Archive for the ‘Kudos’ Category

Linda S. – August 2011 Bootcamper of the Month!

We’re starting a Bootcamper of the Month on our blog today!  Every month we will feature a NEW bootcamper and include a video or write-up about them!

…And who better to start it off with than Linda S., from our Mountain View Fit Body Boot Camp!!

Linda has been training with us for over one year, doing a combination of bootcamp training and at-home personal training with Roy and her BFF, Yvonne.

Stepping it up as a true leader in the MV bootcamp, Linda has some wise words here for new bootcampers.  Check out the video!  …And don’t forget to leave your comments for Linda below!!  We are a community…don’t be a silent onlooker!  YOU, our Fit For Life Solutions blog reader, are part of this!!  Thanks!

3 Reasons taking a BEFORE photo gets you to your AFTER photo!

I find most people dread taking before photos, but for some reason, really love to see there BEFORE and AFTER photos! Hmmmmm, imagine that!

Imagine…that’s actually the perfect word for our purposes.   You see, without the ability to imagine in your mind what your life will look like and feel like when you’ve reached your goal, you’ve limited your subconscious minds ability to step in and drive you to your goals.

It’s your subconscious mind, not your conscious mind, that shapes and changes your life.   Your subconscious mind controls 96%-98% of your daily habits and behaviors, and your conscious mind only controls 2%- 4%!   It’s no wonder so many of us fail our New Years resolutions goals…they were never embedded into the subconscious mind!

So, if we know that it’s the subconscious that gets us to our goals, what can we do about it?   Well, in terms of fitness, your BEFORE photo is something you can do to get to your ideal body.   Here are 3 reasons why a BEFORE photo helps you get to your AFTER photo!

1) When you take a BEFORE photo, you’ve subconsciously stated that this is the “old me” and you are transitioning into the “new me”.  Making that mental shift from who you were, to where you are going, is the first step in making a change.  When my son found out he was in danger of being held back for poor grades, he told us, that was the “old me” and now I’m the “new me”.  Every time his old patterns crept back in, he was able to recognize them and label them as the “old him” and he was able to correct his course.  Last week he got an “A” in his science and his spelling test!

2) BEFORE photos really help you visualize your after photo.  Actually, here’s something you can do today that is very powerful! Have a trainer or a friend take a BEFORE photo of you and print it out.  Then, find your ideal body in a magazine or on the internet, print it out, then take a cut-out of your face and post it on the picture of your ideal body.  Then post your faux BEFORE and AFTER photo somewhere you’ll see it every day, let’s say…your bathroom mirror or by your bedside.  Visualize the transformation as though it’s already happened every morning and evening.  This is a very powerful way to put your subconscious to work for you!

3) Another reason to take a BEFORE photo is to pay it forward.  After you reach your goals, you’ll be kicking yourself if you never took a BEFORE photo, and the reason is because once you do hit your goals, you’re going to want to share it with others.  Think about how great you feel when at a holiday party you whip out your BEFORE and AFTER photo’s to show your aunt Betty!  And when you inspire someone else you know to get fit by showing them your photos, you create a ripple effect that spreads health and fitness into the world!  Now that’s powerful stuff!

 

 

 

Yelps filtered reviews found!

Did you know we have a 5-Star rating on Yelp? However, they only posted 11 of our 25+ reviews. But now I’ve unlocked the reviews they never posted – see below!!

If you want to see our posted Yelp reviews, go here:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/fit-for-life-solutions-foster-city

 

I just found out how to look at the reviews of our bootcamp that Yelp has filtered out. Yelp likes to filter out reviews because it mostly includes reviewers who are active on Yelp. Here are the reviews they’ve been hiding from the world.

trish W.
San Carlos, CA

1/20/2011
Amazing program.  This is the place to go to see results while working out. Not only will you lose the weight and inches quickly, it is fun at the same time. Forrest and Dan were awesome.  Very friendly, motivating, and make working out a comfortable experience.  You’ll definitely be sore, but it is well worth it.


Brian S.
Fresno, CA

11/3/2010
Best bootcamp/trainer experience ever!  

