There are only 12 days left of the “contest”, but hopefully there are A LOT more days than tha left  for the changes the woman have made in their lives.  I am very proud of all of them.  To be in the real world and make the emotional and physical gains that they have is nothing short of AWESOME!  The women have helped me without even knowing it … to be able to help someone feel better about themselves, smile more, to help someone achieve their goals … it all is a very rewarding feeling right where it counts, my heart!!!!

Sincerely,

Lisa

I have been on vacation this week with my family, it has been WONDERFUL! But I miss “my girls”. I text them to let them know I have been thinking about them, I wonder how they are doing with their eating and coping with real life issues…..I have also been keeping tabs on them, I know who has been to the gym and how many times, what classes they’ve taken and how much effort went into their workouts……..I am very proud of them all and can’t wait to see them! After a week away, I know they are going to look very different to me!

See you soon girls!
Lisa

The mood I’m in, maybe I shouldn’t even be writing this right now, but here it goes. Since I was ten years old I have been taking care of those around me, it is part of who I am and what helps to define me as a person. I like being able to make a difference in someones life. It’s a very rewarding feeling.

The gym has always been my special sanctuary, now that I have my own gym it is something beyond that, something so embedded in my heart that I can’t even explain. A friend once told me that my mission in life is to change lives, and that I have changed the lives of the women in my gym to a degree that I could never begin to measure…..I hope some of that statement is true. Women go through so much in their lives, they need to know someone is there, that someone cares.

That being said, the contestants are doing well and making gains. They could be doing better….they need to realize that they are still allowing things to control their lives and their eating habits, they are the only ones that can make the difference and not justify things with excuses. It has to be for them and their future. The range in effort in my opinion, goes from 75% to 97%, one woman is obviously standing out. They talk about the end of the contest, not realizing this is just the beginning……..

Lisa

I really am not a fan of reality TV.  Anyone can fall in love with someone when the world is perfect around you and you are constantly being wined and dined, teenage pregnancy should not be the way to get noticed, and anyone can loose 8 to 10 pounds a week if they worked out 6 plus hours a day, had someone cooking for them and didn’t participate in the real world.

Adria, Casie, Melanie, Rita, Tica, Kelly and Stephanie on the other hand are all loosing weight and inches while, raising children, working, cooking for husbands, attending family summer picnics and enjoying the festivities Erie has to offer in the summer time.

These women are working very hard in a world that is not as forgiving.  Television commercials promote processed  food.  You can have  dinner with your family without ever getting out of the car.  Junk food is easy to grab and go, but I say so is an apple.  Everyday life is taxing, emotionally and physically, how we handle it helps define who we are.

So I ask anyone who sees these women out and about, to encourage them, take the journey with them, write on their blogs or vote for your favorite.

The real world, not the “reality” world is where the action is!

Lisa

I read the blogs of the contestants and my mind and my heart go in so many directions.  I wish I could tell them the world isn’t so bad and that if they just keep their chin up everything will be ok, but I can’t lie.  The world is not always a pleasant place.

We have  freedom of speech, but what about right and wrong?  Is it really ok to hurt someone else’s feelings by being verbally abusive?   Sometimes those closest to us are the ones contributing to the problem.  These women are trying to make life altering changes.  Are you following their journey and trying to make changes also?  Instead of ordering pizza, try making a salad as a family and talking together, play a game of cards or a board game, put the remote down, take the mouse out of your hand, you never know, you might enjoy the evening as well.  Instead of dinner and a movie (and popcorn) on date night, a walk on the beach to watch the sunset.  Talk about your day, share your dreams for the future……

The fun we have in the gym is priceless, I see not only physical changes, but I see confidence growing, and smiles getting bigger.They are losing inches and pounds, but gaining so much more.

There are many reasons people turn to food, none of which are usually good.  I want my contestants, members and future members to know that there is someone who cares, and it’s me and my staff!!!!!

Lisa

People ask “How are the contestants doing?”  The answer is always the same.  Wonderful

These women are dedicated to making a change in their lives.  In the gym they work very hard physically and even harder mentally outside of these walls.  The hard part is when no one else is watching and your left only with yourself to answer to.  You tell yourself that you will only have one cookie or I will be strict with my diet tomorrow or I will do extra sit ups…..anything to make yourself feel better and justify doing something you know you shouldn’t be.  What these women are also learning is that they are accountable to themselves, and worth it.

