In the past eighteen months I noticed a difference in my “genetic makeup”. I was always a small boned person, able to consume goodies galore with little consequences’ well all that changed seemingly overnight. Although I was going to the gym regularly, I lacked the motivation to push myself hard at the gym. Meeting Bonnie transformed my way of thinking.
During the time I worked with Bonnie, I began to tone up and I have finally begun to fit into those clothes sitting in my closet that I could never throw out because I would one day fit back into them.
While these things have been great most importantly Bonnie taught me the correct way to use the equipment at the gym and how to continue improving my fitness once the sessions with her were finished.
Bonnie always managed to make the sessions enjoyable and continually reinforced that she could show me and assist me to improve my fitness but in the end it is up to me to make the commitment. Bonnie will not provide you with a miracle but she will show you how to get the most out of your fitness and how to reach the goals you have set for yourself.
Thank you, Bonnie! I will be forever grateful for your knowledge of fitness and good health.
Maria B.
Boston, MA
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I started my day with a little Bonnie on my shoulder... then I decided to let myself go and be the old me for the rest of the day as if we never met...... starting with lunch (yes hot dogs) well look at my numbers!!!!!! (TRY NOT TO PASS OUT!!)
With these kind of numbers It doesn't really matter how much time you spend in the gym.. I can't believe I thought I could out work a BAD diet!!! I just didn't get it... DUH
You have taught me a lot in 12 weeks... (and 29 lbs loss later) though I've not perfected my eating habits yet, I much more confident in making and developing healthier eating habits.
The difference in my way and your way..... my way= felt stuffed and unhealthy... your way= felt satisfied and full.
Keep up the GREAT work!!!!!! FAT ASSES like me need people like you in there lives!!!
GLAD I MET YOU!!!!!
RJ Trifone
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Boy, have I missed you!!!!!!! You're such an inspiration to me and you just push people in your own way and it WORKS!!!! I'm psyched to get started again J
Thanks so much,
D.V.
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"I lost weight and gained strength and confidence training with Bonnie. Bonnie taught me how to work with weights, equipment, Kettlebells with a real emphasis on proper technique. She is tough in the very best way, enabling me to reach for a level of fitness I never couldn't have gotten to on my own."
Catherine
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I couldn't believe it. I learned kbs with you in July last year. It's hard to believe that I've already known you that long. Not that a year is long, but it doesn't seem possible that a whole year has gone by.
It just cracked me up to read some of the emails to you about my shitty cooking and you'd try to be so nice when I'm sure you were thinking dear, god, girl, don't you get it??!!!! But it makes me even sadder to see you go because we've come such a long way together :-) Again, I can't thank you enough for everything you've done for me. I would not be where I'm at today without you, that's for sure!!! My life has completely changed since meeting you J So thanks for being YOU!!!!! "
Deanna V.
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I was absolutely clueless when I first started this program with you way, way back.
I have been athletic and active all my life. I also pride myself on eating a healthy, well-balanced diet. At the age of 45 suddenly I found myself gaining weight for no apparent reason. What seemed like all of a sudden, was a weight gain of about 25 pounds. I tried counting calories and exercising more, but nothing seemed to work.
I searched the Internet looking for help. I came upon Bonnie's website and thought that she would be able to help me. Bonnie has a lot of the same food ideals that I have. She believes in eating real food and not processed or artificial food. I had Bonnie provide an eating plan for me and was eager to get started. Her plan is for 12 weeks and she provides the menus and the supplement routine for the duration of the 12 weeks.
I am happy to report that after 12 weeks I have lost 20 pounds, 16.5 inches and 6 percent body fat. The biggest inch loss came from my waist and my abdomen at 4.5 inches lost each place. Needless to say I am very excited and am so happy that I found Bonnie.
Thanks Bonnie!
