Dan Sprietzer
I’ve been working with Mark for just over a year now. We first met after one of my workouts when I was told he was going to be running a Nutritional seminar at the gym later in the month. I wasn’t really looking for a personal trainer; I mean honestly who wants to have to pay more for someone to write a work out program when the gym provides that service for free. I was already cycling everyday (back then up to 10 miles at a time…today I ride 20-40 as a casual workout) and I was lifting weights at the gym.
Weight loss was one of my primary focuses and I had already dropped 45 pounds on my own by exercising and improving my diet. But when I talked to Mark that first day, he got really excited to hear about my successes already, and he gave me a glimpse of what we could do together. I have to say that his enthusiasm for my situation made me excited and I knew that I would have to bite the bullet and start working with him.
A bit of history about myself and how I came to work with Mark. A few years prior, I was a fairly successful corporate type who worked in a high-pressure sales environment. What does that equate to, well stress, lots of coffee, fast food, and lots of sitting at a computer (all hunched over like 90% of the people who work at computers do). After 9 years of that, my body decided to tell me it had enough and my back/hip went out on me. I bring this up, because it was a life-changing event that still plagues me to this day. I wasn’t able to sit, let alone stand for more than 15-30 minutes at a time. After seeing a lot of different doctors, physical therapist, and chiropractors one message came through to me…I had to lose weight (I was 285 lbs) and I needed to strengthen my core muscles.
That was a year ago. Since working with Mark, I’ve learned so much more about nutrition (especially when it comes to sugars and the myriad of names they hide in foods as!), and more importantly I’ve learned about my body and what it can do. Mark, has taken in all of my requirements and has slowly built up my workouts to coincide with what my Physical Therapist has me doing to help enhance my recovery. And ultimately, the results are obvious. I’ve lost another 45 lbs while working with Mark, dropped 4 pant sizes, went from a 2XL shirt to a Large, and have actually began to see some toning in my body.
If you want to talk about boosts to my self-confidence? My mother was recently visiting (I hadn’t seen her in over a year) and she just kept saying “If I were to pass you on the street, I don’t think I would recognize you!” Or a good friend told me, “Oh my God! Don’t take this wrong, but you’re SKINNY!” (I’m not sure how I could take that wrong! It’s GREAT!) But the best comments are from my wife of 14 years (I actually weigh 30 lbs less now, than when we met and married!) She’s commented on how defined my back is getting, and how flat my stomach has gotten, and well, a lot of other comments I won’t go into…but they are all great! And I still have another 25-30 lbs that I want to lose to hit my ideal weight.
While I have little doubt that I would have eventually lost the weight, and gained the toning that I have eventually, I know that working with Mark has greatly sped up the process for me. Even though I’m greatly devoted to healthy living, Mark has been there to help me through those hard times and kept me motivated to keep going when even I wasn’t really in the mood to do so.
-Dan Sprietzer
Amanda Wisley
Up until 2 years ago my life involved very poor nutrition, with lots of overeating included, and was very sedentary. I ate a lot of sugar, which I had an urge to have dessert after dinner every night, and couldn’t stand the taste of most healthy foods.
I was around 190 at my peak with probably close to 50% body fat (BF). I decided in June of 2007 that it was time to make a change in my life. I started off on my own just eating less and somewhat better. I would walk my dog 20 minutes, two times a day and a few times a week I would swim at Sport Fit for 30 minutes. I was very dedicated and by the end of 2007 I dropped down to 150 pounds and was at a 32% BF, but had reached a plateau and couldn’t lose any more.
In January I signed up for Sport Fit’s first Biggest Loser competition where I was paired up with Mark Shields. It was this point that really changed my life. I learned so much about the proper and most efficient ways to work out and eat that I started to become much leaner. During the 3 months of the competition I dropped 25 more pounds and final weigh in for May 2008 was 125. I am now close to 120 pounds and under 18% BF, which now puts me in the lean category.
