The next cycle of the Ultimate-Body Transformation classes starts Monday, May 22. There are a few classes that have waiting lists and others that have open spaces in them right now. If you have been contemplating changing your life with fitness and a healthy diet, now is the time. Click on my photo to the left to go to the website and see what classes fit your schedule. Remember, the longer you wait to get started, the harder it will be. There is a coupon at the very bottom of this newsletter for a discount on the class to make it even more affordable. Please don't delay any longer. A new you awaits, but you have to take action to make it happen!

We are also much closer to getting a larger Frisco location open. There is new equipment, additional spin bikes and new employees coming in June. We look forward to helping you get the body of your dreams through hard work and dedication. Having the new space will help and make getting there much better!

When I considered this month's success story, I immediately thought of Hilary (known to some as Hil) in the 5:30 am class in Frisco. Hilary is quintessentially all that is an Ultimate- Body Transformation. That being said, she does not like to have her picture made, so this month I will tell you about her while not torturing her by asking her for a final photo.

Hil started back in September. She came in looking for a new body and the ability to have fun with her godson Nicky without feeling winded and out of shape. Hil is an attorney and exudes confidence. I noticed that right away when she walked in the first day to sign up for class. Needless to say, I wasn't wrong. Hillary is one of those people who's body took a little time to finally start responding, but wow, when it did, she transformed herself like crazy. Hil has been one of the most motivated, hard working people during her time in class. She was able to overcome the initial slower response of her body and the payoff has been great.

I think that rather than tell you more about Hil's transformation, I will just let her final email to me sum it up for you. Be aware, Hil has a sense of humor that is just like mine. She tells it like it is and doesn't pull punches. I have really enjoyed having her and her warped sense of humor in class and she will be missed as she moves on and makes room for another success story in the making at 5:30 am.

Ron, I've been on this program for 229 days (19,785,600 seconds.) During that time, I've managed to lose 55 pounds - and more importantly, 20% body fat (from about 34% to 14%). I'm stronger than I thought possible, but know I can do more. I've managed to change my habits, as to both eating and exercising (to the point that I look for time in my life to GO to the gym, and it's really hard for me not to order something healthy off of any menu.) I can't even begin to thank you, Ron. I don't have the words. How do you thank someone who has made such a change in one's life? Yes, I did the work, I believed in myself, my partner, and most importantly, in the program - and it paid off! There are, however, other things I've learned:

Some people should not be in groups. Most people do not know how to be a member of a team. Dedication is not a universal concept. Go hard, or go home. Half-a$$ing it doesn't help anyone. Burning is good, but pain is bad. I can do at least 3 more reps than I think I can. I may not run fast, but I can run far. Doing more push-ups than a guy is really cool. Having the stomach flu is an awesome ab workout. Scaring the crap out of a guy who is checking me out is not appropriate behavior...apparently. A sports bra is not the same thing as a shirt. There are a million ways to marinate chicken - but it still tastes like chicken. The people who work at sports nutrition stores are weird. Wayne is not a morning person. Angie IS a morning person. Working with John is inspiring. If you don't want to do the program, don't do the program. If you want to do your own program, go do that program. Leave the rest of us, who want to do the program, alone and shut up. Men's Health should not be cited to justify a bad food choice. Bananas, not apples, are the "forbidden fruit". Warm cookies that taste good at 9pm, don't seem so tasty after 45 extra minutes on the bike. When in doubt, shut up and pedal. Momentary muscle failure is actually a big victory. The more you put into this, the more you get out of it. Being able to throw Nicky (my 3yr old God Son) two feet higher in the air is cool for me, but scares the crap out of him. Realizing that the ceiling remains at 9ft after you release Nicky is not cool. Girl scouts and their cookies are evil and must be destroyed.

In any case, thank you. Thanks to Wayne, and Angie, and to you, Ron. You set this up, you made it possible, and you taught me how. Again, I cannot say thank you enough. If there is anything you need from me, just let me know. Hilary

You too can be a Success Story. Not only in the Ultimate-Body Transformation Newsletter, but in life. If you know that you need a full body makeover, take this opportunity. Don't regret not doing something about it when you could. This is your time! A new cycle starts Monday the 22nd of May.

Recently, the winner of the Ultimate-Body Newsletter hidden clue contest, Rob Farrish and his wife Deanna went to the British Virgin Islands. "Captain Rob" proudly wore his Ultimate-Body T-Shirt while piloting his boat. I always thought that taking guns to other countries was prohibited. Somehow Rob got his two guns over there. Congrats Rob! If you have pictures of yourself wearing your Ultimate-Body T-Shirt in interesting places, send them to us.

My initials are AW when I stay in your town, just so the paparazzi, won’t track me down. Many people say I’ve got the looks, but little do they know, I’ve written two books. They would really freak if they knew the truth, that I was even an aerobics instructor, back in my youth. Combos of colors make my nickname, similar to white and red but not spelled the same. I’m not looking for you to Carry this on all day, that isn’t the plan. And you should know that the answer to this clue is not Material to who I am, but rather the other nickname of a person I look up to that starts with an M.

The clue: My New name is my real claim to fame, (or some might argue that it is a woman with her old flame). However, there was a day when I was known by a name more similar to a place in a nether far away land. What was my name and who should I blame?

The answer: My New name is my real claim to fame (the name itself, New York) or the woman with her old flame (Statue of Liberty). However there was a day when I was known by a name more similar to a NETHER far away LAND (Netherlands) what was my name and who should I blame?

The correct answer was: New Amsterdam which is what New York was originally called by the Dutch settlers.

Becoming a trainer has made me more aware of people’s behavior, especially as it relates to health. The one thing that has surprised me is that good behavior is contagious. As you gain the discipline in this program to make healthy choices over and over, other people notice. Of course they notice that you are dropping inches, and perhaps sporting some new “lines” in your physique – but what you may not know is they also notice what you eat. Most participants in the “Ultimate Body” program learn very quickly to appreciate the healthy food and healthy lifestyle changes that come with adhering to the program. In appreciating these new positive changes, others see your results and more importantly that you can make healthy choices and be happy about it at the same time. Not to say that from time to time we don’t all think “I don’t want to eat another piece of freakin’ chicken!”, but overall your discipline wins out over negative thinking

Good choices pay off when you least expect them to. My mother’s day card from my 6-year- old daughter said, “I love my mom because she cooks healthy dinners.” My 9 year old son wrote “Angie - nice, sweet, mother of David, lover of working out, who feels fit and loving, who needs hugs and kisses, fears mice and me getting hurt, who gives kisses and hugs, Campbell”. I can see how my healthy behaviors are affecting my kids without me even realizing it. Who are you speaking to with your actions and what are you saying?

You may run into the opposite of “being contagious” sometimes. Have you ever had a co-worker, friend, or relative comment negatively on your new healthy behaviors? Actually this is not truly the opposite of “being contagious”, it is very much the same thing just in a negative light. I heard a quote last week that makes perfect sense of this scenario - “Criticism is pursuant behavior”. When someone says, “you are such a fitness geek” (my best friend calls me that), or “can’t you eat anything besides salad with chicken?”, or “you used to be fun to go out with when you ate brownies!” they are really saying that they wish they could be strong enough to be like you. Keep making the good choices. Don’t give in just to be like everyone else. You are a unique individual and are completely capable of success. Let "everyone else" live with their decisions and you be proud of yours– choose to be healthy. Choose to be contagious! By joining the Ultimate-Body program, you are well on your way to that success and leaving "everyone else" behind.

Continuous effort – not strength or intelligence- is the key to unlocking our potential.