Let me preface this by saying that I’m a guy who likes to feel fairly ‘macho’ about things, was very active in high school / college sports, have self trained to complete endurance events such as marathons in the past, etc, but this Bootcamp was exactly what I needed to jumpstart myself back to life [i.e. I'm now in my mid-30's, overworked, have kids...am sure you get it].   I had heard about Forest and Roy through a friend who was going to their bootcamp and so my wife and I went to check it out.  

The process and their strategy are amazing, and while they kicked my butt, they did it in a nice way so I kept coming back.   Forest does an oustanding job following up with emails, tips, and both my wife and I felt a very noticable difference in my strength/weight even after just 1 month working their program.  Since then I have used my bootcamp experience (I attended back in Nov and Dec 2009) as a catalyst to get back into shape and have since competed in a number of triathlons and half-marathons.   I’ve probably lost 35+ pounds and feel awesome!

  They also have child care available, and Forest has his own kids, so that part was really convenient.

  I highly recommend the Fit For Life BootCamp and/or using Forest or Roy for personal training.


Julie n.
San Mateo, CA

12/10/2009
I have been working out with Forrest and Roy for almost a year now.  I couldn’t be any happier!  Their support has really gotten me to where I am today.  When I first started I wasn’t sure what I was in for, but I quickly found out!!  I have worked out my whole life and am experienced in a gym, but this was something I never expected! 

Forrest and Roy look at every person individually and challenge them to go beyond their comfort zone.  They found a way to make me bring out the best in myself.  I was on my way to a more healthy body, but Forrest and Roy took me even further than I could have expected to go.  Their encouragement, energy and diversity in activity keeps me coming back for more. I still have more that I want to accomplish, and with the support of Fit for Life, I know that I will be successful.  I have learned more about exercise this past year than I ever did in my 5 years of college training!  

The greatest thing about Fit for Life is that it isn’t just for gym rats, but instead there is something for everyone!!  This is just the place for anyone wondering, “Where do I start?”


S M.
San Carlos, CA

2/13/2009
I have been training with Forrest in a small group setting for about two years.  The routines are always varied and challenging, and he pays close attention to each participant – helping each of us to attain our personal best.  I could now go to the gym on my own and do selected routines; but I much prefer to stay in Forrest’s class, as I know that I get a much better workout with him.  He is very knowledgeable about nutrition and fitness in general.  He is a pleasant and effective communicator, and I read his excellent newsletter faithfully.  He has a great sense of humor.  On a ten point scale, he is an eleven!

NAHLA s.
Foster City, CA

2/11/2009
I’ve known forest for years. He used to be my personal trainer. He’s a wonderful person and trainer. He motivates me to come to the gym. I am so lucky to have him as a trainer.

Koshali P.
San Mateo, CA

2/11/2009
I have known Forest since last 2 christmas.  Me and my daughter joined his bootcamp for getting fit and we sure did.  Forest is a great person and a great trainer.  His training has given my daughter confidence about exercise and training.  Thank you for all your help Forest and his bootcamps with Roy rocks!!!!!!!!

Teri M.
San Mateo, CA

2/11/2009
I’ve been working with Forrest Folin for several years now.  He is an exceptional trainer who not only knows all the “proper” training techniques but he also knows how to consistently motivate clients.  The additional assistance of Roy (also an excellent trainer) has added even more reinforcement to the training program.  I’m in my mid-50′s and go to the training sessions to give myself the extra push that regular exercise classes just don’t seem to give me.  It’s a fun, but challenging – and I like that fact that the boot camp sessions are never monotonous.  Forrest and Roy set up the workouts so that there are different rotations on the various days you attend.  Never a dull moment with these guys!


Amy s.
Foster City, CA

2/11/2009
I love reading the newsletter from Fit for Life.   It’s got great recipes and is a real motivator.

Carl T.
Foster City, CA

2/11/2009
I have dealt with Forrest privately and in small groups over the last few years.  He is very educated in what he knows and how he helps his clients out.  One big item with me is his patience and his willingness to go the extra mile with his clients to ensure they are working out correctly.  I really think the Fit for Life Solutions, boot camps are a great idea and he has partnered up with someone of the same philosophy. Fit for Life Solutions is a solution for any and everyone’s life.  Thanks Forrest and Roy; keep it up.


