Chad - I wanted to share test results from my blood work with you. My original blood work was done 10/23/07. My current blood work was done on 04/09/08. I do take medication for blood pressure and cholesterol and I was taking medication at the time of my first test. The main change from then to now is your class and nutrition program. Here are my results:

• Cholesterol was 215 and is now 175 (Reference Point < 200)
• Triglycerides were 235 and is now 90 (Reference Point <150)
• HDL was 42 and is now 50 (Reference Point >40)
• VLDL was 47 and is now 18
• LDL was 126 and is now 107 (Reference Point <100)

I wanted to thank you and your instructors for helping me make some pretty dramatic improvements in my health. Not only do you have an opportunity to have your own business, you also have an opportunity to help people. When you get ready to settle in bed tonight, take a minute to smile and feel good inside. You have really helped me over these past 13 weeks.

Thanks

Mark C. - First and foremost, Glory be to God!

Secondly, I just want to say thank you! Thank you for providing a program (FXB)that has positively changed my world. I also have my wife to thank for encouraging me to take the steps to register, attend and to push myself to achieve (and surpass) my goals.

She was literally by my side the whole way. We took the course together attending the 5:15 a.m. session each day (M-F) and each Saturday morning.

She didn't miss a single session...60 in a row. I only missed 1 session due to out-of-town travel. Not only did we motivate one another in and out of the sessions, we actually became closer as a result of sharing a common activity in our daily lives.

We both took FXB very seriously and knew that we would get out of the program only what we put into the program. We followed the exercise regimen, worked on technique and attempted to push ourselves to a "level 10" with each workout.

We realized that we had to change our eating habits and the foods we ate in order to achieve our goals. The nutrition plan was one of the most difficult aspects of the program for me. Not so much to do with the 6 meals/day, the appropriate quantity and the proper quality of foods, but it required me to change a major part of my lifestyle. A lifestyle that revolved around and controlled by alcohol.

My consumption of alcohol was not measured in drinks per week, instead, it was measured in drinks per day; and nearly could be measured in drinks per morning, afternoon and evening. It was clearly out of control, but it was not so clear to me. That is until we started our first week of FXB.

With the loving encouragement of my wife, the grace of God and a little bit of commitment on my behalf I quit drinking on Day 1......cold turkey! Afterall, I knew that I couldn't get a decent workout if I was hungover, but a hangover to me was just something I coped with on a daily basis......that is, until I had my first drink.

The first session was a good indicator that I was horribly out of shape. It literally kicked my butt! At first, I thought it had everything to do with getting up at 4:30 a.m. when I was accustom to waking around 6:30 or 7:00.
Instead, it had everything to do with what I had been doing before....eating too much of the wrong foods, not exercising and, of course drinking in excess.

I won't go on about any further details but I managed to make it through the 10 weeks with consuming only a couple of beers and 2-3 glasses of wine at dinner with my wife and I'm still committed to quiting....entirely.

Not only was the FXB program a catalyst for profound affects in my life. It changed the way I looked and the way I felt. It helped strengthen my relationships with my wife and 5 children. Even my 9-year daughter recognized the fact that I didn't have a drink or beer in my hand after I got home from work each day. Everyone noticed the lack of mood swings and an increased sense of humor (even though my jokes are still bad - must be in my delivery). ;) It just seems that everything in my life is now beginning to fall into place.

I was honored to win the North Ankeny 10-week challenge. It really came as a suprise and so did the words that I shared that night. So many participants, coaches, team leaders have been encouraging with their congratulatory words.
Most knowing a little of my story.

Team,

Thanks be to God! It has been both humbling and a relief to admit to my addiction and I know that I will always be tempted, but thanks to the unrelentless love of my wife, the encouragement of friends and family, the daily FXB workout and my ongoing commitment I know that I have what it takes to fight my alcoholism and that I will fight to stay sober.

Also, thanks for inviting me into your small group at Hope. I feel comfortable there and know that this is a continuation of my healing. It will lead to strengthening my faith and I now have others to keep my accountable. It's good to be back again.

