MY OWN TESTIMONIAL!!!
In this before picture, I am 26 years old, no children and on the YO-YO dieting cycle. I remember having this picture taken. I just finished suffering through another crazy diet so I could wear my bathing suit for this pool party!
Now, at the age of 47 and three children later, I feel healthy, strong and confident!
Marla Arndt
BRIDGETT'S STORY
A few months back I decided to seriously tackle my weight and overall fitness. I had gained a few pounds over each of the last few years leading to a total gain of 12 pounds. That might not seem like a lot but I’m not a very big person so it really impacted how I looked and felt, (at 44 years of age). Worse than that I had become very weak in my upper body and my stomach was becoming the classic “muffin top”.
Thank goodness I found Marla Arndt.
Marla educated me about the incredible importance of proper nutrition for effective nutrition, fat burning and muscle growth. She developed a cardio and most importantly a strength training program suited to my unique needs and changed it up as my body grew fitter and accustomed to the routine.
I have gone from being able to perform only 1standard Push-up 3 months ago to now doing 20 pushups at a time, several times throughout my workout. The 12 pounds I had gained are long gone and the much sought after “Abs” are slowly becoming visible for the first time in my life. Having “Abs” was not a goal I had initially set for myself. I believed this was something far beyond my fitness capabilities – something for 20yr. olds and bathing suit models.
Marla is such a motivator. She is so positive and makes you believe you can achieve even beyond the goals you’ve set for yourself. There is no room for negative self talk with Marla – she just kept telling me, “you can do it – look at how strong you are already” and before long I was telling myself the same thing.
I am so glad I invested in myself and contacted Marla. I definitely needed some professional help to stick with this to a point where the results of my fitness are so obvious that there is no going back…I just want to keep moving forward.
Bridgett
Linda's Success Story
My story is not unlike that of many others I’m sure. I’m a 46-year-old woman. I work in a career where I’m on the move a lot and until relatively recently I didn’t have a lot of interest in fitness. After all, who wants to spend hours in the gym when one can spend hours lounging on the couch and munching delicious snacks after a long work day? I was pretty content with my life in general – I have a great husband, a loving family and an active social life – but as the years rolled on I was growing less and less satisfied with my appearance and my physical abilities were diminishing year over year. It was getting to the point where I could barely get myself off the toilet without reaching for the counter for support. Now how's THAT for an embarrassing admission?
But last September I decided I needed to make some significant changes in my life for a couple of reasons. First, I was getting dressed for an evening out and nothing in my closet fit properly, everything was too tight or too uncomfortable. Here I was an attractive, vivacious, successful woman dressed to go out and looking like a potato sack with a string tied around the middle. For the first time in a long time I took a good hard look at myself in the full-length mirror and I did not like what I saw: a double chin, flabby arms, doughy through the middle and a big flat butt with no shape. Sounds appealing, doesn’t it? But it was a bit of a cathartic moment as the person I always thought I looked like wasn’t the person in the mirror at all. Who was that pasty, flabby middle-aged woman staring back at me?! As well, pretty much every one on my mother's side of the family - my grandmother, my mother, my aunt and uncle – is living with a major heart problem if it hasn't killed them outright. I also lost a sister to a congenital heart defect when she was about 2.5 years old. So let's just say the lifeguard on my gene pool may have been chatting up girls when he should have been watching out for drowning victims. I was also a long-time smoker, first taking it up when I was 16 years old. As I was approaching age 46, with my newly discovered and not-very-appealing appearance and my family history, it began to occur to me (finally some might say) that my lifestyle was perhaps not doing me any favours. So - drum roll please! - on Sept. 1, 2007 I officially gave up my pack-a-day habit with the help of my good friend Nick O. Derm and began to experience life as an ex-smoker. The first week was tough but I got through it by consuming every food and food-like item I could lay my hands on. It was a gastronomic free-for-all and I promised myself I would allow this sort of indulgence for one week only. True to my personal promise I gave myself one week to settle in to the new routine and on Sept. 8 I began to make diet changes. Over the ensuing weeks I began to lose some weight and improve my appearance and feel better but really I was just a thinner version of my flabby self which wasn’t bad but wasn’t great either. So, in November 2007 I started hitting the gym. Honestly, I had to drag myself there at first. There is nothing fun nor motivating about gasping for breath and sore muscles, but I stuck it out and as I began to notice improvements and more weight loss I started to look forward to my workouts. It became easier and easier to commit to a regular workout schedule. This wasn’t so bad after all.
After a few months of going it alone and making good progress, I got stalled. I was not taking off a significant amount of additional weight (although neither was I putting it on, good for me) but if I wanted to continue to move forward I felt it was time to make some additional changes. My husband had pointed out an article written by Marla in our local paper and encouraged me to contact her. Boy, am I ever glad I did! Marla and I hit it off right from the start maybe because we’re about the same age and she truly understands what it’s like to be a middle-aged woman facing years of an increasing waistline and decreasing physical ability even though she clearly does not fall into this category herself! With her help I’ve taken off even more weight and, more importantly, more body fat. I’ve also toned up my muscles to a significant degree and now I have to say without sounding too full of myself I’m beginning to have the arms and shoulders I’ve always dreamed of. I can’t wait to wear tank and halter-style tops whereas I’ve always avoided them like the plague in the past. How awesome is that?!
Marla has been an inspiration to me and I wouldn’t be where I am today without her help. She is extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of physical training, diet and lifestyle changes and she gives advice that is usable and really works. She recognizes that life happens and we need to make choices which work for us individually and in every case she’s right on the money. I’m not done yet and really this change is for life so I know Marla and I will have a relationship for years to come. I’m even thinking about competing in a figure competition in a year or so with Marla’s encouragement. How’s that for a lifestyle change!