Peggie Larsen
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Where to start..... First, when I started I was a Pizza Eating, Frozen Food cookin’ couch potato with no drive. I ate one meal a day with a late night snack consisting of chocolate, peanutbutter, or cheese! This went on for quite awhile ballooning up to a plump 222 lbs. My shirts never fit so good.. XXL !!!! To top it all off, my cholesterol came in at a whopping 274! I was put on 20 milligrams of Simvastatin...A cholesterol reducing pill that has a small side effect of destroying your Liver...I took those pills for 2 months and my Cholersterol was reduced to 251. Now under 200 is what they were looking for. So I was told to remain on the pills and we would see!...3 more months of pills. I decided it was time to exercise, so with the help of my wife, I was introduced to Bonnie! I joined Gold's and started working with Bonnie. She slowly built me up to where I could breathe after a set or two! Sad but true...Nothing worse than hanging onto the assisted pullups bar and sinking to the bottom...Reality slap...
Well, a couple of months into my workouts and my wife thinks we should join a Biggest Loser Contest. Bonnie would be our Coach!
At first I said no way. That's not me. I'm fine by myself. Well, I could have never been so wrong... It was for me! I signed up complaining the whole way...Like a good spouse should! So we were weighed in and the beginning of what I thought would be a breeze began! This brings me to the HEART of my story, BONNIE!
Ahhhhh Bonnie. This girl has heard more whining than anyone I know! The poor puppy dog eyes do not work on this girl, which was one thing I loved! Obviously I/we needed the pushing! The only pushing I had before this was the slice of pizza down my throat!
I was given exercise routines that worked and I felt it! My arms hurt so bad I could not answer the phone for 2 days! Along with this exercise, I was given the Bible, if you will, on what to eat! Not only what to eat, when to eat and why! I learned how to log my foods and keep track of my food intake! Was it easy? NO WAY! But getting to 222 lbs wasn't easy either. Took me a few years to build myself up that big! But after a couple of weeks I had it down and was preparing my foods ahead of schedule and actually learning how to cook, which doesn't suck...In fact, learning how to cook was one of the hardest things. I now can make a peice of haddock taste like a Hamburger! Well, pretty close anyway..Huge step for Frozen Entree Man! Imagine that, fresh, healthy foods tasting good. Who knew!
So right before the contest started my prescription for my Cholesterol ran out and I decided to see if all the exercise and my new eating habits would change my levels. It couldn't hurt..Save my liver for awhile longer too! Back to that later! I exercised my butt off. Cardio was and now is a part of life! Strength training wasn't just arms and chest! Kettlebells are where it’s at. You want to get a workout? Try kettlebells! I DOUBLE DOG DARE YOU! Kickass workout that will leave you feeling like you have accomplished something! You will feel good about yourself...Feeling good about yourself! Hmmmmm That’s new! But I like it!
Now back to my Cholesterol. I went in with three weeks left and had my blood drawn! This was the last chance to get off the Meds! My results came in and my jaw dropped! I went from 251 down to 169. Under 200 is good! HELLO 169!!! AMAZING. The Doctor couldn't believe it and was so happy for me and my Liver! NO MORE PILLS!!!!!
Lastly, and the reason I really signed up for this..My weight. I have lost over 40 lbs and I have 4 more days ‘til the end and weigh 176 pounds. INCREDIBLE...As Bonnie will tell you, 80 to 85 percent is just eating right, and she has given me the knowledge to do this! I owe her a great deal as well as my liver and heart! She will tell you that "I gave you the knowledge, but you did the work!” True, but without that knowledge and drive that she has, it never happens! She has changed my life in so many ways..She truly enjoys her job and it shows!!!!!! This is very hard to find these days! Someone who actually enjoys what they do and knows what they’re talking about! Most can talk the talk but she walks the walk. She has been there done that and knows what works! There’s no mirage here, no smoke and mirrors, just results!!
So Bonnie. I thank you, my family thanks you, and most of all, my heart and liver thank you!
Yours Truly,
Bruce V.
