Client Testimonials

Click here to send an email to Abby with your testimonial

Jimmy P, Sacramento, CA
*1 on 1 personal training at Anytime Fitness @ Fulton and Marconi*

Before I started having Abby as my fitness trainer, I thought I knew everything I need to know about working out. I thought high school wrestling and junior college wrestling gave me all the basic knowledge I needed to obtain the body I wanted; however, I was wrong! Abby's workouts were new and innovative. They weren't the basic weight lifting regimens that you would see online or in magazines. All my male friends laughed at me for hiring a female trainer but they stopped laughing as they saw my body morphing within weeks. I main reason for wanting Abby as a trainer is because of her educational background. It is hard to come across a certified trainer who also has a M.S. in Exercise Science. She has dedicated her life to health and fitness. She has spent years studying health and fitness while other fitness trainers can become certified in a matter of months after studying for a test. With her overall knowledge, she prescribed me everything I needed with workout routines and proper diet. Within a few months, my body changed to something I never thought I could have obtain. I started at 145lbs and within a few months, I am now 161lbs. I never thought I could reach 150lbs! I have never been mentally and physically strong as I am now because of Abby's overall positive influence.

Videos Testimonials after the 2010 CIM

Kathy finishes 5 Weeks to 5k!

Arlynne finishes 5 Weeks to 5k!

Maija, Sacramento, CA
*5 Weeks to 5k*

I am so glad that I took Abby’s 5 weeks to 5K class. I have always hated running, and as I turned 45 a couple of summers ago and had another unsuccessful attempt to force myself to run, I decided I would just accept that I was not designed to be a runner. I started Abby’s class with a willingness to try, but a large dose of doubt that I would actually be able to succeed at this, and that I would be able to do so in 5 weeks. Abby broke down running form into very manageable increments, and gave each of us a schedule of run/walks to work on at home. She was great at helping me see that most of my obstacles to running were mental, and ones that I could choose to set aside. Abby was supportive and positive and a pleasure to work with. And at the end of 5 weeks, I could actually run a 5K! -Maija

Marisol, Sacramento, CA
*2010 Marathon and 1/2 Marathon Training Program*

My participation in the program was a very positive one. I would recommend the program to anyone who would like to train for their first marathon or their next marathon. As a participant, I received on-going communication, information about weather, routes and things to remember or really focus on (fueling, form, how to get through it, etc...), both by email and in person.

Shortly after the mid-way mark of the program (after completing the 1/2 marathon), the group got smaller and I strongly considered no longer continuing with my original goal of completing the full marathon training. Three of the women who were around my speed were only doing the half marathon training. As the miles increased, the runs got longer and I was the slowest in the group. This was very discouraging and this is why I was unsure about continuing on down the "marathon training path". I also felt very "self-conscious" about my speed and what the final outcome would be, how slow I would be, etc... As the runs got longer, my average pace per mile also got slower. In the end, I was encouraged by Abby to continue on and give it one more shot. After running 16 miles during a training run, I reconsidered and decided to give it my all regardless if it was going to take over 6 hours to complete the full marathon. I tried really hard not to think about being the slowest of the group. I showed up every Saturday fully prepared and ready to go. I made it "my personal goal", and this is what got me through it. I envisioned what it would be like to complete 26 miles after all the long training runs, etc...

In the end, I'm so glad I was encouraged to stick with it regardless of my speed. I feel very happy with the outcome. I completed the marathon in under 7 hours. The hardest part of the race was continuing to run (around mile 21) and finish the race once the streets were re-opened, the water and aid stations closed down, and the mile markers and road blocks were taken down and taken away. What helped was knowing that I had made it so far in the race and I only had very little left. What also helped was knowing Abby (the trainer) would be waiting for me at the finish line along with my husband and daughter too. I saw a few other runners I passed up and we were all encouraging each other and motivating each other to finish that last stretch. Cars were honking their horns and people walking by were also cheering us on.

