Testimonials

Read about Maria's many success stories:

---

Congratulations to Vanessa

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.

---

Congratulations to Kenny and Marian

Kenny & Marian wished to lose weight for their son's wedding in July 2009. Encouraged, having seen the results achieved by a friend and colleague of Marian's, we arranged a consultaton with Maria.

We had a combined weight loss of 6st 5lb to achieve to be in a healthy weight range and together with Maria's help and guidance on healthy eating and exercise and our determination to succeed we achieved our goal.

Maria brings her undoubted knowledge of healthy diet, nutrition and proper exercise, and tailors this to meet the needs of the individual. This, combined with her motivational skills, ensured a successful outcome in our case.

The wedding cake tasted all the more delicious! We are both delighted with the outcome of our time spent at Fit2gether, it has literally been a life changing experience and we thank Maria for her dedication. We would have no hesitation in recommending Fit2gether!

Well done, Kenny and Marian.

---

Congratulations to Natalie Rogers (age 47)

This is Natalie's story in her own words:

Three years ago I gained 2 stone. Then Maria came into my life and I have never looked back. With her help, encouragment and her belief in my ability to achieve my goals, not only have I lost the weight but I have never felt fitter and so full of energy. I feel better than I have done for 15 years!

Through Maria's personal training and diet education I have found a whole new approach to life with regard to exercise and diet. I am more consious of what I eat, what to avoid and what works for me. It has been a life changing experience.

If you had asked anyone when I was at school if I was sporty, they would have laughed - yet here I am at 40-something (!) having just ran my first half marathon (1 hour 50mins) and hoping to run the 2010 London Marathon. So, bring it on, this girl is ready for the challenge!

A million thanks Maria for bringing back the girl in me!

Well done, Natalie.

---

Congratulations to Judith Semple (age 37)

This is Judith's story in her own words:

I saw Maria's website 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.

Well done, Judith.

---

Congratulations to Eileen (age 54)

This is Eileen's story as told in her own words:

My main reason for losing weight and getting fitter was initially for health reasons. With my weight increasing over the years I could see the link between that and the rise in my blood pressure. I knew I had to take control of my life as I was unhealthy, overweight, very unfit and definitely didn't want to be on medication for high blood pressure for the rest of my life.

My daughter recommended Maria to me and I felt she was my last resort. I had tried many diets over the years with varying degrees of success but at no time had I combined weight loss with exercise or even lost all the weight I needed to lose. When I did go to Maria I was almost 5 stone overweight and feeling desperate.

I did find it really hard going trying to fit in my exercise while working full time with a very demanding job. I also found the diet difficult due to the fact that I had never eaten salads or seafood. This really gave me a very limited choice of foods to choose from.

Maria is such a motivating and inspiring person and through her encouragement I very quickly started to see results. The diet obviously made me lose weight while the exercise really toned me up. Through working with Maria I gradually saw the need to try different foods that I had refused to eat before as Maria had educated me about foods that would make me feel full and would sustain my hunger until my next meal. I also became aware of foods that were much lower in fat and also learned about foods I had eaten before that I thought were healthy but in actual fact were not. The really surprising thing for me is that I found that there are so many foods that I refused to eat before that I now love. I am much keener now to try new foods.

To sum up, Maria has given me knowledge about my whole eating plan and the need for regular exercise and after regular weekly visits to her over an 8 month period I have lost all my excess weight and recently completed the Glasgow Race for Life 5k, running all the way. When I joined Maria 8 months ago I wouldn't have been able to run 5 metres. I now feel my diet and exercise are just part of my life and I have no intention of putting the weight back on or becoming unfit.

The other important thing is you don't have to put your life on hold while losing weight. I still regularly dined out, the difference is I made healthier choices. I definitely owe my success to the encouragement and good advice given by Maria.

Well done, Eileen.

---

Congratulations to Sharon Bradshaw (age 38)

This is Sharon's story as told in her own words:

I contacted Maria shortly after my 38th birthday as I was becoming increasingly aware of the unhealthy lifestyle I had been leading. Initially my main focus was to improve my fitness and health as I had not undertaken any form of exercise for the past 20 years. Within a short period of time, with Maria's support and encouragement, I was able to comfortably run up to 7 miles, 4 times per week and actually enjoy it, something I never thought I could do.