Lastly, I can't believe the number of people that are talking about FXB. It's great to see the interest and the commitment from others that want to change their lives through your program. Lance, congratualtions on your success. I know that it pleases God to know that you give all the glory to Him. Keep on spreading the message! Amen!!

Grace & Peace -

I am not a member of Farrells, and have not completed the body challenge.  I am a spouse and want to share with you things from my view.

A year ago, my husband alternated between a mild limp and using a crutch with a handicap accessible parking pass to get around.  He was 36 years old, had high cholesterol, high blood pressure, degenerative arthritis in his left hip, woke up at night with unofficial bouts of sleep apnea and snored horribly.  He has a family history of heart disease and obesity, and his Body Mass Index score was in the obese range.

Classes started and he was a different person!  He ate healthy, didn’t drink, and went to almost all the classes.  He took better care of himself than I had seen in the 14 years we’ve been together.  But he kept it a secret from friends and family.  He didn’t want to fail and knew he wouldn’t, but what if?

The pounds started coming off, the energy started coming back, a new person was emerging.  Every night I had the same 2 questions for him:  How was class?...and How is your hip?  Class was always fine, and the hip was always fine.  He knew his limits.  Week 5 testing took place and he was ecstatic.  His stats jumped way up and his pounds were coming off.  He felt better, slept better and looked better.  And he never cheated!  If something special was happening on Saturday he took that as his free day instead of Sunday.

It was hard on me too.  Most times I fixed two meals; one for me and the kids and then something for him to eat when he got home from class, but I knew how important the support was in order for him to succeed and finish.  I counted grams of carbs, proteins, read labels, measured and whatever else I could to help support him.

Before week 10 testing he started getting really nervous.  He wanted to win, not just the money, but winning meant improvement from week 1 and week 5.  He came home from final testing tired and anxious.  He had given it his all and we would just have to wait until that night to know.

When LeaKol turned the mic over to Barb to announce the winner he took my hand.  We both held our breath and then she began reading her introduction.  It didn’t take long before we knew she was talking about him.  Our hearts were pounding.  He had accomplished what he set out to do, win.  In the end he was a winner, not just of a $1,000, but of good health.  He is more proud of the certificate that hangs on our wall than anything.

Seven months after a total hip replacement, there is no more hobbling, no more handicap tag, no more crutches, no more snoring, and his BMI now falls in the normal range.  His cholesterol and high blood pressure are hereditary so we still have some of that, but it is lower than it was.  He keeps up with the maintenance; he watches what he eats and continues to become more toned.

He is in the best shape I have seen him since we got married.  We’ve had to buy him a new wardrobe and he’s proud of the way he looks.  It is no longer sweats and a t-shirt.  He takes pride in his clothes and appearance and looks hot!  We both tell friends and family that want to get in shape to try FXB it works.

As a spouse of an FXB member, I want to thank you for what you have given back to me and my family.

Mary J. D. - Last June, I took a chance and walked through the doors at the Ankeny North Farrell's location. It was the most I had been nervous in a long time. As I walked in, I thought "why am I doing this?" In the past year, I had spent over $1,000 with personal trainers and diets and nothing seemed to work. What would make this any different?

Once I met Terrill, I felt there was going to be a difference. Terrill's energy and seeing Lisa's class that was in session, I could see I was in for something I had never done before. After signing up I left thinking "what in the world have I done". At home, my family didn't think I was going to be able to do it based on my past experiences and my hectic work schedule. To be honest, I didn't know if I was going to be able to make it.

When I was young, I struggled with my weight. I was always the heavy set girl that was always picked last. I slimmed down in my 20s and early 30s but for the past 10 years, again, have struggled with my weight. Four months after my daughter was born, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. In a span of a very short time, I gained 30 extra pounds and weighed more than I did during my entire pregnancy. Everything I tried, failed. I exercised each and every day - hours at a time - but the weight never came off. With Farrell's FXB, this all changed. During my first 10 weeks, I became a new person. I lost 20 pounds and shed a lot of inches. I dropped a full dress size and felt so much better. Everyone thought I was going to win the 10 week challenge. I had hoped for it, but the person who won totally deserved it. But, I personally felt that I was a winner. I accomplished more in those 10 weeks than I had in 10 years!

