Success Stories

Click on the photo to read the success story.

Read about Maria's many success stories:

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Congratulations to Andrew

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This is Andrew's story in his own words:

I reluctantly visited Maria with my wife. On the assessment visit I realised that I was a lot heavier than I perceived and more alarmingly my blood pressure was extremely high.

We agreed on a target weight and Maria assured me I could lose 2 stones by Christmas and with that my blood pressure would come down.

With Maria's help I changed my eating drastically by following her healthy eating plan and started on an exercise programme. In 2 months I managed to lose the weight and improve my blood pressure.

The change in lifestyle was made easier by going to Maria with my wife which meant we both encouraged each other. Thank you Maria!

Well done, Andrew.

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Congratulations to Sarah (age 29)

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This is Sarah's story in her own words:

Maria was recommended to me by a new friend who had previously used her personal training services with great success. I signed up immediately and was seen by Maria the following week.

I decided to hire a personal trainer to help lose the baby weight that I had gained and I started with Maria when my daughter was 10 weeks old.

I took very easily to the change in lifestyle. This is not a diet by any means, but a healthy eating plan combined with exercise. The plan has not felt like hard work and has been easy to stick to, especially with two little ones to look after!

My own target was to reach 12 stone 7 pounds which was the weight that I maintained prior to having children. However, in 3.5 months I've smashed that target and reached a slim 10 stone 11 pounds and have dropped from a size 16 to a size 10.

I'm extremely pleased to have reached this milestone and I certainly wouldn't have achieved these results without Maria's help, support & motivation. I would recommend Maria to anyone who would like to get fit & change their lifestyle.

I've started running with Maria's encouragement, have joined her running club and am now in training for a half marathon in May 2012. I feel healthier, happier and am full of energy - thank you Maria.

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Congratulations to David Gaffney (age 43)

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This is David's story in his own words:

Working with Maria at Fit 2gether has been a life changing experience.

I was initially introduced by way of personal referral from an existing client, and immediately made welcome, but given a focus and motivation to enjoy a renewed balance of healthy eating and exercise. This process has not been quirky or a fad, but informative and educational, with a variety of exercise regimes that has continued to create challenge and variety each week, together with suggestions on meal planning and eating habits.

I was delighted to reach my target weight loss in just over 4 months, and I now have more energy to enjoy a more active lifestyle with my wife and children. This was not a diet however, but a lifestyle change, and I plan to continue with the 'new me' going forward.

I would have no hesitation in recommending Maria as a personal trainer, for those who wish to change their lifestyle, and get in shape.

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Congratulations to Karen

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Karen has been a client of mine since June 2007. She has been consistent in her training and has maintained a healthy weight since losing approximately two stones. She would regularly run three times weekly as well as train with weights.

Karen decided that after three years she would like to run a half-marathon (hooray)! Adapting her training program for the Majorca half-marathon was not overly challenging for Karen as she has a good level of fitness.

Karen ran her first ever half-marathon in October 2010 in a very respectable time of 2 hrs 12 mins. Health and fitness now play a major role in Karen's life and she now looks forward to her next half-marathon.

Well done, Karen.

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Congratulations to Irene

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I had been a yo yo dieter for a number of years - achieving some success (through diets - no exercise) - and then later piling on the pounds again!

I had also tried joining a gym but I felt it was a bit of a soulless, impersonal place with everyone around riveted to their own fitness programme - no one was really interested in helping if you were struggling with a piece of equipment or a particular exercise.

I have a fairly hectic lifestyle - full time professional job, husband, children, grandchildren and an elderly Mother so there can be a bit of stress around. When stressed I would comfort eat - too tired to do anything else (or so I thought).

I had also been diagnosed with early onset of osteoporosis so I began to be increasingly concerned about my health and how unfit I felt.

A friend recommended Maria and quite honestly i have never looked back! She was (and is) an inspirational, extremely knowledgeable breath of fresh air!

The very genuine personal interest that she takes in you and in tailoring the menu planning and exercise programme to your individual specific health and dietary needs is so reassuring. I needed to be sure that whatever I was doing both on the exercise front and with my diet was going to be good for my bones! My goals were to lose a couple of stones and to feel and look healthier.

The meal planner that Maria set out for me was not difficult to keep to and I didn't ever really feel hungry or deprived.

