Client Contributors

Craig Fisher

I’m 42 this coming June and live in Bexleyheath, Kent in England. I’ve always done some kind of fitness throughout my adult life. I was in the British Army from 1985 until 1996 and although I was never what was termed a “racing snake” I never had any problems passing the required fitness tests every year.

On leaving the Army I became a service engineers for a large security company fixing and repairing Intruder Alarm systems. This entailed long hours of driving between customers properties and meal times became a stop at a road side burger van or nipping into MacDonalds and fitness training took a distant backseat for about 9 years although I did get the bug every now and again but never for long.

In 2005 I decided to do my old Army job of communications but for a private security firm in Afghanistan.

The main turning point in my life came in July 2007 when I was diagnosed as having Angina caused by an 80% blockage of an artery in my chest. Within in a week I was in hospital and had a stent fitted. Whilst I wouldn’t wish this on anyone it was probably the best thing that could have happened to me as it made me take a good look at how I was looking after my body.

I am now working out at the British Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq where I spend 8 weeks at a time then get 4 weeks leave and have been doing that for 2 and a half years now.

I do get a lot of opportunity to hit the gym here and it is a very good one. Going for a run outside isn’t easy as you can imagine but there is a road running around the compound that is about 1Km, plus we have 4 treadmills in the gym as well. My problem has been that i’ve got all the gear but no idea so to speak.

I picked up the Treadmill Trainer running workouts a couple of weeks ago and the improvement in just 2 weeks of following the 5K intermediate plan has been fantastic resulting in me getting above average for my age group on the 12 min fit test I did on the 29th July.

I have just started Fitter U Fitness Month 1 and i’m really excited to see where that’s going to take me.

I have 3 goals for the coming year…

My first goal is to look good by the time I hit the beach in Egypt in August this year. I’m still carrying a fair bit of fat at 13stone 4 lbs and 5 foot 10 in, my body fat is coming out at around 25%.

My second goal is to be able to complete the London Marathon in April 2011. Whilst I know I could probably get round the course, my plan is to try and do it under 4 hours.

My 3rd goal is to be in fantastic shape for July 2011 when I am marrying my Fiancee Amy in Cyprus.

All in all I’m looking forward to the challenge of the monthly workouts in Fitter U Fitness. One of the big pluses for me is the fact that I no longer have to sit down for hours and plan what I intend to do as its all laid down in simple fashion, I just have to get my ass in the gym and do it!

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Terri Ng

I am a married mother of two: a 13-year-old daughter and an 8-year-old son, both of whom are homeschooled.

I am 33 years old and have been an avid reader of all things health and wellness for about 20 years. I love to exercise and see it as another “nutrient” in a well-rounded diet.

I enjoy playing racquetball, hiking, biking, swimming, yoga, and now interval training, too!

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Diana Higgins

I’m 44 years old and live in a small town in central Idaho with my husband and two teenagers. I love to read, and to write, and now I also love to work out.

When I had a fitness assessment in January, the number on the scale was not too alarming but the bodyfat monitor told another story. At 37% bodyfat, I was way too fat.

Most people laughed or rolled their eyes when I said that. I didn’t look very fat, not with my clothes on, anyway. I had heard the term “skinny-fat” before and deep down, had known that it applied to me but until I saw that number on the bodyfat monitor I’d been in denial.

Clearly I needed to lose fat and gain some muscle. I started out by doing what I always do, and I burned up the treadmill. I’ve put in hundreds of miles since January and while I’ve lost about nine pounds and 4% bodyfat, I’m still not where I want to be. I had to face the fact that I need to incorporate some strength-training.

Unfortunately, I have never liked strength-training. It hurts. I’m bad at it. I know what I need to do but I can think of dozens of reasons to not do it. I was drawn to Yuri’s original 12-week Fitter U program because while I know that I need to challenge myself in lots of different ways using lots of different muscles, left to my own devices, I do what I’m good at and put in long periods of time on the treadmill doing the same thing day in and day out.

I’m starting out with the 12-week program and it’s perfect for me. Even I can do these exercises for 30 seconds at a time and I love not having to count reps or watch a clock. I’m doing things I wouldn’t do on my own and yes, I’m sore most days!

As many of my friends know, the only thing I like better than a great workout is writing about that great workout! I am excited to be blogging here and can’t wait to read about what everyone else is doing.

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Tamsyn Douglas

I’m Tamsyn Jane Douglas often called Tasmin, Tansy, Tanseen, but that’s ok. I grew up in England, in a house with ten kids, so Mum often muddled our names up! I soon learned when someone yelled, you just answer. I will also answer to “Tam”, “Mum” and “Gorgeous,” even when its not addressed to me!

I am crazy about fitness, fun and food and love to learn and share. I left the Corporate world 17 months ago with huge relief and returned to fitness. I became a Personal Trainer and kids coach, lost 14 kilos and started on this exciting journey.

My love of animals meant becoming vegan was inevitable and picking up a book one day, I discovered the raw food diet, it simply made sense. The seed was sown. Being vegan in the gym can be challenging, especially eating mainly raw. It is a world of protein pills and powders, tuna and chicken. I googled galore, researched and read, and then I found Yuri! My journey has been and will be filled with ups and downs, highs and lows and rewards and challenges. Now I will get to share them with you.

I am tenacious but easily distracted. Excited and enthusiastic but also excitable. I am a both a leader and a follower. I get great joy supporting and motivating others towards their goals, we become what we believe we can.

I want strength, health and happiness (plus muscles and a six pack)! I have strong legs and mind, and a soft belly and heart. My aims: to push my mind and body to become the best it can be, that’s what I wish for everyone. To become a strong inspiring role model, spending less time behind the Gym Reception and more time training and sharing with people.

I am so excited to get back on the Fitter U Fitness program, to be able to share my journey in an honest and hopefully inspiring way. Real people can achieve real results whilst living real lives.

“Victory comes to those that persist” keep on persisting!

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Shannon Clark

Shannon Clark is a former competitive figure skater and graduate from the University of Alberta’s Degree in Exercise Science.

She has been working as a personal trainer and writer for the last 8 years and her primary focus is on helping you achieve effective fat loss or muscle building using a nutrition and workout program best suited to your needs.

Her favorite activities include weight lifting, hiking, reading, as well as trying new and creative healthy recipes.

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Sean Davidson

Sean Davison is an educator. He has always been active, playing sports in little league, high school, and college. After college, he continued to be active by working out at the gym.

Most of his exercise routines came from what he had learned while younger or from magazines. Overtime, he realized that this was not meeting his life goals. His son once asked, “Daddy, how come boys all have big tummies?” Sean knew that he needed to change what he was doing, to both model for his children and improve his health.

In September 2009, Sean began to use the Treadmill Trainer workouts to prepare for a 5K fundraiser. This then led him to discover the FitterUFitness program, which he started in January, 2010. After starting the program, making changes to his diet, and completing a total-body cleanse, Sean lost over 30 lbs. and dropped two pant sizes in three months. He has been able to maintain these changes with the program.

Sean lives in California with his wife and two children. He enjoys the increased energy resulting from his new fitness regime. He now has more energy to spend quality time with his family. He continues to strive to become healthier and fitter each and every day.