When I started the program I was afraid to look at a picture of myself. I even struggled to look in the mirrors (and boy does the studio have mirrors). I was worried about my work schedule and the amount of travel I had to do. I actually knew I had three trips scheduled in the first three weeks of class when I signed up. Ironically, each of those trips ended up being cancelled and I was able to dedicate time to my workouts. I really don't leave that as fate as more that God had a hand in it. He knew I needed the time to become committed to the program.

I know I could never have made it though my 10 weeks without the support from Terrill, the instructors and my coach Eric Herman and a special friend Cheri Herman. Cheri is the person who inspired me to join. Cheri encouraged me to sign up and give it a try. Ironically, Eric, her husband ended up being my coach. Everyone was wonderful from the extra time they spent helping me (oh, I forgot to mention I was totally uncoordinated) to the time they spent listening to me with my struggles and accomplishments. Truly, I received more than just a 10 week program, I received a wonderful gift of friends, mentors and instructors.

During the past eight months (or as I say it - my latest 10 week period), I have become a new person. Recently, one of the instructors told me it was like she saw me walk out of my fat suit :) since I started. Each 10 weeks I find something new I have accomplished - a goal I have made and new goals I create. I am within 5 pounds of my goal weight and know I will get there. I have dropped another size and for the first time have felt good about myself! I feel and look years younger.

Over 20 years ago I had set a goal to "some day" be a fitness instructor. During the prior session, I became a coach for the 4:20am class and in the past eight weeks, I have started to instruct bands. I can't tell you how much I love it. It's wonderful to accomplish a goal - even if it took a long time.

Last August, I completed all the paperwork to compete in the 1 year challenge. However, I got cold feet and never sent in. At times I wish I would have sent it in and do encourage my new fxb'rs to do so. However, I am still doing the challenge, but on my own. This is a life change and one I am so thrilled to have taken.

Being a part of your program, having the priviledge to coach and instruct has been life changing. I want to thank you for the vision you saw as you put this program together. It has been the best fitness/wellness program I have ever been a part of.

Janet L. - This program has changed my life immensely and I would love to make it a larger part of my life.  2 1/2 years ago my husband, who is a Polk County Deputy, was shot and paralyzed trying to protect our neighborhood from some gang members. This changed our life forever. Our family consumed with depression and anger. My husband and I were both put on medication for anxiety and depression and went to therapy several times a month.

Last February my friend asked me to do the 10 week program with her to get> in shape. I didn't think it would fit into my schedule because not only were my children dependant on me, so was my husband.  But after that first class I knew this was something that was going to change my life. Not only did my body become stronger but I became stronger mentally and emotionally. I no longer needed medication to make it through the day. I actually want to get up in the morning and do that 5 a.m. class. The anxiety I felt around people I didn't know is gone. I'm more confident about who I am and what I can accomplish. I will always be angry about what happened to my husband but I deal with it in a completely different way. The change in my attitude has changed my husband also. I push him to do things he didn't think he could do in a wheelchair.  He now knows that being in a wheelchair isn't a death
> sentence. We spend more time with our children now that we aren't hiding from what's outside. I can honestly say that we are a happy family again. I believe this happened because of Farrell's.

Never before did I think I would instruct an exercise class. I LOVE IT! I love being part of this huge family. I love helping people better themselves. Besides raising my family,this is the most rewarding thing I've ever done.  So if there ever is a thought to open a facility on the southern side of Des Moines, I would love to be considered.

Thanks for listening to my story.

Jonathan N. - They say a picture is worth a thousand words. In two weeks, upon completion of the FXB course, I will take my after picture. I'm sure I will see some change. I'm hoping to notice significant change.