After the loss of 40 lbs., 16” and 9% body fat and after being a size 18-20 for years and never having been below a size 14 since high school (and not even then to be entirely truthful) the day I bought my first size 10 outfit was a real day of celebration. And now, several weeks later, I’m heading into size 8 territory. I feel fantastic, I feel like I look fantastic and friends who haven’t seen me in a few months can’t believe the changes. My husband and family are so proud of me and my husband can’t stop buying me beautiful new outfits to wear and showing me off. It’s made all the effort so very worthwhile. What a feeling!
Thanks Marla, Linda
MARK'S STORY
If you have come to the Frameworks Fitness website, you need not look any further. I was referred to Mrs. Arndt’s website by a friend of mine and little did I know at the time, how much my life would change. I have struggled with my weight from early childhood. My weight has been as high as 298 unhealthy pounds to an equally unhealthy low of 128 pounds, and every number in between! I was overweight and unhealthy but it was easier to continue my poor habits than try another attempt at losing the weight I had lost and gained back. I finally took a look at Frameworks Fitness website and was inspired and encouraged that perhaps there was hope for me to make positive changes. I could feel Mrs. Arndt’s sincerity and honesty in wanting to help people make positive healthy lifestyle changes once and for all. I set up an appointment. I was so nervous even a bit scared, but a few minutes into our first meeting she made me feel very comfortable. I started training with Mrs. Arndt in Mid October 2007. I have made great changes since then. I am at a healthy weight and body-fat percentage. I am stronger, confident and finally have lean muscle. I also have the knowledge, guidance, desire and motivation to continue living this healthy lifestyle permanently. Thank you Mrs. M for your continued support and friendship.
Mark Hunt
SUSAN'S STORY
Working out with Marla was not only a lesson in improving my work-out habits and gaining valuable information along the way, but also a lot of fun!! Marla is very knowledgeable about creating an exercise program that fits with your schedule, your lifestyle, and to meet the desired results you want to achieve. For me, my intention was to change my way of doing things, live well, and have a healthy approach to whatever I did...no more quick fixes. Marla is very knowledable when it comes to appropriate workouts to reach the goals you want to accomplish. She will motivate you, support you, push you...and you will see results.
Marla is an amazing role model. She knows how to set goals, works hard to achieve those goals and has enough energy left over to share that wealth with others, no matter what your age, your fitness level or the desired results you want.
Susan Howitt
A LOVELY EMAIL SENT TO ME BY MY CLIENT PREPARING FOR HER FIRST FITNESS MODEL COMPETITION!
Marla, I just wanted to say (and I am more then sure I will repeat it again and again) how much I am appreciating your help. Its amazing how I feel right now. It seems everything is just working out prefectly. I am setting new goals for myself I never even dreamed of, and thanks to you 'things are happening'.. From the day Tania told me about you to now, everything is workiing out and thank you for continually giving me the confidence to feel beautiful and show me how I will succeed. YOU ROCK!!!!
Andrea Mehes
CHERYL'S STORY
I have been in the Fitness industry for over 13 years and have to say that Marla is one of the most focused, enthusiastic and dedicated individuals I have met. Her passion for excellence and desire to push herself to new heights is nothing short of inspirational. Marla's energy and unwavering committment to making healthy lifestyle choices is a true testiment to the fact that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!
Marla is professional, knowledgeable and "walks the talk". If you have been unsuccessful in the past with reaching your goals Marla will work with you to educate and motivate you on your new path to success. Take advantage of the expertise of someone who has struggled with their weight and decided enough is enough. Learn strategies that have transformed Marla literally and figuratively. Her methods are tried, tested and true. All you need is the right direction from someone who understand exactly what you are going through. Marla is the means and the method to change your life.
Cheryl Gandier B.A. C.P.T. CPTN
General Manager
YMCA of Sarnia Lambton
JOSSETTE'S STORY
My name is Josette Deuchers and this remains one of my favourite running stories of all time! I met Marla in 1999 while running with my brother on Sauble Beach. We exchanged the usual runner "hello" and kept on running. We saw Marla again the next day as she was finishing her run. We told her we were also running to the end of the beach that day. What a surprise to see Marla standing waiting for us at the end of our run with two cold bottles of water! We ended up running the following day together, and it is from then that a "running friendship" began. Although we lived in different cities we decided to train for a marathon together! Over the next fall, winter, spring and summer we kept track of each others training via email and telephone. We encouraged each other every step of the way. Marla and I ran the 2000 Scotia Bank Waterfront Marathon proudly wearing our Team in Training shirts, the cause we decided to collect donations for. What a fabulous day and memory! I wasn't surprised in the least when Marla told me she was changing careers and becoming a personal trainer to work in the field she is so passionate about. Now when I am in need of any fitness advice, motivation or support I don't just get in touch with my PERSONAL ON-LINE TRAINER....I call my FRIEND!
Josette Deuchers
STACEY'S STORY
I started training with Marla to hopefully return my body back to
pre-pregnancy shape and more importantly to improve my energy level,
flexibility and strength. In 6 weeks, I have begun to achieve those goals,
but even more astounding, I have finally started to realize that I am
stronger than I thought I was-emotionally and physically. As women we tend
to underestimate our inner and outer strength.....and with Marla's expert
help I have learned to push myself farther than I thought I could! She is a
wonderful listener and a kick-ass (pun TOTALLY intended) trainer all wrapped
up in a very fit, strong, flexible and healthy woman. I hope I look and be
even close to THAT good when I'm in my 40's!
I'm looking forward to the rest of my journey with you Marla!
Stacey