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Dr. Garcia was committed to finding a personal trainer. He was tired of futile workouts and training methods that ultimately left him at ground zero. He wanted to find an individual that “knew what he or she was doing,” and that would assist him in clenching a “safe” and “effective” workout regiment. He put in a call to Gloria, and was ever so happy that he did so. “My first impressions of Gloria were favorable. She was to the point. She expressed her goals (as far as my overall health and body were concerned) and expressed her plans (as far as working with me). I decided right then and there to start.”

Working with Gloria proved to Garcia that he had gone the right route. Not only was Gloria “professional,” contends Garcia; she was also very “accommodating.” “Gloria was (and is) everything that I imagined a personal trainer to be, but she was (and continues to be) even more. She pays special attention to each and every detail. She is always looking for ways to improve her style. She adds a personal touch to her services. For example, she always has clean towels and ample water available at her sessions, which may not seem like an extraordinary thing, but it is one less thing that I need to worry about,” says Garcia!

It also appears that Gloria has a certain exceptional talent or touch. “Gloria is unique. She is so personable. She does not pry, nor force you to open up to her; she doesn’t need to. Her genuine concern and desire to help shows in her ability to carry on conversation and also my ability to talk to her about, well, pretty much anything,” says Garcia. “She knows how to motivate; she really knows how to get you going and keep you going,” concludes Garcia. “Getting fit” is a way for Garcia, like many others, to release pent-up frustration. As Garcia comments, “it is an escape hatch.” But with Gloria, Garcia has found other, equally important, benefits of training. “In Gloria I have found a human response. As I become more confident of my outer-image, I have found that I am much more out-going and confident in my daily interaction with people. It is strange, but it seems I feel a bit more confident with my outer image combined wirth a healthy psycological work in a very intimate and amazing way.”

And if this weren’t already enough, Gloria has also sparked Dr. Garcia’s interest in alternative medicine, a field on which he has paid little or no attention throughout the entirety of his career. Garcia comments on the topic, “I have been looking into herbal treatments for menopausal symptoms. I never had much faith in alternative or herbal remedies. To be quite honest, I always remained rather dubious and reluctant concerning these off-shoots of medicine, but through conversation with Gloria, I have really taken a step back and continue to look into and re-evaluate my opinions concerning these areas.”

Dr. Frank Garcia’s connection with Gloria has more than transformed his body; it has transformed his life. He continues to work with Gloria in his pursuit to achieve and maintain “optimal health” as a way of living, living a life that before he could only dream to call his own.

Marie came to Gloria after having given birth to her child. “I felt like a snail,” says Marie. “I had imagined that after having my child I would simply slip into my pre-pregnancy clothes. But was I mistaken! Those extra 10-15 pounds wouldn’t come off. I was obsessed, worried, preoccupied. It consumed me; it became half of who I was.” Marie tried gyms, but soon found that a gym’s schedule must be your schedule. “The whole gym setting was not conducive to my life,” comments Marie. Marie was at a loss. Her hopes of resuming her shapely figure seemed farther away than ever. Her self-esteem plummeted. At this point she decided to give personal training a try. It was a last resort. “I am an open person, and I was open with the trainers I consulted. I let them into my concerns and preoccupations with my body image, and told them of my struggles. What I repeatedly heard was, ‘You just haven’t been doing it right up until now!’ And as if this weren’t humiliating enough, there was always the presence of a discerning eye,” says Marie. But Gloria was different.

Marie came across Gloria’s business cards at the local GNC. What she remembers distinctly was a caption on the card that states, ‘ … transforming bodies in as little as twelve weeks. … ‘ This was enough to have her bolt to the phone. “I remember thinking,” says Marie, “this could be it!” “But at the same time, I felt that it could also just be another gamble at a quick weight-loss fix; just more wasted money!” Marie saw Gloria that very same day. “I was so impressed,” says Marie. “I guess she could sense the preoccupation in my voice. She told me that she had some time free, and would be more than happy to talk today. I took her up on the offer. And I thank God that I did!”

When Gloria arrived at Marie’s home, Marie surprised herself talking openly about her difficulties while Gloria listened. “One thing that I will never forget is something Gloria said to me that day. I felt hope for the first time in a very long while. She said, ‘It has nothing to do with doing it right, or for that matter, doing it wrong. The only thing that matters is turning it around and making work for you!’” Gloria has taught Marie the basics of getting-fit and staying-fit. She has given Marie hope, and a positive attitude to accompany it. In addition, Gloria has educated Marie on the basics of nutrition, and has taught her how to not give-in when she reaches a plateau. “

Gloria has taught me a very important lesson. I have learned that being healthy is a sort of all-inclusive package: it entails both feeling good and looking good, in addition to always knowing that you are doing the very best that you can do.” Marie says that she has learned to be “accountable” for her health. Upon coming to Gloria she was on medication due to blood pressure irregularity. Gloria continues to monitor her blood pressure three times within a typical workout and for the past four months it has remained stable. Marie continues to wake at 6:30 a.m. for her morning workouts; something that she never imagined she would be able to do. Her energy level has dramatically increased due to her scheduled workouts, Gloria’s guidance, supplements prescribed by Gloria, and a new, nutritious and balanced way of eating (again orchestrated by Gloria). So it seems that Gloria has once again worked her magic, instilling hope where it had been lost.