No picture, however, can capture the impact this class has had on my life. It's not only changed my life I believed it saved it.

Prior to the class beginning I had surpassed 260 pounds. In preparation for our January 7th test I worked out some so my ten week weight loss will not reflect the total weight I've shed. Still, weight loss only tells a portion of the story.

Prior to the FXB class my blood sugar, even taking 2000 mg of glucophage daily, bounced between 190 and 300. Today, after eating breakfast it was 91.

Prior to FXB my blood pressure, despite taking a water pill to lower it, hovered around the 170 for the top number and around 100 for the bottom number. On more than one occasion in getting it checked over the past couple of years I had to sign waivers to leave the hospital, it was so high. At one point it even reached stroke level with the top number well over 200 and the bottom number well over 110.

I was not yet on cholesterol medication, although I'm sure that was not far behind. I did receive an Ambien prescription to help me sleep though I decided against taking it. Instead I spent sleepless night after sleepless night punctuated by days comprised of four levels of energy - verge of collapse, exhaustion nearing delirium, burnt out and totally wiped.

With those energy levels I often found myself depressed, at best butting on a good front; my productivity was down; the quality of the time I spent with my children was diminished; my social life suffered; I was constantly stressed; and my poor physical conditioning often resulted in back aches, knee aches, shortness of breath and other consequences of being morbidly obese.

Since beginning the class my life, as I stated earlier, has not only changed but I believe has been saved.

The first and most noticeable impact has been the physical changes. I no longer look pregnant. Granted the first snow in January was not joyous for my children since they could no longer go sledding on the hill otherwise known as my belly. In the last couple of weeks I've actually noticed I have ribs.

My flexibility has improved considerably. For the first time in more than a decade my fingers could touch my toes while standing. My legs and arms have also developed very defined, steel hard muscles which I enjoy showing off every chance I get.

I can fit clothes long put away. I'm no longer popping buttons on my pants. I have a pile of pants that I'm going to get buttons put back on after the FXB class is completed. Some of them were favorites. Some of them I wore only because the progression of my waist left me few clothing options since I am self employed and cannot afford to buy new clothes simply because the old ones no longer fit.

I have been able to get away from having to wear huge sweatshirts and sweaters to cover what might be a button popping disaster made only slightly less embarrassing by the belt underneath holding up my trousers.

Worrying about your pants falling down during a meeting because the button popped off can contribute to a very unproductive work session. I worry about my pants falling down now but only because the waist on them has so much more room, now. Fortunately the same belt that rescued me before remains on duty, for the present.

I have been able to go from the tent look to wearing t-shirts and crew shirts that simply weren't options before. In the past if I wore t-shirts my gut might, at any moment, roll it up. That look might be sexy on a super model or Beyonce but not me. As for wearing the crew collar shirts, like Phil Mickelson at the U.S. Open a couple years ago, being so attired invoked conversations about the "Manzier" episode on "Seinfeld."

The physical changes have been very good for me but they are not the reason I say the class saved my life.

I had two homicidal maniacs hunting me and they were gaining significant ground. The first was diabetes and the second was high blood pressure. These two killers are merciless. And if they can't kill they cripple.

After just over a month in the FXB class the doctor removed me from all medication. I am back to diet control for my diabetes with my blood sugars in the 90 to 105 range. My blood pressure is also under control with my top number coming in at the 130 to 140 range and my bottom number in the mid to low 70s range. My resting pulse was in the high 80s and 90s prior to the FXB class. Now it checks in around 60.

A huge benefit of the FXB impact is that I am sleeping so much better. Prior to FXB my sleeping was laboured and often at night I would stop breathing. Even prescriptions didn't help me rest. Now I sleep soundly. I don't even snore anymore.

While tired was the best I could hope for prior to the FXB course my energy levels now range from enthusiastic to sleepy. I am rarely tired anymore, and if I am it's because I'm either sleepy or exhausted from a vigourous workout. Both of these are natural.

