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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.