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ATTITUDE * COMPOSITION * TRAINING |
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I was diagnosed years ago with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. At that time, I was advised by medical professionals to rest as much as possible and to avoid exercise and over exertion. I followed my physician's advice and as a result I began to gain weight, loose my stamina and muscle tone. I remember going on a family hike in the mountains of North Carolina, getting a third of the way up the trail and actually sitting down on a rock and crying because I just didn't have the strength or stamina to keep up with my children and husband. That was a turning point for me. I wasn't going to live like an invalid! I began exercising on my own. I made progress over several years but I just didn't have the muscle tone that I had pre-fibro and chronic fatigue. About that time my only daughter became engaged to be married. I wasn't going to go to my daughters wedding in any shape but the best that I could be. I thought this might be a perfect opportunity to start working with a personal trainer. I began to watch the trainers at the gym where I was a member. One attractive young woman in particular stood out to me. One of the things I was looking for was a trainer who had good body composition; in other words, good muscle tone, not overly muscular like a man but not too skinny like an aerobics addict either. This person also needed to relate well to the people they were training. As I began to watch the trainer, Leanna Peters. I realized I knew Leanna from a Women on Weights class that I had taken with her a year prior. I could tell that she understood the correct way to exercise, how much weight her clients should be lifting and how hard to push them. I knew she was the one that I wanted to work with. My daughter and I began working with Leanna in the spring of 2007. We were determined to be in shape for this wedding. Leanna asked us to keep a food journal for a week and write down our objectives and expectations for our training sessions. She then did a body composition analysis for us. I explained to her my medical diagnosis and she told me that I would be fine; she understood those conditions and she knew how to work with people who had it. We have been together ever since, two mornings every week. I cannot believe the change I have undergone since Leanna began training me. Wow! She really knows what she's doing. My stamina is 10 times what it was that day in the mountains, my muscle tone is better that it has been in twenty years and I have stamina to outlast my entire family. I can now lift more weight on almost every exercise than my daughter who is twenty plus years younger than me. I feel good on most days and great on the days that I spend an hour with Leanna. Believe it or not, when my symptoms are flaring, an hour with Leanna will always make me feel better. She understands that on these days I just can't lift what I do when I am feeling good, but that exercise is the best medicine I can get. What started out as female vanity has turned into a way of life. Leanna has helped me learn how important it is to care for your body. And that taking care of your body can also take care of your mind. I don't tell her often enough how much I love my Leanna time. Betsy Gauthier
In 2001, I had to have surgery on my right shoulder to re-attach two muscles which had been torn loose from the rotator cuff. Due to the length of lime between the injury and the final diagnosis, the muscles had atrophied to the point that they were almost 1.5 inches shorter than normal. The orthopedic surgeon was not sure they could be re-attached and even if they could stretch them that far, they might be so thin that they would tear. Following the surgery I spent 6 weeks in a sling. Under no circumstances was I to move the arm. Although, the surgeon was able to re-attach the muscles, there was still a 50/50% chance this would work. Following the "healing" stage I underwent 6 weeks of physical therapy. At the final post-operative evaluation, the surgeon told me that I might get 85% strength at best back in that shoulder and released me to return to normal activities. The very first thing I did was to go to the gym where Mr. Deese was training. I had known him for some time and asked him if he could help me with my shoulder, Mr. Deese evaluated my shoulder as thoroughly as the orthopedic surgeon did and told me that he could help me. BUT, I would have to forget everything I thought I knew about training and do only what he told me to if I wanted to see improvement in that shoulder. It has been 7 years and I still train with Mr. Deese 4 days a week. The shoulder is probably 200% stronger than before I injured it. At 48 years of age, I can bench press more and shoulder press more than I could when I was on a power lifting team in college. Not only that, but my cardiologist (I see one as a preventive measure) has informed me that my heart is better now than when I was 40 (and there was nothing wrong with me then!). Not only did the improvements to my shoulder surpass all expectations, my whole body and spirit improved. I actually feel and look better now than 1did at 30 years of age. All this I owe to the personalized attention that I received under Mr. Deese. Jerry W. Reeves, DDS