Deborah W.
San Carlos, CA

2/11/2009
I have worked with Forrest in private training sessions and was so impressed with him.  He knows how to communicate effectively to teach the correct way of learning exercise equipment!!!  I was so impressed with his gentle manner but postive way of reinforcement and encouragement.  My only issue on continuing with the training was my financial situation.  Right now I am trying to save as much as possible in my 401K to hopefully retire some day!!  Then I will join the bootcamp or continue privately with Forrest.
  Debbie in San Carlos.


 

Results! Results! Results!

Every time I talk fitness, I tell people about the many benefits regular training has…especially the training in our boot camp! Benefits like having less stress, feeling more energy, having more stamina are just icing on the cake. Here’s a list some of the many benefits joining a fitness boot camp such as our can provide:

• Variety in your workout, never get bored!
• Drop 1%-3% bodyfat percentage every 6-8 weeks
• Drop pants or dress size every 6-8 weeks
• Get toned!
• Look and feel awesome!
• Get your “Me Time” and get more energy
• Flatten your stomach, lift your butt, and tone your arms
• Get a no-brainer nutrition program, not a diet!
• Get inspired and motivated by surrounding yourself with like-minded people
• Reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease
• Get professional coaching and accountability from certified instructors
• Reduce anxiety and stress
• Become a role model and inspire others!
• Get healthy
• Lose weight and feel great!

Usually, after I’ve told someone about the many benefits of training in our bootcamp, they are intrigued, but they aren’t convinced. The reason they aren’t convinced is that they’ve heard it all before…but they aren’t sure if they can do it. They think it’s for “other people” and they start making excuses in their mind why it won’t work for them…or maybe it will work, but in some far off future that never quite gets here.

Through the years, I’ve found that there is one thing that gets people seeing and believing they can do it, too. I can talk to people until I’m blue in the face, but it still won’t convince someone to take action until they’ve heard from other people like them, who’ve seen success!!

This blog is dedicated to all the bootcampers and people in training who’ve seen success, and continue to motivate and inspire others to live a healthy and fit lifestyle. Here are just a few of the people who’ve seen amazing success from our program, and who inspire others (and inspire me!) on a daily basis:

First, meet Sara! I sometimes call her “Sarah Conner” as in the movie Terminator 2 where Linda Hamilton looks totally ripped and pulls off those bodyweight pull-ups. Our Sara is equally inspiring! Check out this short video!

Next, meet Doug! He’s the male-model for what you can do with dedication and determination! He and his wife Geralynn rock our bootcamp to the core! He’s not 100% to his goal yet, but so far he’s seen great results, and he’s just getting started!

Here’s Amie, our awesome-mom bootcamper from our Mountain View location! Listen to how she lost her “mommy pounds” here:

And how about Julie, who’s is one of the leaders and pioneers of Fit For Life Bootcamp in Foster City. Many people have been inspired by Julie’s story (she lost over 60 lbs in her journey), and she continue’s to maintain her fitness even with her busy-mom schedule!

And there’s Shanon, who completely transformed. She’s lost over 20 lbs, dropped to a size 1, and is now training to be a personal trainer! Way to go, Shanon!!

In fact, there are way too many success stories to list, but here are a few more!

Yvonne, who lost 30 lbs in our Mountain View bootcamp!! She’s been training with us since July 6th, and she is doing great! I saw her this morning and she is just beaming with confidence. Keep it up, Yvonne! (I’ll see if I can get a BEFORE and AFTER photo from her soon!)

…and here’s a picture of Veronica, who got great results from us in less than 3 weeks!

“Fit For Life Bootcamp was amazing!” I was very happy with my results and couldn’t have asked for better trainers. I lost 2% bodyfat and 3 lbs in just 10 days! Would I do this again…heck yeah!!!”

…And here’s a few more!

