BEFORE I START, THANKS MACFitnessOnline FOR EDITING MY COMMENT ON YOUR “FITNESS BREAKTHROUGH” BLOG BY REMOVING VALID POINTS THAT MADE YOU LOOK UN-PROFESSIONAL! WAY TO GO! THANKFULLY I ALSO POSTED THE FULL VERSION ON MY BLOG (9 July 2008) SO EVERYONE CAN SEE WHAT I REALLY SAID.

OK, firstly I’m glad you found my post entertaining if nothing else - genuinely. I DID also post a comment to your reply (RANT, SCHMANT, I believe) but it would appear that you haven’t yet had a chance to edit it to suit your needs or have declined to approve it. After re-reading your RANT SCHMANT post, it was clear that you ARE making this personal, and so in some instances my reply here will respond to that. I had tried to explain that my blog wasn’t a personal attack on your business but that I didn’t like the way that your blog had tried to mislead people. So I’ll take my chances on replying to you here on MY BLOG.

But before I even reply to your Rant Schmant post (quoted in FULL so we are clear), you NEVER addressed my major problem with your advert, ahem, blog post (bravely titled Fitness Breakthrough: ONLINE PERSONAL TRAINING) from which I also quote here AGAIN seeing as you removed my comments regarding this. (MACFitnessOnline):

MACFitnessOnline: regular font

FITBIT: bold font

(MACFitnessOnline)FitBit,

Your post is actually pretty entertaining if nothing else. Anyways, I have so many things to say that I'm positive I'll leave some things out, but I'm sure you'll get the idea (well probably not you since you're so set against it already, but other people may).

(FitBit) Again, glad you found my blog entertaining. You already know what I think of your advert. And please, say all you need to (I for one, believe in the freedom of speech), as long as you don’t misrepresent anything, I won’t get back up on you.

First of all, the majority of my advice and training IS free.

Tell me, if the majority (your word) of your advice is free, how do you make a living – do you perhaps save the ‘real’ advice for your clients? I’m genuinely intrigued and don’t mean that sarcastically at all.

If I just threw myself out there with prices everywhere do you think I would ever make a living?

Yes I do. Tell me what is wrong with being upfront about the cost of your services? Everyone understands that a business is there to make money by CHARGING for services; otherwise it would be called a charity (which ASKS for donations). If you believe in what you are selling as being worth $X (obviously all businesses have costs), then you believe that, no-one else can argue with that – they’ll either buy or they won’t. SIMPLE.

People need to trust me and try things out before paying me for my services.

Hmm, so you do have at least an abstract awareness of the concept of and importance of TRUST. This is getting tiresome but again, how do you think misrepresenting Online Personal Training as behavioural therapy is going to gain you trust?

Thats why I offer so many FREE products such as newsletters packed with info and recipes etc, FREE trial sessions, and your favorite, FREE ONLINE TRAINING TRIALS. Did I mention this stuff is FREE? Next.

Why do you think we need YET another GENERIC newsletter – that’s not the personally targeted service that you were talking about is it? Or is it now ok to use those generic, non-personalised pieces of SPAM that might contradict with a personal plan you’d set up for me? Doesn’t sound so personal anymore, does it, if the advice applies to all? And I quote from YOUR Fitness Breakthrough ADVERT, my favourite part in red (MACFitnessOnline):

“When you pick up the latest weight-loss book or fitness magazine from the store and check out the magical write-ups that read "Flat Abs in 2 Weeks!" or "Build Your Beach Body FAST!", do you think that program was written up exclusively for you and your body? Guess again. If those articles were all true for everyone out there don't you think everyone would look like Angelina and Brad? Everyone's body, health status, schedule, and resources are different and demand a program that is designed just for them”.

If that isn’t contradiction, then tell me what is – oh wait, you already tried to further down. Again, I’m not selling anything, so it’s your reputation on the line here, not mine. I can voice whatever opinion I like and give out more than one point of view (sometimes called alternatives) to round out an argument – something you don’t appear to enjoy. Keep going.

You say it's not cool that I quoted a university study. Maybe we should go around to all writers of newspapers, magazines, TV shows, etc and shake a finger in their face for quoting university studies. After all, what do universities know, right?

GET THIS STRAIGHT. I said it wasn’t cool to quote a university study on the effects that BEHAVIOURAL THERAPISTS can have on WEIGHT LOSS and passing off Online Personal Training as the same thing.

