Member of the Year 2011-2012
Yukari Chamberlain
“I have lost 13 lbs and inches off my waist and hips. But most importantly, my back is stronger and I donʼt have pain. “
“I am not overweight and looking to be “The Biggest Loser”. However, like most people I wanted to loose a few extra pounds and get more fit. I have been fairly athletic most of my life but after a reconstructive ligament surgery, having a baby and turning 40, losing the pounds and getting fit again has been a huge challenge.
In July, I threw-out my back lifting my 30 pound son and I was in extreme pain and lying in bed for a week. After X rays, I found that I had degenerative discs between my L4 and L5. My doctor and chiropractor said that I will most likely need surgery and the best thing that I can do for my back is to strengthen my core. I Luv My Body Fitness Boot Camp is CORE. Almost everything that we do is core related.
Unlike other “bootcamps”, I Luv My Body Fitness Boot Camp is not military-like. There isnʼt anyone yelling at you for an hour. Classes are always different and the trainers come-up with new and unique ways to work us out. Itʼs a combination of pilates, yoga, strength training, and “PE” classes all in one. Sometimes, I feel like Iʼm back in 7th grade PE class which is really fun! My “classmates” are all really supportive and there is a friendly competition which motivates me.
Since joining in September I have lost 13 lbs and inches off my waist and hips. But most importantly, my back is stronger and I donʼt have pain. When I took a week break during the holidays, my back pain reemerged. Going to bootcamp is no longer an option but a necessity for me. Thank you, Kristen, Missy and John!”
Nominee 1 – Armando Gallegos
“I wanted to lose wait and regain control of my body.“
“I joined I Luv My Body Fitness Boot Camps to lose weight and regain control of my body. Since I joined back in September, I’ve lost 22 lbs. I really enjoy the fact that no workout is ever the same. If you’re serious about getting into shape and losing weight, then ILB is the best route to go. As Nike says, “Just do it.” Before ILB, I used to have a gym membership, but rarely ever used it. I did not have any defined fitness goals and lacked the motivation. The instructors have been instrumental in me regaining control of my body. They’ve pushed me, encouraged me, and given me the tools to help me get back into shape and feel great! Thanks for helping me get back into shape!”
Nominee 2 – Ashley Campisi
“By changing how you think, it opens more doors to what you’re able to achieve.“
“I joined I Luv My Body Fitness Boot Camp because I was in a serious rut with my workout routine and needed a change. I have always been active, enjoyed playing sports and have been consistently exercising for years but I wasn’t seeing any real results with the cardio based routine I was on. I also know that, for me, having the accountability that comes with attending a class and keeping up with the other members is the thing that really helps maximize workouts. I had done circuit training based classes in the past and knew I wanted to try a boot camp but decided to try I Luv My Body Fitness because of the positive reviews I saw on Yelp. I Luv My Body was praised for its challenging classes, friendly and dedicated staff and comfortable environment, all things I quickly found to be true and, I think, all things that set this boot camp apart from others.
My favorite part of boot camp is the variety of routines and exercises implemented in each class. Every class is something different which keeps me engaged, both physically and mentally. Boredom is definitely not a factor in these workouts which makes coming to class 3-4 nights a week extremely easy and enjoyable. In addition to keeping classes creative, it has been great to be exposed to such a wide range of exercises. I find myself writing down routines I find particularly challenging but gratifying and trying to work them into my own fitness routine when I can’t make class or when it’s an off day. It has been great to learn so many new exercises and gain a deeper understanding of how to approach my diet and exercise routine in a way that’s really going to yield the best results.
I have seen incredible results in weight loss, enhanced muscle tone and increased level of overall health in the past year. Since joining last January I have lost 42 pounds and 17 total inches. I’ve learned how to exercise and eat to maximize healthy weight loss and how to change my life to fit these healthy habits. Beyond the weight loss numbers, the biggest result I’ve seen since joining was just how doable it is to completely overall your diet and exercise habits while still enjoying food and fun with friends. Working with Kristen to develop strategies for continuing to lose weight while still being able to go out with friends has been paramount in my ability to sustain my fitness and nutrition plan while still doing all the things I love.