• Tod Steinfeld from our Foster City boot camp has lost close to 30 lbs and over 5 inches around the waist!
• Linda Segal from our Mountain View location has lost over 15 lbs and 7 inches around the waist! When she first started she could do 35 push ups from her knees, and now she can do over 35 push-ups from her feet!!
• Elaine Eggen lost 4% bodyfat and went from being able to do 130 bicycle crunches in 2 minutes to 220!!
• Leah Naniola lost 27 lbs in just 12 weeks!!!

Here’s a happy bootcamper, Racquele, talking about her experience…

…and of course, one of our most awesome super-stars, Kristen G.!!!

Our boot camps are in Foster City, bordering San Mateo, and we also have a new boot camp in Mountain View. Come check us out! If you’re a San Mateo, Foster City, or Mountain View resident, come join us for a FREE trial week! Just call 650-771-5149 and ask for Forrest!

Please leave your comments below! Your comments fuel my blog, so please leave a comment! Thank-you!!

1st Bootcamp Fitness Assessments of 2010

We’re now through with the first round of fitness assessments for the bootcampers!

Some people were very happy with their results, while others were…discontent.

We have another round of testing coming up tonight, and I’m excited to see those results coming in. Really, this is the first round of testings of the year, so to put things in perspective, this is a baseline test for everybody.

Most people gain about 5 pounds or so over the holidays, and then get depressed when they see their February weigh-in. The reality is that maintaining that weight over the holidays is a good thing! HOWEVER, now is the time to really make it happen and work hard for the March 11th testing coming up!

We’ve already had a few excellent test results come in. The most noteworthy so far is Kristin G., who lost 8 lbs and 1% bodyfat. She lost 3/4 of an inch off her waist and an entire 2 inches off her hips! Great work, Kristin!

I have to say, her success came from not underestimating how important it was to track her food and activity level on a daily basis. Every day she kept a log of how many calories she burned and how much she ate. She also came to every bootcamp class and hiked on the weekends.

I know to many that all this food logging sounds like a lot of work. Here’s what I’ve noticed as a trainer who’s been doing this for close to 10 years. The people that don’t get results find a reason why food logging is too difficult. The people that get great results are the people who will do whatever it takes (within reason, of course) to get to their goal. It’s that simple.

You can’t get there without putting in the work, and that’s why Roy and I are giving you every tool available to be able to get the best results possible.

An excellent tool I’ve found is The Diet Solution by Isabel De Los Rios. If you’ve tried everything and nothing seems to be working, or if you’re seeing results but it’s not happening fast enough, get her nutrition program. I guarantee you will see results if you follow her program.

Whether you go with The Diet Solution or not, you still have to log the foods you eat on a daily basis. I recommend going to www.FitDay.com and opening a free account. Either way YOU HAVE TO PUT IN THE WORK TO SEE THE RESULTS!

So, for the people who didn’t see the results they wanted, use this feeling of discontent to fuel your progress!

“Restlessness is discontent and discontent is the first necessity of progress. Show me a thoroughly satisfied man and I will show you a failure.”

-Thomas Alva Edison

I may sound like a total jerk for saying this, but if you’re feeling bad about your assessments, that’s great!! Why would I say such a hard thing? Because now you’ll take action, NOW YOU’LL MAKE IT HAPPEN!

“If necessity is the mother of invention, discontent is the father of progress”

-David Rockefeller

If you’re discontent with your results, then do something about it! Show the world that you don’t back down for anything. You will make it happen!

Your Trainer For Life,

Forrest Folen

I really value your opinon, please leave a comment below! Thanks!

Fit For Life Bootcamp Amazing Transformation – Shanon Mah

Here’s a testimonial from an amazing client of ours, Shanon Mah. From the beginning of her training, I knew there was a quiet fire burning inside her to make a change, and that she was ready to grow and develop as a person.

Shanon followed our advice to the letter, attended Fit For Life Bootcamp as much as she could week-by-week, and turned in food logs to us weekly. She pushed herself every class and she got involved with the beta version our “Accelerated Bootcamp” program (which we plan to unveil in spring of 2010!), which helped speed up her results.

Thanks Shanon for your hard-work, sacrifices, and for being a true inspiration!