She had slowly been gaining unwanted weight for some time, and vowed to put an end to it, once and for all. She also desired to build muscle, in hopes of toning and defining her upper and lower body.

Aimee came to hear of Gloria via a referral. She was a bit skeptic, nonetheless. Up until now, she had tried every quick fix remedy and program imaginable, including: Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, herbal supplements, a number of gyms, and just about every bun tightening, ab-revolution, 5-minute shape-you-up and strip-your-pocketbook video on the market. She would see results for a few months, but as time passed, the weight returned. Aimee contacted Gloria and they set up an hour to meet and discuss Aimee’s goals and projections. An hour quickly turned into two, and Aimee felt that this time around something might very well be different.

During their first encounter Gloria explained her philosophy to Aimee. As Aimee best explains: “Gloria truly believes in what she does and she follows this lifestyle as well. She explained to me that in order to achieve results I needed to follow a 3-step program: exercise, healthy eating and supplementation. I listened to her. I knew that this was a program that I could follow for the rest of my life. I was so excited after talking to her that I went straight to the store to buy all my supplements and started working out with Gloria the next day.”

Aimee had worked with other personal trainers in the past, but never had she met anyone quite like Gloria. Having worked with other personal trainers in the past, she always felt that her needs had been overlooked. “No one ever made me feel like I could achieve the goals I had in mind,” says Aimee. “The other trainers would ask me what exercises I wanted to do; they missed the whole point! If I knew what exercises I wanted to do, then I wouldn’t need a trainer, right? Gloria, on the other hand,” continues Aimee, “understood what I was looking to accomplish and she put together a plan just for me.”

When Aimee came to the decision to try another trainer, she came in with certain criteria that she felt must be met. She had learned from past mistakes, and vowed to move ahead differently this time around. Aimee understood that she was out of shape, and didn’t know the first thing about weight training, so it was imperative that she find someone who could guide her and explain to her the fundamentals of re-shaping her body. She was also very self-conscious regarding her body shape and ability to exercise. Therefore, it was important that she find someone with whom she also felt comfortable.

Gloria fit the bill. As Aimee comments: “She never judged me on how out of shape I was. Instead, she always encouraged me and made sure that I was working out to the best of MY ability. She never compared me to anyone else or made me feel unworthy of working out with her. She has been my biggest cheerleader and has continuously encouraged me to keep going, even when I thought I couldn’t do it anymore.” And Aimee continues, “Gloria has taught me how to work out and how to stay disciplined while benefiting from a one-on-one environment. She is always changing my workout plan to fit my needs at that given time. She also makes sure that I am working out to my maximum potential to ensure great results.”

Aimee has been working with Gloria for a little over twelve weeks now. After the first twelve weeks had ended, Aimee had lost twelve and one-half inches from her frame. Aimee feels revitalized; she hardly is able to associate the smiling face that greets her every morning with her own. Her energy level has dramatically increased, and she is amazed by how the days seem to just ease on by.

Believe it or not, Aimee has become a sort of spokeswoman for More Than Fitness. This has a lot to do with the fact that she believes that she has “become a better person because of working with Gloria.” For Aimee, More Than Fitness represents a way of living. Aimee has learned not only how to “fuel her body,” but also how to work-out effectively in order to “shape her body.” In fact, Aimee gets a laugh out of the fact that she has muscles now! Stand back! Aimee comments: “Gloria doesn’t just help me working out, she listens to me and teaches me how to make better decisions regarding ALL aspects of my life. I look to her for guidance in my personal, professional and “work-out” life. We just have the best conversations while working out and after a few days off, I can truly say that I look forward to seeing her again.”

Aimee feels that Gloria is in some way her “much needed Angel,” and understandably so. Aimee, for the first time in her life, enjoys exercise, and the harmony that comes along with feeling whole. Gloria stuck by her side during the first “rough” weeks, and continues to be a steadfast monument of inspiration on those days where Aimee feels she “just hasn’t got it in her.” One thing is for certain, though… “It’s the best thing I have done for myself in a very long time!” concludes Aimee. Oh, and Aimee, you better strut your thing down that aisle. You’ve worked for it!

Lana has been working with Gloria for the past six months. What Lana was looking for was a good female body builder, but what she found in Gloria was much more than that. “Gloria is more than a great trainer, she is a great friend. She really takes the time to listen to her clients. She is as concerned with what is happening on the inside as with what she is seeing on the outside. But, I guess what I appreciate most about Gloria, is the fact that she speaks her mind…she’s always pushing you, she always motivating!” According to Lana, Gloria has got “her act together.” “Gloria has a schedule, she is organized, very organized, and she tracks your progress every step of the way,” says Lana!

