Our clients say it best. . .
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Cathy Koecheler
Hi, my name is Cathy. I am a wife, mother of 2 daughters and grandma to 2 beautiful granddaughters. I am the gramma that can keep up with my 3 and 4 yearr old granddaughters. I chase them, go up and down the slides, go sledding and walk back up the hill and I want to continue to be the gramma that can do these things.
I just wanted to share my journey at YourFit! I started by hearing my niece talk about these great trainers (husband and wife team ) that she had been going to in South St Paul. I have always wanted to train with a trainer, but thought it was to expensive, and found out it was affordable. I started training with Chris with my sister a couple times a week in their basement at there house in (2012 I think). I loved how my body was changing and how the workouts made me feel. Fast forward to April of 2015, I started 530 a.m. boot camp. I am not a morning person (ask my husband) so I really didn't know how this was going to work for me. But almost a year later, I go to boot camp at least 4 times a week and strength train 2-3 times a week after boot camp. It's a great way to start my day. My workout is done, I can do whatever I want to after work and not worry about whether I'm going to miss my workout or when will I fit it in. Chris used to tell me that I needed to do my cardio and I would see more results, well the boot camp and strength training has definitely proved that to be true! So yes, Chris, you were right! I am energized, not only by the workout but also by my YourFit friends that I see at the gym. When I miss a day I feel like I missed my morning Diet Coke – the day just isn't the same! And I miss seeing everyone! What do I enjoy most about YourFit? The people I have met, the friends I have made, the feeling of family that I get when I am there and how comfortable I feel when I am there. It makes me want to get up and go to workout, I really look forward to it. We are all there for the same reason to make some life style changes! We have found that we cannot do it alone, we need each other to bring us up when we think we can't do it anymore, or just a friendly chit chat while we are working out to keep it fun! Come and join us! You'll get hooked, too!! |
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Hannah Uebel
I joined YourFit for personal training in 2014, about a year after my daughter was born. Initially, I joined to try to lose my baby weight, but it turned into something so much more! By training with Kristen and just being around people who wanted to better themselves, I learned how to have healthy habits and stick with them. The personal training has really helped me set a specific time every week in my chaotic schedule of working full time, being a mom, and going to grad school, where I can focus on exercising and keeping those healthy habits. I learned that working hard won’t always be easy, but it really is worth it!
There were SO many times I didn’t think I could do something, lift a certain weight, do a certain exercise, run a race, even just show up to work out, but I was and still am always uplifted and encouraged at YourFit. Last year I ran my first 7k and then a 10k. I know my work at YourFit helped to get me to that point, and I can’t wait to run some more this year. Over the last 2 years I’ve been going to the studio, I have felt myself get stronger and healthier and that is such a great feeling! I truly appreciate everything Kristen, Chris and everyone I’ve met at YourFit has done to help me get and stay healthy! |
Tony Medellin
When I had the opportunity to change my life and take my health back, I was ecstatic that I got to do it right in my own backyard of South St. Paul! I've been coming to YourFit Studio for 13 months now. The biggest accomplishment? Being completely done with three prescription drugs for high blood pressure, high cholesterol and type-two diabetes. Not to mention, I lost ten inches off my waist and almost one hundred pounds! This is all done in an uplifting, encouraging environment of like-minded people who will support you to no end.
This is also very affordable for all of the classes offered. My journey to take my health back has not been easy. You have to work extremely hard at it. But at YourFit I have gained the knowledge and tools to succeed. It IS worth it! |
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Gregg Boehmer
I wanted to take a moment to hopefully inspire more people to join me at YourFit. My membership with YourFit started in January 2015. I was tying my shoe, and was out of breath. I decided to jump on the scale and saw 308.2 pounds. At that point, I told myself “this is not me. I am not going to live like this. I am not going to be like this at age 35.” I set up time to check out YourFit and to get started. I was very nervous at first, as anyone would be of new surroundings. I didn’t want to be out of place, or be the overweight person at the gym that everyone stares at. It was reassuring to see both people at the same point I was, and others that were in great shape, working out there all together. Since then, I have met many new people and friends that, at times, have even made me feel like family. They have helped me along, pushed me and shared stories about their own struggles, goals and accomplishments.