-Forrest and Roy

——————————

BEFORE

AFTER

I used to be a very athletic person, very energetic, and I noticed within the last couple years a big slump, in a rut, and gaining weight. I couldn’t keep up as well with my kids and with the things I like to do. I wanted to do something about it and change it. I thought I’d try something new, that’s when I tried Fit For Life Bootcamp and I loved it, and I’ve continued on since then.

At first it was just about the “me time”, and not getting caught up in being a mom all the time, and then when I started to see results it fueled my desire to set goals for myself.

What I like most about the training, because I’ve tried personal trainers before, was that training in the boot camp was always different. I don’t think I’ve ever done the same routine, and I feel like there is a lot of individual help and a lot of change-ups so your body is always feeling it. Through the week I’ll know, ok, we’ve hit that spot! It’s just exciting to come and know that there is something different that’s going to happen each time.

Actually, I wasn’t expecting to see the kind of results that I did. I came in with expectations of losing 5 lbs and I didn’t even consider body fat % and inches, but when I saw those results come within the first 4 weeks I was amazed! It made me want to drive, go harder and go for bigger results.

Ultimately, I lost 18 lbs, over 7% body fat, over 4 inches off my waist and over 3 inches off my hips. I went from a size 6 to a size 2, which hasn’t been since high school!

A lot of my friends went away over the summer and when they saw me their response was “Oh my god! What have you been doing? I want to do that, too!” My family has noticed the changes as well.

Mentally, my whole attitude in life is so different. My confidence has been raised. I had sunk into a shell for a while, and now I feel I’m coming out of that, and it’s an awesome feeling. It’s more than just physical, it’s also mental.

-Shanon Mah

Foster City Fitness Bootcamp Teams with San Mateo High For Canned Food Drive

(As seen in the Foster City Islander newspaper)

SAN MATEO High School is launching its annual canned food drive in partnership with Samaritan House and Second Harvest Food Bank. In 2005, San Mateo High collected 372,000 pounds of food to set a new Guinness World Records mark.

This year, Fit For Life Solutions in Foster City will be lending a hand…or should we say, a dumbell. When someone brings in one or more cans to donate, they will be given a free week of training at the Fit For Life Bootcamp, Foster City’s premier fat loss and fitness lifestyle boot camp. The free week also comes with a registered dietician-approved nutrition program.

“The kids are amazing,” said Sara Catalli, the school’s activities director. “Many spend long hours in front of grocery stores in the cold to collect food from shoppers.” Forrest Folen and Roy Schuhmacher, the owners of Fit For Life Bootcamp agree. “We think it’s amazing what these kids have done, and we want to help our community in any way we can.”

The dates of the “Catch us if you CAN” food drive are Nov. 20th – Dec. 7th. To participate in the canned food drive and set up a free trial week with Fit For Life Bootcamp, you can bring your canned food to the Foster City Athletic Club at 1159 Chess Dr. in Foster City, CA. The front desk staff can assist you with any questions you may have. You may also call Forrest at 650-771-5149 or visit www.FitForLifeSolutions.com for more information.

The goal is 300,000 lbs of food this year, and every can of food helps. “Hopefully we can get our Foster City/San Mateo community giving to others while at the same time giving themselves the gift of health this year.”

300 Rep Workout – Spartans!!!

We put the bootcampers through another awesome 300 rep workout. The workout of 6 different exercises consisting of a total 300 reps is a killer way to put your strength and endurance to the test.

Special thanks to all who completed it. It wasn’t easy! We had to modify it for several people because some of it was just too difficult. Here is a list of all the people who completed it. We had one person complete it in record time the last time around, so we gave her a more difficult version…and it didn’t even phase her! We’re going to develop a “level 3″ for her next time!

Here are the people who completed the 300, the first 3 are voted top performers (performance based on time, difficulty level, proper technique, and the need to modify exercises), and the rest are listed in no particular order.

1) Kelly Wolf
2) Rachel Ruhl
3) Adelle Knight

Julie N., Lori D., Lakshmi, Diane M., Dorinda P., Lotchana S., Ron (Zandro Luis) G., Chris D., Costa V., Shanti, Debbie W.

Don’t worry, we only do this “300″ workout every few months. And if you haven’t done it yet, you’ll get your chance (the morning bootcampers didn’t get their opportunity yet…but they will…he-he.