I would advise them to think seriously about their fitness goals and try to determine what it’s going to take to achieve them. If it’s something you feel you’re able to do on your own, then great! But I think for most people, elevating your health and fitness takes some level of learning – learning about nutrition and exercise but also learning about your personal habits and what has impaired your progress in the past. By changing how you think, it opens more doors to what you’re able to achieve and I have personally found that the I Luv My Body Program is a great place to learn those lessons and change your life for the better.”
Nominee 3 – Graham Ulvestad
“I have tons more energy, I am MUCH stronger, I have better digestion, improved mental clarity and NO vertigo! I have lost a few pounds too!”
“So many things led me to join I Luv My Body Fitness Boot Camp. In March 2011, I was diagnosed with Adrenal Fatigue, which included vertigo spells and other symptoms. I went to several doctors who all were willing to simply prescribe medication, but I decided exercise was the answer. A doctor suggested I look at both my diet and exercise routine. I heard about I Luv My Body Bootcamp from a couple other Mom’s at my son’s school. They both loved it. I decided to give it a try and started attending I Luv My Body Boot Camp (Although I still wasn’t convinced exercising three times a week for only 45 minutes would get me in shape). I also attended Audra’s 30 day Detox Seminar given by I Luv My Body Boot Camp in September 2011 and decided to try the Paleo Diet for 30 days starting on Sept. 26th and have continued with the diet to date. Since starting I Luv My Body Fitness and the Paleo Diet I have not had any episodes of Vertigo.
Before joing ILB, I felt guilty all the time! Guilty I wasn’t exercising enough. Guilty that when I did exercise, I was spending to much time away from my family. Guilty I wasn’t eating right for me. Guilty that I was tired all the time… You get the picture.
Now, I feel awesome and look pretty good too! 
I have attended 3 to 4 boot camp classes a week since Sept. 6, 2011 and my diet has totally changed. As a result, I have tons more energy, I am MUCH stronger, I have better digestion, improved mental clarity and NO vertigo! I have lost a few pounds too!
I love the the short (but effective) classes and the supportive atmosphere. I Love, Love , Love Kristen, Missy and John! They are all very encouraging, supportive, funny, knowledgeable and just plain genuine people. This journey had been much easier than I thought with their insights and recommendations. They make it enjoyable to come to class!”
Nominee 4 – Jessica Herold
“Because I learned how to eat better, my body had the fuel it needed and because my body was nourished, it was able to be pushed and to excel during the workouts… I became a happier more energetic person - I became my true self again. ”
“Stumbling across I Luv My Body Fitness was like the stars beginning to align, just for me and just in time. It was the summer of 2010, I was 5 months away from my wedding in Mexico, 3 months into a diagnosis of hypothyroidism and lost trying to figure out how to lose the 30 pounds I had gained over the last 3 years. I was angry with myself and borderline depressed. The elliptical at the gym and weekly Zumba classes were doing nothing for my body nor my mood. Wedding dress shopping had thrown me over the edge because I was not able to fit in the dresses available at most stores. I bought a dress off the rack that didn’t fit vowing that I would make it work. I promised myself that I would spend the summer taking care of myself and losing weight, but it was the beginning of July and I had not been successful.
Enter Kristen and ILB. From the beginning, I could tell that she would motivate me, the tone of her voice, the genuine interest she took in hearing my story, the knowledge she immediately shared, I started to come back to life a little bit. The first couple of weeks were very tough, but I was not alone in my struggle. There were others new to the classes too that were struggling with me. Kristen began working with me one-on-one once a week to help me with a longstanding shoulder injury. This was something she did because she believed in what she was learning and wanted me to benefit from it. She also introduced me to her friend Audra Baker and the Clean and Lean Challenge. The challenge was hard, very hard, as I had wedding festivities happening every other weekend, but I stayed committed to my goal, something I was never able to do on my own before and I finally learned how to eat in order to benefit my body, not to just feed my hunger.
