Trainer Spotlight!

SPOTLIGHT ON……  LaDonna Trapp!

February 2018!!

WELCOMING OUR NEWEST TRAINER!

I have been involved in education for most of my life, including acquiring a Bachelors degree majoring in Psychology at Valparaiso University while being a wife, mom and full time employee. My employment has most always revolved around education.

I had always wanted to learn what a Personal Trainer could do for me so when I came to Pumps Fitness and experienced a great work out with enthusiasm and a smile, dropping inches and pounds, I was convinced.  Education in wellness/fitness is the wise choice for me.

 As a Certified Trainer through the National Association of Sports Medicine, also holding an AFAA certificate in Metabolic training, and soon to be earned Certificate in Exercise Design For Seniors, my goal is to help individuals realize they can do it! There is an exercise program for everyone. My desire for my clients, is to give them a place where they can zone into a little “healthy me time” with no distractions and a little specialized attention.  

When our daughter was just a little girl she asked me, “Mommy, how old will you get to be?”  I told her not to worry, Mommy would live to be 100, and I meant it, to the best of my ability. Currently, the fastest growing age group in America is the 90+ age group. What if you become part of that age group? If so, are you going to get there to the best of your ability?

Will you invest in getting well or in being well? Imagine- being at the best of your abilities, so you can live well.   I choose being well, at the best of my ability.

                                                                                   

La Donna Trapp

NASM Certified Personal Trainer

AFAA Certificate Metabolic Training

MONTHLY CLIENT SPOTLIGHT!!

SPOTLIGHT ON……  Kira Geiss!

November 2017!!

The story is oh so familiar. . . it may be your story.  “I am too busy to work out!”  We all justify why we don’t work out, but the reality is if we don’t make time for ourselves and our health, we fall apart and then cannot support our family, friends or succeed in our goals.  Like all of YOU I am busy, my name is Kira Geiss and I am the Director of Finance and Chief Compliance Officer for a Dental Manufacturer.  Several years ago, I started a not-for-profit preschool (The Field Station Cooperative) with several other mom’s and 12 years later I am still their Director of Finance.  Additionally, I have been involved in a variety of other church and community activities.  Yes, just like YOU, I am busy. 

In high school, college and early in my career I was in great shape.  I got married, had kids and then got back in shape for a bit.  Then I began eating all the kid’s leftovers.  The words of my parents ringing in my head, “waste not, want not”.  So I was “busy”, eating leftovers, began to grow, lose muscle tone, and purchase larger sizes.  I started having a lot of back pain.  In my late 40’s, I participated in a Mud-a-thon with my daughter and began running a little to try to get back in shape.  I started to feel a little better, but after a few years, still did not see any real results.  It is not clear what lead to my friend Dale Huyvaert’ s suggestion for me to go with him to his trainer.  Maybe it was my complaints about lack of results, hearing grumbles about my stress level, noticing my workload, determining it was time for me to have life outside the office or the impending implosion/explosion.  Regardless of the reason, I met Ian. 

After my first work out I literally almost fainted.  I realized it was time to get serious.  In a conversation with my in-laws I found out they had both trained with Ian at one point and my father-in-law still did.  They shared Ian’s amazing recover story.  Reality hit. A recipe for success was within my grasp, a work out partner (Dale) and a committed trainer (Ian).  Every workout was unique, every muscle was sore, every time I heard “you can do anything for 20, 30, 45, 60 seconds” I thought of the obstacles that Ian overcame and had to push through. 

After about 1 ¾ years, at 50 I am in the best shape I have been in for the past 15 years!  Ian has not only been a trainer, inspiration, work out partner, motivator, but also a sounding board.  Ian is committed to the success of each of his clients.  He works to develop a plan to aide in achievement of our individual goals and commits to his clients.  He fills our bucket with encouragement, support, and a smiling face. 

