CLIENT TESTIMONIES
Jon-Michael's method helped me lose 30 pounds and I am still losing weight. This is how he helped me.
I have a very busy schedule: I work at least 60 hours a week in a high-stress, fast-paced environment, and when my work day is over, all I want to do is spend time with my wife and 8-month old son. In other words, I don't have much time to devote to anything besides work and family, let alone a time-demanding workout regime or gym membership.
When I first approached Jon-Michael and asked for his help I couldn't have been more wrong about what I needed to accomplish my goal. Because of my busy schedule I assumed that I would only be able to concentrate on losing weight if I were on vacation or while I had time off work while transitioning between jobs. When Jon-Michael guided me, I quickly learned that his method can be incorporated into any schedule, any lifestyle, and any one can be successful.
The best part about Jon-Michael's method is that it is an array of tools that can be used for the rest of your life. His method is not a trendy diet fad or gimmicky workout routine that you try for a month and then relapse. It makes sense and works because your body will naturally transition into the healthiest way of living it has ever been. He will tailor your habits and spot your weaknesses and strengthen your health to give you the body you want and the change you need. I would recommend Jon-Michael's guidance to anyone I know that is serious about losing weight and making a positive change in their health.
-Valentin N. (Chicago, IL)
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When I first starting working with Jon-Michael, I weighed 150 lbs. and just felt very flabby and out of shape. I have been eating a very healthy raw foods diet for 6 years. I lost 80 lbs. when I first changed my diet to raw fruits and vegetables. So, even though I was happy with such a big weight loss, I never felt "fit". I could never seem to get my weight lower than 150 and was never able to stick with an exercise plan.
One reason I was impressed to work with Jon-Michael was because I was certain he had knowledge of the raw foods diet and that is very important to me. Jon-Michael encouraged me to begin a work out program, and to run every day. Running was one thing I always thought was very boring, so I never even tried running before, but when he told me that it was a great way to get into shape, I thought "well I will try it, but I won't stick with it". Little did I know how quickly I would grow to love running.
By sending Jon-Michael my daily diary of food intake and exercise I was very disciplined to stick with this new life of activity! Jon-Michael always critiqued each day with encouragement and tips for how to do better.
I am so grateful for how far I have come. I now weigh 136 lbs. I have come down 2 jean sizes and love running more every day! I actually go to bed at night excited that I am going to get up in the morning and run! I am now running 6 1/2 miles daily 5 days a week. Then one day a week I consider my "treat day" and I try to run 10 miles or more. More important to me now than how much I weigh is how I feel about myself. I am so proud that I now not only eat healthy, but I exercise and tone my body every day. I love the way I feel physically and emotionally and how I look in the mirror, I feel so much energy and see so much beauty.
Thank you Jon-Michael for not letting me give up!
-Sharon W. (Wichita, KS)
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The first time I did any formalized training was with Jon-Michael when he introduced me to a program that would improve my strength, cardio and target my mid-section.
Jon-Michael's plan was to increase strength by using my own body weight through exercises such as push-ups, pull-ups, chin-ups, dips and later introducing dumbbells. We incorporated a rigorous abs routine targeting my central core by going beyond the ordinary crunch by using a medicine ball. Each exercise was done in succession, with rest coming at the end of the cycle, which greatly improved my cardio.
As I continued my workouts, I noticed that the more Jon-Michael pushed me, I started to push myself harder. Jon-Michael was also very open to ideas about training suggestions that I had and would incorporate them into the workout. I wanted to be challenged and Jon-Michael did just that, putting me in the best physical shape since my college days, and he definitely understood my goals and took the time to help me accomplish them.
After each session,I connected with him and felt good. Thank you Jon-Michael for helping me. I couldn’t have made it without you.
-Steve J. (Pittsburgh, PA)
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Within a week of my 43rd birthday and 224 pounds (probably 40 pounds over weight and the heaviest I have ever been), I realized I had to do something. I was considering yet another gym membership (hiring one of their personal trainers) and a big outlay of cash that I knew would probably be a waste of money. That is when by accident, I stumbled upon Jon-Michael’s web site. I emailed him told him what I was interested in, ended up calling and met with him. All he asked is that I was open and coachable.
Jon-Michael takes the time to learn you as a client. He asks questions, listens to you, and will give you constructive instruction. He also has great knowledge on nutrition. Jon-Michael is unlike like the large health clubs with fancy equipment that are more interested in charts, graphs, scales and the next client in line than the actual client they are working with.