I guess the most important thing I have taken so far from Gloria, comments Lana, is that although a lot can be said for a ‘great body,’ in the end, what you carry inside, will ultimately show on the outside.”

I saw one of Gloria’s business cards and decided to give her a call,” says Debbie. It is important to note that Debbie had already screened three personal trainers prior to contacting Gloria, and after having worked with one of them for three very long and unsuccessful months, came to the realization that she was headed towards feelings of deeper loss of control and fear.

Debbie knew by the completion of her first phone conversation with Gloria that she had found her miracle. “I could tell from our first phone conversation that Gloria was a very caring person. And then when we met for the first time, I was amazed that she was much more concerned about my personal well being than my own concerns about getting into better shape. I felt that Gloria would be able to help me achieve my personal goals regarding getting into shape, but again, this was the least of my problems. She touched into my feelings of depression and confusion in my personal life and I could tell immediately that her concerns were genuine – for me, as a person. I felt her compassion, and I knew I wanted to work with her,” contends Debbie.

Debbie is forty-two years old, and not ashamed to share to her age with anyone, (at least not now!). Today, she can honestly say that she is in the best shape of her life. She has lost 7 inches, gained 7 pounds of muscle, and lowered her body fat to 20.5%. She has been working with Gloria for the past six months (after having originally signed up for a twelve-week session). Debbie was not overweight when she came to Gloria, nor did she drink or smoke, yet Gloria performed a routine stress test which indicated that Debbie’s heart was in terrible shape; for the most part due to the great amount of pressure and stress she had recently been experiencing.

Gloria and Debbie set out on a joint mission to get her heart, mind and overall body into shape. Along the way, Debbie was faced to confront many aspects of her person. She had been raised in a family where religion had not played a significant role, but Gloria’s steadfast spirituality has quietly shed light on many of the difficult issues she was dealing with. Debbie comments, “Gloria has helped me answer some questions and more importantly, has gotten me to think about things differently; I must say this has really helped me. It is very hard to put into writing the way I feel about Gloria. I am the type of person that has a real problem asking for help, and with Gloria I never had to ask. She was always there and could see what I needed.”

Due to a new work schedule, Debbie will be going her own way come January, but she will be leaving as a new person. She realizes that one can only do so much with the body God has given them. And she refuses to follow any unrealistic expectations. To Debbie More Than Fitness stands alone. As she best explains, “My actual fitness was not my biggest obstacle. If you are not healthy in all aspects – mentally, physically and spiritually – then you are not whole. Working on all three has given me a taste of total fitness.” Debbie vows to continue working out, in addition to “fine-tuning” what she and Gloria have already achieved. Debbie defines Gloria as a “positive, motivational, funny knowledgeable, energetic BUTT KICKER (in a good way of course!).” And if this weren’t enough, Debbie continues, “Gloria is so genuinely understanding, caring and helpful. She is a beautiful person, inside and out!” Debbie and Gloria began as a team and will remain a team. “I will always stay in contact with Gloria – I truly value our working relationship as well as our new-found friendship,” concludes Debbie.

Several months after our third failed attempt at insemination, I spoke with Gloria Ponziano, whom I had known for years. She was living in Florida where she was working with a compounding pharmacist, helping men and women with hormonal imbalances. The results experienced by her clients were quite impressive. She suggested I take a hormone saliva test to see if it would reveal my fertility problems. But we had already invested in the non-refundable fertility drugs and couldn’t afford to let it go to waste.
A year later, Gloria returned to the Chicago area where we met for a consultation. She explained the simplicity of the test which would be done throughout my monthly cycle, in the privacy of my home and then Federal Expressed to the laboratory.
I’ll admit to being a little skeptical that a hormone test could help, but after enduring painful shots, negative side effects from fertility drugs, and the heartbreak of a miscarriage, our desire to have a child warranted one more try at something that might help us conceive.
On July 28, 2005 I met with Gloria for a consultation after the test results were back. It indeed showed a hormonal imbalance that was compounded even more so by the fertility drugs. She felt confident we could bring my body back into balance within 5-6 months which would therefore increase my chances of conception.
Sure enough, less than six months later, I was pregnant! We were thrilled! About the eighth week into the first trimester, I began bleeding very heavily. Fearing another miscarriage, I was grateful when Gloria just happened to phone me that morning. In a state of panic I told her what was happening. Her calmness was reassuring as she advised what I needed to do to help my body stop the bleeding. And she was exactly right! Before the day was over the bleeding had stopped. The next day, an ultrasound performed by my doctor confirmed there were no complications and the baby was fine.

Our little boy was born Sept. 14, 2006 and we are thrilled!
There were no complications throughout my pregnancy and Gloria has assisted me in keeping my body in balance to avoid postpartum depression that can sometimes take place after childbirth.
Whether you’re trying to get pregnant or are experiencing negative changes in your body, you owe it to yourself to meet Gloria Ponziano for a consultation. It was an answered prayer for us.
Rita and Frank Tsione

Palos Park, Illinois