‘Sweating For the Wedding’ …Success Story with DM FITNESS

I’ve been beyond eager to write this blogpost! As a trainer it gets no better than watching your client put in the WORK and see them succeed right before your very eyes.

First! Let’s rewind to last year. Christine reached out to me because she wanted to lose some weight to look and feel her best on her wedding day. What a wonderful goal! She shared with me that she was very active in the past and wanted to get back to that, and BOY WAS SHE EAGER. I was SUPER excited to bring her on as a client with DM FITNESS.

We always joke about our first session together. It was definitely a wake up call (as they usually are).  Initial sessions with me are designed so I can see how the client moves, evaluate strength and mobility, endurance, etc. I pushed her and she pushed right back. She was amazingly coachable and took my training cues like a champ.  I knew from that first session that she was a fighter…and she was determined.

A couple of days later she sent me a text. She was ill and having a hard time adjusting to training. She wasn’t sure if she was able to commit to the physicality of training just yet. I urged her to keep on showing up and to keep doing her best and just see what happens. She agreed and she did just that.

Christine fought many obstacles throughout her training: she dealt with chronic migraines and sleepless nights that can happen from overall soreness in the initial stages of working out. We worked hard and most importantly-she never gave up. She is the prime example of what it takes to succeed at ANYTHING. Show me anyone who has goals and no obstacles-YOU CANT because these people simply do not exist! Everyone has SOMETHING that will try to get in your way of your goals, it’s up to YOU if you will let that defeat you. Christine NEVER let anything defeat her and THAT is why she lost the weight she did and crushed her health and fitness goals. What’s even more amazing is the utter self-confidence she has-she radiates health and beauty as you can see in her ‘after’ pictures. (I say ‘after’ loosely, health and fitness has NO end, it is a new lifetime habit that I instill in my clients)

I’m so proud of you Christine. You made me a better trainer and I’m proud to call you a friend. Whether you know it or not you have inspired many and I’m excited to watch you grow in your athleticism as we continue to train together.

Friends, I’m here to tell you that this success story can be yours as well. Stay teachable-stay hungry for results. The only difference between Christine and you is saying YES. YES I will take charge of my health and change my life. Will it be hard? HECK YES. But will it be worth it? YES!

The sweat, the tears, the soreness, the struggles will all be worth it in the end when you look in the mirror and see the person you’ve always wanted to see staring right back at you. THAT FEELING of seeing your hard work in the mirror is absolutely PRICELESS.

OK! So who’s ready to see some before and after pictures? This is the greatest perk of my “job!” I LIVE for these moments, it is like putting kerosene on my fire. There is truly nothing better than seeing tangible results after so much work put in by a client! ❤

On the left-RIGHT before we started her training program. On the right-1 week before her wedding!

SERIOUSLY YA’LL. Beautiful Bride!!!

CHRISTINE! Seeing you progress this past year has been a delight for me. You have morphed into this powerhouse of a client, there is no stopping you from achieving anything! CONGRATULATIONS on everything, you deserve it! ❤

Please let me know if you have any questions about beginning your success story. 🙂

In Health-Demi

 

Goal Oriented Success *Client Spotlight*

One of my favorite things about what I do is having a client who has a rock solid tangible GOAL in mind, such  as a high school reunion or a wedding. I know these clients will be standouts for me because they have something to work towards and together we both have something to really push for. Whats even BETTER is once they achieve their goal-it’s 99.999999% likely that they will want to keep what they’ve worked so hard for because they look and FEEL so awesome. Plus, by this point it has become a habit and apart of their lifestyle. That right there is the REAL payoff as a trainer!

All this being said-I sure do love a good before and after! I use the term “after” very loosely because in all honesty it really is a PROGRESS picture! It is truly a trainers hope that they keep health and fitness as a life long habit. BUT! Let’s be real here…those side by side pictures to see the progress is so completely motivating and SO MUCH FUN to see because it is a direct reflection of consistency and hard work!

For this blog’s client spot light it goes to none other than Gillian. She came to me with a GOAL of looking and feeling better as a bridesmaid in her friend’s wedding. The first thing I noticed about her is her true willingness to put in the work that was needed to achieve her goals. This is something a trainer can really pick up on literally within the first minute of meeting a client. She was open and ready to make whatever changes she needed to make in her lifestyle as needed and she trained with me 3 times a week, never missing a session. During each session she left it all on the gym floor. She remembered all of my training cues as the sessions went by and she just continuously improved. Not to mention she has a wonderful personality and we had so much fun doing so. This is something I want everyone to know. You can have fun with the process! You are making an investment in yourself so why not? 🙂 I know we did, and I feel like I have a friend who makes me a better trainer because she just gets better. In 3 months she lost lb’s but most importantly lost tons of inches and gained massive self-confidence! Her endurance and strength has massively improved and I couldn’t be prouder! Without further ado…I give you Gillian’s progress pictures!

That right there is the sum of tons of SWEAT AND CONSISTENCY INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE GYM.

Proud of you girl! You LOOK INCREDIBLE! 

As always feel free to reach out to me for anything, results are what I’m after!!!