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(The following is from a recent client who competed at the 2008 INBF Monster Mash)
Again, you are an amazing person and I appreciate everything that you have done for me!!!!!!!!
Could never have done it without you!
D
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My name is Jason Krawczyk and I have been a fitness fanatic for about four years and a personal trainer for over two years. Like anyone else, I too had a goal and it was to compete in a bodybuilding competition. And in 2006, thanks to Bonnie Lefrak, she helped me to achieve my goal and then some. Bonnie’s expertise, support, and friendship helped me to realize the commitment involved to not just compete but to have a good showing to be proud of. The results are there! I placed third in the men’s novice OCB competition in October 2006 and placed fifth a month later in the INBF men’s open lightweight division. If you have a goal, Bonnie will help you to not just reach them but exceed your own expectations! Thanks, Bonnie!
Jason Krawczyk
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I was already fairly athletic, but hit a plateau. I've been pumping and dieting under Bonnie's guidance for only a short time (4 weeks) and I'm seeing changes - stronger, leaner, less bloated and more motivated than I was a month ago. Evidently I was eating some of the wrong foods for what I was trying to achieve and over doing the cardio, who knew .... Thanks!
Deb Grahn - 49 Supervisor
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I did not use my Gold's Gym membership for the first six months because I was so intimidated by the large number and variety of the machines! Bonnie gave me the focus and confidence to work out efficiently in 40 minutes. I'm on my way to buff!
Kathy P. - age 5?, psychotherapist (sits still in a chair for 8 hours a day)
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I've worked with trainers before - Bonnie was the first trainer who was willing to deviate from doing the same type of routine over and over again - she kept "tweaking" my workout until we found something that worked for me. Of course, I'd continue to see her just to hear her tell me I wasn't eating enough!
Anonymous
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I worked with Bonnie for 2 years, and those 2 years were a great learning experience for me. Not only did I train with Bonnie but she was also a dietitian, a cheerleader for me and an encyclopedia of knowledge. Bonnie taught me to give it my all and if I wanted it I could get it while working out and eating right. I was in the best shape of my life during this time, and I felt great. If anyone should be a trainer, wellness coach or someone to keep you honest it is her. I trained with people before her and I have to say Bonnie is the BEST!
Carol - mother of three, part time hairdresser.
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Bonnie is everything you would want from a trainer. she's tough, motivating, and compassionate all in one . Your goal is her goal and she makes sure you get everything you need to reach it . She goes above and beyond and I truly couldn't find myself without her in my workout routine.
Kim , 33 years old, Self employed
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While preparing for a competition Bonnie came into my life as a friend, taught me more about dieting, changes I needed to make with my workouts and supported me completely in this endeavor. She made it fun and exciting as we laughed and cried our way through it together as she was doing the show also. She is a great trainer and a wonderful friend, Hats off to her!!!!
Chris D.C.
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As a graduate of The National Personal Training Institute and a mid-career professional changing careers into the health and fitness field I couldn't have been more pleased with the experience while attending the Institute. Under the direction of Bonnie LeFrak, the Operations Director of the Waltham campus, the educational experience was outstanding. Bonnie is a veteran within the fitness field. Her
knowledge and hands-on approach to health and fitness is exemplified by what she gives of herself to class each and every day. I have been truly inspired by Bonnie's commitment to sharing her knowledge, skills and experience with those striving for better health and wellbeing. Bonnie is one of the very few best in the industry! To your health!
Joy
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When I started school in April I had a eating disorder. I knew I was hurting my body but didn't know how to make it better. Bonnie knew right away and we sat down to talk. She made me comfortable right away, that's when I knew I could trust her. I told her everything that was going on in my life. Bonnie took the the time to help me eat better, have more energy, and made me feel comfortable in my own body. She is the most wonderful and caring person that I know. She listens and understand what and how you are feeling. And that the best feeling knowing someone else cares about you.
Kristen
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