OK REPEAT: BEHAVIOURAL THERAPISTS NOT ONLINE PERSONAL TRAINERS. Surely you can see that they are DIFFERENT PROFESSIONS, and that you are trivialising BOTH! That is what all the fuss is about not your actual business.

Yes, maybe we should take EVERYTHING a newspaper, mag or TV show says as gospel. You know how they get these stories, right? FROM PRESS RELEASES!!!!! WRITTEN in the large part BY PEOPLE TRYING TO GET PUBLICITY. Do you believe EVERY product review you read? If so you are truly a Marketers dream!

A university study is in the large part totally different (and they are NEVER completely conclusive – if you need to know why ask, but I suspect you won’t).

By all means QUOTE UNIVERSITY STUDIES - ABSOLUTELY use them to your advantage IF (and this is important) they refer to you and validate what you are saying/selling. DO NOT USE THEM TO MAKE FALSE CLAIMS OR MISLEAD. I’m sure Brown would be the first to set you straight if you sent the researchers your release. In fact, try it and see what they say – I’d be interested to see what they think of how you are skewing their research findings. If you won’t do it, then I’d be happy to, that way I can report back correctly their opinions.

You also rant that people need to do what works for them.

Yah, I don’t deny it.

Yet, you just completely put down online personal training because YOU don't like it.

Again, yah I don’t, what of it? It’s MY OPINION which I am entitled to voice on MY BLOG. Well kinda anyway – I NEVER anywhere said I DON’T LIKE IT. Like I said, it has A place, just not the one you are trying to claim for it through nefarious means. If you had been a little more straight about what Online Personal Training has to offer without using a study incorrectly to validate it, then you wouldn’t have got my blog post – I would have ignored it and let you go on your merry way. Do you really need to go to such lengths to sell something if it really is that fantastic? How many times do I need to say this??????

So what about the people I've trained online and have helped achieve their goals? Have you talked to them? You don't call that "working" for them? Just because YOU don't like the idea doesn't mean someone else can't get great results from it.

Like I said, it has A place. Just like I have a right to voice my OPINION in response to an advert placed as if it were a blog. People comment on blogs –were you aware of that? People are also ENTITLED to comment. If you really think I have nothing valid to say, then let me say it as no-one should listen to me and will flock to you anyway. Or if you are going to respond, try to represent your professionalism rather than get personal. You are looking for business from users on this site, remember?

I could have some of them come on here and give testimonials, but you would probably just accuse me of lying and say that it was me writing the testimonials.

Now why would I have cause to accuse you of lying or being dishonest? Hmmmm. Ok sarcasm apart, I don’t doubt your qualifications as a trainer – I’ve already said as much (whilst all you have done is tried to belittle me). I also don’t doubt that some people may have benefitted from your service (Again, ‘A’ place for this service). I merely suggested that there are other ways. Sounds like that is your problem with my post – your way or the highway. Not only do you try to confound your potential audience, you TELL them what to believe. You can’t get to everyone. Even Hitler learnt that. If a client disagrees with you for whatever reason, do you do the same I wonder?

You also contradict yourself A LOT in your post (feeding the level of entertainment I get from your write-up, especially since you say you worked for some multi-million dollar company).

Again, whether you believe my career history or not is irrelevant, I’m not the one trying to prove my credentials as fitness professional here. What has my working on, (let me correct you here AGAIN) $multi-million dollar accounts got to do with me contradicting myself? If you ever find me on a marketing / PR site trying to sell my services using your methods, get back to me. That’s if I don’t get laughed out of town first.

You say online training is dumb but online support isn't?

No, I never said Online training is dumb – try not to misquote me in the way you misquote University studies – that is just sloppy. Actually, keep misquoting me. It just adds to your obvious talent for assimilating information and imparting it correctly. I said, and I re-quote:

“Show me the study that says Online Personal Training works better than finding a support site like this where you can build working supportive relationships and I might recant some of what I'm saying, until then...all humans are humans.”

So what if ALL of my training services were free and this site cost a monthly fee of $50?

By this site, do you mean FITnrg or your site? Clarify. Either way, if that was the way things were and it WAS MADE CLEAR instead of being hidden 10 paragraphs down then I as a consumer would be able to make that choice wouldn’t I? Or is that another problem for you – you think if I know what the costs are straight off, I’m going to laugh and walk away? I’m not convinced you believe in your little venture any more than I do.

Would you still say that? Would you still be here? It sounds like you're wrapped up in the money side of things here.

