How long have you been doing what you do & how did you get to be a Master Trainer & Motivator?
I’ve been teaching Group Fitness since 1994. Then it was called -eeewwwweeee- “aerobics!” Man oh man, have times changed. Thank god. Even back then I wasn’t the typical girly-girl, grapeviney thong-wearin’ areobics instructor. (I apologize for that visual). Honestly, when I look back to when I first started all of this fitness stuff, it came from a place of selfishness. I wanted to be skinny, so why not get paid for working out? SCORE!
Truth be told, I SUCKED at teaching. I remember driving to the gym when I landed my first “aerobics” gig at 19 years old & praying that no one would actually show. Once you get to know me, you may have a hard time believing this, but at that time in my life, I was pretty shy. To be in front of a group of people looking to me to lead & motivate them through an hour-long workout was petrifying to me. But, I sucked it up & did it anyway (week after week, month after month) for reasons I now finally understand. Then, I thought it was a rather torturous, strange compulsion of mine. Turns out, it was a big part of my life’s purpose and going through that journey gave me the empathy needed to connect to other people who were scared and intimidated to get started in fitness. I know how they feel and I know how to help them through it.
Since I loved working out so much & had heard at one time in my early years that you “can’t be too rich or be too thin or have too many shoes,” so, I decided to go to school to study how I could lose weight & maybe one day make money doing it so I can have a pair of designer sneaks in every color imaginable. Let me just fill you in on an important part of the story: I was considered the “thin one” all my life. Even as a baby, my grandma didn’t think I was fed enough. Oh, believe me, mom fed me just fine. Yes, I was picky – but I did eat. I was picky with everything, including my prom dress & it drove my mom batty. So, we smartened up & by the time I got married, we designed my wedding dress together 
I think it’s good to know what you want & what you don’t want in life I still know those things, but now I choose to think of myself as “selective” instead. 
Most of my 20′s were spend on quite the roller-coaster of diet sampling. I was known to be the skinny one growing up & I was determined to keep it that way no matter how destructive I was being to my health and my body. For years I hated how I looked. I was quite the perfectionist and my very own worst critic, so I spend most of my 20′s beating myself up… physically & emotionally. I was very hard on my BODY, with 3-hour workouts, vowing NEVER to take a day off, coupled with being hard on my SELF, making sure I counted every calorie or worked out harder the next day if I ate a french fry off of my friend’s plate at the diner. It was ridiculous & no way to live. Deep down I knew this, but I just didn’t know how to break the cycles I created to finally change my destructive habits for good….
Until these 3 things “clicked”:
1) When you know better, you do better – awareness is the first step that is taken to get yourself out of struggle. What I learned about the human body when I was an Exercise Physiology major in college helped me to understand how to better take care of myself to really get the results I was looking for. & by golly, it worked!
2) What you don’t express you suppress & it comes out in a variety of harmful ways – I held a lot of things inside (like I said, I was shy in front of those I didn’t know) & when I began to share what I really thought, it was like a ton of bricks was lifted off my shoulders which helped me realize how much I was blaming “feeling fat” or “not being skinny enough” for so many things in my life. Which leads me to…
3) Taking personal responsibility. This is one of the most powerful things you can do for yourself that sets you on a fast track for massive change in your life.
To sum up the rest of my path to being the Master Trainer & Fitness Coach I am now: I worked in over 5 different gyms while putting myself through school. I studied Exercise Physiology for 2 years, but my love for the arts directed me to finish my degree with a BFA in Graphic Design from William Paterson University. After 6 years working full-time as a designer, (yet, continuing to teach crazy-fun fitness classes), I opened the doors to my own fitness facility in 2008. It was momentous! It marked the beginning of sharing my gift of helping others get through similar struggles that I had. I specialize in helping women shift their mindset while empowering them to learn the fundamentals of working out, eating right and supporting their bodies with the proper supplementation, all in a group setting. Let’s face it, women need support & as I like to say, we “thrive in a tribe!”
Who are your clients exactly?
My clients are mostly women entrepreneurs & professionals who need someone to lay out the exact steps to take in order to reach their fitness goal so they don’t have to waste their precious time on figuring it out on their own. My clients appreciate and value their health & well-being and in fact, see it as an investment in themselves. They understand that fitness & good health contribute to greater patience when dealing with their kids, or better equips them to handle the pressures of the workplace. They need help to silence that inner critic and want tools that they can take into the real world for sustained success. My clients thrive in a group environment and understand the importance of having the support of coaches and peers alike.
What happens if you haven’t yet worked with people who are like me?
I’ve been a fitness coach for over half my life, and have had clients of all shapes, sizes & ages. If you are concerned with “fitting in” I’d be happy to talk to you personally about your story to see how I can help.
How is The RealFit Shortcut To Real Fit Results TM different from other fitness & weight loss programs?