I was a high school sport athlete and a dancer in college. My workouts consisted of the training and practices I had to do for my teams. I never worked out on my own; I was always with a team or coach of some sort. This is why I Luv My Body Fitness has worked so well for me. Four days a week, I am told what to do and shown how to do it correctly to get the best results for my body. I am held accountable for coming and for creating and achieving my goals. I am given encouragement both when I am doing an exercise correctly and when I am struggling. Kristen, Missy and John somehow have trained me to want to make myself proud first and them proud second. They have taught me what I need to do to get myself and keep myself healthy.
With all of Kristen’s knowledge and referrals I was able to lose 15 pounds and 11 inches within the first two months. And two months later I had lost 8 more pounds and 4 more inches, and yes I fit into my wedding dress (it actually had to be taken in a little 
) To me, it was not how much weight I lost, but how much more of my life I gained back. Because I learned how to eat better, my body had the fuel it needed and because my body was nourished, it was able to be pushed and to excel during the workouts. My weight dropped, my thyroid stabilized, my shoulder became stronger, my anxiety decreased, I became a happier more energetic person – I became my true self again.
While the holidays and a load of travelling have thrown me off the past few weeks, I look forward to beginning the 2012 Best Body Challenge and to continuing my success with the I Luv My Body Fitness program. Thank you so much for what you do and for nominating me, what an honor!”
Nominee 5 – Julian Simeon
“My core strength has increased with noticeable toning in my abs and chest. I feel good about my body and that translates directly to my mood and attitude. My energy is up and I’m loving my workout.”
“I wanted to get back in shape. I was not feeling good about my body and when I saw an ad for ILMBF Boot Camp I figured “If not now, when?” So I joined to get a jump-start into getting back in shape. I’ve stayed active with ILMBF because I find it a unique program.
I have a lot of favorite things about boot camp. I love, that It’s is only 45 minutes long. When I leave the house I know I’ll be on my way back in an hour. Awesome! I figure in an hour I’ll have my workout in and be drinking coffee. That gets me out the door. The exercises are short and the workouts are continually changing. In other words, I don’t get bored. I also like the friendly competition with other Boot Campers… I like it best when we’re laughing, joking AND working out hard. I like working out with other people. But What I like most are the instructors Kristen, Missy and John. I cannot say enough about their knowledge of exercise and nutrition, and their passion to teach and encourage. It takes a special person to be a trainer who is constantly edifying, challenging and encouraging. I think I love them all!
Since ILB, my core strength has increased with noticeable toning in my abs and chest. I feel good about my body and that translates directly to my mood and attitude. My energy is up and I’m loving my workout. I think I’ve dropped about 15 pounds and 4-5 inches from my waist.
To future boot campers, I would say “If not now, when?” You won’t find a more supportive workout environment that will work with you where you are at to get you to where you want to go.”
Nominee 6 – Kristin Wojkowski
“I felt so good all night knowing I was wearing a dress from my 20s and I probably looked better in it than I did then! That’s what it’s all about – how you FEEL. “
“When I first joined I Luv My Body Fitness I had never regularly exercised in my LIFE. Seriously, think about that. Not even in high school. It’s not that I was a couch potato – I’m a mom so I am always busy, but I was ready to be physically challenged. I was never what most people consider overweight. Friends & even family kept telling me I looked fine and asked why would I want to change? They could never see how uncomfortable I was. I guess I camoflaged it well!
Since I’ve been attending class regularly (3 – 4 times a week) I am stronger and much leaner. I am mentally more alert. I used to get regular headaches, my knees hurt & I was contantly maintaining my sugar “high”. I felt like crap but I didn’t know why until I started learning about nutrition in one our clean & lean challenges.I started out a size 10 / 12. I’m 5’2″. I felt really uncomfortable. My clothes pinched. I’m now physically where I feel is natural for my body -a size 6 (WOOOO). During this transition I have never felt deprived. I think that is really important. Here it is 6 months later and I am still a size 6 =). I am not going back.