In summation, I enjoyed it all and would do it all over again. Once again Abby, you have been wonderful, encouraging and motivating. Thank you for cheering me on, believing in me, and making me feel just as good as everyone in the group, regardless of my speed. It was always great to see you waiting for me at the end of those long training runs as well around mile 17 of the race and at the finish line. :-) You made me feel so important and special. :-) Thank you!!!

Sincerely, Marisol

Rob, Sacramento, CA
*2010 Marathon and 1/2 Marathon Training Program*

"We kick ass!" -Rob, marathon runner

Denise, Sacramento, CA
*5 Weeks to 5k & Bootcamp*

"Abby, what you gave me was more than just knowledge, you gave me confidence in myself that I could do it. I will hold you in my heart forever for that."-Denise, Sacramento, CA

"Before I met Abby I couldn't even run a half mile, nor did I really want to. Abby taught me how to run in a way that actually felt comfortable. I was so proud of myself when I was able to run a mile, and then 2 miles, and then before I knew it I was finishing my first 5k in 35 minutes! I was so happy, I wanted to cry. The skills Abby taught me will be with me forever, and will even carry me forward as I plan to run longer miles. Just months after finishing Abby's 5 weeks to 5k program, I completed my first 1/2 marathon! Something I never dreamed of completing! Getting me to exercise and run has also helped with my larger goal of living a healthy life. It help me lose 20 pounds, and find a new activity to replace watching TV! I don't know if there are enough words in the world to tell people how great the experience I had with Abby was, and how she is now with me every time I put on my running shoes." -Denise, Sacramento, CA

Kimi, Sacramento, CA
*5 Weeks to 5k*

"At the start of the program, I did not think I would be able to run a 5K at the end of the 5 weeks. Not only was I out of shape, but I had never “run” before! Through Abby’s training and the training plan she put together, I not only ran a 5K at the end of the class, but have signed up to do more races and now consider running a part of my life. It is possible to learn to run pain free and at your own pace – and enjoy it!" -Kimi

Jeanne, Sacramento, CA
*5 Weeks to 5k, 1/2 Marathon Training Program, Fun Outdoor Fitness "The Challenge"*

"It's hard to remember that just five months ago my brother suggested we try "Five Weeks to a 5K" and I reluctantly agreed to "at least talk to Abby" prior to her first session. I had a lifetime of excuses to present her at my consultation with her, ones that had worked on my grammar school teachers and, later, on my own psyche. I was too big, it was too hard to find shoes, I was too busy to find time to stick to a schedule, etc. She would have none of it! Instead, she reassured me that everyone would work at their own level and pace. So, a week later I overcame my hesitations, channeling Abby's " the first step out the door is the hardest" mantra and joined her 5 weeks to a 5K at McKinley Park. I quickly assessed that I appeared to be both the oldest and the heaviest enrolled, but Abby didn't allow me one minute of self-criticism. Instead, she patiently took me step by step through running techniques and gave me a schedule that day by day gave me a sense of accomplishment that was brand new to me. Sure enough, I went from a day where I was sure I would collapse before I got around the park to completing my first 5K fun run a few weeks after my 55th birthday. Here I was setting new personal goals that involved exercise, not marathon TV viewing! With two 5 K's completed by summer, I signed up for the half-marathon training. Again, I was reluctant , but this time Abby and my brother were on to my excuses and would have none of it.( You ran a 5K and never thought you could-why wouldn't you be able to do a half-marathon!") With Abby's assurance that I could run at my own pace using the Long Slow Distance philosophy(aka LSD runners)philosophy, I managed to get myself out the door for twelve consecutive Sunday mornings to train for a half-marathon. I finished my first 13.1 in October, and am currently continuing to train towards reaching my personal goal of running 5 5ks at age 55. It isn't always fun, and it isn't always easy, and that's the best part of my new-found personal fitness success - learning that it's never too late to challenge yourself, and succeed." -Jeanne