The RealFit Shortcut To Real Fit Results TM is a combination of 4 unique aspects of sustained weight loss. Incorporating mindset, group training, proper nutrition and top of the line supplementation ensures your body & mind work together as a team (instead of against each other) to get you the results you are looking for. There is support around every corner; from the expert coaches to weekly group meet-ups from accountability partners to our specialized guest speakers, you are never alone in your journey.
What type of personality do you work best with and what is expected of me?
I work best with clients who are friendly, highly motivated and dedicated to reaching their goal. Women who understand that there is more to weight loss success than just exercising & eating right and are ready to figure out the missing links.
You will be expected to follow our specific recommendations in the 4 key areas and you MUST be willing to do the work. We are here to support, encourage, educate and motivate you every step of the way as you evolve into the “you” that you have always wanted to be!
What type of person is this program NOT going to work for?
What exactly is The RealFit Shortcut To Real Fit Results TM Program?
Yes, you do want to lose the weight once & for all, but the reality is you have been piecing it all together yourself, and now it’s time to go straight for the TRUE shortcut that pulls all the 4 vital components together in one place so you never feel like a hamster in a wheel again. This level of coaching will help you break free from the years of programming you received from family, friends and peers about who you are and your true potential.
Does this really work?
YES! The result of our work is an approach to weight loss that, over time and with your dedication, works consistently to give you results and long lasting success in weight loss and overall lifestyle. (See Client Testimonials)
What results can I expect?
The more committed you are and the more you make this a priority in your life, the faster and more dramatic the results. So, this depends on your “readiness” factor and your ability to let go of excuses and make the necessary changes in your life to achieve long-lasting results. This program is designed to help you to stay on board & keep the weight off.
How quickly can I expect results?
When it comes to feeling your mood lift and your energy level improve, you will feel a difference within 2 weeks. When it comes to improving your strength, you’ll start to feel tighter and ready to increase how much you’re lifting in about 8-12 weeks. When it comes to weight loss, slow & steady wins the race, but by combining increased activity levels with whole food nutrition (we don’t “diet” around here!), you may feel your clothes fitting differently after even a week! Cutting down on sugar and burning calories helps you immediately shed water excess weight & bloat… One of the first things that will help you feel fitter and thinner, paving the way for more fat loss.
How can I guarantee myself that I will lose weight, become tighter & toned & increase energy in record time?
You MUST make yourself a priority. Put it in your calendar like you would your kids’ activities or your work obligations. Make it top priority & you will see results in record time.
Will I recover the investment I put into this Fitness program?
Absolutely. Have you ever heard the saying “you either pay for good health or you pay for bad health”? Well, I truly believe this. The secret is to pay for good health NOW, so you minimize the expense that comes with bad health as you get older, which is draining on your bank account, your freedom and your family – maybe even more depending on the ailment that develops. So many illnesses are preventable with exercise! It’s actually quite hopeful & exciting to know that you can take charge of your health and create a healthy future for yourself. Your investment here pays for itself 10-fold! Think about the savings when it comes to thinking clearer and sharper, making smarter financial decisions in your life over-all… & to think it all started with a few workouts a week! (Maybe even quitting the smoking habit once & for all – cha-ching!)
Do you have other programs to choose from?
“I enjoy working out in a group, but I let myself get away with stuff that a personal trainer would not allow. I am ready cut right to the chase
to completely transform my body and my mentality. I need more accountability.”
Do people re-up?
Absolutely. Everyone loses weight at their own pace. You can move through the different programs continuing on with a current goal or setting new ones.
Do you accept the major credit cards?
We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover & Amex.
Ok, I know what program I want. How do we get started?
Excellent. Best thing to do is contact me at 862.248.0880 or email me at dana@realfitstudios.com to set up a “Get Acquainted” session so we can see where you stand. You will need to read through our information packet & answer some questions so we can get to know a bit more about you.
I’m not sure I’m ready to get started, how can I sample your Fitness Program at a low cost to see if it’s the right solution for me?
Yes, we offer a 10-Day Group Fitness Program for clients who are serious about finding a fitness solution, but feel more comfortable testing the waters before making a decision. Come see us at the front desk to get your 10-day program started. It’s free & there’s no obligation to continue. Come in & get started and we’ll even help you strategize your workout program over those 10 consecutive days. (Taking some days to rest of course!)
I have a family & a busy life. Although I want to lose weight & get healthy badly, I don’t have much time to spare. How much time do I need?
The minimum commitment is our class package where you can drop in here & there, but honestly, this will not get you results if you are looking to lose weight & feel better about yourself. Next to our class package option would be 2 classes per week. So, it’s time to take a look at your busy schedule and consolidate some things so you can get in the time it takes to get here, workout for an hour & get home.
Ok, I’m ready to do this for myself, but I have a couple questions. Can I call you?
Of course – I’d love to chat with you. Give me a call anytime 862.248.0880 & we can schedule a time to talk one on one and get all of your questions answered.