To me it is very sad to see someone who doesn’t think they are worth the effort, or what difference would it make if they tried or even worse to scared of failing to try.  It is easy to make fun of someone for being over weight or not as smart as the next person or…. Did you ever wonder if you could make a difference in that person’s life?  Instead of belittling them, encourage them, help them, show them how, teach them.  The feeling I get from helping these women and the gym making a difference in all my member’s lives is priceless.

I had a woman tell me she felt pretty for the first time in a long time when she went out to dinner with her husband.  Another has never been to a gym because she always felt intimidated, but feels totally comfortable here.  Many have said how much they love being here with women and making new friends…..My oldest member is 78 and she is awesome.

“My girls” are doing very well in this contest, but they aren’t doing anything different than anyone else who wants to make a difference in their life, all you have to do is take the first step and walk through the front door.  We’ll take it from there and be right by your side.

I would love to be able to tell every woman personally that they are able to make a difference in their own life.  These seven women are the first of many.  I like them never want it to end.

Lisa

Where to start?  There is so much to be said.  Everyday the girls are putting forth an effort and accomplishing things they never thought possible.  Their lifestyles are changing outside of the gym and that is part of what will keep them going after our 12 weeks together.  We all wish this could go on forever, we are having so much fun, sometimes maybe tooooo much, but laughter is good for the soul!!!!

The trainers and I talk about the contestants objectively, verbalizing what we think of individual gains, who has better mobility, improved endurance…. and even who looks for excuses…..  The girls as well as anyone else who knows me, knows that I am a straight shooter.  Don’t get me wrong all the girls are working VERY hard, some are just not as eager to push it to the next level.

Our girls always have a smile on the faces when they walk in the door, then it is time to get down to business, sometimes two and three times a day.  They have done training sessions and two classes in the same day before (their choice).  The high fives continue, and the jobs well done.  They really support and encourage each other.  They know it’s a competition, but they truly care about each other’s successes.  They are a great bunch of women and I am truly glad to have met them and to have the opportunity to help make a difference in their lives.

Lisa

To all who read this, sorry it’s late.  It has been a wonderful journey with the chosen seven.  I told them all the other day that I can see a difference in their bodies, strength and stamina, but most importantly I see a difference in their faces.  The shoulders are back a little farther, chins held a little higher and the smiles and the laughter are priceless.

The women are all working very hard.  People are asking me how much they have lost so far, my answer in this….the first week they were measured, 2nd weighed, 3rd measured, 4th weighed, this Wednesday they will be measured again.  I don’t really care about what the scale says.  The weight will come off with desire and effort.  I am more concerned with the knowledge and confidence they are gaining.  They are all realizing that they make the difference, it is up to them to be healthier, make better food choices, put in the effort to exercise.  They are in the drivers seat.  We at Flab to Fab would not be doing our job, if after the 12 weeks are over they all went back to the beginning.

In my book they are all winners because they took the first step.  As well as the few women who took the offer of the half price membership.  I hoped that more women would have taken me up on my offer to be healthier at such a discounted price.  If you think the difference is a trainer, you are wrong.  The contestants work out in a group or take a group exercise class with the other members of Flab to Fab.  They have been given specific eating plans. Anyone with desire and effort can do what they are doing.  The original plan was one on one training, but after that, then what.

I truly believe that all women can be healthier and lose weight with guidance and encouragement, and both are available at Flab to Fab, a sanctuary for all women, not just me.

My offer stands to all the applicants, the last day being August 14th 2011.  I just can’t seem to walk away……every woman deserves to know someone is there for them.

Lisa

This week “the girls”, as I affectionately call them, worked very hard.  They always bring their A game to the gym.  We make them sweat and push themselves harder than they ever thought they were capable of.  

I read their blogs, some make me laugh, and some make me cry, but they all touch my heart in some way.  The girls have a desire to be a healthier person and know it is going to take dedication and hard work, in and out of the gym.   I continue to be blown away by the way they support each other.  They all come in every chance they can and make the most of the time spent at the gym.

