Joe

Age: 49

Years training: 6

Contest History: several 5k and 10k races; two half marathons

What were your fitness and competition goals when you started training with Karen?

I had competed well in 5k and one 10k race in the past and wanted something to take me to the next level. I felt my nutrition was probably holding me back a little so I wanted somebody to get me on the right track with a diet that would lower my body fat percentage and still provide me with sufficient energy needs.

What are your main reasons for choosing Karen as your personal trainer?

I was familiar with Karen from my wife’s training and some of the nutritional schedules she provided that really helped my wife achieve her goals and wanted to see if she might be able do something for a different type of athlete.

What improvements have you achieved so far in your physique since training with Karen?

I’ve managed to bring my body fat percent down to almost what I consider competition ready and I look and feel strong

What has benefited you the most when training with Karen?

My energy level and the ability to sustain it, and also the whole outlook on eating properly.

What do you like most about your pre-contest training and diet?

I like that I have lots of choice. I don’t have to cheat myself out of some of the things that I enjoy. I got a chance to try lots of new things that I find I really like and I don’t have to eat the same things every meal or even every day. There are lots of choices and recommendations to prevent me from getting bored with my nutritional intakes and even when I’m away from my prepared meals, I can find alternatives to keep me eating.

Would you recommend Karen as a trainer?  Why?

My familiarity with Karen is mostly as a nutritionist and I would wholeheartedly recommend her as such because she tailor makes a menu according to the client’s likes and dislikes, rather than just dictating what that person has to eat and when.

I am familiar with Karen’s coaching as well, through my wife’s training, and some of her training programs look really interesting as well – again, she tries to keep the interest level high by varying the types of workouts in her client’s training regimen.

What are your favorite “diet” and “non-diet” foods?

Cheese is probably my downfall, so I like that I can satisfy my cravings with non-fat cottage cheese and still work toward my goals of reducing my body fat. I cheat with Pizza once a week and try to keep it as healthy as possible.

What is/are your favorite exercises?

I love to run and enjoy all training related to it, though not always when I’m actually in the middle of a workout. Hill repeats, fartlek, wind sprints, long runs … I love them all.

What are your most memorable moments training with Karen?

That she actually feels like she let me down if I don’t do as well as I expected. I didn’t do as well as I hoped in my first two half-marathons but mostly due to my not approaching the race right, and had to assure Karen that it was nothing to do with my nutrition; I just didn’t run the race right.

What are your greatest fitness accomplishments so far?

I was able to finish a half marathon. “To finish” wasn’t my goal when I trained for my first one but in talking to people and analyzing the race(s) in retrospect, I now realize it was quite an accomplishment. Now I can work on running those races right and work on improving my times and I know Karen’s expertise will help me with those goals as well.