I included this video showing some the training of the actors from the movie 300. Although the Fit For Life Bootcamp can be modified to each individuals fitness level, it’s always a challenge. I tip my hat to everyone who steps onto our training floor. This is the real thing. Thanks for all your efforts. The rewards will be well worth it.

-Forrest

Amazing Results in April ’09

The April 2009 Client of the Month is Steve Stirling!

Here’s someone who took his DESIRE, made a COMMITMENT, and applied CONSISTENCY to achieve incredible fitness results!

You have to look at the underlying qualities in order to make a real change.  Personally , I learned how to apply this in my life from studying with my meditation and martial arts Master, Daniel Johnson, founder of the Self Mastery Foundation (visit www.selfmastery.com to learn more about his amazing, life-changing programs).

When Steve first started, I could see it in his eyes, and tell in the enthusiasm in his voice that he was ready to make a real life change.  He had DESIRE, and it burned deep!

However, that desire could have just as easily burnt out, and he could have gone back to the way things were.  Back to the cycle of unhealthy eating habits, back to having low energy, back to feeling sluggish and overweight.

What did he do that made such a big difference in the outcome?

Steve made a COMMITMENT!

Yes, by sitting in the office with me that day in mid-December 2008, and putting down a few hundred bucks for personal training, and filling in the dates to meet with me twice per week on his calendar, Steve made a COMMITMENT!!  That was the big turning point!!

Was it easy?  NO.  Did he just throw his credit card at me and say “sign me up!” NO WAY!

Even with all that burning desire, Steve had to sit down and talk with me for over an hour before he could make up his mind to actually make that COMMITMENT.

That one day in mid-December…that one choice…that one instant…changed his life forever!  Amazing!!

After that, all he had to do was follow through with the CONSISTENCY!

Watch this amazing video to see what happened next…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVOCrfYGNP8

Stay Motivated!  Stay Passionate!  Stay Inspired!

Your Trainer For Life,

Forrest Folen, MCT

February ’09 Bootcamp 2-Week Update

Well…we’ve just completed 2 weeks of our 4-week bootcamp and I have to say I’m very pleased with the results people are getting so far!

It’s amazing what people can do in just 2 weeks when they set their minds to it!

I’ve noticed that everyone has started to dial in their focus, technique, breathing and control on the performance of their exercises.

I’ve had good feedback from several of the new-campers.  They are reporting higher energy levels, and that they are “feeling good”.

I don’t know about you…but in my book, “feeling good” is a big thing. And when one of my bootcampers tell me they’ve been “feeling good”, and they say it with a sparkle in their eye, I can really tell that we are making an impact in their life in a positive way.

Roy and I feel our goal as trainers isn’t simply to get you to take up less space on this planet…although we give 100% effort to helping you get quantifiable results.

Our goal is to bring you, and your life, to a higher level.

Yes…FEELING GOOD. It’s where we should all be!

Your Trainer for Life,
Forrest

Great Job January ’09 Bootcampers!!

We’ve just finished our January ’09 bootcamps and everyone has done a great job!  Many of the bootcampers achieved incredible results in the short, 4-week time frame.

There were several bootcampers that lost 6 or more pounds and 2% or more bodyfat! One bootcamper lost about 10 pounds! Another bootcamper improved her push-ups by 19! We even had a guy (Yes…we’re proud of you Carl), that quit smoking and has completely kick-started his way into the fitness lifestyle!

Want to know the secret to getting the most out of just 4-weeks of time?

1. Set yourself up in an environment that gets you committed and accountable.
2. Give yourself a time frame. You must create a sense of urgency!
3. Don’t give up, even if you mess up. Stay dedicated and recommit every day.
4. Visualize, plan (write it down!), keep a journal. Use the power of your subconscious mind!

Also, don’t forget to have fun. Fitness and healthy living should inspire you.  You want to smile, laugh, and be with other people with a positive frame of mind.

If you need a step-by-step plan, call us and we can e-mail you a program customized specifically for you.

We’re here to help.

Your Trainer for Life,
-Forrest