Read some of our current members' stories
Name: Crystal
Age: 27
Family: Married to a wonderful, supportive husband with two children, ages 3 and 1.
Occupation: Work a full time job as an accountant, and part time as a Mary Kay consultant.
What has changed: I have gone down 6 dress sizes, and lost almost 40lbs.
Hobbies: Activities with my kids, camping, 4-wheeling, shopping, watching movies. I am definitely more active today, and I have a ton more energy than I did when I was in college.
Favorite Cheat Meal: Spaghetti and Oreo's but not together though.
Personal Challenges Faced and Overcome: The hardest part is the first day walking in. I have tons of support from my friends and family, especially my husband who also works out at Wrights and got me started. I have tried diets in the past, and never thought I would be someone who would have a regular exercise routine, but now I can't see my life without it.
How she did it: I work out 3 days a week and have the trainers find the perfect workout for what I want to accomplish. They have also helped me learn how to eat the right foods at the right times.
How has Exercise Changed her Life: I have a lot more energy and have become more health conscious, not just for me but for our entire family.
Advice for Others: I am someone who never exercised before, and now I have fallen in love with it. The staff at Wrights make you feel comfortable no matter your background or size. Use Wright's as a tool for YOU to reach YOUR goal. The hardest part is walking in the door. I used to only want to go if someone else was going with me, but now I like to work out alone, because it is me that I am working on, nobody else!
Name: Ruth
Age: 40
Family: Single mother of a 20 year old son
Occupation: I work for the DeKalb County Health Department as Director of Office Support.
What size were you when you started and what size are you now? I was a size 22 when I started working out. I am now a 16 and soon to be 14.
Hobbies: I spend my free time with friends and taking care of my home. I have more energy now than I did in my 20's.
Favorite cheat meal: Pizza and a cold beer! Of course anything chocolate.
Personal challenges faced and overcome: When I first started I was very self-conscious about how I looked when working out. My friends and family loved me the way I was but I wanted to be better and healthier! I had joined Wrights before but didn't get serious about physical training until January of this year.
How did you do it?: I have always wanted to run. So I hired a personal trainer. Working with a personal trainer like Zach keeps me focused, challenged, and got me running.
How has exercise changed your life: Obviously I have more energy. I am also more focused and have more confidence.
What would you say to someone that has tried in the past and failed at exercise?
This is so "cliché" but if "I can do this ANYONE can." If you cannot fly; run or bike or walk but by all means keep moving!
My name is Ray Binkowski and that is me in the picture on the right. I fit into those pants 10 years ago and today I own FitWorkz.
I had a 36 inch waist and 30 inch inseam. At only 5'7" that is quite round!
Today I have a 31/30 inch waist and the same 30 inch inseam.
I have lost over 50 lbs and 6 inches from my waist and kept it off, for 10 years!
I never had any intention of getting into the world of health and fitness. When I was overweight I was studying Mechanical Engineering at NIU. I made every mistake, tried every fad diet and spoke to the experts. Nothing worked. So I researched, read, and asked questions of anyone who had been in my shoes.
Eventually I figured out what worked and finished school. People took notice of my change and asked for my help. So I got certified as a trainer and started a training business. Today we use these same methods in our 16 Week program.
How I did it and still do it today:
Weight train 3-4 days a week for about 45 minutes. Weight training builds muscle and muscle burns calories. 1 pound of muscle burns about 33 calories per day, so if you gain muscle you will raise your metabolism regardless of age or gender.
DIEt - I do not DIEt! I eat lean proteins, healthy fats, a variety of vegetables and minimal carbs. There are no essential carbs which means we do not need a lot of them in our daily diet.
Eat every 2-4 hours. I am rarely hungry.
Plan time to workout and meals. You have to make time to workout and plan your meals
Supplement. Protein powders (Ultimate Muscle Protein) make it convenient to eat on the go and a quality multi vitamin ensures I get all of my daily vitamins and minerals (Super Pak)
Cardio. I tried lots of cardio and it worked at first but then stopped. Today I do very little if any cardio and maintain a lower bodyfat percentage then when I did lots of cardio. My clients report the same.
No Calorie Counting. Portion control is important but long term fat loss has more to do with the right food choices and less to do with counting calories.
Member Profiles
Sometimes the best motivation for getting in shape (or staying in shape!) is to hear the success stories of people just like you. Someone who decided to give getting fit a try and found a program that worked for them. 
FitWorkz is spotlighting members who have a success story to tell, in the hopes of allowing you to write your own!