Six of the seven girls were measured for the 2nd time and lost over 17 inches in the first 2 weeks!!! A job well done.  They need to be accountable for what they eat and how much they eat.  I’m sure they hear my voice in their dreams “portion control, if you don’t buy it you can’t eat it, if you don’t pick it up, you can’t eat it.”  With the measurements and the scale,  we know who is following the eating plans better than others, we don’t have to see you do it, to know you did.

That is the trainer ‘s opinion of things……now for the heart felt truth……these women were all chosen for very different reasons.  They are touching my life in ways they don’t even realize.  To see the sweat and determination from these women is amazing.  The excitement on their faces when they saw results of the tape measure, wait till they see the scale the next time!!!!  I took their pictures and would love to be able to take their pictures again at the end of the 12 weeks in the same clothes.  The 2nd picture would definitely make us laugh, but it would also show them all what they are capable of.  A picture is worth a 1000 words…. “My girls” are the bomb!!!

Lisa

Everyone asks “How are the contestants doing?”  My answer is always the same, “AWESOME!”  The girls are working very hard, and realizing what they are truly capable of.  What they are doing is not easy, mentally or physically.

We let them know what they do outside of the gym is just as important as what they do with us while they’re here.  Having the support and encouragement of the people closest to them is key in their success.  Please support them, take the journey with them, a healthier lifestyle never hurt anyone.

One of the nicest things that I have witnessed is the support and encouragement the girls give each other.  It may be a “competition” but this wonderful group knuckles up, high fives, good jobs are exchanged and pats on the back are given.

I play and push, (I will be pushing harder….just to let you girls know).  I hope all the contestents know how proud I am of them.  I know they can do this!

I have a place, there is nothing special about the way it looks, four walls, a ceiling and a floor.  What makes my place special is what goes on inside those walls.  Women’s lives are changed!  They meet new friends, feel better about themselves, and mold the outside to match what’s on the inside.

I had an idea to help some very special people, people with the desire for a healthier lifestyle.  The idea was my version of the “Biggest Loser.” My version because no one gets kicked out.  One hundred and seventy four women wrote and stated their case as to why they should be among the chosen six. Thirty four were asked to come for a meet and greet … the plan was to pick the six to participate.  After meeting them all, the six became seven, seven more were given a free 3 month membership, and the remaining 160 women are being given the option to join the gym at half price.  All the women are special and have a different story.  After reading all the submissions I knew I couldn’t walk away from any of them.

My place is Flab to Fab, nothing special about the building or what it looks like, all the magic is on the inside. It’s a judgment free zone.  Women from 17 to 70 are there to better themselves physically, the magical part happens when they look in the mirror and like what they see.  With hard work and determination you can mold the body, the mind and the heart on the other hand it takes time and encouragement.  To all those women who submitted entries I say: “That was the first step, now take the second and use the half price membership.”  Make a new friend, feel better about yourself, get healthier, and be there for yourself and the ones you love.

– Lisa Desko, Owner, Flab to Fab

Thin It to Win It Participants:

Lisa Desko

My name is Lisa and I own Flab to Fab.  It is a gym for women only.  It was named by my beautiful and intelligent daughter, Miranda.  I hope the gym makes it’s members as happy as it makes me.  I  love working out and having fun!  Flab to Fab is a place to do both.  I started working out in a gym with weights in 1989 out of necessity.  My son was in a accident that left him handicapped, and I now had to pick him up….

I saw a weight lifting competition, had to try it, became ranked nationally, went to a body building competition, had to try it, and qualified for Junior Nationals by coming in second.  I was hooked and have been in the gym ever since.  I run 5Ks occasionally.  Flab to Fab has always been a dream of mine, and with the help of a man I love very much, that dream came true.  Tom is proud of me and what I have done with the gym.  I will never be able to thank him enough, not only for the gym, but for filling the void in my heart that I was left with after the loss of my son.

I am a NETA certified personal trainer, AAAI/ISMA certified strength and aerobic trainer, but I am more proud of the women I see every week at the gym, trying to be healthier and encouraging each other to reach their individual goals.  Flab to Fab isn’t just a gym, it is a place for women to make new friends, get in shape, and feel better about themselves.