I have worked very had over the year and a half that I started getting serious about changing my life and the incredible results I have achieved are more than worth it. I can do stuff now that I never thought I could. Weight loss is a life style change that you have to commit to for the rest of your life or it just won’t work. There are a lot of myths out there about exercise and nutrition that keep a lot of people from achieving their goals, but Mark helped teach me what to trust and what not to.
Thanks Mark!
Amanda Wisley
Bill after 16 weeks
Not only did Bill lose weight and inches, but his posture greatly improved as well.
Donielle
Hi Mark,
I have to take the time out to thank you for the wonderful programs that you’ve led me on! The results that I have are so rewarding not to mention the compliments and stares that I’ve received. I recently went out dancing to celebrate my cousin’s 31st Birthday. We went out in high style being driven by an Excursion Limo! My sister in law called my husband and said you need to get home now, she is dressed like its summertime and its not and her arms look like Angela Bassett’s arms! I was looking so good, I must say so myself. In fact the limo driver told my cousin that he thought I was cute.
I know that all of this is stemming from how I feel on the inside. My outer appearance is definitely the after fact of what’s most important in maintaining my weight and giving quality time to exercising and keeping healthy. It’s really a lifetime commitment that we have to enter into!
I am so very grateful for your direction, flexibility, and support.
Thankfully More Fit!
Donielle
Bob & Marianne
“We worked out with Mark for several months while our regular trainer was on maternity leave, and then again when she was on vacation. No one else fit the bill! Mark knows exactly what you need physically, and he also fits your personality. My husband is at one fitness level; I’m at another. Mark is able to work with both of us at the same time, giving each of us a great workout. On top of all that my balance has greatly improved while working with him. He’s also got a great sense of humor, which really helps when you’re sweating! We recommend Mark for anyone who wants to get in shape and stay there. You’ll leave your session knowing your muscles have gotten a good workout, but knowing you had a good time, too.”
Curt after only 3 weeks
“I’ve also noticed some changes already. As of yesterday I was a heavy 3 pounds down but I’ve noticed shirts are fitting tighter in my arms. I don’t think that’s my mind playing tricks on me either. I didn’t think anything would be happening this soon. I’ve noticed that I feel a LOT more energetic. Before, I used to feel sluggish in the mornings sitting at work but not now. My mental state is improving from all of this. We go out on the weekends and I have had a general lack of self-esteem. Since I’ve been on this, I’ve felt better about everything. and when we went out Saturday, I had a really good feeling. It must have been outwardly visible because I got drug onto the dance floor, literally, three times. One time by two girls at once. That has never happened. ”
“I went to a wedding this weekend and the bride who I hadn’t seen since before I started said it looked like I was melting away I’d lost so much weight.” – Curt after 9 weeks
Orazio – after only 4 weeks
“My son Daniel (13) started working with Mark a few weeks ago. At the time Daniel couldn’t do any pushups and now is able to crank out 10! The boy is EXCITED! Also, just within the first session Mark was able to shave over 1/2 a second off Daniel’s 40 yd dash time.”
Michelle
“I also see the difference in my clothes. And my muscles are developing nicely. Is that weird? To see such muscle definition already? I’m getting some amazing definition in my shoulders. I love it! This supportive eating is going to be with me for good, it makes me feel worlds better! I tried on a suit that didn’t fit me a couple months ago and it looks awesome! I actually bought it over a year ago and never was able to fit into it. So thank you for your help. I feel awesome! ”
Sharon
“I love it, that’s cool! That I got a muscle (referring to her biceps). People refer to me as the “built” woman, which makes me feel great! I never realized the importance of resistance training and I even eat MORE food now than when we first started.”
John after 4 weeks
“Now when I’m playing tennis, my friends who appear to be more than me are crying uncle and need a break. They just can’t keep up! My cholesterol is down as well as my blood pressure. I have a family history of high cholesterol and my doctor has always kept a close eye on mine as it’s been approaching the 200 mark, while I am approaching the big 50. Now after he’s checked it, he’s not so concerned with it.”