I am pleased to write a letter endorsing Prince Deese and the A.C.T. "Foremost in Fitness" studio. Prince has been my personal trainer for three years. Prior to that lime I had used at least 6 other trainers to assist me with an appropriate gym regimen. The following are characteristics that make Prince unique and elevate him to a level that I did not find with the others:
The A.C.T. Studio is a beautiful place to train. I find every possible piece of equipment available there, always in excellent condition, ready for my use. The setting provides a peaceful place to work out, with beautiful views outside. I would be pleased to talk with anyone who has interest in becoming a part of the A.C.T. family. Bobbie Avant Brown
Four years ago, I received the news that among other signs my voice was changing and becoming less audible, and that my already poor handwriting was getting more illegible, that I was in the early stages of Parkinson's Disease. The prognosis of this is a slowly progressive disease with my neurologist explained had no specific cure, but with medication and persistent exercise, could be delayed in its disabling symptoms, primarily tremors of the extremities, stooped posture, a shuffling gait and occasional loss of a sense of balance. Today, I am involved in a very active physical exercises of A.C.T. by Deese and as yet have not developed the tremor, shuffling gait, while finding my flexibility and balance have all improved and with improvement, self confidence. I can without hesitation highly recommend the program of A.C.T. by Deese. T E Sikes
My workout partner and I have been lifting weights together for more than 10 years. We always went at it hard and made good progress. For the last four months we have been working out with Prince Deese at A.C.T. I had no idea that one man could know so much about building muscle. Every workout is different and extremely challenging. We have made great progress in a short period of time and look forward to a long relationship with Prince. No one does it better! Steve Crater I just found out this afternoon that I made the field hockey team! I honestly cannot thank you enough for getting me in the best shape I've ever been in and for pushing me beyond my limits! Although preseason has been tiring, I have had the stamina to make it through each practice going full-speed the entire 2 and 1/2 hour and I feel stronger and more confident playing field hockey than ever before (simply because I can keep up with everyone else...and sometimes even finish first during sprints). I don't think that I could have done it without you! THANKS for everything! Sarah Cauthen
I saw an increase in my energy level, and exercising lowered my blood pressure. Teresa Richardson
I've lost 60 pounds, my cholesterol is down 50 points. I can run (not far, but run) and I have so much energy. Having the class made me accountable and the encouragement from Prince and Gina, as well as my classmates, was invaluable. Lisa Gerringer I appreciated being able to start at my own level (no or very little exercise in the past) and work my way up level by level instead of trying to keep up with someone more experienced. I have stretched and straightened my body and recouped the 1/2 inch I had lost in height in addition to losing a few pounds. My stamina is better and 1 can even run again, something I thought I would never, ever be able to do again. I felt more energetic while taking the classes and slept much better too. It was a great way to get to know your teammates better. I enjoyed the fun and camaraderie we all experienced. Plus, getting our money back was a big incentive to attend the classes even when you could think of a million reasons not to go. Debbie Sullivan
The class was great! I definitely felt better and had much more energy. This class touched on all parts of the body and not just concentrated on one area. My only regret is that I should have started this a long time ago! Robin Trump
I went to the doctor this week, and had dropped 23 pounds since my appointment in March and my blood pressure was great! My doctor was ecstatic over the improvement and so am I. I also have more energy and my balance and coordination are much improved. I really look forward to the classes. They give you a chance to de-stress and unwind and also pump you up. Debra Murray
I try to work out at least 3 or 4 days a week - the A.C.T. program is a great supplemental to my regular program. I sleep better when I work out and this definitely helps to relieve my stress levels. I encourage everyone to participate - it really is a lot of fun! Erin Hayes |
A.C.T. By Deese
5314 West Friendly Ave., Suite E, Greensboro, NC 27410
336-617-5304