Thanks to all of you have been in a training sessions with me, you have offered support and inspiration.  Thank you for making the commitment to yourself and eliminating the excuse of being too busy.  Most of all sincere thanks to Dale Huyvaert for being a work out partner and introducing me to Ian, and to Ian for engaging me in unique, challenging work outs.  I look forward to continuing my fitness journey.  It has reduced my stress, given me life outside the office, increased my health and it has literally saved me in so many ways! THANK YOU!!!!!

CLIENT SPOTLIGHT: OCTOBER 2016

SPOTLIGHT ON……  Roz Jevtic!

October 2016!!

My Weight Loss Journey….

            If you asked me 5 months ago if I would be writing this about myself I would have thought it was never possible. Year after year, day after day, I would tell myself this is the day or this coming Monday my healthy lifestyle will start only, to be pushed to the next week or month. After trial and error and more error something finally clicked, I finally decided that my health was my wealth.

I started having major back problems in 2014 and literally spent a year and a half of my life basically lying in bed. I ate every meal standing for 10 months straight because I could never sit, couldn’t put my socks and shoes on and I could barely turn over when sleeping in bed. I went to this doctor, this specialist, or this hospital in hopes there would be one miracle shot or one miracle pill. I was told by a few doctors that I needed to lose weight which would be a tremendous help with my back problems. After a year and a half and 6 hospitals later I was diagnosed with sacroiliac joint dysfunction and received a few rounds of steroid shots which seemed to alleviate the pain.

During this time I came across Pumps Fitness because of the RESET program that was offered and figured I could give it a try. This is where I met Ian Bowen and my life completely changed. After hearing the struggles Ian faced in his life with his own health, I realized how he turned tragedy into triumph. In the beginning days of meeting with Ian, I had days where I couldn’t even move or lift a leg, but somehow Ian managed to help me train with modified workouts. I had days where I wanted to give up and thought I was never going to get better, but Ian always reminded me that “I CAN” instead of “I can’t”.

Each week Ian would push me a little further and the weeks added up to months and today I am doing workouts I never thought were going to be possible. In the last 5 months I am down 55 pounds and feel like I literally have my life back. In September I actually completed a goal I set for myself to complete a 5K race each week of the month. I can say I would never have come this far if it wasn’t for Ian and his supportive and positive attitude. It’s funny to think I used to hate going to work out and now I look forward to seeing him and how he is going to challenge me. In the end it’s all worth it because I’m healthier inside and out and am proud of myself for how far I have come. I’m not done with my journey but I’m on a great path to get to my final goal and having Ian with me every step of the way makes my goal seem much more attainable.

 SPOTLIGHT ON……  Larry Jortner!

September 2016!!

                        BEFORE                      CURRENT!!

On many levels, I’ve had a good 55 years of life.  My blessings include good education, fulfilling employment and 20 years in Valparaiso with my wonderful wife Diane and the kids we have raised together.   However, even since early childhood (with one five year pause into normalcy between the end of high school to law school entry), I have been medically obese.  Then in 2001, the roof really fell in! 

In February, I had a major leg operation, followed by brother’s suicide in April and the total heartbreak of my native New York City on 9/11.  After a year of major depression, I gained almost 100 lbs. with my 5’8” body reaching 354.  All attempts at dieting were merely yo-yos, never letting me go below 290 and always ultimately returning me to about 335.  I was a prisoner of morbid obesity.

In early 2015, my wife started her successful weight loss plan and asked me to join her.  I initially refused to try her ‘fad diet’.  However, after horrible blood tests, (including sugar levels in diabetic range) and a doctor urging me to get bypass surgery because he thought I couldn’t lose weight any other way and was destined to a horrible near future; I changed my mind.  On Mother’s Day of 2015, I put on the tight-fitting, size 2X novelty tee shirt picture above and vowed: This is my ‘Before’ picture.  By diet alone, I managed to lose 45 lbs. by the end of October.