I am now in my 12th week and I have lost 37 lbs. I couldn’t be happier with the results. I look and feel better. I am stronger and I am building endurance. I have to admit I was skeptical at first because Jon-Michael was not like every other personal trainer. Now I realize that was a good thing. This is the type of trainer I needed. I am strong and confident again.
Thank you Jon-Mike, you changed my life in a way I never thought possible.
-Larry T. (Pittsburgh, PA)
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I lost 17 lbs in 6 weeks from switching to a mostly raw food lifestyle. I say "mostly" because not every single thing I ate was raw, but about 90 percent was. My Raw Yoda, Jon-Michael Kerestes of Love Street Living Foods worked with me via long distance food diary. What does that mean? It means I emailed him every single morning listing every single thing I ate or drank the day before. I also listed any workouts I did. Jon-Michael would reply with helpful tips, suggestions, advice, changes as well as new things for me to try.
It takes a lot of discipline to do that, writing things down every day. But that is what made the difference! It changed my life, permanently. I learned so much about the raw food lifestyle and eating in general from Jon-Michael. It was like being educated all over again. Learning how to eat to live, not live to eat. Learning how to un-cook vs. cook. It revamped my thinking, and I feel better than I have ever felt in my entire life. Pretty sure I look a whole lot better too! So thank you Jon-Michael, for working with me and teaching me about the raw food lifestyle. It is definitely something I will continue with and it is keeping me on track towards my goal!
-Lauren D. (Philadelphia, PA)
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I've been a runner for the past six years. I finally decided that I wanted to take running seriously and start seeing results. I approached Jon-Mike at Inspired Vitality after seeing his demo video. Through emails, Jon assessed my skill level and more importantly my level of dedication, making sure that there was no mistaking that my success relied solely on me.
A training schedule was tailored toward my goal of completing my first 5k. Part of our plan was for me to check in daily with an update on my progress. As a courtesy, I also received occasional dietary recommendations. Jon-Mike was always available for questions and discussion, but ultimately I was accountable to no one other than myself. For the first time since I had started running, I began to see consistent improvement.
Short Term Results: When it came time for my first 5k, I finished in 21:28.
Long Term Results: I still employ the training techniques I developed while working with Inspired Vitality.
-Ian C. (Chicago, IL)
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My husband and I started working with Jon-Mike on the recommendation of a friend who had lost over 50 pounds on the program. We had tried everything, and were at a point in our lives where all of the 'conventional' diets worked for a short period of time, but then were craving what we were denying ourselves.
I am a post-menapausal female-a very difficult time of your life to lose weight. When I broke through the first 5 pound barrier, I knew it could be done. Jon-Mike kept in touch every day and encouraged me to increase my water intake and my exercise level to a little more each week, but not to where it would be beyond my ability, so as not to become defeated.
He corrected WHAT I was eating, as opposed to mandating my menu...suggested alternatives to certain choices so as not to feel deprived of a certain item. If there were a 'fat' item that I wanted, he would suggest an alternative 'healthy' fat to satisfy that craving. He educated us to the fact that there are actually fats, like olive oil, etc. that are actually fat-burners. We have enjoyed the summeer produce, tomatoes, salads, even fresh raw vegetables like brocolli, carrots to snack on, drizzled with just a little olive oil.
My husband was having health issues with Diabetes 2, Cholestral, High Blood Pressure, etc. This was our main concern for starting this program with Jon-Mike. After just one month with Jon-Mike's method he had lost 23 pounds (now after a month & 1/2 it is up to 30 pounds. My weight loss is, of course less than his, but my energy level and exercise level has probably increased 4-fold! We are enjoying fresh foods rather than 'fast' foods and realizing that fresh is not all that more time consuming than fresh.
I couldn't imagine football season without wings, hoagies & pizza, but for the first Steeler's game, I got a nice huge veggie platter and we have been tailgating very happily at home ever since.
With Jon-Mike's guidance, we have learned a new way of not only eating healthy, but living a healthy lifestyle...eating, hydrating and exercising to your own capabilities.
I would and HAVE recommended Jon-Mike's program to friends and family. We are continuing on the program and actually looking forward to my husband's next blood work-up...hoping to eliminate several medications.
