I felt like I was getting stronger but I was not convinced that that was going to translate into speed…the food plan was illuminating. After I had to keep track of my food honestly for one week, even I could see where I was making some serious eating errors….[6 Weeks later] I am now at the lowest weight ever in my racing career. I am happier with the way I look and I know that I have to keep this up if I do not want to go right back to my old pudgy running self.

During Boot Camp Christy finished her race 2^nd in her age group and 7^th woman overall! For her 5K run course she had a best time in March of 27:49 during a straight 5K, today I did a 5K split (after the bike and swim) of 26:52. “That improvement is definitely from boot camp classes. Bring on more hill runs!” ~Christy Beal

Christy has shaved almost 2 minutes off her running time in only 6 weeks! Has slimmed down in her thighs and has lost 2% body fat.

Thanks For All Your Support!

Nicole Simonin — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 10:45:18 +0000

For the last few years, I have been trying to keep fairly active…my way of doing this mainly consisted of going to the gym. However, I was NOT happy with the way my body looked or my weight. I wanted to lose about 15 lbs. and really tone up. Also, I wanted a little definition in my arms. The gym was beginning to get a little boring. What attracted me most to the SHAPE program were two things. First, the classes were held outside was intriguing to me – so different than the gym. Also, the idea that I would meet a group of women who are all coming together for a common purpose was interesting to me. I have gained a lot of strength and endurance over the last 6 weeks. I know I’ve improved in my crunches, push-ups and squats. I also ran my first 5K with my son on Mother’s Day and averaged 12 minutes per mile. Before Boot Camp, I was at a 14 minute per mile. This has been a very good program for me and Nicole is very informative which helps to make the program better. Thanks for all of your support.

~Dawn Meloni

Down 28 lbs in 6 Weeks!

Nicole Simonin — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 10:42:47 +0000

“Six weeks ago I was tired all the time, sick, and bloated! I never felt like doing anything and just wanted to curl up and sleep the day away! At that point in time, I was heavier than I had ever been in my life and starting to have many health problems, my knees ached so bad that I could not sleep. I looked like a stuffed walrus and all my clothes were uncomfortable – with the exception of my maternity pants and they were even getting tight! I had finally had enough of feeling depressed and lonely and wanted to make a change – I needed to make a change for myself and for my children. I came to a free class, which was the scariest thing I have done in a long time…I woke up the next morning and realized that I had not only slept all night I had accomplished so much the day before from all the energy I had! That was enough for me, I could hardly wait for the program to begin!…I have currently lost 28 pounds- did you hear me, 28 pounds in 6 weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW! The love handles have shrunk and the butt is getting smaller- WOOOO WHOOO! On Saturday I was able to put on a pair of Capri pants I have not been able to wear in 3 years and they were loose, loose I tell ya!” ~Shelle McGovern

Almost Down 50lbs!

Nicole Simonin — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 02:16:17 +0000

Andrea - Before & After

“I have lost almost 50lbs with Shape It Up Boot Camps!” ~Andrea M.

I Highly Recommend Shape It Up!

Nicole Simonin — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 02:09:13 +0000

Denise K.

“I enrolled in the boot camp to get and stay in shape and also just for the experience. It was fantastic! My legs and arms are firmer, and I have extra room in my slacks. In addition, I am stronger and more energetic. My husband and I love to canoe, but I have always struggled to get my end of the canoe on top of the car. I can now lift my end up and over my head and position it top of the car without any problem! There is so much more camaraderie than in the traditional gym which Nicole encourages.

Nicole is a fantastic instructor providing personalized attention and that extra nudge when needed. She is extremely knowledgeable in both exercise and nutrition, and willingly shares her expertise. Nicole is very diligent in making sure that everyone is exercising correctly and individually modifies exercises as needed. She makes the class fun and interesting by varying the workouts rather than following a set routine as is so often the case with other exercise programs. I never realized that a picnic table was so versatile piece of equipment! I highly recommend Nicole Simonin and Shape It Up boot camps to everyone desiring to develop or enhance a healthily lifestyle.” ~Denise K.

The Extra Push I Needed

Nicole Simonin — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 02:07:28 +0000

Michelle M.

“I chose SIU because I was looking for a way to loose my pregnancy weight and SIU private training allowed me to bring my kids along and was flexible with my schedule. The private sessions were great! I needed someone to give me that extra push that I wouldn’t get at home or in the gym.” Michelle M.

Very Professional

Nicole Simonin — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 02:06:20 +0000

~ Renee ~

“Nicole is very professional and helpful (being a mother of two herself she is very understanding). She has helped me gain energy back and to eat more healthy. The best part of the program was that I was able to bring my kids along. Not only have I benefitted from this program but my husband and kids have too. My energy is up, I am real close to my pre-pregnancy size and I feel all around better. I have worked out at gyms before but this personal training experience has been exceptional! Thank you Nicole and staff of Shape It Up!” ~ Renee A.