Vera's Bio:

I was never really what you would call fit. I was a yoyo dieter, on again off again exercising, binge eater that weighed in on April 1, 1996 at 220 lbs. That morning, just days after my husband David's 40 birthday, I woke up in a swirling nightmare, "Your going to be 40 soon, what's it going to be? Fat or Fit, Fat or Fit, Fit or Fat". That was all my mind could think, and in a moment I decided, FIT! and the transformation began.

I started dancing around the living room, lifting soup cans as weights, the measuring cups came out, and awareness of where I was at in my life (unhealthy, weak, frustrated) and what I had been thinking about myself (failure, willpower less, pathetic) came in clear focus.

Those feelings were wrong, and NOT who I wanted to be, not who I really was. I didn't want to keep thinking like that?

I thank God for that day. I had had enough, and I began, that very day, to focus my energy on living the most healthy lifestyle I could. Like so many of you, I knew all the things to do in order to be healthy and fit. But knowing and doing are two different things. That day lead me to pursue health and fitness, to continue my education, to change my life! I began taking classes in fitness, nutrition and coaching. I began working on myself, physically, mentally and spiritually. I was getting into the best shape of my life. I was my first client! I am still my own client.

I am a certified Personal Trainer with American Council on Exercise (1997), certified Fitness Coach, Am I Hungry licensed facilitator, Fitness Speaker, Idea Fit member, CPR certified, and I continue my education.

I have 11 years professional training experience. I was the Personal Training Director at a local Fitness Center for 6 years, and opened Focus Fitness August '05.

I am now a recovered Yoyo dieter, and much more athletic than ever before. I have 2 rim to rim (north to south) hikes of the Grand Canyon under my belt. I hike when the weather is cool. Otherwise I am treadmill kind of girl. I lift weight's 2 to 3 times a week and do some cross training at Rocks and Ropes. I also walk/jogged 2 half marathons, and participate in local events all the time.

Over the years I trained clients in their homes, out in nature and now we train at the studio. I worked with dozens of women over the last 11 years.

My clients all have one thing in common,regardless of age, they all desire to be strong, healthier, fit women and men.

People come to me when their ready to find their strength, confidence, and balance in life. Change begins to happen within days of beginning our partnership. My approach is simple. We are all unique, I work with what's important to you in your life. We identify any limiting beliefs you have come to accept about yourself, and use today as your entry point for adopting healthy living.

You get on going support, education and encouragement, and move forward at a more rapid pace than if on your own.

*Sami says "I am in the best shape of my life, and I get so much more than a great workout. Vera is a great coach.

*Marie says "I was a yoyo dieter for my whole life. Blamed my weight on a slow metabolism, my mother, and well, everything. Vera helped me learn to take responsibility for each thought, each meal, each workout. The choice is mine, and even if I make a poor choice that's no reason to blow it for the day, which in the past, led into weeks, months, and sometimes years. I now accept it and make a better choice the next time. My weight is moving in the right direction, steadily down. I've lost 34 lbs over the last 9 months. And I can play with my grandkids with out getting to tired.

*Anita says, "I never trained like this before!"

I continue to maintain a weight loss of about 60 pounds. I just past my 12 year anniversary, of healthy, active living. You will never hear me say, "I'm on a diet, or it was easy. It is a conscious choice to live a full and healthy life. I believe it gets easier as it becomes part of who you are. It takes time to get to that point. Working together will insure you get the structure you need to secure success! If you would like to talk and see if we are a good match just e mail me at Vera@focusfitnesstucson.com or call (520) 404 2069.

If you like what you hear we will set up from there. I look forward to talking with you.

Committed to Fitness Success,

Vera