Barbara Lewis - Herald Contest Winner

Dear Lou, Barry and Matt:

It has been a gift and a privilege to have had the opportunity to “get healthy” at South Shore Fitness.  Your generous gift of a membership, trainers and a nutritionist, through the Nassau Herald’s “Weight Makeover Contest” has literally changed my life.

I had tried other fitness facilities previously and found them to be geared strictly for the fit!  The trainers were always too busy socializing to take more than a rushed moment to show me how anything worked.  Needless to say, I left, feeling totally out of place and defeated.

But from the moment that I stepeed into South Shore Fitness, your staff made me feel comfortable and at ease.  The staff at the desk is always friendly, smiling and never too busy to greet you and ask you haow everything is going.  They are like this with everyone who checks in a the desk to start their workout.

The Director of Fitness and team leader Sharon, and my trainers; Connie, Tommy, Jen, Matt and Beth made every workout fun and informative.  If laughing burns calories, than I burned thousands laughng with them.  They encouraged me with every session and had me doing things that I would have thought were beyond my capabilities.  They were as commited to changing the way that I looked and felt, as I was.  Their faith in me was remarkable and they made me believe in myself.  George, my nutritionist, taught me that fad diets and starving yourself are not the way to loose weight nor are they the way to good health.  He gave me a new understanding of nutrition and how the body utilized the fuel that we give it.  Instead of starving myself into failure, I now eat for success… and it is working.  I will be forever thankful to these amazing people and to South Shore Fitness for their generosity, and for caring enough about their clients to hire such hard working and well trainedd professionals!

I reached my goal of losing 20 pounds, but the rest was a wonderful surprise.  I lost 16+ inches!!!  I went from a size 18 to a size 14.  And my “make over” is not over yet, it has only just begun.  My next goal…. another 20 pounds!  I will continue to exerdise and eat well, because I have been given the tools by all of you to do so.  It has now become a way of life for me.

When people ask me how much weight that I’ve lost so far, I know that they do not really understand what my journey here at South Shore Fitness has been about.  It has not been strictly about what  I have lost, but more about what I have gained!  I have gained knowledge, energy, strength,. stamina, a sendse of accomplishment, self respect and an all around feeling of well being.

With my whole heart, I thank you all again for this amazing opportunity.  I wish for all of you, the same happiness that you have all given to me.  God bless you all!

Fondly,

Barbara Lewis

Barbara Lewis was the winner of a contest that the Herald ran back in April.  She had to write an essay about why she should be selected as the winner of a three month membership to South Shore Fitness complete with personal training and nutritional counseling. 

Upon learning that she had won the contest, South Shore Fitness assembled a team of trainers to work with her three times a week.  “Barbara’s team” consisted of Jen Brody, Connie Falconieri, Beth Florio, Tommy Florio and Matt Gordon.  This team worked together taking diligent notes and collaborating on her training to produce some amazing results. 

At the end of the 3 1/2 months, Barbara had lost 20 pounds and over 17 inches from all over her body.  She lost 5 inches  in her waist alone!  Not only did Barbara change her body, but she changed her life.  She now incorporates exercise into her daily routine and she looks forward to it everyday.

Barbara’s progess was documented in four articles in the Herald.  We congratulate her for all of her hard work and dedication.  We also congratulate Barbara’s Team of personal trainers for their collaboration in keeping Barbara motivated and teaching her the proper and safe way to exercise.