I stupidly bought a wedding dress that didn’t quite do up with the plan to lose weight, I tried on my own for about 4 months of exercise and ‘healthy’ eating (aka massive portions of low calorie food). I was so deflated when all of my efforts weren’t working and took the plunge to find a personal trainer. I had previously been to a couple of classes that Nancy had taken and thought I’d get in touch. I just needed something to help me start shifting the weight and Nancy was that something.

I was very nervous before my first class with her, petrified of doing the photos and felt very unfit. I didn’t need to feel nervous at all, Nancy immediately put me at ease. She is lovely, so positive and friendly, despite me thinking I was going to collapse during my first session with her, I really enjoyed it.

Motivation wasn’t my problem at all, I had oodles of that with a wedding looming and a dress that didn’t yet fit but direction was what I needed. Nancy was able to guide me with nutrition and exercise advise and the cms dropped off so quickly. I can’t believe how I had struggled so much for months on my own and by the time we did our first set of measurements there had been massive changes. Why did I not do this earlier.

It wasn’t big changes, I didn’t spend any longer in the gym that I previously had been, the difference was what I did when I was there. Nutrition was a huge factor, I had already changed what I had been eating to have ‘healthy’ meals however I didn’t understand calories particularly well (despite being a hospital doctor). My Fitness Pal was so helpful and very easy to use. It just became 2nd nature to log anything when I ate it. Even if I’d had a bad day I would still log it. Nancy never judged any of the choices I made but she would give helpful hints as to how to stay on the right path and with the results I was seeing and feeling it was pretty easy to stay on track. I felt better than I had in years. I knew Nancy was always at the end of a message if I needed help or I was struggling and I knew that her beady eyes would be checking up on My Fitness Pal so it would keep me going.

The one-on-one PT sessions were always very varied and fun and we had a good chance to catch up on life but also nutrition and gym sessions I’d do outside of the PT sessions.

I had a number of obstacles over the 8 months I spent with Nancy, a change in job meant a huge change in routine and not being able to go to the gym before work, I had a 2 exams which meant all of my free time was spent revising and when people suggest ‘fueling the brain’ I would have to make very sensible choices.

I managed to lose and incredible amount of cms and fitted into the dress! I felt amazing on my wedding day and that is thanks to Nancy.

I plan on using the techniques she has taught me to keep me on track and maybe even losing a few more cms.

Jenny Hawkins, face to face PT,  April – Dec 2018

I met Nancy by chance at a Body Pump class at Xcel gym on one of the rare occasions I was able to go on a Saturday morning! I am so glad we bumped into each other! A few years ago, after being a very active youngster I had to have my knee replaced and was told running (my main source of exercise) was a no go. In my stubbornness I decided to stop pretty much all exercise, and after getting a desk job I quickly found myself piling on the weight! Whilst my weight gain was by no means as large as it could’ve been, I went up a dress size, felt sluggish, didn’t have much energy and generally felt down…finding Nancy at that Body Pump class was the best thing that could’ve happened! For the first time I actually enjoyed exercise, the class was so much fun! I decided to sign up to the online training with her, she got me a training program that suited my lifestyle and helped me sort out my nutrition, giving me ideas on quick meals for the nights I get home after 10 which don’t involve supermarket ready meals!

In my 6 months with Nancy, she helped me change my lifestyle. She got me cooking a lot more (Heck sausages are the best) but she also helped me re-find my love for exercise through constant encouragement and a great understanding of what I was trying to achieve and what my limitations were. On days that I didn’t want to exercise, or days when I hadn’t lost weight on the scales, Nancy would encourage me to go, and remind me of my measurements coming down and how it’s not all about the scales, it’s the measurements that count!

My jeans are looser and I now need a smaller belt! But the best thing by far has been re-finding my love for exercise despite an injury. Nancy was able to give me exercises that would not put too much pressure through my knees, and if something hurt she was able to find a workaround! She answered all my questions (and I had a lot!) and made it fun…made me actually want to do it!

Nancy was definitely the friendliest kick up the bum I needed! Got me back on track and now I look forward to my healthier dinners and workouts at the gym! If you’re stuck in a rut and need someone to get you out Nancy is the person!!

Natalie – online training, 7 months, 2017 – 2018