Not sure as you haven’t made yourself clear so I don't really know what you are asking, but again, that would be up to me, surely? As for being wrapped up in the money side of things, it clearly is up to you to try to take that money from me, just don’t treat me like a mug and expect to get away with it.

NEWSFLASH: Money is important to people, and they only want to spend it if they HAVE a good reason to, otherwise we’d all burn cash for fuel in the winter, wouldn’t we? From that really intelligent statement you made up there about being wrapped up in the money side of things, money clearly isn’t an issue for you. I’LL SPEND MY MONEY AS I WANT. AM I STUPID IF I FIND A FREE WAY TO ACHIEVE MY GOALS? Come on, I already answered this earlier but I’ll re-state it again (FitBit):

“WHY should I trust a guy to get my fitness right if he can’t be straight with me about the whole premise of his FITNESS business? ANY money spent on something like that is a waste and yes, I AM HUNG UP ON MONEY when people like you try to get it from people like me through dishonesty. YOU are also hung up on money as you didn’t set up a business from the goodness of your heart, did you? Oh yeah, one free week trial. I’m tempted to suggest ALL FITnrg members take advantage of this offer. Maybe we can all COMPARE how personalised everyone’s computer-generated fitness programme really is! DIFFERENCE is you are trying to TAKE MONEY, I AM NOT. SO I WILL COMPLAIN if I want to OK? All clear?”

By the way, I am not going sign up to your free trial as this would mean giving my personal information to someone who clearly has a penchant for  manipulating anything that he gets his hands on in the quest to obtain (after the FREE trial) that money that I am so hung up on keeping. How free are we really talking? Do you want to be bombarded with emails by this guy once the trial is over? He will have your PERSONAL information people, someone you have NEVER met. Think about that.

You imply several times that personal trainers are nothing more than motivational partners, yet you state that the support and motivation you can get from the internet is all one needs. Hmm.

Did I? Let me set the record straight, Personal Trainers (NOT Online ones) are VERY valuable, if you can get a good one and IF you utilise them correctly. At the same time I stand by my claim that you CAN achieve fitness and weight loss BY YOURSELF, and that reaching out to other people with similar goals is VERY useful in achieving that goal. That person doesn’t have to be a Personal Trainer. Your problem with that is what exactly? Have I just invalidated your entire reason for existing by making that OUTRAGEOUS claim? Even I would hope not. My rant was not a personal attack on Personal Trainers. It was a rant about someone selling Online Personal Training using deceitful means. You made it VERY personal.

How is it that personal trainers make any sort of living if you can get a beach body just from conversing with some lady named FitBit over the internet for free.

And not all Personal Trainers are worth their weight in gold or reputable as demonstrated quite clearly – yes you have put your reputation on the line for anyone to address most publicly. Oh and are you promising people a beach body? I'm not promising anything. Like I said, I CAN'T make anything happen for someone else, but I can support them. You're on to a winner if you can promise everyone a beach body via your ONLINE service, where you get to keep such a close eye on everything they do, eat etc.  Personal Trainer, maybe yes, ONLINE Personal trainer, get OUTTA here!

Oh and this one actually made me laugh. You say save the money and go spend it on workout clothes. Now that'll get you fit! Next.

Again, THIS is what I REALLY said (FitBit):

“Go spend that cash on workout clothes or better still, HEALTHY FOOD!”

Did you REALLY think I wasn’t going to correct the imbecilic way you misquote (especially me) by leaving out anything you can’t argue with to make some invalid point? Clearly you have tapped into your female market by understanding the intrinsic link between clothing and fitness/beauty. We all want to look good in our clothes and fitness clothes are great motivators to that end. Clear enough for you? OH and did you know that healthy food WILL help get you fit? This is what you get from MACFitnessOnline people.

Umm, show me where I advertise that the main reason anyone should sign up with me is so I can organize their daily schedule for them.

Man, just re-read my post will ya!? I said that no-one will get fit unless they work out a time schedule for themselves instead of relying on a trainer to do so by fitting in around them. They have to realise that they have to make it a part of their life, and you working around that then becomes a little irrelevant doesn’t it – because a real-life personal trainer will do the same. DO NOT make me tell (YES, that’s right) you again that there is no comparison between a real-life Training Session and an even 4 online ones. In fact IN MY OPINION (whoop there it is!) go buy ONE REAL Personal Training session rather than getting however many online ones you can get in a month. Have you heard of QUALITY v. QUANTITY? Apply that adage to fitness and you’ll go far. Dispute that. Eat junk, look like junk. Use junk, look like junk...well you get the drift.