Only then, did Ian Bowen and Pumps enter the picture.  After winning two free, half-hour sessions at Pumps in a local promotional drawing; I actually went.  Ian had exactly the right temperament, encouragement and caring for me.  I have done weekly personal training with Ian ever since.  At first, I only wanted to avoid backsliding through the cold Midwest winter and those gluttonous holidays.  Instead, I lost 15 more pounds by February 2016.

My weight loss slowed through the rest of winter; but my strength, flexibility and health all improved.  I was afraid to do exercise outside of my weekly Pumps session until I reached 250 because I feared it would hurt my joints.  However, motivated by Ian’s insistence on maintaining good form and stuck in the mid-250s, I decided that I needed to exercise more to obtain new levels of success.  In addition to my wife, doctor and Ian, I added regular exercise at the Valpo YMCA.  After two weeks of regular group exercise, I kissed 250 goodbye.

Ian’s weekly personal training lessons in building a strong core, correct form and pushing the possible continue to inform all of my other workouts.   I have now lost 105 lbs. and am ready to cross into the 220's less than 1 ½ years after taking my ‘Before’ picture.  I now wear large tees, have lost 12 pants sizes and my doctor gives me ‘High Fives’ after good blood tests.

Pumps and Ian Bowen remain important partners in my continuing weight-loss and overall health journey.  People constantly say to me: Wow, you’ve really changed your lifestyle!  I tell them that now I finally live a lifestyle instead of a death spiral.  I’ve learned many hard and important lessons including that diet only changes the outside, and that lasting and healthy weight-loss success requires change from within; that regular exercise and picking the right partners are essential, and--oh yes--that strong really is the new thin! 

VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO GET STARTED:  http://www.pumpsfitnessinc.com

Client Spotlight!

SPOTLIGHT ON……  Stephani Dujmovich!

August 2016!!

Hi, It's Stephie!

I have never been athletic or very coordinated; in fact, clumsy so no sports in school for me. I had been thin most of my life, but when I got to college I gained that freshman 15, which prompted me to get to the gym.  I loved it not only for the physical gratification but also the social aspect.

Throughout the years I had continued to exercise consistently, and then in my mid 20s I started getting migraines. I found it very hard to get motivated and when I did, the workout usually ended in a painful headache. After a solid year of testing with doctors and no answers, I resolved that I probably would never be able to really push myself again physically.

I went many years with just light activity such as short walks, but never weight training. As I got older I learned that stress was a very real trigger for migraines.  Then one day a friend suggested I try Pilates and that was it! For the first time in my adult life I felt relief. I felt strong again. I finally had an outlet that I could push myself in a safe way. I still get occasional migraines but nothing like before.

I feel very blessed to have found my Pumps family. It's not just my trainer who is full of knowledge which she shares every session, or our fearless leaders Ian and Michelle who make sure our gym is clean, cool and a positive environment, but it's the people that surround me while training that share their stories, lives and laughs.  So many laughs.

Thank you for taking time to read this.  Maybe it will give you or someone you know in a similar situation the hope they need.

Client Spotlight!!

SPOTLIGHT ON……  Ashley Wells!

May 2016!!

My name is Ashley Wells and I’m 25 years old. I moved to Valparaiso almost a year ago from Wisconsin to start a new job and be with my soon-to-be husband Bryan. I have always been an active individual until the weight of my college courses got the best of me. I struggled with stress and anxiety and started to look down on how I looked. To remain active I have joined gyms like Anytime Fitness and did the occasional yoga classes in college but trying to obtain a nursing degree at the time can make it hard to be motivated for anything else.

A couple months after moving Valparaiso a co-worker referred me to PUMPS where I soon met Ian. I told him it wasn’t a matter of me not being able to do it by myself to lose weight or workout in general but to continue to be motivated and stay committed. I wanted to workout right and focus on being healthy. As a nurse working all kinds of hours and for 16+ at a time it can be hard to maintain a well-balanced diet let alone a workout schedule.

