Fitness Success Story: Jim Pantos

Germantown, Maryland

When I began working with Jesse Cannone in November, 1998, I weighed nearly 230 pounds and was over 20% body fat. I had lower back pain and forearm tendonitis commonly known as tennis elbow. When we began, he immediately took an aggressive approach to help me to not only alter my own daily fitness practices, but he began to educate me in the right way to address things like nutrition, cardio workouts, frequency and timing of workouts and long-term goals. He emphasized the importance of incremental progress and the integration of fitness into every aspect of life.

Jesse has been extremely flexible in crafting workout and nutrition programs that not only suit my own personal needs, but also that can work with my own home equipment and facilities, and can succeed around my own work and personal schedule. I have become a firm believer that an effective fitness and nutrition program can be successfully combined into the lifestyle of anyone who is willing to commit themselves to it's success. Jesse has helped greatly in shaping my attitude from one of frustration to one of determination by demonstrating a formula that has shown proven success first in his own results and then in mine.

After less than three years, I now weigh around 190 pounds with a body fat level around 10%. My back is almost completely pain free and I cannot remember the last time I felt any pain in my forearm. This has happened without any medical attention whatsoever. And these gains have happened even as I have gotten three years older, which makes it even more valuable to me. There is every reason in my mind to believe that this progress will continue. I have benefited tremendously from his skill and knowledge. It is not just some small improvement in the way I look and feel. It is a substantial gain in the quality of my life.

Jim Pantos - Germantown, MD

Fitness Success Story : Michelle Hurst

Leesburg , VA

“About 8 years ago, I lost 117 pounds. I did it the old fashioned way, diet and exercise. Over the last 7 years, I've played the yo-yo game. Gaining 20 pounds, losing 10. I tried every quick fix out there from Ephedra to Weight Watchers, all worked for a short time, but I ultimately gave up. This Christmas, only 20 pounds shy of my all-time highest weight, I knew it was time for a change. I asked my husband for a personal trainer for Christmas, through the gym I already belonged to. When he researched the options, he quickly learned the trainers were not long term and not necessarily qualified to assist in a well-rounded program. He started looking on-line and stumbled across Achieve Fitness. He was impressed with the website and put in a call to Jesse Cannone. After explaining my history to Jesse, my husband decided to go ahead and get me a 6 week gift certificate.

After Christmas, I called Jesse to get started. He was both helpful and prompt. He found someone who met my needs and we got started right away. I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical, like I said, I've tried it all before, but I went into it with an open mind. When I first talked with Steve Roy on the phone, he asked a lot of questions about my history and my goals. When we met for the first time, I was very impressed with Steve's knowledge. He started developing a plan specifically for me, read over my food diary, gave suggestions, and gave me some reading materials from Jesse. I highly recommend the reading materials from Jesse, they made complete sense and gave me even more incentive!

I am officially 4 weeks into my adventure and completely satisfied with my results so far. I've lost 13 pounds, have already dropped a size and am feeling stronger every day. I know that this time is going to be different because with the support of Achieve Fitness, I am making a lifestyle change. It's not a quick fix, it's not easy, but it's working! The fundamentals I am learning now will help me throughout my life maintain this healthy lifestyle.”

Michelle Hurst - Leesburg , VA

Fitness Success Story : Sonja Briscoe

I contacted Achieve Fitness because I was tired of being out of shape. After I signed up, I was partnered with Jim . That was 12 weeks ago and I am VERY HAPPY with the new me! I have lost about 6 inches in my waist - which is my major area of concern and 4-5 inches everywhere else and it is all do to Jim! Jim told me what I needed to do as far as diet and cardio where concerned and I did EXACTLY as he said. That is the key to my success. The final piece was the weight training and Jim was right there with me every step of the way. In the beginning, I was so sore, I thought I never wanted to see Jim again, but as I started to feel stronger and look better (and the soreness went away! <SMILE!>), I knew I had to keep going. Jim pushes me to another level at every session and I have definitely seen the results. But the bonus is - Jim is an extremely capable personal trainer and a very nice person. I knew that he and I would get along as soon as I met him because he is very friendly and personable (and funny, so our sessions were never boring!). He laid it all out for me - what I needed to do to reach my personal goals and how he was going to help me reach those goals. I am not where I want to be, but I am well on my way. Finally, I have the foundation I need in order to be able to reach my goals and Jim is responsible for that. I owe Jim a great deal of thanks! He has changed my life! I hope that he and I can be friends for years to come.