Angela Citrigno

“I want to say thank you to Gino and Matt for being so passionate about their Gym, caring about their members and always trying to be two steps ahead of our needs and wants. I’ve been a member of G & M Fitness since 2004. After a car accident in 2003, I had new reasons to become a gym member for life. When I was able to get to the gym on a regular basis I knew I had to do something to improve my physical well being as hospital Physio only goes so far. I knew if I wanted my life back and lose the excess weight that I had gained from no physical activity, I had to commit to a routine of going to the gym on a regular basis. Over the years I’ve had a love hate relationship with the gym. I’ve had a lot of ups and downs always trying to figure out what’s best for me. Wanting to do more but my body not adapting thus creating a lot of pain and then not being able to workout. Figuring out what machines to stay away from and working out on machines that would be of benefit to me. With the help of Matt and Gino they created an exercise plan to meet my special needs, yet challenge me at the same time. Last year I decided I was up to the yearly 8 Week Fitness Challenge. I knew working out with Gino for 8 weeks had to have some form of benefit. If anything I knew it would get me to the gym on a regular basis. Needless to say I didn’t lose a lot of weight but I was determined. I met with Gino for the 8 weeks and went to the gym as often as my body would allow me. At the end of the competition I was shocked that I took 2nd place in the Fitness Challenge. I was extremely proud of myself. I knew right after that Challenge that I wanted to do it again, but next year I would vow to myself to lose more weight. When word was out that the Fitness Challenge was open for registration I told Matt I was in again, sign me up. Then Gino and I went through the machines again and talked about what I could do and not dwell on what I couldn’t do because of my limitation. He came up with a routine. I broke up my cardio time into smaller increments to achieve the same amount of time over all. During the 8 weeks I made a promise to myself that I would put my needs before anyone else’s and get to the gym 5 days a week. Out of the 5 days only 4 would include cardio. My routine was very challenging but doable. Gino would hear me say often to him “I hate this machine” but in no time I was reducing the reps but increasing the weights. I looked forward to every Monday as this was the day Gino and I would meet. I also gave 100% effort. I had my moments and had to back off a bit from exercising, but I hung in there, I stuck it out. At the end of the competition I was shock and delighted that I took 1st place in 2014 Fitness Challenge. I had achieved what I had set out to do. Here are two alerts that I have programmed into my phone on my gym days thanks to Weight Watchers. 1. Think about what you want to accomplish, set a goal and take a step towards it everyday. 2. Exercise may seem like a chore as you set out to do it for the day, but remember that you will never regret the decision once you are done! If your new to the gym I would suggest have a routine you enjoy but yet still make it challenging. If you don’t like what your doing you won’t commit for the long haul. Don’t give up. Your health is priceless”