Beginning to train with Ian was tough. I didn’t know what to expect and knew I would be pushed to all kinds of limits. I have never lifted weights and cardio is my worst enemy but the small results I see are worth it. I still get frustrated not seeing the results right away but it takes time and the slow changes are happening. I have only been with PUMPS for 8 months and I have been able to gain muscle, lose inches, and manage my stress. I still have a long way to go but I joined PUMPS to focus on my health and get me to a better and happier place.

I forget to treat my body well and I have set a goal to workout 3 times a week with Ian and will continue to do so to improve my overall health. I recently obtained my Masters so my stress levels were not helping to staying motivated but I never gave up and Ian would not let me. He has been a great support aside from my family and loved ones and I look forward to continuing to achieve my goals. I hope to transform myself physically and mentally by next year. My goal is to attend a Yoga or Pilates class at PUMPS and improve on workout routines so I am able to be committed on the days I am not working out with Ian.

SPOTLIGHT ON……  Karen Welch!

APRIL 2016

Karen Welch was an athlete in high school and enjoyed exercising and staying active.  She always had some issues with her back/hip, but never really knew why or what caused them.  Physical therapy helped throughout the years but for some reason, the problem kept coming back.

She started taking Reformer Pilates at Pumps Fitness in 2014.  After about 6 months, she realized her back/hip pain had minimized, with less and less trips for physical therapy.  She learned that strengthening her core was the key.  In January 2016, she tried RESET with Ian.  With RESET, she gained even more mobility. 

February Client Spotlight

SPOTLIGHT ON……  Anne Stasik!

FEBRUARY 2016

“If you don’t challenge yourself, you will never realize what you can become”

Hello, my name is Anne Stasik; I am twenty-five years old and work for Pratt Industries Midwest Recycling Division.

Growing up I was always active – but I didn’t always eat correctly (I’ll blame my sugar tooth).  While in college, the time that I had available to work out was at a bare minimum and I hadn’t changed my eating habits. Fast forward to my junior year I was unhappy and at my highest weight. I was embarrassed at the weight I had gained and with a little push from my mother, decided to make a change. I improved my eating habits and joined Curves, a gym that was centered on women.

After graduation, I moved back home and relocated to the Curves here in Valpo. After its closing I chose to become a member of the YMCA.  Although I love the variety, I never felt that I was getting the most out of my workouts and drifted towards taking classes such as Zumba fitness instead.

I met my wonderful Pumps trainer Kim through a close friend (Erin Underwood - you might remember her from last February’s spotlight) and she urged me to try a session. As I was already a member of the YMCA I was hesitant of joining another gym, however when I started to see the changes in Erin, and how happy she was with this location– I started to rethink my option of joining.

With various injuries in my past - Kim has helped me overcome them and I’m getting stronger every day.  Fast-forward almost a year later since I’ve joined Pumps and I’m less than ten pounds from my UGW.  I am thankful every day to have someone like Kim to motivate me and push me to be my very best. It is because of her and the team at Pumps that I am where I am on my fitness journey. This has been a lifestyle change and one that I’m not planning to give up any time soon.

Monthly Client Spotlight

SPOTLIGHT ON……  Lissa Yogan!

JANUARY 2016

Seven Months, Thirty Pounds, & A Body I Don’t Recognize.

I don’t think I’m very unique.  I’m decidedly middle-aged, a wife, a mother, an employee, a sister, a daughter etc.  I stress eat, love sweets – REALLY love sweets, always was busy and on-the-go, and thought I was doing fine since I walked regularly and tried to eat a fair amount of fruits and vegetables.

Then I accompanied a friend to this program called “Healthy Conscience”.  I honestly thought I’d do it to be a good friend and try some new exercises since I had had a lot of running related issues during the past year.  I didn’t expect to learn much.  At the same time, I enrolled in Weight Watchers – again thinking I wouldn’t learn much but that it might be good to be held accountable.  We weighed in at Healthy Conscience also.  My weight shocked me!  I was the heaviest I’d ever been which led to insight one – I’m quite capable of living in denial!