I have so much energy now that I even walk to school and pick up my daughters. It's a 2.5 mile roundtrip walk but my daughters enjoy it, we spend quality time together walking and talking and when we arrive home my eldest daughter no longer plops before the television or climbs under the covers, me too exhausted to tell her to get up. Instead she gets right on her homework or asks to help me prepare the evening's meal.

Both my daughters also are found doing little things like push ups or sit ups. Walking is now viewed as a recreational option. We've even gone to Baskin and Robbins, purchased cones, and then walked for a mile or two before I take them to their mother's for the evening.

Getting healthy has inspired me to eat healthier to the point I have joined a farm in Waukee that grows fresh produce. Beginning mid-May I will receive fresh produce weekly and learn how to prepare it healthy, also.

Chips, cookies, doughnuts, and comfort foods that were once seen as a staples are out. I practice portion control and yet I find the foods I really enjoy I
still can eat without guilt or consequence. Even on my free days I find I don't gorge. I prefer baked over fried, breaded meats and water has become my drink of choice rather than a forced consumption. I buy cases at a time and keep a case in my car so that I can stay hydrated and cleansed throughout the day. Currently I'm drinking close to a gallon of water a day.

Getting healthy has also inspired those around me. My massage therapist, getting the best view of the physical changes in my life, has signed up for FXB and will take the March course at the Beaverdale location. Another friend of mine is now going to join me on evening walks. My mother has started getting health. At 72 eating better, walking and doing her ball exercises may mean the difference between an earlier death or seeing her grand children graduate high school or even college.

I think I've also inspired my classmates at Farrells. When the class started I was the only one staying late the first week. Now anywhere from eight to twelve of our group stay and do extra situps, pushups and stretching. Today four of the fellas started jumping rope after watching me jump rope after class the past two days.

They struggled but they tried it after watching me. I also try to congratulate and encourage everyone after each class and those who have been missing I either inform the coaches about their absence or welcome them back upon their return. I know at least a couple of participants that didn't quit because of this encouragement.

I've even convinced a few of our class to do maintenance stressing we're not competing for prizes but changing lifestyles. I look forward to continuing maintenance with the friends and support group I've developed through FXB.

As a publisher I have even decided to add a health and fitness publication to my stable of products.

On the surface the FXB course was costly to me. Being self-employed with a nine year old and a six year old cash flow is always a challenge. Maintenance is going to be expensive for me. But to not take the class or to not do maintenance would even be more costly. Plus I find I am now saving money on my medication, eating out, and recreational expenses related to the improved quality of time I'm spending with my daughters. For example instead of buying the girls a video to watch because I was too tired to do anything else I now spend time with them walking or at the park.

We take our picture on March 17th. On March 10th I get my real reward, however, my three month hemoglobin. More than any picture that blood test will hopefully document just how healthy I've become through the FXB program.

I am looking forward to the ten week test, however. I expect my running time to improve by at least four to five minutes. I didn't do the five week running test because my knees were swollen. Since blowing out my knee and my car accident that happens.

At the five week test I did double my sit ups and nearly doubled my push ups. My flexibility improved by 5.5 inches. I lost body fat, 11.4 pounds and 11 inches.

I think my week ten tests will blow away those results but even if they don't I've already won!

It is my understanding that Farrell's was originally opened as a means of instructing individuals in the self defense arts. Well, FXB has done more than teach me how to kick or punch or fend off a knife attack. FXB has provided me with critical life defense skills against two of the world's legendary killers and has also helped me to stave off at least two or three others.

Prior to FXB Mr. Diabetes and Mr. Blood Pressure were hunting me and it wasn't going to be long before their buddies, Mr. Heart Attack, Mr. Stroke, and Mr. Cancer showed up competing for the kill.

Staying healthy will be an ongoing struggle, though I find I really enjoy working out. Someday one of them may take me down. But not today! And I can say that with confidence because FXB has taught me how to protect myself against these deadly foes.

Well, I know you're a busy man. I just needed to share that.

