My First Ironman! ... Check Out This Article

Testimonials ...

My name is Peggy Hill and I am a resident of the Spruce Creek Fly In. I was recently fortunate enough to take the Nutrition course from Pam Giese and wanted to encourage anyone debating the merits of this class to jump right in!

I have been a Registered Nurse for many years and truly believed that I had a good handle on the nutritional needs of the body. I began taking the course because I have struggled with my weight and was hoping to pick up a few pointers on how to shed those unwanted pounds. I was unprepared for the onslaught of information I would receive. At our first meeting I found that many of the “facts” that I had based my diet on were indeed false. In fact, instead of decreasing calories we were encouraged to increase the amount of food we consumed while focusing on the nutritional needs of our bodies. I began to learn how to read labels and choose foods that help my body function. As a result, I began to shed pounds and inches and found that becoming increasingly more active was actually fun and easy to accomplish.

I learned how to shop for groceries and provide food for my family (including a school aged child and two ravenous teenagers) that helps their bodies grow and function. I also learned that regardless of how thin a person might be, optimal nutrition is still extremely important. Some people may not put on pounds like others but the damage that trans fats and unhealthy eating takes on their internal organs continues regardless of their jean size.

As a result of this program, my family and I have the necessary information to continue a lifetime of healthy eating and exercise. I have made friends here in my community with the same interests in nutrition. In fact, several of us “course mates” continue to meet weekly to discuss articles in nutrition and to help each other through rough spots in our lives. This has become an invaluable part of my life.

Again, I would highly recommend this program. The information learned may actually save your life. Learning what foods to eat and what to avoid may do far more than merely help you shed a few
pounds. Our Nation is increasingly gaining weight and contracting illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes that are avoidable when we learn to care for our bodies correctly. Take the time, take this course and make your health a priority. You will be glad you did!

Peggy Hill -
Port Orange, FL

Hi Pam,

Just a quick note to say thank you for what you taught me.  I think about food differently now.  I hardly ever think about carbs or calories; I just focus on nutrition and portion size.  I always ate the 'right' things before taking your class, but I usually ate 3 or 4 portions. Now I don't.

I have lost 23 pounds, from 190 to 167... and falling.  My goal is 165 where I will stop and evaluate if I need to lose more.

Thanks again,
Scott Studner
Owner/President
IHOP's (3)
Barnacles Restaurant
The Beach Bucket

My name is Sheryl DeRosa.  I am 44 years old, am married to a wonderful man, and have two boys ages 13 and 9.  I work part time for Weight Watchers and have enjoyed this position for seven years.  I feel I have been blessed with the life I have lived thus far.

However, sometimes the thought creeps into my mind that I should be doing more with my life.  I should live each day passionately.  With my boy’s schedules I know major accomplishments will have to be put off a little while.  I want to enjoy them while I can.

I am a member at the YMCA, and one day a friend told me that Pam Giese was going to get a group of women together and help them train for a triathlon.  Pam is a certified Nutrition Manager, a personal trainer, a triathlete, has completed  half ironman’s and I’m sure I’m missing many other aspects of her life.   I figured I could fit this into my schedule without too much time being taken from my family.  Pam worked with us for 14 weeks with swimming practices, biking and running bricks, and total accessibility with any of our insecurities or questions.  Pam is an incredible inspiration and example.

After the 14 weeks, we competed in a My First Triathlon, and we did quite well as group.  My personal accomplishment of 3rd overall female out of approximately 30 women thrilled me to no end.  I am very proud of this, and it has motivated me to continue to strive to achieve new goals.  I look forward to finding out what all I can do and then maybe someday helping others do the same.

Sheryl DeRosa -
Port Orange, FL

Pam,

By participating in the Nutrition Program with Pam, I was able to lose 15 pounds during the holiday season.  I learned how to change my eating habits to be much healthier without feeling deprived.  I have more energy, feel and look healthier.  I have made changes I can easily live with - without being on a "diet".

Although my eight week program with Pam has completed, I have continued to meet with some members of our group.  We discuss nutrition issues and compare our progress.  We all have continued to lose weight and decrease our body fat.  I have learned a great deal and know I can continue.  Pam continues to check in on our progress and is willing to come for periodic weigh-ins and measurements.  Thanks Pam!

Mary Seagrave

 

Hey Pam,

I just wanted to let you know that when I went in for my yearly physical last week my cholesterol was down low enough that I no longer have to take the medication that I've been taking and I've lost over 10 lbs since I began training back in March...better yet, I'm not hungry, I'm healthier, I'm happier and I have a lot of new friends!

Thanks for everything,
Linda

Hi Pam.  I just got my bloodwork and had to brag at the results.  I pulled out my last test - done 2 years ago - and all of my lipids improved..

cholesterol went from 193 to 168
Triglycerides went from 151 to 111
HDL wennt from 55 to 62
LDL went from 108 to 84
VLDL went from 30 to 22 (this is the only one I don't remember what it means)

I felt really good about this.  My blood pressure was also 105/62.

Know that your healthy lifestyles class made a difference - I didn't even know to check for it before, and I've really been watching what I eat.  Now if I could only watch the amount I eat, I'd be doing better!!!

I'm going to run the 10 miler in DeLand on Thanksgiving.  
Thanks for everything, Pam.