I am competitive and learned that I am also motivated by external rewards.  The Healthy Conscience program was a blast!  I loved the gentle teasing that motivated me to keep going.  I loved the one-on-one instruction provided by Ian and Michelle.  I learned a great deal and was quickly humbled when I realized I could hardly jump anymore! – even a jumping jack was hard.  Egads!  How much denial had I been living in?  (A great deal I learned….:O)   Ian asked us our goal at the first class and I said I’d like to lose 10 pounds.  He said, “You’d like to?  Or you’re going to?”.  I said I would.  At the last weigh-in, I hit 10 pounds exactly and won.  I re-enrolled because I just loved the exercises (they change all the time and I loved the variety and way that my body responded.  I could see it getting stronger and more flexible).  Mari Hahn helped me understand some of my stress reactions, the role of my adrenal glands, the need for massage and stretching etc.   After completing the second 5-week program I decided to go out on my own. 

My workout routine evolved to taking a class from Michelle, a class from Ian, and learning Pilates on the reformer with another pumps instructor, Mary Olsen.  Mary was a lifesaver in terms of helping me recover from a frozen shoulder.  She gently showed me how to turn, how to stretch, how to tighten my core and pay attention to the many muscles in my body.  Once I got into an acceptable weight range – I began to run again – slowly!  I started with walk four minutes, run one minute for a total of 30 minutes.  Today I can run 5 miles without stopping!  I work out at Pumps 3 times a week, I run 3 times a week and do Pilates stretching after every run.  I cut out sugar – I am an addict and learned that I do better if I just don’t have it.  On Dec. 20^th, I weighed in – 30 pounds lighter than my weight on May 20^th!  I reached my goal.  I don’t really recognize myself when I look in the mirror.  My body is shaped differently now; I’m stronger and leaner.  I have tons of energy and love my new routines.  If I did it – anyone can!

Monthly Member Spotlight!

SPOTLIGHT ON……  Lori Pikula!

NOVEMBER 2015

My name is Lori Pikula and I am 47 years old.  My husband Troy and I just celebrated 25 years of marriage this past September and we have been blessed with 3 beautiful children: Alix, 23, Drew, 22 and our surprise after 40 baby...Peyton, 6.  I am blessed to be a pretty healthy person. I have always tried to stay active and do some form of exercise, especially since kids.

About 3 years ago I really started to feel pretty rough. I was always tired and weak. I had lost a considerable amount of weight, but not intentionally. I pushed my symptoms under the rug, always having an excuse for feeling worn out all the time. After a while of ignoring, my body told ME what was up and I had no choice but to have some tests run. Just under 2 years ago, I was diagnosed with an auto-immune disease that made me look at life in a whole new light. I was thankful for my diagnosis because with the proper diet, I am fine.  But when you aren't sure what's wrong with your body, and you aren't sure what your future holds, it really made me think about the fact that I guess I am NOT going to live forever!

I knew that I needed to really kick it into high gear and treat my body in a whole new way. I quit smoking, started eating better, and decided to walk my fanny right in the front door of Pumps!! I met with Ian, discussed what I wanted and a year and half later...I am still here!!!  I have to admit, this is the longest I've ever stuck with any kind of gym or exercise program.  I know that is in part because of the wonderful people and warm friendly environment here. Ian and Michelle are the best! They genuinely care about the well being of their clients. They listen to your questions and your concerns and you can tell that they are committed to helping each and every one of us!!  