Today, with thanks to Your Fit, I am able to share my accomplishments with you with hope that my story can inspire or push someone to take the next step to becoming a healthier, happier person. Thanks to Your Fit, my lowest weight is 244.6 pounds, 63.6 pounds down from my start. Prior to Your Fit, I was never a runner. I can now say I have participated in numerous 5ks, 8ks and even a 10k, all while continuing to set some awesome personal records. I am signed up to do a half marathon this spring, and the “Tough Mudder” in July. Through Your Fit, I have gained muscle and strength. You can laugh, but I’ll admit, I get caught constantly checking myself out in the mirror and flexing! I am very proud of myself, and actually feel comfortable for once in life with myself and my body. Best yet is that I wake up every morning and feel great and full of new energy. Thanks for your time and hope to see you soon! |
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Brian Leafblad
Hi, my name is Brian Leafblad and I have been a member at YourFit for about 6 months. My fitness journey has been a long, and at times a very rough road. I was a competitive athlete in all seasons through high school, and then played football in college. At least until the last day of classes my junior year when I blew out my knee. It was a freak accident, but in that split second when my ACL tore my athletic career was over. (Not that I was planning on playing after college!) And with that injury went a lot of my identity. Sports gave me belonging. They gave me accountability. They gave me challenge. They gave me camaraderie and growth. It was all gone, and life moved on. As I went through the following years, I did the normal American thing. Focused on my family, and focused on my career. And all of a sudden I realized that in about 10 years I had gained about 40 pounds. And they were not “good” pounds. About that same time I saw a number of my family members suffer from heart related issues. And that was my wake up call. I wanted to not just be around when my kids grew up, I wanted to play chase with my grand kids. I wanted to experience life with my wonderful wife as we get into our 60’s and 70’s, not be stuck at home because of bad decisions I had made. I realized that if I put off what I could do today and waited another 10 or 20 years to try and make a change it may be too late. So I decided to start running as a way to lose weight. That’s not too hard, right? Just get a decent pair of shoes and go. Ugh, I couldn’t even run a mile without feeling like I was about to die right there on the side of the road. But I kept at it, even signed up to do a 5k. That was almost 15 years ago, and since then I have finished over a dozen half marathons and the Twin Cities Marathon twice. So how could someone who runs marathons have an issue with weight, fat, and being unhealthy? It’s because I have been on a massive yo-yo. When I am training for a race, I have that identity/belonging/accountability to get out and run and eat well. So I lose weight. Not the full 40 I gained, but I easily lose 25 lbs from that training. And when the race ends, so does my training. So I gain the weight back. Next race, I lose it again. Over and over again. Not a healthy way to live! Then my friend Tony Medellin invited to come to YourFit and try out the Boot Camp. (Ok, so he was in cahoots with my wife. But he still made the invite!) I put it off for a while, but finally gave in and tried coming to Boot Camp one night. Whew, it just about killed me. I was sore for the next week! But I came back, and I’m still there 6 months later. In coming to YourFit, doing the Boot Camp and getting to know Chris, Kristen and the rest of the crew that is part of the gym I have found all the belonging, accountability, challenge, camaraderie and growth that I lost when my sports career ended. I want to go to Boot Camp. I want to work hard again. I miss it when I can’t get there. I’ve lost about 17 lbs so far, traded a bunch of fat for some muscle, and even had to buy some new clothes that fit better. I would like to lose another 20 lbs if I can. Yes, I still run and hope to do the Chicago Marathon this year. But even if I don’t make that goal, I found the place and the people that I needed to help me get healthy and stay healthy. It’s lifestyle, not an event. If any of my story is similar to your story, give YourFit a shot. It will take a lot of hard work. But it is so worth it.
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Patty Veikley
YourFit - Our Community ~ the name of the Studio says it all.