I say that I construct my programs to fit into one's schedule. I'm so surprised that anyone, let alone a marketing genius like yourself, could misunderstand what I meant there that I'm going to just move on.

Do you mean you use a computer algorithm to construct a program for people? Nothing ground-breaking there. If I misunderstood you, could there be any chance that you weren’t particularly clear, or is it just my error? In any case, you aren’t getting your message across and that’s what you need to address rather than getting personal AGAIN.

Oh another contradicting statement and probably a good one to go out on; you say its not your place to suggest that people don't try online training out? WHAT DO YOU CALL YOUR ENTIRE WRITE-UP? (I should put these on my website, I might get more business)

How many times do I have to say this: I call it MY OPINION!

Now I've already spent waaay more time on this than I wanted to, but this one just couldn't go without a response. If I have any piece of advice for you (which I have a lot of but "its not my place") I say let people try things out for themselves and don't act like you know it all. You clearly don't, and if you think you do, go write a book. When I get my first complaint from a client I'll let you know.

Such a shame that you think you shouldn’t spend that much time defending something you supposedly believe in (and your livelihood!)– We clearly differ there and I for one don’t have any regrets about where I’m coming from. I’ve spent long enough writing this and I’m not trying to sell anything. You can give me your advice if you like – it might be valid, it might not, just know that I am entitled to my own opinion whether it coincides with yours or not.

As for not getting a complaint from a client that’s great for you! I could counter that with saying that your business hasn’t been around that long, and most people can’t be bothered to complain, they walk away and you never hear from them again, but I won’t as you clearly know better than I do.

As for knowing it all MR FITNESS BREAKTHROUGH, how many times do you need to hear that just because someone writes a book/article or makes a show, it doesn’t mean that what is contained in it is the ultimate in knowledge/beauty/truth etc, just as anyone who sets up an online business doesn’t necessarily have a better way than someone who doesn’t. To that end, you write that book, you’ve already got the qualifications and website so you MUST be the expert.

Some FITnrg members are consciously trying to foster a positive community here - not a gathering net for sharks to go hunting in. Want to go shoot fish in a barrel? Unless Jim (you know, the site creator I told you about that you should approach about advertising)tells me otherwise, I'm going to suggest you do it elsewhere. If you want to join the community without EXPECTING to bleed it for financial gain, then I for one will welcome you, otherwise, expect what you got. Apparently you joined 2 days ago, didn't bother to find out about the community but saw it as an opportunity to treat others like idiots. 

 This was a chance for you to respond with some valid points countering my arguments/concerns as a potential consumer (by virtue of the fact that you advertised on this site, and my being an active member), instead you made it personal. I’m sure your knee-jerk viciously personal attack on my opinion has definitely had some impact for some people on this site. Believe me when I say I had no intention of demolishing any standing you have as a PROFESSIONAL Fitness Business Owner, in fact I didn’t even have to – you did a pretty good job yourself, don’t you think?

Get as personal as you like from here on in (as I expect you will), but I have made my point. Deceive and expect to be caught out. Kicking out at that person is the standard response, a professional response could have changed my opinion. I stand firm, and I’ve given your scam enough visibility.

I tried to leave a comment on MACFitnessOnlines' blog (July8 2008) but when you see what I tried to post, it was clearly too long for a comment alone so here's my two cents (ha ha) worth (but read that blog first!) WARNING-PRETTY BLUNT LONG RANT to follow, SOME MAY FIND OFFENSIVE:

That's great MACFitnessOnline (and it's not entirely clear whether you are offering your services for free or not) but I think this site does a pretty good job of providing a supportive environment in encouraging people to get fit FOR FREE. If you need help, just ASK for it here. As with everything, research research research - that goes double for finding and paying someone who will work to help you get there! It appears that you have just dropped a self-written 'press release' onto a blog page (I should know - writing them used to be part of my job) as an advertisement for your business. If you want to advertise a 'charged for' service, Jim (FitNRG.com creator) may have some suggestions. 

First things first, MACFitnessOnline, you quote a single study on BEHAVIOURAL THERAPISTS and imply that Online Personal Training is the same thing or will achieve the same thing i.e. enhanced weight loss (9lbs over 6 months as opposed to 3lbs) - not cool. I bought a book for under $20 and lost 40lbs in less time than that. that book had diet/nutrition info as well as pictures/info on how to do the most effective weights and cardio workouts. It was packed with motivational advice and clear simple explanations. It didn't worry about people being different, it just demanded that you put in the effort and time. Again, under $20. You may say I am the exception to the rule but I can tell you that I am not and I have since seen my friends achieve similar results. And I'm not selling anything. The only important thing is finding what works FOR YOU, timewise, fitness-wise, commitment-wise.

