I hired Phil 5 months ago to help me lose
fat and be healthier; he did just that, and more. Phil has been great to
work with and very motivational.
I made the decision that I was going to
get in shape at 29 in order to start leading a healthier lifestyle
before I turned 30. This was due in part to my being overweight, as well
as heart disease on both sides of my family. I knew the new lifestyle
would include working out and eating healthier. At the same time, I
didn't want to miss out on life. I didn't want to be on a diet, or
completely cut out alcohol or eating out. I thought this was a pretty
tall order when I was on the outside looking in. With Phil's guidance, I
found out that it's not only possible, but it's much easier than I'd
ever thought it would be. Phil is not just a personal trainer and
nutritionist, he's a great teacher. I feel he has not only taught me how
to work out, and why I'm doing certain things at the gym, but also how
to make decisions everyday that guarantee success. This is what I
believe will be key in keeping the weight off, and staying healthy!
Now a little about my results:
I went to the doctor a week before I
started working with Phil. I was 5' 10" and 250 lbs. I got my blood work
back and the doctor told me I was a candidate for cholesterol medication
because my triglycerides were at 220, my LDL (Bad) Cholesterol was at
205, and my HDL (Good) Cholesterol was at 68. That is considered
extremely high cholesterol, and is scary news for a 29 year old with a
family history of heart disease. After working with Phil for the first 6
weeks, I went back to the doctor and my cholesterol had been cut nearly
in half. My Triglycerides were at 105, my LDL Cholesterol was at 110,
and my HDL was at 65. My weight was 226! My doctor was extremely
impressed and let me know that she'd never seen such a fast turnaround
in cholesterol numbers. No cholesterol medication for me! My doctor
attributed my new cholesterol numbers to my weight loss, new eating
habits, and exercise. Surprise Surprise right? She basically sent me out
of the office with a huge smile on her face and these words; "I got
nothing to say except great job, and keep doing what you're doing". She
had also re-iterated that Phil's plan for me was the healthy way to lose
weight, and was very impressed with my results and the plan Phil had put
together for me.
Fast forward another 3 1/2 months and I
now weigh 188 lbs! So far 62 lbs lost in 5 months. Over time I've come
to find that my weight on the scale is not very important to me, what I
was really looking to lower was my body fat percentage. I mean, losing
weight is a great thing, but the way I feel and look now, and the things
I'm able to do are much more rewarding than any number on a scale can
measure.
When I started working with Phil, my body
fat percentage was 40%, and now I'm at 23%. I went from a size 38 waist
to a size 32 waist, XXL shirts, to fitted large shirts. Again, keep in
mind that this all has taken place in 5 months. I look better and feel
great, and love going to the gym, which I never thought would happen. I
continue to work with Phil and have recently set a new goal. When I
started with Phil, my goal was to lose 40 lbs. I've surpassed that goal
and my new goal is to get below 15% body fat. I don't care what I weigh
when I get there. Phil has completely re-vamped my workout routine to
accommodate my new goal, and continues to motivate me just like he did
day one. We're already talking about my next goal once I get below 15%
body fat.
To anyone sitting down reading this, I
was in your shoes, and it's not as hard as you think. You'll see results
faster than most would expect, and you'll feel results even faster. Phil
doesn't throw you in the deep end, he steps you up in exercise
gradually, one day you'll think back at where you were and smile at how
easy it was to get where you're at. It'll make you wonder why you waited
so long to get started in the first place. At least that's how it is for
me. I was a huge pessimist about getting fit! I thought I was so far
gone that it was gonna take me years of hard work and dieting to get
below 200, but I proved myself wrong, with Phil's help of course. 68 lbs
lost in 5 months. The biggest favor I did for myself was hiring Phil,
and listening to exactly what he was telling me, be it nutrition or
exercise.
I have never been on a "diet" with Phil;
I just learned to eat correctly. Don't let the cardboard tasting diet
frozen dinners scare you away, because you're not going to eat them
anyway. Phil had me eating more than I was before, so he isn't going to
starve you either. I highly recommend Phil to anyone, he's very
motivational, knowledgeable, and truly cares about you're seeing
results!
One last thing to add, Phil is not one of
those drill instructors either. He has very kind and positive ways of
getting you to push out just a couple more reps. I have recommended Phil
to anyone that asks me how I lost all the weight, including my friends
and family. I have no hesitation in recommending him to you!