That is true with the staff here as well.  Michelle pulled me to the side after class one day because she had noticed that something seemed off with a few of the exercises I was doing. She asked Mary to have a look and see what she suggested.  Mary took almost a half of an hour showing me ways to improve my form and stretch some muscles that needed some attention.  You don't get that kind of treatment anywhere these days!!! All of the trainers are very focused on good form and stretching and doing things the right way. I can't say enough about all the people here. They just show a true passion for what they are doing and it is so wonderful!!!

Personal Training with Ian is where I began.  For a little over a year he kicked my butt twice a week and I must say, it was just what I needed!  My strength and stamina have greatly increased. Everything from the physical to the emotional has improved.

I now take small group classes 3 to 4 times a week and I love it! I also have utilized Ian for RESET and I am amazed how that whole process works! Truly amazing!!  I can't say enough about this place.  I'm thankful that I took that first step through the door and started my journey to become a healthier , stronger and happier person!!!

Thanks Pumps!!

Monthly Client Spotlight!

SPOTLIGHT ON....  GAYLA DOMKE!

OCTOBER 2015

My name is Gayla Domke. I was born and raised in Valparaiso, but headed to Clemson, South Carolina, to earn a PhD in Mathematical Sciences.  I taught at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia, for many years.  In 2003 many changes happened.  I became a single mom, and we moved back to Valparaiso to be near our family.  While I am a Super Woman and could probably have survived single motherhood surrounded by my village of friends in Atlanta, I decided to share my daughter with my family.  My parents are currently in their late 80’s.  We decided that we would build a house to accommodate myself, my daughter, and my parents.  That way everyone could spend time together, and we could help each other on a daily basis.  That works well most days.

In 2012, after being a member of Weight Watchers for several years, I was finally at my goal weight after losing 125 pounds.  Within a few months, my mother became deathly ill.  She was in the hospital and a nursing home for four months and has never been the same since returning to our home.  Now, not only was I taking care of my daughter, but I also had the responsibility of taking care of my parents.  My stress level was high, and I went back to my old eating habits.  I ended up gaining 120 pounds back.

In September 2014, a friend encouraged me to go back to Weight Watchers.  I became determined to lose the weight again, but my knees and ankles were too sore to exercise.  By the beginning of summer, I had lost 50 pounds, but I was still not exercising.  One of the Weight Watchers leaders suggested trying to exercise just ten minutes a day.  At that time I thought I can do better than that.  I’ll start walking twenty minutes a day.  Twenty minutes became thirty minutes, then forty, and I was even walking an hour some days.

Then a friend told me about a class at Pumps Fitness called Healthy Conscience.  She said that it met twice a week (from 6:30 – 8:00 pm) for five weeks.  We would have different fitness classes for the first hour of the class, then we would hear about information on nutrition and healthy lifestyles.  Remember, I still have a job, a daughter, and two aging parents to take care of.  I finally decided that if Mommy isn’t happy and healthy, then no one will be.  I really needed to take care of myself.  So, I enrolled in the class.

The exercise portion of the classes was hard, sweaty, and usually painful days afterwards.  But as they told us “you only get out of the class what you put into the class” and “you can modify if you need to, but I will push you if I think you can do more.”  After the five weeks, I was exercising and walking more than I ever have in my life, and I was eating much healthier.  I started cutting sugar and processed foods from my diet.  But the class was over, fall semester was beginning, and life became more complicated.  In order to keep exercising, I decided to meet with Ian as a personal trainer.  (I am still amazed when I think that I meet with a personal trainer!)  Ian has helped me to strengthen my knees, abs, and arms, as well as take better care of myself.  He even convinced me to eat only green smoothies, fresh fruits, and fresh vegetables for ten days. 

Currently I am enjoying another five week Healthy Conscience class at Pumps.  I am also walking and surviving my weekly training with Ian.  With my changes in diet and exercise I have lost more than 30 additional pounds since the beginning of the summer.  My current goal is to lose 85 pounds – the weight of my daughter!  I still have to work to get back to my goal weight, but hopefully, by the time you read this, I will have lost the equivalent of my daughter!