» Been a long time…sorry!
By Vince on June 18, 2026
So to start off, I let myself go.
The funny thing was, I didn’t realize it as I was still working out and was feeling pretty strong.
The mirror said otherwise.
Now I am a certified personal trainer, but I wasn’t applying the same discipline to myself as I would have a client. I was eating completely wrong even tho I’m also a Sports Nutritionist. Physician heal thyself…
Now I know trainers have trainer but never really thought about it…until I needed one!
So I looked around. Nobody locally caught my attention, and my previous trainer wasn’t doing it anymore. So off to the internet. Instagram to be exact.
I went thru quite a few folks on there, before I said let me try this lady: Svagtilstark. Her name is Amanda Essen. She is young as my wife pointed out, but I felt I needed her youthful, yet knowledgeable energy.So, we talked, and I signed on with her.
That was over a year ago.
Amanda is no pushover. She’s firm where she needs to be and EXTREAMLY knowledgeable. A survivor of suicide attempts and autoimmune disease, she has literally built herself up to the powerhouse she is.
A lot of times people who do aren’t good at teaching people how to do. I’m happy to report Amanda can and does know how to motivate and plan out your recovery.
BUT!! YOU are going to have to put in the work.
It’s not called “working” out for nothing.
This is where discipline comes in. Pick a time and like Nike said “Just Do It!” Its really that simple. Don’t over think it. Go do it.
Believe me there are day I don’t want to. I do it anyway. I do it tired, I do it fed up. After I get into it just sails on by. You are your worst enemy, don’t let yourself talk yourself out of doing it.
10/10/80 10% of workouts are going to suck! 10% of workouts are going to be fantastic! 80% is just putting in the time!
I went from this:
To this:
Look at my face! From the first pic to the second! A complete attitude change!
I was at the point that my pants weren’t fitting they were too tight, and I was despairing having to get new ones. Now they are all LOOSE. I’ve dropped over 2 waist sizes!
I went from 198 lbs to currently 169.
Diet was the most important thing. Prioritizing protein and simple watching what you put in your mouth. Cut back on the junk food and it’s mostly junk food, so you must be aware and read labels and LEARN HOW to read those labels. MyFinessPal the app helped quite a bit in this. Recommended.
No, I have now financial interest in any of the above, I’m just pointing put what has worked for me.
I’m 64 and I have abs.
If I can do it, so can you.