Abby's Story

I’ve been training twice a week with Abi for a year now. I had become stuck with my body shape following the birth of my 3rd baby and lockdown weight gain. I no-longer felt able to turn to my usual “fix it” of diet clubs, having become disenfranchised in their long term effectiveness and lack of nutritional wisdom. I have two daughters and I was increasingly nervous that my pattern of “free food”, “on/off plan” eating and the cycle of success, binge, failure was harmful to my onlooking girls.

I had always been anti exercise, I hated sports at school and didn’t find any recreational joy in physical pursuits as an adult. The idea that people would run for any reason other than away from a wild animal was ludicrous to me, and the increasing prevalence of lycra at the school drop off was intimidating and isolating. But I was out of options, I knew I couldn’t choose to lose weight through a diet club again, but I simply didn’t recognise my shape in the mirror any more. I felt low, embarrassed and trapped.

There was however, no way I felt I could exercise publicly, I felt to ashamed of my body,

and my poor fitness. Compounded by the absence of any core strength following three caesareans I was anxious about even walking into a gym type setting let alone trying to move or bounce On and off a step publicly etc.

A PT was the only way I could face exploring exercise. 

Abi’s website was one of the handful I explored having googled “kind female Personal Trainer in Bath”. I read every word or her profile over and over, and despite being intimidated by the photographs of her amazing figure, her smile, kind, logical and gentle intro convinced me to reach out.

Abi asked what my goals were and initially it was to simply be happy walking into Stanza gym with gym wear on and not have a panic attack. It was a low but seemingly impossible goal at the beginning. Abi was gentle, welcoming and relatable. I was shocked to discover I didn’t have to get all red faced and gasping to move my body effectively and begin to tone up. I enjoyed the mental break from the worries of the day, the focus I had to give the movements bought and I enjoyed the endorphin buzz after my sessions. I was beginning to look forward to training - who even was I?!? 

The weight slowly but consistently began to fall away and unlike my previous experience of diet clubs my body shape changed as well, curves became smoother, legs more toned and my confidence began to grow. 

 I began to have more ambitious goals, and believe that I could like my body shape again. I enjoyed seeing my body increasingly do more reps or lift greater weight. I began to believe in it again. 

Abi is warm, understanding and encouraging. She’s been patient with my moaning and believed in me when I’ve not been able to. Her realistic attitude to diet and nutrition has helped me work through unpacking the “sinful” approach I had to eating. Her approachable candour has never left me feeling ashamed to discuss my recent insatiable hunger or desire for chocolate!

I can’t believe that I now enjoy exercising, that training is a key part of my lifestyle. I have found that training with Abi has become a sustainable alternative to using antidepressants to cope with the strains of juggling family and work. 

I stay motivated easily because training with Abi isn’t punishment for enjoying a meal with friends or even credit to permit a cosy takeaway with the hubby (though those things still regularly happen). I’m motivated because I know I will feel better when I walk out following my session with her. Uplifted, energised, proud of myself and calmer. 

I also love the atmosphere of Stanza Fitness and the empowerment of seeing my body gain strength and range it didn’t previously have. I love my redefined figure. But the best thing about training with Abi is Abi: she helped me find myself again, and discover a whole new way of managing my mental health and mood. She’s given me a shape and figure that I’m proud of but that is sustainable even alongside my love of good food and good wine. She’s become a friend and trusted sounding board and I can’t imagine not training with her.