-Kristine W. (Los Angeles, CA)
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I started working with Jon-Michael about a month and a half ago. I had been eating poorly, hardly drinking any water, and was generally lost health-wise. I had a long history of different confused attempts at weight loss that left me realizing that I needed help, someone to guide me and keep me accountable.
I called him when I was turned off by a local gym’s pressure and dishonesty regarding their training program. From the start, he was interested in what my current habits were, what my goals were, and what I was open to learning.
He was and continues to be patient, supportive, and encouraging while giving me the tools and weekly motivation to keep going, make daily small changes to feel better, do more physically, and make progress on my overall health. He has a genuine interest in helping people, and offers help regarding your daily habits (water intake, breathing), as well as nutrition and fitness counseling. Although my journey to health has only just begun, I’ve already noticed a difference in my body and ability, and feel nothing but optimistic and excited about the future.
-Debbie M (Pittsburgh, PA)
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Jon-Michael got me moving in the right direction from Day 1. My losing weight was as important to him as it was to me. He showed me how to modify my eating habits, as well as a well rounded work out.
-Weasie R. (Pittsburgh, PA)
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Jon-Michael Is a very personalized trainer, He worked with my likes and dislikes on food to Substitute healthy foods that satisfied the same craving. I found this to be extremely helpful especially for snacking. also workouts were short and focused. I found him to have a vast knowledge of what I needed to improve my lifestyle and reach my goal.
-Grace K. (Pittsburgh, PA)
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I've been working with Jon-Mike for about five years. He has been a great coach. He is extremely knowledgeable in both physiology and nutrition. Jon is really inspiring. He is an amazing athlete and incredibly strong. He is motivating but at the same time sensitive to my limitations. I feel like I'm working out with a friend, not a drill seargent. I always look forward to our sessions and hate when it's over.Jon-Mike is very reliable and always on time, unlike many other trainers I've worked with.
-Rob A. (Pittsburgh, PA)
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I worked with Jon-Michael for a 5-day private training intensive before the holidays. He helped not only jumpstart my new year fitness plans but also provided education on how to approach my specific goals and how to progress after our private sessions.
-Alex S. (New York, NY)
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I was always an athlete growing up, and didn't think a trainer could offer anything I didn't previously know. However, I came to a point in life where I began gaining weight despite the fact that I had trained for and run a half marathon. Obviously running alone wasn't cutting it, and I decided to give Jon-Michael a try.
Through our training sessions, I began working parts of the body I had been neglecting on my own. He taught me a breath and mental peace that made vigorous work outs far less daunting. Through gaining muscle tone, I'm happy with the way my body is functioning.
Kayli K. (Pittsburgh, PA)
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I've been working with Jon-Mike for about five years. He has been a great coach. He is extremely knowledgeable in both physiology and nutrition. Jon is really inspiring. He is an amazing athlete and incredibly strong. He is motivating but at the same time sensitive to my limitations. I feel like I'm working out with a friend, not a drill seargent. I always look forward to our sessions and hate when it's over.
Jon-Mike is very reliable and always on time, unlike many other trainers I've worked with.
Rob M. (Pittsburgh, PA)
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I wanted tell you that I've undergone a rather significant change since we spoken. Our initial phone call allowed me to really question why it is that I haven't moved forward on information that I already have. When I went coffee-free, I noticed that I had been using it as a major part of my regimen to 'move things' through my digestive tract as opposed to naturally with foods and water. I gained some weight and it helped me realize how poor my food choices had really become. It was as if I was on a sugar rampage.
The good news is that after observing this, I made a decision for health.
I deeply appreciate the call I had with you. It gave me questions more than answers and that was exactly what I needed.
Allison M. (Pittsburgh, PA)
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Jon-Michael is the best trainer I have worked with. He listens to your goals and makes the plan work. Jon-Michael holds you accountable to making your goals, and is excellent in explaining nutrition
Dave H. (Pittsburgh, PA
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I came to Jon-Michael unhappy about the extra post-pregnancy pounds I could not get rid of. He tailored a workout for me that hit all my problem areas and it didn't take up lots of time, considering I don't have much with 2 kiddos. Jon-Michael was able to identify short falls in my diet and gave me realistic replacement suggestions. Jon-Michael doesn't only get you to focus on your physical self, but he also gives you the tools to take control of your mental self. He did this for me through visualization techniques. To this day, when I'm working out or admiring the 5000 calorie burger on TV, I visualize myself wearing a bathing suit and looking great and it usually gets me through either situation!
Elena V. (Pittsburgh, PA)
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