During the past 3 months I have dropped from a size 12 to a size 8, I have not been that size since I was 21 and after having 3 children I never thought I would be that size again. With Maria's guidance I have completely changed my approach to an improved, healthier lifestyle. I have regained my confidence and now look forward to running my first half marathon later in the year.

The journey hasn't always been easy however, I always remind myself that nothing tastes as good as being fit, healthy and slim makes me feel.

Thank you Maria for helping me change my life and motivating me to continue with my new healthier lifestyle.

Well done, Sharon.

---

Congratulations to Marie McShane (age 45)

This is Marie's story as told in her own words:

After having 3 children I found myself about 1 1/2 stones heavier than before the kids came along. My youngest daughter is 7 and since she was born I had tried just about every slimming club and diet - Weight Watchers, Scottish Slimmers, Atkins, Low G.I. etc but although I would lose a few pounds here and there, I never seemed able to lose the weight I wanted. I took up running 5 years ago and had run a few 10k's but still could not shift the extra weight. Then I found out about Maria from some friends who knew people who had achieved fantastic results by following her one to one personal training programme. At 45, I felt that going to Maria would be my final try to achieve my goals of both losing weight and becoming fitter and healthier.

Having a one to one personal trainer like Maria has made all the difference. Before I thought my diet was pretty healthy but as soon as I started to write down what I was eating I was taken aback by how unhealthy it was. By following the eating plan I have changed my attitude towards food and now that I have reached my goals I can enjoy the odd treat at the weekend safe in the knowledge that I have strategies to help me control my weight from now on. I am also delighted that my body fat is consistently in the healthy range now which means that I am in better shape overall in terms of my health.

In terms of fitness I have benefitted from the all round programme Maria employs. My running has improved dramatically and in March 2009 I ran my first ever half marathon in 1 hour 56 minutes. I plan to run another half marathon soon and I hope to enter a 30k run in Sweden in September next year. I also have become more toned. Many friends and family members including my daughter have commented that not only do I look slimmer and fitter but also younger - a real bonus!

Another unexpected bonus is that I feel more confident than before because I look so much better in my clothes and, of course, I have had to buy a whole new wardrobe as my old clother no longer fit me which I am not complaining about! I have just returned from a holiday in Portugal and for the first time in 7 years wore a bikini and didn't feel the need to hide away under my towel!

I am very grateful to Maria for her support, motivation and inspiration - this has helped give me the tools to succeed in achieving my goals and the journey in doing so has been an enjoyable one!

Well done, Marie.

---

Congratulations to Jacqueline Russell (age 45)

Jacqueline's main reason for going to Maria was to improve her fitness levels and also to feel more healthy. She needed guidance on nutrition, most importantly about what and when to eat. Despite knowing the basics about nutrition, Jacqueline lacked drive and motivation. She needed a lifestyle change in which she could balance her work and family commitments with an exercise and a healthy eating plan.

Jacqueline found the inspiration and motivation to embark on her healthy regime through filling out her food diaries, knowing that she was being closely monitored. This eating plan, combined with her carefully structured exercise plan, has worked that well for Jacqueline that on her last trip to the shops she bought a size 8 pair of shorts for her holiday. Looking further ahead, she has felt confident enough to enter the Glasgow 10k in September.

Congratulations Jacqueline, and good luck.

---

Congratulations to Brendan Brawley

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 vigor. 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!

Well done, Brendan.

---

Congratulations to Angela Collum (age 29)

The focus of Angela's target was aimed primarily at weight loss as her diet was giving her cause for concern. When Angela frequently thought about food, she became very unsure about what to eat as well as her portion control. However, this soon changed after I implemented a structured exercise regime together with a healthy eating plan for Angela to follow. As a result, in a short space of time Angela was showing a much improved and healthier attitude to food as well as an increased emphasis on exercising.

These days, Angela enjoys her frequent week-ends of eating out but can now do so with piece of mind and safe in the knowledge that her bad eating habits are in the past. Combine this with the fact that having never previously ran before going to Maria at 'Fit 2gether', she is now out running four times per week and is in training for her first ever half marathon.

Well done, Angela.

