Fitness Together Georgia

Please join me in congratulating our first Fitness Together Alpharetta, Dunwoody, Norcross Client of The Year, Tim, Schneberger.

We have some VERY dedicated clients in our 3 studios, who impress and inspire me every day, and each of your should be very proud of your accomplishments and committment to a healthy lifestyle.

 

However, we can only have one Client of The Year and for 2009 it is Tim Schneberger. Tim began training with Fitness Together Alpharetta in May 2009. Instead of making small incremental changes, Tim dove in headfirst and made some drastic lifestyle changes. It was past time and he was ready.

When you take in to account missed workouts due to vacation, illness, and other things that keep people from making their appointments, the average Fitness Together client trains 1.85 times per week over the course of a year. Not a great statistic, but it is what it is.

 

Our clients who achieve the best results average 3 times per week. Tim committed to 4 training sessions per week and even more impressively maintained that all the way up until surgery kept him out of action for about 6 weeks.

 

Tim was born with “Champaign” Muscular Dystrophy, a rare form of muscular dystrophy, where the achillis tendon is not long enough and can create difficulty and pain using the legs.

 

Working out the lower body can cause some significant pain, as one could imagine. Tim has never once complained or made excuses. He just says “bring it on” with a smile and positive attitude.

 

Tim had surgery to help correct one of his legs and the doctor’s orders were no workouts for 6 weeks. Tim rested like the doctor told him, but continued to follow his healthy eating program to a T.

 

When Tim’s doctor released him to start working out again, he called Fitness Together immediately from the doctor’s office and was able to schedule an appointment driving straight from the doctor. Tim’s dedication and committment is just as strong now as when he started this journey last year.

I had the opportunity to sit down with Tim and conduct an interview to discover Tim’s secrets to success:

 

Russ Yeager: Hi Tim, Thanks for taking the time to sit down with me. So, what was your reaction when you found out you were client of the year?

Tim Schneberger: Total shock. I don’t know all the other clients. I only know what I do.

Russ: What do you feel your biggest accomplishments have been since working out at Fitness Together?

Tim: I have lost 18 lbs, I am eating much better, building strength, and quit smoking cold turkey for over 6 months now.

Russ: That is pretty modest. Your entire lifestyle is so much healthier now and I an tell the change is permanent. Is there one thing in particular that you are most proud of?

Tim: Making the commitment to just do it and staying with it.

Russ: What have been your biggest challenges? How did you overcome them?

Tim: Having the achillisis tendon extended 4 centemeters in my right leg. All FT trainers have been very accommodating. I have been willing to try anything at least once. If I couldn’t do it we would stop. I think having a “Can do attitude” has made all the difference.

Russ: How important has the coaching from the Fitness Together trainers been during this process?

Tim: I couldn’t have done it without them. No way. They showed me exactly how to do things properly and help me work around my handicap.

Russ: How many days a week do you work out with your trainer?

Tim: Typically 4. I am only able to do 3 right now since I can go full blown legs right now. My trainer actually won’t let me yet. I trust him but I am ready! On my own, I go to physical therapy 3 times a week and do stretches 5 times a day.

Russ: What would you say to people who know they need to make a change, but say they don’t have the time?

Tim: Got time for a movie or a ballgame? Time to have dinner with friends?

You have time to workout. I actually just told some friends I could not go eat with them because I had my workout scheduled. Sometimes it takes sacrifice.

Russ: Has it been difficult to incorporate the nutritional changes into your busy lifestyle?

Tim: No. not at all. That was easy. Once you make the commitment to do it making a change comes naturally. My wife made the changes with me and has lost 23 lbs and 3 pants sizes. It all comes back to that committment.

Russ: That’s awesome! You have done great Tim, what are your biggest goals for 2010?

Tim: Don’t stop, build strength, preach to friends family relatives the importance of living a healthy lifestyle and don’t let anyone else tell me otherwise.

Russ: Thank you Tim for your time, your dedication and hard hard work. You are truly and inspiration to me and all of us at Fitness Together! I wish you the best in 2010!

Thanks for letting us share Tim’s success story with you, Russ. Have a healthy and happy week!

In Good Health!
Russ Yeager
Fitness Together – Alpharetta, Dunwoody, Norcross