I visited Maria possibly once every 3 weeks - it was entirely up to me. She was at the other end of the phone if I needed to ask for help or guidance or support.

I achieved this, with Maria's guidance and support, over a 6 month period. Exercise is now a regular and welcome part of my life, I no longer feel as tired. I have much more energy, I look and feel healthier and I have a new wardrobe of clothes - having dropped 2 dress sizes.

Maria has guided me every step of the way (firmly at times when necessary). It is the truly personal touch that has worked wonders for me. I love going to her house. The gym equipment is fantastic and her encouragement and advice is always so helpful - you come away with such a feeling of well being.

Thank you so much Maria - I feel inspired to attempt the Moon Walk next year! I struggled to complete the "half moon" a couple of years ago (in my unfit days)! Watch this space!

Well done, Irene.

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Congratulations to Fr. Jim Duggan (age 42)

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Initially, Fr. Jim's blood pressure was high, however it is now down to normal, mainly due to him frequently running up to 7 miles and his regular gym sessions.

This is Jim's story in his own words:

The last time I was happy about my weight I was probably in my late 20s. The decade and a half that have passed since have seen many attempts at getting back to where I once was. One or two of those attempts were successful for a while. None were long lasting! As soon as a routine of exercise was broken then the new routine of not exercising took over, and for a long time.

Last year that changed. A providential conversation with a relative of Maria provided an opening which was literally just what the doctor ordered.

One of the best things about going to Maria is that you are not just guessing at what you should do - you know from her the right things to do. That means that right from the beginning there are results from your efforts that make you want to keep going.

Maria's knowledge of health and fitness backed up by her friendliness, motivation and encouragement have certainly, for me, been a recipe for success.

So, with Maria's help, in 7 months I have achieved what was, in the past, a dream that was never going to come true. And as for getting back to where I once was, I have never in my life been this fit - and it feels pretty good.

Many, many thanks, Maria!

September 2010 - Jim ran his first ever half marathon in a fantastic time of 1 hour 45 mins 18 secs, and is pictured here proudly showing off the medal he received following his great achievement.

Well done, Jim.

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Congratulations to Vanessa

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Poor diet and no exercise, plus working long hours meant I was very overweight but had no idea where to start to sort it out. Eventually I hurt my back quite badly and my lovely physiotherapist (thank you, Sheena!) referred me to Maria.

I always thought that losing weight and getting fit would be a horrible experience - that I would be hungry all the time and permanently exhausted. Far from it! I haven't felt this good for years! Right from the very first week the eating plan has left me with more energy, eating lots of great food, and I really haven't felt that I'm missing out on anything. Plus, I don't feel hungry!

The eating plan that Maria set for me is very manageable, even with eating out quite a lot (including the occasional glass of wine!), plus I know that I'm fit enough to do a bit more exercise if I've overindulged.

What has really worked for me is the combination of healthy eating and exercise. I even find myself looking forward to going out for a run and I'm looking forward to trying out new forms of exercise now that I'm fitter. I have more energy now and am much more alert generally.

From the start Maria has been a huge support. She was undaunted by the task of getting me in shape. When I first met Maria and we set a target of 10 stone for me to lose, I really could not imagine getting to the end. I had at the back of my mind that if I could lose 4 stone over a year, I'd be happy. 10 stone lighter, within only 14 months! I am amazed that it really has not been that hard a process and I've enjoyed myself.

Maria has been a fabulous guide, always ready with lots of encouragement and advice, and she's always believed that I could get here. She's taken me through a process from being completely unfit to training for a 10K, and helped me achieve a life change that I didn't think possible. It's amazing how much things have changed over the past year and a bit. Who knows what will happen in the next year! Thank you, boss!

Well done, Vanessa.

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Congratulations to Kevin Carr (age 14)

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Kevin has done exceptionally well to lose almost 2 stones in weight and he achieved his weight loss simply by changing his poor eating habits to eating sensible, healthy food. Kevin, who used to swim at a competitive level, saw his weight increase considerably when he gave up swimming and stopped doing sports of any kind.

Kevin decided it was time to make changes to his diet and soon he was cutting out all the processed fast foods and takeaways, etc and instead he would eat a sensible breakfast followed by smaller portions, and more often, of the right foods which were both healthy and nutritious.

