Elaine's story

I first started working with Abi after having my second child about two years ago. I wanted to get fitter and stronger and to be as healthy as possible to look after the small ones. I'd been working out at home using a combination of YouTube HIIT workouts and jogging and whilst I had started to see improvement in my fitness and body shape, I felt like strength training was missing from the mix. I also needed some advice about diet and nutrition.

If I'm totally honest I've always been nervous about gyms... and personal trainers are for famous people, right?! But I also knew I couldn't begin strength training without some help, because injuring myself worried me more than ever now that I had two small ones to keep up with.

A friend had been working with Abi and recommended her to me, as well as Stanza Fitness gym. She told me that the gym is a relaxed place with friendly staff and members where you feel welcomed and accepted, whatever your fitness plans or goals. She said that Abi is 'half personal trainer and half therapist' and she was right. Abi is interested in you as a whole person, so she can best help you in realistic ways which fit into your life on any given day/week/month.

I am not exaggerating at all when I say that I think I am the fittest and strongest I've ever been, even pre-children. I am also slimmer and more 'toned' too. This is down to training but also to having gained a much better understanding of my body's needs in terms of nutrition, as well as my own mind when it comes to food.

Today, I am much happier with my body and I'm impressed with what it can do! I enjoy going to the gym so much and it fits perfectly into my weekly exercise routine, alongside running and pilates. My relationship with food has changed too. There's still work to do for sure but I am slowly learning to trust my brain and my body when it comes to eating a healthy diet, which is sustainable and not full of self-denial.

 I am surprised by how much can be achieved with an effort level which is manageable over a sustained period of time - varying according to how much headspace you can spare for it at any particular time. I am also pleasantly surprised by the changes in my body shape, which I didn’t know were possible. Learning that gyms can be full of friendly faces has also been a welcome surprise!

The accountability of working with Abi helps me a lot - whether that's because I know she'll ask how the week has been or because we're looking especially closely at nutrition at that time. I don't think anyone is motivated 100% of the time, but if I ever find myself a bit lost, Abi is always there with wise words about perspective and ideas to get going again.

Abi and I talk about anything and everything while at the same time working towards my goals in a way which is manageable as well as challenging. Everyone needs a cheerleader to help them on their fitness journey and Abi is always spot-on with her approach.