Hi, I'm Patty Veikley and I've been working out at the studio since September of 2013 - when the studio was still in the basement of Chris and Kristen's home. I am one of the first clients trained at the "new' digs. I've always enjoyed working out and being active, but my weight has always "yo-yo'ed". Back in 2007 I lost alot of weight and decided that there would be no more "yo-yo'ing" ~ unfortunately, that didn't happen and by 2012 I had gained it back, plus more. By August 2013, after struggling again with the up and down of the scale and not having ANY idea on what to do, I at least had figured out that I couldn't do this by myself, I just didn't have the right tools... I even was considering weight loss pills (you know those magic pills, that all you have to do is pop one in your mouth and you lose 10 pounds instantly....?) So after completing a half-marathon in which I was miserable, I knew I needed help. One of the coolest things about YourFit is that Chris and Kristen are local, born and raised in the area (Chris graduated from Simley and Kristen graduated from South Saint Paul). As fate would have it, my daughter, who graduated with Chris, knew I was unhappy and suggested I check Chris out. So I met with him and decided this would be a good fit, he was gonna be my "magic pill". I learned that I needed more than just having my running gait analyzed, I needed to work my whole body and change some mindsets that were holding me back. YourFit - Our Community is just that, along with personal training, there are bootcamps and resistance training. The Studio can be accessed anytime. The camaraderie is amazing. I've learned it does take a community to keep me focused - I can honestly say I now don't go a day without a bootcamp, personal training session or a run and I love every minute of it. With Yourfit's help, I've also learned to let go of my fears and head games. I'm down 20 plus pounds and know it will stay off because of this community. I would love to work-out with each and every one of you, come join in this special community! We do have a lot of FUN!
Hi, I'm Patty Veikley and I've been working out at the studio since September of 2013 - when the studio was still in the basement of Chris and Kristen's home. I am one of the first clients trained at the "new' digs. I've always enjoyed working out and being active, but my weight has always "yo-yo'ed". Back in 2007 I lost alot of weight and decided that there would be no more "yo-yo'ing" ~ unfortunately, that didn't happen and by 2012 I had gained it back, plus more. By August 2013, after struggling again with the up and down of the scale and not having ANY idea on what to do, I at least had figured out that I couldn't do this by myself, I just didn't have the right tools... I even was considering weight loss pills (you know those magic pills, that all you have to do is pop one in your mouth and you lose 10 pounds instantly....?) So after completing a half-marathon in which I was miserable, I knew I needed help. One of the coolest things about YourFit is that Chris and Kristen are local, born and raised in the area (Chris graduated from Simley and Kristen graduated from South Saint Paul). As fate would have it, my daughter, who graduated with Chris, knew I was unhappy and suggested I check Chris out. So I met with him and decided this would be a good fit, he was gonna be my "magic pill". I learned that I needed more than just having my running gait analyzed, I needed to work my whole body and change some mindsets that were holding me back. YourFit - Our Community is just that, along with personal training, there are bootcamps and resistance training. The Studio can be accessed anytime. The camaraderie is amazing. I've learned it does take a community to keep me focused - I can honestly say I now don't go a day without a bootcamp, personal training session or a run and I love every minute of it. With Yourfit's help, I've also learned to let go of my fears and head games. I'm down 20 plus pounds and know it will stay off because of this community. I would love to work-out with each and every one of you, come join in this special community! We do have a lot of FUN!
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Michelle Medellin
One year ago on March 2nd I did something scary. I started working out.
A few days before that I met with Kristen Ogren to talk about personal training. I had just celebrated my 39th birthday the week before, was out of shape and ready for a change. Every year I said the same thing that I was going to lose the weight. What seemed to happen instead was that I gained 5-10 pounds each year instead of losing any. Kristen took the time to understand my goals, help me hit those goals and keep me motivated along the way. Over the last year through the training at YourFit with strength training and boot camp I have lost over 45 pounds and on my way to 50 pounds lost very soon. It hasn't been easy all of the time. There are days I want to skip a work out. If you put the work in, you will see results. You will never regret a workout as long as you show up. I truly feel that if I wasn't at YourFit I would not be in the shape I am today. The friendships and support system we have gained over this year are amazing. The community at YourFit will keep you wanting to come back again and again. As I close in on my one year of coming to YourFit, I am turning 40 this week and in better physical condition than I have been in for at least 20 years. I have a goal of 35-40 pounds to lose this year and have no doubt that in one year I will be able to say I did it! |
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Melinda Hedberg
My journey with YourFit started by inviting my high school classmate, Michelle Medellin, to join my women's health Facebook group that I created. I was struggling with my fitness plan, trying to recoop from a long time running injury. She invited me to come down to the studio to check out bootcamp & I gave it a try. 9 months later, I couldn't be happier and more proud to be part of this larger than life community and the decision to make this a part of my routine. No one judges. We are all there with the same goals=to be the best & healthiest we each can be. I've lost 8" total and maintained. I've never been stronger in my body and in my head. I don't ever think twice about setting my alarm for 4:30am on a Monday morning. Missing a morning means missing a beat.