Kevin said that he would not have been able to lose weight without Maria's guidance and healthy eating plan combined with the exercise program for him to follow.

Well done, Kevin.

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Congratulations to Debbie Chapman (age 36)

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Debbie completed her first ever 'Glasgow Half Marathon' in a very respectable time of 2 hours 11 mins. However, that does not tell the whole story. When she crossed the finishing line she was delighted, but more for the fact that she had raised the unbelievable amount of £1,128 on behalf of a male friend of hers who was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease over 20 years ago.

When Debbie was asked moments after finishing, if she was likely to run the full marathon next year, she replied "**** ***"!! However, she did take the time to say, "That if it hadn't been for the help and encouragement from Maria at 'Fit 2Gether', I would not have completed it. Combine that with the inspiration I got from my friend, undoubtedly, meant I couldn't fail."

Well done, Debbie.

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Congratulations to Judith Semple (age 37)

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This is Judith's story in her own words:

I saw Maria's web site shortly after becoming pregnant and decided then that as soon as I had the baby I would enlist her services.

Having had five babies, I had never managed to completely lose the weight gained in pregnancy. I would typically lose some of the weight, get bored then be stuck with a stone plus still to lose. I knew that since I was on maternity leave from work, it was the best chance I was ever going to have to lose the weight once and for all.

Maria gave me an eating plan which consisted of real foods which were suitable for the whole family. The diet is an overall change in eating habits as opposed to a fady diet that only works in the short term.

I went to her once a week from when my baby was 6 weeks old, started on a gentle exercise regime at first, and then progressed to running. I can now run 10k and have entered the 10k race of the Great Scottish Run this year. Before this I couldn't have ran the length of my street.

Now that I can actually run I can burn calories efficiently over a short period of time and prevent the pounds from ever creeping back on as well as improving my overall health and fitness.

I am also now a size 10 which is a great feeling having at one point in the past, wore a 16! I don't think I would ever have achieved any of this, had I not gone to Maria.

September 2010 - Judith ran the Bank of Scotland Great Scottish Run half marathon in the excellent time of 2 hours 5 mins.

Well done, Judith.

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Congratulations to Brendan Brawley

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My story began in Nov 08 when I decided that I wanted to lose weight. I had tried lots of different things for years which either got off to a good start or did not achieve the weight loss I was looking for.

When I started I was 15-stone 2 and am now a slender 13-stone which has been achieved over a 7 month period, I have gone from being a "non runner" to running 10k on a regular basis and have just completed a half marathon in a respectable 1hr 46mins, which I would not have believed when I first started with Maria.

The training regime can be tough but the rewards are there for all to see, I am now fitter and healthier and enjoy exercise, sport and family life with renewed vigour. The change has also had a positive effect on my working life enabling a clearer vision and a more concentrated focus with more energy.

I can now enjoy a more balanced life where healthy eating, exercise and sport feature prominently. I feel great!

When you make the decision to invest in Maria, you invest in yourself, stick with the program and you will be rewarded handsomely!

Update - Brendan has now ran the London marathon and is training for his next marathon at Loch Ness.

October 2010 update - Brendan completed the Loch Ness marathon in a time of 3 hours 38 minutes!

Well done, Brendan.

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Congratulations to Lesley (age 38)

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This is Lesley's story in her own words:

"I had been attending classes at the gym 3-4 times per week and thought my diet was reasonably healthy. However, I was becoming frustrated as I wasn't seeing any positive results.

A friend recommended Maria to me ... and I haven't looked back since!

With Maria's guidance and support I have changed my eating habits and actually found that I wasn't eating enough at regular intervals throughout the day to support the exercise I was trying to do. This was the cause of dips in my energy levels.

I have never been a runner, however, with Maria's encouragement I completed my first ever 10k in May this year and I am now training for the half marathon in September. During my training I've had a couple of injuries but Maria has taught me ways that enable me to continue to train until I have recovered.

I reached my target weight gradually over a period of six months. I have enjoyed the variety of exercises that Maria set for me, and still continue to do so, helping me to maintain a healthy weight.

Thank you, Maria, for all your help and support and for giving me that extra push when I needed it!!

Well done, Lesley.