SOME people might need one or two (IMHO preferably real) PT sessions to get started but in the larger part online personal training doesn't really address the real reason most people get trainers - to kick their butts to the gym, and then make sure they don't cheat whilst they are there (which is fair enough if that's what you need)! Someone online can't really do that, and those who feel they need training sessions online will probably (although I accept not always) 'cheat'. You've got to be somewhere pretty remote to not be able to find a real trainer, in which case, you may feel that online training is worth the spend, otherwise:  

If you go to a gym, most will offer you an induction programme to get you started and will review it after 12 weeks even if they don't advertise it - you get what you ask for. If you work out at home, then magazines/books are as good a place to start as anywhere because you won't need the fancy schmancy stuff until you get a LOT fitter and want to target specifics, by which time you will have worked out how to do a lot of stuff and will be doing it 'all by yourself' anyway. There are NO quick and easy ways, just consistency and hard work. Otherwise there are always people on this site who are happy to offer (again, free) advice on what has worked for them, and some of them are fitness professionals! Now THAT's FREE online personal training!

At any rate, the 'big' simple exercises are the place to start - most people don't start by needing to learn how to squat 100lbs balanced atop a swiss ball, nor do they need to. I appreciate that I am exaggerating here but a study here or there doesn't really get to the point (and another will probably contradict it tomorrow): working out and eating well is better than not doing so and if you are diligent then you should be able to work out without suffering too many injuries. This is where even an online trainer can't help you - they CAN'T tell if you are completing an exercise correctly because they are NOT THERE!!!! Just as dangerous as going it alone!!! Get a workout buddy if at all possible, and work it out between you instead. Yes, support ABSOLUTELY works, but it doesn't have to be paid for to give you results.

The key is to start slow, watch free online demo's of how to complete an exercise (if you need help with finding some, PM me), read mags/books, and GO LIGHT until you are confident enough. ALL of which you can do YOURSELF! To go from fat to toned and honed is going to cost a lot in terms of personal training no matter how you look at it, instead get reasonably close to where you want to be then spend your cash - that's where the benefits are!

The time issue is one that someone serious about getting fit will have to work out for themselves, it's the only way - if your main reason for hiring a trainer is so that they can work out a time schedule for you then it's a bit pointless really isn't it-they might not be any better than you!? If you have any cash to throw at this situation then hire an online admin assistant instead (and BE like Brad and Angelina!), they'll do some of those niggly jobs whilst you are actually working out as well as find you extra time you never had (and some will even kick your butt to the gym for you by sending you reminders)!

I am the first to admit that I'm no personal trainer but I worked with a major fitness brand for a number of years and had access to some of the best trainers in the country whenever I desired (so I was pretty fit, and plan on getting close again), but you only get fit WHEN you DECIDE to.

If you rely on that motivation residing within someone else then it won't be you that gets fit (you'll always find a way to sabotage yourself even if you spend hours working out)-F.A.C.T. That may sound harsh but I stand by it, not everyone is that blunt because they want to sell you something by pandering to your need for comfort. There. Said it. (All comments disagreeing with that can are welcome and yes, I'd be disappointed if MACFitnessOnline didn't respond). 

Let me clarify. Having said the above, I FIRMLY believe that you can do ANYTHING if you want it badly enough, just that someone else can't do it for you, but they can support you. If support/advice is what you want then you got it-for free! Go spend that cash on workout clothes or better still, HEALTHY FOOD!  

Today, far too many people think throwing money at a situation will sort it – it won’t (at least not in the long term), and there are far too many people out there who will happily take it from you. I am not saying that personal training isn’t a valid option for people (it absolutely can be), but I do have some reservations (can you tell?!) about online personal training except for a very small number of specialised/demand-specific people – not MOST OF US!

I apologise now if this sounds like an attack on personal training - again, I'll repeat-it's not at all! And look, if you want to spend your money on online training, It isn't my place to even suggest that you don't, but I thought it was worth mentioning some of the glaringly obvious problems with something that is being sold as the latest 'cure-all', especially on a 'community' site like this.