Karen
Pam is part of the reason that I have become a YMCA "junkie". She is an excellent and careful teacher giving clear and concise instruction to insure growth and prevent injury. Her classes have been varied and stimulating. I've taken her strength training, step aerobic and kick boxing classes. She has also given us many tips on maintaining health and good nutrition. I know that I have personally been able to increase my overall strength and endurance in part because of Pam's tutelage. It came in handy while hiking with our 35 year old daughter and her friends this summer on Mount Baker and in the Olympic Mountains. Thank you Pam!!

Carol Brown -
Port Orange, FL

I wanted to touch base with ya, and thank you for your input and support of my lifestyle changes. I had my DR. appt. last week. They checked my BP ... I figured it would have come down some ..
it was NORMAL... 120 / 82 .. I was amazed ...from 5 months ago being extremely high ..170 / 115... I saw a new DR. actually and old DR. I had been to years ago who takes the ins. I'm on now I told him my story, he asked if I was on meds ???,, NOPE, did it thru diet ...I did a blood test and am waiting for results from that,, I'm sure that will all be good too..

THANK YOU !! for all you do for me ...you inspire me !!! whether you realize it or not ... 

I just heard back from my blood work ,, my cholesterol came down more , was 192..
now is 157 , with HDL of 52,, all this with no meds !!!!!!!

Thanks for the support
Howard



BEFORE


AFTER

 Hey Pam, - I do owe you a big debt of gratitude as I took your nutrition class at the Y right as I was just beginning my weight loss and it was a tremendous help!

I had known for some time that I was overweight and I needed to make changes in my eating habits in order to do something about it, but I was not interested in "dieting". I never understood how diets worked for the long-term - wouldn't you just gain the weight back once you're off the diet??? But your approach helped give me a lot of basic nutritional information that I was lacking and helped me make better choices in foods, and not have to put anything on a "forbidden foods" list.

Your approach also helped reinforce my feeling that weight loss shouldn't be some quick, gimmicky fix but a more gradual, permanent lifestyle change. Along with the dietary changes, I incorporated regular exercise into my schedule. It took me a year to lose 60 pounds - from July 2003 to July 2004 - and a few more months to eventually settle in at a weight loss of 65 pounds - but I always figured if it took ten years to put it on, then one year to take it off was fair. Seems like the people who lose weight really quickly on some extreme fad diet or exercise program always seem to put it back on & then some!

Plus, even though it was primarily a nutrition class, you also gave freely of your time and advice by offering me periodic weight and bodyfat assessments, to help me gauge my progress. I think going the extra mile is pretty standard for you - thanks!

I've been able to maintain my weight loss for a year and a half now and I have no intention of ever gaining it back. A lot of the credit goes to your information, encouragement, help, advice, and continually positive attitude! Keep up the great work because there are a lot of other folks out there that can benefit!

Kim Walsh -
Spruce Creek Fly-In Resident, Port Orange, FL

When I began working with Pam, I had already lost about 60 pounds.  Although I thought I knew everything about nutrition, I signed up for her Healthy Lifestyles class anyway.  This class was wonderful because it reinforced the basics that I already knew, and exposed me to the parts I was missing.  Even better, Pam inspired me to pass on this information to my family.  Now my husband eats whole-wheat pasta without complaints, my children check the cereal boxes for “transfat” and “hydrogenated oil” while at Publix, and we try to work activity into our family activities.  

I was also fortunate enough to do a nutritional analysis with Pam.  I loved the way she formulated a plan based on my personal needs.  I am happy to say I have kept my weight off and lowered my body fat.  I have referred three of my friends for nutritional analysis with Pam with much success.  Pam can take anyone, at any level of fitness and nutrition, and provide them with not only knowledge, but encouragement and validation.   She works well with individuals and groups (even volunteering to speak at my church’s women’s group.)  Work with her and I guarantee your lifestyle will get healthier!

Karen Weinrich

 

In the fall of 2003, I had the opportunity to sign up for a white water rafting/hiking trip through the Grand Canyon in 2004. Even though I exercise regularly, I felt that I needed to begin a regimen that targeted my goal of hiking in the Grand Canyon. I turned to Pam to develop a program. From our very first meeting, Pam was a strong and positive influence. We talked about my current level of exercise, what I wanted to attain, what physical limitations I had, and what I ate. I kept a food diary which she analyzed and made suggestions for improvements. We began a weight training program. Due to surgery 10 years ago, I have to be careful not to over tax my left arm. She was always considerate of this; we didn't forgo training, but just adjusted the weight accordingly. Training included balancing to mimic walking on uneven surfaces. My hiking boots marched up and down the cardio equipment. About every eight weeks, we changed the program. When the Colorado River raft trip launched in May 2004, I was ready. My travel companions were amazed that I had never hiked before. I was amazed because I was able to keep up, had plenty of energy at the end of each day, and was in better shape mentally, physically, and spiritually than I had been in years. To this day, Pam and I still work together, fine tuning the program as needed. She is a wonderful motivator both by her actions and her words. She lives the words she speaks.

Laura Mowrey, Broker/Realtor
Spruce Creek Fly-In Resident, Port Orange, FL

Thought you would find this funny. I have lost 8 pounds since we had our last session. Thank you. I am not hungry and I spoil my appetite 5 times a day. I have learned to eat less and more often.

Rita