---

Congratulations to Belinda McNeil (age 32)

Belinda's main priority was to look good as her job in health and skincare required her to look fit and healthy. For years she thought about losing weight but never did anything serious about it. Then after seeing an advert for Fit 2gether personal training, something she had previously never given a thought about, Belinda decided to give it a try.

She had seen lots of other people as they went on fad diets with no exercise. Belinda watched them lose a lot of weight and then for different reasons piling it all, and more, back on. She even cancelled her cleaning lady to pay for sessions with Maria.

Belinda felt that she gained knowledge at her sessions, from the importance of what to eat, eating regularly, especially breakfast, to using a heart rate monitor and improving her exercise technique.

This, as Belinda claims, was an 'education' for her. As a result, she now has more energy and is more confident as she sets off to work each day wearing her new and smaller sized clothes.

Well done, Belinda.

---

Congratulations to Fiona Johnson (age 47)

This is Fiona's story as told in her own words:

After a demoralising visit to the shops to buy trousers in May 2008 and finding that a size 18 would be required, I realised that drastic action was required. My weight had always fluctuated a bit, but I knew myself that I was now heavier than at any time before. I was not averse to a walk, but had never undertaken any form of proper exercise. I had seen the results that a close friend of mine had with Maria and decided to contact her.

When I "weighed" in with Maria it was actually even worse that I had thought, but Maria assured me that I could get down to my own target weight with a combination of healthy eating and regular exercise and to take it half a stone at a time. She then told me to go on the treadmill and run/walk for a mile. At first I thought she was joking, but quickly realised that not only was she deadly serious, but that I had no option whatsoever! My first mile was done in the grand time of nearly 16 minutes and I collapsed off the treadmill bright red in the face and sweating profusely. Now, some 9 months later, I can actually almost run 2 miles in the same time – how my life has changed!

I realised very quickly that there was no point in wasting my money and Maria's time if I was not going to take the whole regime seriously. Maria motivated me from week to week with a realistic programme of exercise and every week I had a weight loss as a result. Within 4 months I had lost over 2 stone and felt better than I have ever felt before. We bought some exercise equipment and set up a home gym in our garage, so that there could be no excuses for not continuing what I had started. Now the whole family are involved and we are all eating a healthier diet than ever before.

I have now lost 4 stone in weight and my husband's only complaint is the amount of money that I am now spending on clothes! For years I avoided the shops as I found clothes shopping quite depressing, often imagining what an outfit would look like and finding that the reality was somewhat different on me! Now, I can find endless numbers of fabulous outfits that give me great pleasure and satisfaction.

Thanks Maria for converting me to this healthier way of life and for your concern and support throughout the months.

Well done, Fiona.

---

Congratulations to Susan (age 48)

This is Susan's story as told in her own words:

I had been hoping to improve my fitness level, lose a few pounds and generally firm and tone up. So I went to Maria and she designed a fitness and diet regime which suited my lifestyle and helped me reach my goals.

With relatively small change to my diet and Maria's keen supervision of my exercise regime, I have achieved a level of fitness that I would not have believed I could reach just a few months ago. I am now able to run continuously for an hour compared with about five minutes when I first started. For the first time in thirty years I felt confident enough to go out and buy a bikini for my holidays.

I no longer dread exercise as it is something I can do now and I have seen what an important role it has played in restoring health and well-being. However, there is no doubt I could not have done this without Maria's guidance, motivation and encouragement.

Well done, Susan.

---

Congratulations to Paul Corbally (age 26)

Since Paul and his mother first came to me almost eleven months ago, Paul is now reaping the benefits of having lost two stones in weight. Apart from an all round improvement in his well being, Paul has shown a noticeable increase in his general fitness levels. This is a direct result of the discipline he displays on each visit as he enjoys working hard and keeping everyone happy.

There are several benefits which Paul has happily experienced over the past year or so. Previously, Paul suffered greatly from back pain which thankfully today the pain has virtually disappeared. Through being disciplined enough to adhere to a healthy diet regime, Paul's skin has improved considerably. He enjoys walking now and no longer complains of feeling uncomfortable and finally Paul can proudly boast of his new wardrobe of clothes he has aquired since embarking on his new and healthier lifestyle.

Well done, Paul.

---

Congratulations to Janice Johnston (age 46) and her daughter Kerry (age 12)

This is Janice's version of how she achieved her goals:

"What a fantastic effect Maria's regime has had for both me and my 12 year old daughter, Kerry.