Gary
Chester County PA
Before |
After |
I have been working out with Phil since July,
2010. Working out for me had always been something I avoided like the
plague. Phil has helped me to overcome my dread and to actually look forward
to our strength training sessions. My energy level is higher than it has
been in 10 years. I have lost over 25 pounds while adding muscle mass
working out 2 times a week and dieting sensibly - all without leaving my
home. Thank you Phil for helping me to feel and look better!" Carol.
 |
You know how they (whoever “they”
are) say people come and go in your
life when you need them to? Well
Phil is a person that came into my
life and has made an amazing impact.
I met him over a year ago (May 2012)
when I first signed up for his boot
camp. Now, over a year later; I’m
still participating in his boot
camp. Phil is educated, informative
and energized. I appreciate that he
knows how to push me hard during a
session and encourages me to go
beyond my comfort zones in a safe
way. I leave a challenging 1-hour
session 3x a week, feeling so
energized and proud of myself (and
very sweaty!). Phil knows his
“stuff” –exercises, modifying
drills/exercises when needed,
nutritional tips, etc… All of this
makes up a great package in a
personal trainer. Phil truly cares
about his clients and that shows
when you work with him. The personal
touch is what separates him from
other gyms/trainers I’ve worked with
over the years.
Obviously, as you
read—I can’t say enough great things
about my relationship and experience
with Phil. Because of him- I’ve
finally been able to commit to a
fitness routine, be accountable to
myself and I have seen fantastic
results.
He is an asset to any
client or business he works with.
His client’s success is his
success..
"I've
met with many trainers and you were
the only one that listened to my
needs and put together a program
that helped me deal with my
herniated disk so much, the workout
impressed my chiropractor. You are
the best ive worked with!" *I
helped this individual so much that
she was kind enough to give me a
thank you card with a $50 gift card
to a local restaurant."
Paula
C. Lansdowne, Pa.
"I give you a solid 10 out of
10. You showed me the correct form
for each exercise and pushed me so
hard that I reached levels I never
thought I could.
Nancy
F. Northeast Philadelphia, PA.
"You are caring, patient and
fun to work with. You are a great
trainer. If it wasn't for you, my
heart surgery recovery would not
have been so fast. In fact the
strength I gained from working with
you prior to my surgery accelerated
my recovery so much, my physical
therapist was impressed !
Terry
J. Phoenixville, Pa
"You are naturally talented in
working with people and fitness"
Maryann
M. Drexel Hill, Pa
"Your great attitude alone makes
you a great trainer."
Dr.
Jim Bell. IFPA President.
"You helped me a ton, I passed my
law enforcement physical entry exam"
Kevin
M. Havertown, Pa.
"I've gotten stronger and am able
to feel it throughout my day, thank
you!"
Donna
J. Drexel Hill, Pa.
"People at work are noticing my
body taking shape, thank you so much"
Keisha
B. Drexel Hill, Pa.
I'm noticing my cellulite in my legs is going away. It's exciting to see. Thank you!" Kevonna W. Philadelphia, Pa.
"I followed your routine, fand my orthopedic doctor told me, whoever gave you those workouts knew what he was doing!" Lucille. Drexel Hill ,Pa.
"You definitely push me hard, but within reason. I've dropped several pounds of fat since I started working with you." Phil R. Lansdowne, Pa.
"I like the workouts we do, they are a lot of fun and im seeing the difference in the way my clothes fit, thanks so much." Michele M. Upper Darby, Pa.
"My arms are toning and my husband is noticing! It's exciting, thank you so much!" Shelly B.
"I've dropped 2 dress sizes using your cardio and strength training prescription. Thanks, I feel great." Sara R. Havertown, Pa
"I am really enjoying your workouts. They are fun! As soon as I think we've done it all, you show me a different exercise that challenges me in a different way. You challenge my entire body using just a 6 or 8 pound medicine ball. Amazing!" Mary V. Chester County, Pa
"The way you combine strength training with cardio and core training is interesting and fun! I always look forward to our sessions!" Sandra H. Lansdowne, Pa.
"Your diet and exercise prescription is really practical. It takes some getting used to, but is not brain science. Its really practical for me to do considering I work a lot!" Margaret M. Philadelphia, Pa
Phil Nicolaou is
a
Personal Trainer in the
Philadelphia area. You can
contact Phil through is
Personal Training Webpage
for more information on his
services. |