In Health-Demi

 

Wrapping up the year…

As we go into the New Year many of us are thinking of resolutions, goals, and new beginnings.

Whether you think 2017 was the best year or the worst year, always remember that you are the creator of your own destiny. You have every right to learn from the past. Pain and struggle are our most powerful teachers.

Make your goals concrete! Write them down. Every day try to do something that puts you in the right direction.

If your goal is to be healthy-start with the small goals. Start drinking more water every day. Cut out all empty calories for 4 weeks and see how you feel. Make a point to sweat every day. Load up on veggies and stay away from processed foods. GET BETTER SLEEP. Make your health the absolute priority in everything you do. The sum of all of these small things will lead to great results over time! Stay consistent!

Here are my goals for 2018 in case you wanted to know:

1) Get better sleep

2) Love myself more

3) Read a good book every month

4) Save more money by cooking at home more

5) Donate more time to charity

6) Do something terrifying that I know will make me a better person despite my fear

As always please know I am here for all of your health and fitness needs!

In DM FITNESS news-I have very few spots left for new clients in 2018. If you want to be on my client list, time is of the essence. Contact me to set up your free consultation today. 💪🏼

In Health….and HAPPY NEW YEAR! •2018•

Demi

I love my clients!

This is Jessica-she lost 6 lbs and 4 inches in just 4 weeks! She’s a hard worker and super consistent! She also drives all the way from Columbia to get her training sessions in!

One thing I will forever be grateful for is that I truly love what I do. Sure I get paid for it-but the connections I’m blessed to be able to make with people everyday are PRICELESS. Personal Training is so much more than helping someone lose weight. It includes (but not limited to) helping to instill confidence, better sleep habits, bringing sexy back ;), having enough energy to chase your kids around, getting to really KNOW someone beyond the surface, more energy, better habits overall, etc. I tell clients all the time that it’s ok to be selfish and take care of yourself! In order to serve anyone else in your life you GOTTA HAVE A FULL TANK! Meaning: If you are “running on empty” all the time, you will not be able to serve those around you…your family, friends, etc. Keep your tank full, keep yourself healthy and you’ll feel like you can do anything!

Something I want everyone to know is that I KNOW how hard it can be to hire a personal trainer. You’re paying a lot and putting your trust in (most likely) a complete stranger…and FINGERS CROSSED the relationship works and you can get the results that you want so bad. I also want you to know that I AM THANKFUL for all of you. Thank you for letting me in your life and for being vulnerable. This sort of thing is NEVER overlooked or taken for granted. All of you are an absolute blessing to me. ❤

In Health-Demi

 

Client Spotlight-Greg Pierdon

It’s about that time to start bragging about my clients! 🙂 For this client spot light, it was SUPER easy to pick who I wanted to brag on the most, hence why I am writing about him today. Greg Pierdon came to me representing one of the most successful downtown resturaunts in Charleston, and also my favorite/BEST biergarten around…Bay Street Biergarten. He helps run the show there and has always been super consistent with his training. He RARELY ever misses a session and gives each training session 110%.  It’s amazing to think about where he first started and to where he is now. His strength has drastically improved as well as his endurance. He has kept 20 pounds off for almost a year, and is now packing on the muscle BIG time.  Every time we squat, bench, or do circuit training he literally leaves it all on the floor and does the best he can. Because of that-he completely shocks me about once a month when he goes heavier on certain exercises like his bench and squat. With some dietary changes and his hard work ethic, he has progressed in every facet of his training, and I couldn’t be more proud of him. He is a JOY to work with and he makes me a better trainer by consistently getting stronger and me having to find new ways to challenge him! This kind of challenge is always gladly accepted and I can’t wait to see where his training takes him. GREAT JOB GREG!!!

In Health-Demi

Charleston’s Choice Awards!

I’m SUPER excited to announce that I (DM FITNESS) am on the FINAL voting ballot for BEST PERSONAL TRAINER in the Charleston’s Choice Awards! Presented by The Post and Courier. 😀

I need to preface this by telling you that this business literally means everything to me. This is not just a “job” for myself. I live and breath this business, and I ADORE every single one of my clients. They are NOT numbers to me. They are PEOPLE that I truly care about. Their goals are MY goals, and that is what drives me forward with DM Fitness. My goal is to expand DM FITNESS into the masses, and it starts right here in Charleston, SC! I am truly honored and humbled to be apart of such a vital role in my client’s lives. There really is no better feeling then seeing them get healthier, reach their goals, and most importantly gain the confidence to see themselves the way I see them.

I would be *honored* to win this very prestigious award! A vote is all that is needed by clicking HERE …scroll down to the category of “Personal Trainer” and you will see my business name, “Demi Eliese, DM FITNESS.” Click on VOTE and follow the super easy voting instructions that take less than a minute and you are good to go. THANK YOU SO MUCH IN ADVANCE. Feel free to share with friends and family! 🙂

As always feel free to ask me anything!