I’m still really self conscious but I have decided if I win this challenge I will buy myself a new bathing suit to take on the trip. This is a HUGE deal for me. I enjoy the camraderie of our class. We bond over our aches and laugh when Missy shows us a new move. (partner Knee taps aka chicken dance, anyone?). No two workouts are alike (other than our WOWs) so I don’t get bored & my body is constantly being challenged. I love seeing the changes in the regular members.When people ask how I made this transformation I don’t hesitate to tell them about ILB and what I’ve been through. If I can do it anyone can. It might be hard but I am proof that the rewards come if you stick with it. Enthusiasm is contagious. Even after a year I am still learning how to do things correctly and I like that the instructors always make sure each person is doing the exercise correctly and they encourage you to work hard without hurting yourself. It’s a very positive and supportive environment.
To end this on a super positive note… This year when I was getting dressed for my company’s holiday party I pulled out one of my cocktail dresses. When I put it on it was WAY too big. I actually forgot I lost 3 sizes. I didn’t know what to do. It was too late to buy another dress. There was only an hour until the start of the party. I tried on dress after dress. They were all too big. I finally found a stretchy black column dress from at least 10 years ago. It fit perfectly. I felt so good all night knowing I was wearing a dress from my 20s and I probably looked better in it than I did then! That’s what it’s all about – how you FEEL. I am feeling good so THANK YOU, Kristen, Missy & John. I appreciate you.”
Nominee 7 – Safa Aliabadi
“I have lost a little over 10 lbs so far and many inches, but how I feel is not something that can be measured.“
“I can easily say that I Luv my Body Boot camps has changed my life. This is the healthiest I have ever been and I truly feel at my best. Not only has the program provided me with a fun and challenging way to workout, but through the various events, it has taught me how to eat healthier as well.
I joined ILB in August after I was not seeing results from doing yoga and going to the gym on a daily basis. I had reached a plateau and was not motivated to work out any longer, as I was not seeing any results. I decided to join after seeing my cousin and her fiancé get such great results from the program and it was probably one of the best decisions I made in 2011. I work out about 5-6 times a week with a fun group of people and have seen incredible results. In addition, I participated in the 30 days cleanse which taught me how I should be eating to be at my best and have the most energy. I have lost a little over 10 lbs so far and many inches, but how I feel is not something that can be measured. There is no way I would have achieved these results if I were still just going to the gym.
I never thought that I would say this, but I have reached a point that I actually enjoy working out and look forward to the bootcamps. Not only do I know I will be challenged every time with a fun and different routine, but I have met some of the nicest people that make working out fun. We always have fun and laugh no matter if it’s a 6am workout or if we are doing our 50th burpee of the night. If it weren’t for the energy that you get from the other bootcampers and amazing trainers, there is no way I would have continued the program. Never in my life, was I able to wake up at 6am to make it boot camp or 8am on Saturdays, but I enjoy this program so much that it makes is so easy to do so. And what makes it a thousand times better is that I am losing inches and pounds on a weekly basis.
I have told all my friends about ILB and if you care about your body and your well being, then there is no doubt that you must join the program. I have been working out at various gyms since high school and nothing compares to what this program offers. Also, the fact that instructors call you once a month to check in and get your questions answered is an added bonus. It is so obvious that all the instructors’ care about your well being and want to ensure that you are getting the results you want. I have gotten some of the best nutrition advice from the instructors that no blog or article would have been able to answer as they have taken the time to know me and my concerns and can provide the most knowledgeable feedback. The amount of attention the instructors give the students is not even comparable to any gym or other programs. I was a member at a gym paying over $200/month prior to this program and I NEVER got a call to see how I am doing. Its small gestures like this that have kept me motivated and I am so excited to continue on changing my body in 2012. ”