"I started this journey in September 2005, when I got completely fed up with my lack of energy and the weight gain as a result of my under active thyroid. I tried loads of different ways to achieve my goals including gym memberships, herbal remedies etc. However, the difference with Maria at Fit 2gether is that Maria genuinely cares and also combines food management and exercise.

"My husband thinks that I am involved in some bizarre cult, but the results speak for themselves. What I really love is the fact that I now feel as young as my daughter and lots of people mistake us for sisters!! I now have bags more energy than previously and am excited about starting the next stage of my journey."

Kerry loves her weekly work-outs and in her own words, "I feel more confident in myself since I have been going to Fit 2gether and I have really benefited from it. At first, I was really nervous but then I got used to it and really enjoyed it. I would definitely recommend it to mothers and daughters!"

"Fit 2gether is the best thing that could have happened to me. If it was not for Maria and her professionalism, I would still be struggling along. Finally, on top of everything else, I have ran various 10k runs and am currently aiming to run my first ever half marathon in June.

Thank you Maria, from both Kerry and myself for our new bodies, we love them!!"

Well done, Janice and Kerry.

---

Congratulations to Karen Cameron (age 45)

This was a fantastic achievement by Karen and an inspiration to anyone wishing to lose weight and improve their fitness. Yet despite her own amazing results, she claims that it is due to the support of her family and her husband, Ian, combined with the fact she had to remain focussed, disciplined and answerable to her personal trainer, Maria.

Karen filled out her food diary and exercise plan with precise regularity and claims that it was the variations of exercises that helped her to stay motivated.

When out socialising, Karen was unsure about what to eat or order. However, following some healthy eating tips and knowledgeable guidance, she no longer feels deprived where food is concerned. Karen has improved her fitness level to the extent where she now runs 17 miles on a regular basis.

Karen ran the 'Woman's 10k' in 47mins. 36 secs. She also ran her first ever marathon (Edinburgh) in a remarkable time of 4 hours, 4 mins. 21 secs.

Well done, Karen.

---

Congratulations to Karen Kaye (age 50)

Initially, Karen wanted to feel good about herself and any weight loss would be a welcomed bonus. Her bad eating habits and irregular eating times were making her feel sluggish, unhealthy and constantly tired. However, by changing her lifestyle and investing a little time and effort into diet and exercise Karen now has more energy, increased her fitness levels as well as her confidence and no longer feels tired all the time.

Karen feels so much healthier all over and has a new found confidence. She now pays a lot more attention to herself, taking more pride in her appearance and when people comment on how well she is looking, Karen feels that all the effort has been worthwhile.

Karen admits that by going to Maria regularly is important for her discipline and she also agrees that it is the whole package of exercise and diet that instills her self discipline, making her think twice about falling back into her old bad habits.

Well done, Karen.

---

Congratulations to Ann Mitchell (age 54)

Ann is a shining example to others and living proof that by determination, hard work and remaining focused on her goals throughout that success is very possible.

Initially, Ann's aim was to feel better about herself and with the menopause looming she knew she had to make changes to her lifestyle and that she had to lose weight. A combination of a healthy diet and structured exercise plan was Ann's answer. Out went the 4-5 cans per day of Irn Bru, replaced with water, her consumption of red meat was greatly reduced, and Ann started to enjoy exercising as she began to get results and feel so much better.

Despite Ann's previous attempts to lose weight, she admits that she needs the support of another person, i.e. following a structured plan and working out on a 1-to-1 basis, not in a class situation or a gym. She enjoys walking and even lost weight when she went on holiday as she continued to exercise and was encouraged by her husband Jamie.

Ann says that she will continue to exercise for the rest of her life and vows that she will never return to her former lifestyle.

Well done, Ann.

---

Congratulations to Paul Waterson (age 51)

Paul has also ran his first ever half-marathon in a very commendable time of 2 hours and as a result he is regularly outside running up to 12 miles, in all weather conditions, without any problems.

Paul is undoubtedly a lot healthier and fitter now and the bouts of tiredness and colds which he initially experienced have ceased. He has managed to maintain a very stable and healthy weight despite allowing himself an occasional treat and now states that exercising plays a significant role in his new found healthier lifestyle.

Well done, Paul.