Ginger - My background: I work full time. I have 5 kids ranging in age from 4 to 16, who are very active. I have a huge garden and help maintain 1.6 acres. I am active in my church. I coach an AAU volleyball team. I attend every school function that involves my children and I volunteer at school. I hear friends and co-workers say, “I am too busy for that type of commitment.” I don’t respond. I make time to take care of myself. I chose Farrell’s Extreme Body Shaping to challenge myself and to move to the next level.

I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 10 years ago. In general terms, MS is a disease that attacks the coating around the nerves in the brain. When this coating is attacked, it is like your brain is shorting out and it does not send the correct messages to parts of your body. The shorting out leaves burn marks or lesions on your brain. These scars almost never disappear and there is no cure. MS can affect your balance, strength, vision, and state of mind, among other areas. Three years ago, I had some major stress in my life. We put our house on the market and it sold in 2 weeks – we had to be out in 3 weeks. We were building a new house to accommodate our large family and it was only in the drawing stages, so we had to move into an apartment. The apartment was about 1/3 the size of our house (with 5 kids). Hence, the stress caused a major attack which dramatically affected the right side of my body. I could not move my right foot, not even a slight movement in a toe. Walking was unthinkable. After intense drug and physical therapies, we retrained my brain on how to make my leg walk again with the help of a cane and leg brace. After 18 months, I slowly introduced exercise as my body would allow starting with walking then advancing to yoga and core exercises. I felt I needed more so I joined Farrell’s FXB to fulfill the desire to overcome what many were telling me I shouldn’t do. I heard, “don’t tire yourself out”, “your family is more important”, “that is too extreme for you”. I signed up the night before testing and have absolutely no regrets. I will not say that it was easy to complete this program, but the support and encouragement from the coaches and instructions was/is remarkable – most do not know that I have MS or how hard it was for me. I didn’t miss a single class in 10 weeks despite my busy schedule at home and work. I have signed up for a year of maintenance. I also followed the nutrition part of the program and rarely cheated. I look better. I feel better. I am better.

I recently had my 6 month appointment with my MS doctor and he was so shocked to hear me tell him about my balance, my strength, my weight, and my mental strength. He ordered an MRI . After getting the results, he called me and told me the remarkable news. The lesions on my brain had disappeared. The only thing that I have changed was following the Farrell’s program. My doctor was very pleased to learn, not only from my mouth, but from a medical standpoint, that Farrell’s transformed my entire body, mind, and spirit. His last words were: “I have nothing further to recommend except ‘continue with your current exercise program at Farrell’s’ and ‘Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something.’”

‘Thank you’ for offering this program. I can not express my gratitude enough, “thank you”.

Kelly T. - While I was in the hospital, Randy and Rae delivered a beautiful bouquet of flowers from all my friends at Farrell's … thank you! They made me smile. Most of all, please thank everyone for praying for me. It was wonderful to hear the words "no more cancer".
I could hardly wait to tell you what my doctors have said about my surgery and recovery so far. I had 2 surgeons. They both commented on how easy the operation went because I was in shape and they could see everything clearly (i.e. not a lot of blubber to move around). I guess I can now thank you for all those sit-ups.

My doctors have also teased me because I've burned a trail around my hospital floor. I've logged at least 100 laps pushing my IV pole around. I've never been this strong so soon after surgery!

I've had several major surgeries over the past few years, and I've never had a surgery or recovery that has gone this well. I KNOW it's because of FXB. I started the FXB program last fall after a year of chemo and radiation. I was pretty much skin and bone. I even cried at orientation because I couldn't do ONE girl push-up!

Now, 8 months later, I went into surgery healthy and strong. Thanks to all who help with FXB. You've made a huge difference in my life.

God bless you all.

Woody - Although I didn't do it in 10 weeks, this has been quite a lifestyle change. I had never exercised since just after high school. I will say that the diet is more than 50% of this program, and probably more difficult than getting into a regular exercise routine.

My ultimate goal is a washboard stomach, and keeping it.