Without a doubt this is the best money I have ever spent. I have lost 5lbs 4 and ¼ inches and 3% body-fat. I eat 4-5 smaller meals and one or more snacks per day I am not hungry and I have more energy and I am also down a size in my clothing. I can’t wait to get my cholesterol re-checked!”

- Jocelyn Landis

I have been going to fitness centers and have worked with many different personal trainers since the late 70’s, at least 6 or 7 in 4 different states. By far, Laurel Moschetto has been the most professional I have encountered:

• She focuses on you and only you. Many trainers seem to get bored easily and engage in side conversations with other trainers and/or clients while working with you.
• She has a remarkable range of offerings and skills which she likes to mix up to keep the program interesting. Many trainers stick with the same old same old and do not work at keeping you motivated and interested.
• She is also very attuned to your needs and if she feels you need a mega-dose of stretching instead of working with the machines she will recommend that.
• I think that she brings particular expertise to, and awareness of, the needs of “older” clients. E.g., she is the only trainer I have ever had who works specifically on balance training.
• Finally, she seems to be constantly learning and trying new things in an effort to maximize her effectiveness with and
  for her clients.

- Judith M. Scanlan

“I have tried several diets without success. Laurel has inspired me to live a healthy lifestyle instead of dieting alone. Laurel taught me how to target specific muscle groups in order for me to get maximum results from each workout. The eating plan she designed for me allowed me to eat my favorite foods and still lose weight. I finally feel I made a good investment in myself.”

- Geri Joseph

Dear Laurel:

I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank Florida Fitness Coaches. My mother and I joined your club about a month ago and I have to say your team has done an outstanding job not only for me, but also my mother. I have lost almost 14 pounds in a little over 3 weeks, and have strengthened and toned my body fat. I am now in a Circuit Training Class along with 4 other members. I cannot tell you how much better I feel and look, and this has also improved my tennis game considerably. Thank you for all you have done for me!!

In addition, I have to say that your team has been very helpful and patient with my 82 year old mother. I recently lost my father in June of this year and I wanted to keep mother busy along with her nursery school. She joined the FFC and is doing great!! She can utilize the stationary bike, treadmill, and is doing stretching exercises. This whole experience is a first for her.

Take Care and keep up the great work. You have been a great addition for both our lives.

Sincerely,

Doug and Irene Hamrick

Bermuda Greens, Imperial Golf Estates

Retiring full time to Naples brings about a change in life styles. My husband, Allan, and I discovered that the hours once spent at work were easily consumed with play and lots of entertaining. Because we wanted to
keep in shape, we joined The Florida Fitness Coaches. Since last October, I have also enrolled in three Circuit Training sessions to supplement my regular workouts. Each session consists of eight one hour classes led by personal trainer.

The Circuit Fitness classes are held twice a week. The trainer adapts these small, co-ed workouts to each of our skill levels. The workouts combine both cardio exercise and weight training. Besides noticeable improvement in the areas of strength, endurance and flexibility, we have a blast! Being part of a group increases our motivation to show up for the classes. Of course, when people comment that I’m driving the golf ball farther an additional motivator kicks into gear for me.

I suggest that you investigate signing up for one of these classes. The cost is very reasonable (actually a deal!) and the return on your investment is invaluable.

Sunny McCown

Getting Fit and Loving It!

I always thought I was pretty fit. For a long time I ran three miles five days a week. After having children I added an exercise class with a program geared for young moms who wanted to get back into shape. I also biked and summers usually involved hiking and swimming on our vacations. I rarely got winded or experienced sore muscles even when I picked up water skiing again after many years. My weight stayed below the numbers on the insurance charts for my age group.

Then my career became very demanding. I began trying to squeeze in my exercise. I had to go to evenings and nights to forge out time for myself. My husband and I bought a good treadmill, a turbo trainer, and a Health Rider. This equipment was in the basement so that way we could work out at night or whenever the weather outside was too cold or wet. He also worked out with weights and often encouraged me to do the same. I never got in to weight training. I joined the YMCA in our community and tried swimming and step aerobics classes but too many conflicts with my schedule arose so I gave that up.

Our vacations became less active, our kids moved away, we ate out more often, we exercised less, we were tired, my weight increased and so did my blood pressure. Then we retired and moved to Naples. I got back into walking several days a week and we rode bikes a little. That worked until the bugs, the heat, and the storms prevented me from being active outdoors. I was getting frustrated from not finding an activity to engage me. One day my daughter suggested that I talk to Damon Moschetto, her fitness coach. I did and the rest, as they say, is history.

Like I said before, I always considered myself fit even if I had gained a few pounds. However, I never really considered flexibility, strength, and balance as involved in being fit. Damon evaluated my abilities and listened to what I wanted to accomplish. Then he designed a program just for me. I started last September (2005) and realized that my balance was terrible. I could barely “walk and chew gum,” as the joke goes. Standing on one foot ten seconds was difficult. I couldn’t believe how bad my balance was but it sort of explained why I had so many bruises from bumping in to tables and other things at home. Touching my toes was never anything I desired to do because I am tall with long legs and it actually hurts to do this. That really was not important in my program but increasing flexibility is and Damon has given me exercises that promote flexibility over time. The last thing I wanted to do was lift weights and develop muscle mass.

What I didn’t understand is that weight training can be used to increase strength without making you look like a body builder! In the beginning of my training the four or five-pound weights were all I could manage. Now, nine months later I use eight and ten-pound weights. In addition, I can lift my three year-old grandson without a trace of pain or stress.

The most amazing thing about working out like this is that I have never had sore muscles. This is because Damon continues to evaluate my strength and abilities and adds more difficulty and complexity to my program
when he sees that I am ready. In one particular exercise, I now can step up, balance on one foot with the other knee up, lift two five-pound weights over my head, and keep my core tight. I’ve learned that keeping my core muscles tight is key to my balance. This was real news to me but when I get sloppy and do not keep my core firm, I find that my balance suffers.

On a recent visit to the Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, my husband and I decided to try snowshoeing for the first time. We rented the gear and headed up to 9500 feet to some trails that we’ve hiked in the summer. With 54 inches of snow on the trails, we took off for the day. It was relatively easy going but I wasn’t sure if my leg muscles would be stiff and sore the next day. We found snowshoeing very energizing and were not sore at all. I have to say that before my training began with Damon I would not have had the stamina for this activity especially at this altitude.

I continue to train once a week with Damon. The sessions are always meaningful. He watches me carefully and corrects me when my form needs improving. He encourages me and teaches me. He wants me to be fit for life and to understand why what I’m doing is so important. The results I’ve had are exactly what I have wanted.

Now I’m on the road to getting really fit! Thanks, Damon!

- Marcia Byrd