I’ve tried every single weight loss diet and fad -  like I mean everything. I’m always super motivated for the first few days and then it all falls apart for one of several reasons.  Not enough food, way too restrictive, awful side effects and no accountability. So I finally decided to make a change. I decided to meet with Dave to see if I could finally do this weight loss thing the right way.  

Dave made me feel like it was totally possible to reach my goals, all while eating properly, not being totally restrictive and having the occasional cheat (wine) here  and there.  He helped to create a meal plan that worked for me and my lifestyle. The recipes he gave me are amazing and my whole family is enjoying them.  What I like most is the in person accountability.  

We decided it would be best for  Dave and I to meet weekly to see how I was meeting my goals.  So far so good - I have lost body fat and gained muscle in just two weeks!!!  Having a coach to meet with in person is exactly what I need. Our weekly meetings keep me motivated.  

Dave checks in with me regularly as well and answers any questions I have.  I’m more than two weeks in and I’m still super motivated. I’ve already started to unlearn some bad habits, I’m enjoying my meals and I feel very committed to my new lifestyle.

I struggled with my weight for many many years. I tried many rapid weight loss programs only to end up back where I started, because it didn’t address my lifestyle.

I had a strong desire to start and change my life around January 2016. When I joined FirePower I got interested in nutrition but then sometime around the summer I reverted back to my old ways and gained most of the weight that I lost back. I was beginning to feel extremely discouraged, but I decided to give it one more shot. So I started back on the path in January 2017. Karen worked with me to develop a proper nutrition plan and help guide me for the first couple of months to show some early success.

Karen was awesome and helping me get focused and understanding what to eat, and when. I’ve come to understand that it is OK to eat certain foods that might be considered cheating from time to time. Because we have to enjoy life as well. But the main thing I have gained from this was a complete and total lifestyle change. It took me almost 10 full months to lose 34lbs which I believe to be a benefit in maintaining my lifestyle going forward. I’ve increased my muscle mass while reducing my overall body fat.

Nobody does alone. Even the greatest athletes in the world have coaches and advisers. The benefit I got from working with Karen was she kept me accountable, and she was there to answer any questions I had, no matter how insignificant they may seem. 

Rob.

At the end of March, my wife and Alicia and I were up for a change. As 6 year members at Reebok CrossFit FirePower, we recognized we needed a change to significantly improve our quality of life.   We heard great feedback about Karen and the success of the nutrition program so we thought we would venture together and give it a try.

Although we had different goals (myself trying to increase strength and some mass, and Alicia looking to build lean muscle), we were excited to see what our new habits would bring us. 

Karen met us together and carefully carved out specific individual plans to help us achieve our goals. Alicia is the primary cook in the family, so having similar meals while on different plans would be essential. Another challenge is that we each have different workout regimens. Karen recognized this and appropriately designed our meals and made adjustments when necessary.

Within a week, we noticed the increase in energy levels, feeling less bloated and a gradual improvement in our self-confidence.  All of this was made possible by Karen and her resources to ensure we were held accountable through weekly meetings, meal tracking, regular Q&A, measurements and before/after photos. 

Being very green to a new lifestyle was very daunting at first but Karen put us at ease with her relaxed approach and accessibility should we have any questions with any aspect throughout our 5 weeks with her.   She is truly a wealth of knowledge and experience.  She is empathetic to her clients, their needs and their goals and she “walks the walk” with you. Her enthusiasm to help us succeed and her willingness to share her knowledge and resources was invaluable. We look forward to continuing along a healthier path and are truly embracing this lifestyle change and all the benefits we experienced in such a short amount of time.

Within five weeks of being on the program, here’s my experience:

·        Felt my energy increase

·        Felt less bloated

·        Increased in weight and inches

·        Improved my strength (3 personal bests within a 4 week period)

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Alicia’s experience on the program was also very successful and she recognized benefits well beyond her original goal:

·         Sleep patterns improved

·         Headaches and migraines diminished

·         Lost weight and inches

·         Water consumption improved

·         Energy levels increased

·         More time preparing and eating meals together as a family

·         Setting a better example for our son while creating simple, delicious and healthy meal options

·         Feeling comfortable in her own skin and becoming physically confident again

“I cannot adequately put into words how happy I am being me, again.  It’s been a long time since I felt this good, positive and excited.  I didn’t know how poor I allowed my state of “normal” to become until I felt the difference!”  Alicia

We strongly recommend RCFP’s nutrition program to anyone who feels they need a change and are looking to get stronger, fitter and overall lead a healthier lifestyle.  Thank you Karen for all of your time and your work.

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Shawn Smith, Member