In Health-Demi

Demi’s Kitchen Counter

I just wanted to give you a quick sneak peak of what is on my kitchen counter on any given day. The absolute staples are COFFEE, 🙂 , oatmeal, everyday use detox tea, brown rice, bone broth collagen protein, vanilla/almond high protein butter, Super Foods plus, chia and quinoa chips, and my organic chocolate coconut macaroons for my raging chocolate/sweet tooth! 😀

I think it is IMPERATIVE for everyone to be fully “prepared” in a sense for your hunger and nutrition needs. It’s nice that some of it is visible so your brain can SEE what it COULD have if the desire to eat/snack outside of the norm arises (which is different for everyone and changes all the time). Find out what works for you with trial and error and find those products that HEALTH-FULLY meet your need when it arises. Links below to all products. 🙂

Old Fashioned Oats (can be found anywhere)

Brown Rice

Super Food Plus

Bone Broth Collagen Protein Powder

Organic Macaroons; chocolate

Chia and Quinoa tortilla chips

High protein almond/vanilla butter

Traditional Medicinal Detox Tea 

 

As always, feel free to ask me anything!

In Health-Demi

 

Are you putting too much focus on cardio to reach your goals?

Ask yourself:

What are my specific goals?

What am I doing to attain these goals?

Am I just doing cardio “to feel good?” i.e. ‘endorphins’

There are a TON more questions you should be asking yourself-but one thing I do talk a lot to my clients about is NOT overdoing your cardio. It truly does not matter how much weight you want to lose. Anything over 60 minutes a day is counter productive and will lead to overuse injuries, making you more susceptible to colds and upper respiratory infections because your immune system will be compromised from high levels of cortisol. If that sounded foreign to you: just think that when you do too much cardio your body gets stressed out (cortisol is released) and can make you weak in many ways. The repetitive nature of running, elliptical, etc can put pressure on your joints and ultimately cause an injury over time. You may get into the symptoms of over training, which is a legit illness that can last 3 months and it’s only cure is rest.

When you look at your body-think of it like a sculpture. Draw an outline of your body on a piece of paper if you must. Get out a pen and actually draw where you’d like to see improvements that make sense. I.E. narrower waist, rounder glutes, more defined shoulders, etc and add a weight loss goal if needed.

*Fun Fact:  I used to be a cardio addict. It also was the time when my body fat was very high and I had NO muscle definition.  Cardio truly can be an addiction: because we all know that runners “high” is legit. Fear not-you can break that addiction. Remind yourself that weight training does NOT make you bulky (unless you are male and train a certain way).  On the contrary-it shapes your body. Training with resistance makes you strong and injury proof.*

I will use one muscle group as an example here or else this will turn into a book. 🙂 Let’s say one of your goals is to have bigger and rounder glutes. Your plan of attack should include hip thrusts, squats, deadlifts, kickbacks, step ups, lunges, sprints….and about a dozen different varieties of all of these movements. (No matter what the goal-remember not to neglect other areas of your body of course in your training, just train your specific area of interest differently to attain your goal. This is why having a personal trainer is a bonus). Notice ‘sprints’ in bold. If you want bigger and rounder glutes, SPRINTING is your cardio. Along with sprinting on an incline, among MANY other variables. If you do too much steady state long cardio and your goal is bigger and stronger glutes, that cardio will eat that muscle that you are trying so hard to build for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and you will see minimum results.

 All this being said, EVERYONE is different, everyone has different goals, and everyone has different abilities.  Personal trainers that are capable streamline plans for each individual that they are training to make your goals a reality. Also-when you are trying to build any muscle, REST is critical for muscle recovery. If you are hitting that muscle every damn day with some sort of cardio-it will never get a chance to recover and get stronger (GROW), plus you MUST EAT EAT EAT the RIGHT way (usually more FOOD if you make the right choices: again this is why a personal trainer is a fantastic investment) if you want any muscle group to get strong and have some growth.

Now speaking of weight loss-this cardio principle still rings true! If you train INTENSE, add in some HIIT (high intensity interval training), and lift with absolute FERVOR, then your training session is pretty much all you need! In 30 minutes I can train a client and leave them dripping with sweat, which means their heart rate went up, which means THERE WAS A CARDIO ELEMENT to it, therefore they burned calories and will be burning calories long after the session is over (after burn effect) SO IN TURN …. they lose weight over time while getting strong. 🙂

THE MORAL OF THE STORY IS…actually THINK about your goals. Get specific! Do NOT chase skinny! Chase HEALTHY. Chase STRENGTH. Chase FUNCTIONAL FITNESS. You train hard in the gym so you can live with vitality outside of the gym and not injure yourself! Once you get in this MINDSET everything else “magically” falls into place. 😉

More questions? Feel free to contact me for anything. If you live in the Charleston area, I offer my first session at Exemplar Fitness for free. There are always corporate specials, hospital employee discounts, as well as veteran discounts to train with me personally.

I also offer a “Sweating for the Wedding” training package for Brides and/or their bridal party: 3 month and 6 month packages available.

In Health-Demi

Personalized Workout Plans

I personalize all workouts to YOU! Your workout plan will never be the same as anothers, and comes with clear instruction and most of all; a results oriented plan of attack.