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Beth Johnson
When contemplating my New Years Resolutions for 2012 I determined it to be my year! I made quite a list...of things just for me...and of course getting thin was one of them...but I had no real plan so it quickly started to slide to the side...In March I started physical therapy for an ongoing knee issue... I was a true mess back in those days...As it happens...and I still don't know what triggered it...I offhandely asked my therapist ...Jon... if he knew of a personal trainer that was local...as it happens it did...and as it happens... it was the same one that I had found of Craigslist the night before...So...when I got home that day I contacted Chris from YourFit ... he agreed to meet with me...at Blacksheep in South Saint Paul... I was a nervous wreck... We met..we chatted...and before I knew it I had agreed to start the following Monday... I didn't tell a soul... I didn't want to be seen as a failure... This was on April 23rd...yep I have the date comitted to memory...it was the beginning of my new life... On April 22nd I quit my addiction of Diet Coke...this was huge for me as this is how I identified myself...the mom, teacher...that loved her DC...So on April 23, 2012 I started what would become my new addiction... working out...Let me tell you...it has been the best thing to happen to and for me. I was a mess...I was often depressed...anxious...I often had headaches...never felt well...popped lots of pain relievers...needed stuff to help me sleep...laid on my bed with my diet cokes and chips and cookies...it was bad... I remeber some of the first days... I would work all day.. go home change clothes.. and head on over to YourFit.. and Chris would take me through a circuit of lifting/reisistance stuff... I would go home and about die...but I kept going back...I remember Chris casually asking me how my nutrition was going (after about a month of 2 time per week workouts) and I was like "huh...I gotta do that too?" I lied by saying good... Anyway... with Chris and Kristen's help I gradually started getting my act together...When I started I was "competing" in the ____________ (Chris what was it called...90 day???) At first I wasn't losing much of anything...and then all of sudden...things started to happen...
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And I really started feeling good and looking better...I remember the first 5lbs...and Chris handing me the 5 pound weight...then the 15...20... and then 30 something...I remember conquering the 200 lb mark...After that first 90 day Competition...I sheepishly asked if he would continue training me... I was so nervous to even ask... I then started another competition...and lost another 30 something pounds...and we kept going... sometime in the next year I announced I was going to do a Triathlon...what the heck was I thinking?? I don't swim! But Kristen said she would do it with me... I asked her if she would help me to learn to swim...that was such a fun fun time... we hit the water...Central Square...The Grove... Carver Lake... each and every time I thought I was going to drown...but Kristen was such an inspiration... and literally kept me afloat... The triathlon was a success...I made it through... I still get a little choked up...remembering Chris standing on the beach...waiting for me to get out of the water... and cheering me on... for all of you reading this... Chris Ogren is so motivating in his own right... he will give you his heart and soul...he just wants you to move...to Finish Proud...having him there when I finished...having Kristen there....cheering me on... was AMAZING...mindblowing..I knew at that time...what true friendship meant... I kept training with them after this... and knew I had to continue having goals... I went from just wanting to lose weight to maybe getting me to my pre baby weight (27 years prior) to doing the Triathlon...to wanting to get back to running..each and every step I took...the Ogrens were their cheering me on... My life has changed so so much...like crazy changes... My training changed from Personal Training to bootcamps to daily resistance training to swimming to running daily... I think I kinda drove my family nuts with all the changes... I started eating no junk...only clean... Without Chris and Kristen as supporters and trainers I know without a doubt I would not be where I am today...My days and weeks are not complete if I haven't been in the studio...I love all the people I have met and inspired...and those that have inspired me... I love my new life... But all this has not been without struggles...not everything is wonderful all the time...I am battling 20lbs...I battling life changes ... both physically...and mentally and also ones of my girls moving away...BUT...I get so much support and love and kindness for the members at YourFit...they all make it a little bit easier...more than a little...ALOT... When work is hard...I know that in a short time I can let off steam at Yourfit... I am struggling on how to end this...In a few short months I will be celebrating 4 years of a lifestyle change...A time of many changes... a time that has made me know that I have a life worth living...a time that has helped me to reach out to others...a time that has ensured me extra years to be with me family...a time that I have been able to give back to others...I would also like to mention that because of Chris and Kristen...and YourFit...that I have been able to raise money for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society through Team in Training...another wonderful entity of my life... Thank you Chris...Thank you Kristen... Thank you YourFit..