I just get annoyed when people quote 'studies' improperly without providing a balanced view or at least give access to the details of a study for others to validate for themselves! AGAIN MACfitness, the study you quoted specifically refers to BEHAVIOURAL THERAPISTS producing that effect, NOT online personal trainers. (Forgive me if I missed that part of your quals) I've just spent far too many years in PR and Marketing Communications to be talked to that way, and even Marketeers know not to dumb-down their audience. Before you start, yes, I've worked on $multi-million accounts for some of the largest blue chip brands for most of my working life so I could probably be-fuddle you with info too, but look, I'm not! And funnily enough I'm saying you can save your money instead of spend it on the latest fad! A marketing gal with a conscience - I know, go figure!

For far too long we have been promised a magic-pill for this or that. I'm all for development and progress and I'll be first in line when someone finds the one for health and fitness. Until then I believe that using a study on behavioural therapy as a way to imply that online personal training will offer enhanced weight loss is irresponsible. It is this kind of sheer irresponsibility that has had people looking for the EASY way to losing weight and gaining health and fitness for a long time now and I believe it is the reason for the worldwide increase in obesity 'hey, this is the best way, hey this works - it's easy'. NOTHING WORTH HAVING IS EASY. To play with something as important as someone's desire for health is unnaceptable - yes, it's been done for years but somewhere it has to stop if we are all going to get better. We need to show people that they CAN get fit and healthy themselves-infact there is no other option, no magic genie in a bottle- YOU have to do it, you have to spend the time doing it, learning about it and improving. But why do people offer this service if I can do it myself, I hear you ask? Because people will believe them is the simple answer.

Show me the study that says Online Personal Training works better than finding a support site like this where you can build working supportive relationships and I might recant some of what I'm saying, until then...all humans are humans. We all have the same body parts that largely work the same way - MOST generic exercises WILL work for you, until you get down to the specifics of working on improving a particular aspect of your body when you are near to your goal. Yes, I do know about somatotypes etc, but MACFitnessOnline was talking about plain old weight loss in his release which if it isn't happening now will happen if you change what you are currently doing - THAT SIMPLE (but maybe not easy). No weightloss now, CHANGE something sensibly and SEE WEIGHTLOSS. If it's plain weight loss you're after (as per THAT beahvioural therapist study) then online personal training MAY NOT be the best option for you because the study NEVER LOOKED at the effect of ONLINE PERSONAL TRAINING - it most certainly isn't the only option left. There are a number of ways to lose weight and you can learn for next to nothing. To call online personal training a BREAKTHROUGH is nothing but MARKETING PITCH talk- trust me!

MACfitnessOnline, I have the utmost respect for your qualifications maybe even for what you may have achieved with your clients but I feel you are doing the entire personal training profession a discredit by promoting it in this way - even other online personal training businesses. I don't know how your personal online service is different to the general online training phenomenon that I am so worried about but I do know that communication / typing and supporting can take a lot of time too, and support needs to be there when it is wanted and must be carefully thought out - it means taking the time to learn about your client especially things that you can't see without being 'with' the person in real life. All of this takes time, maybe as much as spending that 'real-life' hour if you are going to do it properly. There is certainly NO COMPARISON with a real-life personal training session (many trainers are happy to be on the phone/online if you need them in addition to your sessions so you CAN 'take them with you' in your quest for unbroken improvement).

 In MY OPINION FitNRG is a community where we all help eachother, if that's why you joined, then FANTASTIC, otherwise I am appealing to your better nature to use your power here to gain some feel-good karma by helping others out - you might surprise yourself by how much better you feel for doing so! ;)

Rant over! :)  

So I just finished my first 12 weeks of Body For Life on Saturday and yesterday my husband may have used the terms ‘Manly’ and ‘Back’ together when referring to my frame!

I know that I have put on muscle since I started this programme, but having lost 32lbs in total so far since Feb 4^th, I’ve been feeling great about things and personally don’t mind the muscle. Thing is, he’s not a man of many (negative) words and doesn’t usually make comments like that so I was more than a little taken aback when he uttered those words. And it’s not like he’s a stranger to the gym, even though he’s more of a runner than a lifter.

Until Sunday, I had thought I looked a lot better than 3 months back but I never set out to look masculine (although muscle-gain was in the plan), so my question to you all is: Do I look unfeminine?

I had just thought the next step was to work on my body fat % so that I’d lose the bulk but maybe that’s not going to be enough…I’d appreciate some honest (but gentle!) feedback – even just a YES or NO, and this seems to be the best place to get that…HELP!!

p.s. please check my pics to get a better idea, not just my avatar!