The two days a week I spend at Excel training have changed my life.  Three months ago I was in a stressful job with a 45-mile commute, no energy and overweight.  My doctor was concerned because my cholesterol had reached 260 and my blood pressure was high.  Strictly by accident, as I was reading the local Bowie paper one Saturday, I made a choice that has proven to be the best decision I made this year.

I read the article about Kara Bishop and Anne Tyler that work at Excel Personal Training.  The article talked about the power of exercise and staying in shape.  I decided to go for a consultation to see what they could do for me.

Within five minutes of talking to both of them I knew this was for me.  We discussed lifestyle, goals and diet before we even talked about the exercise program.  I could tell there was real concern for me as a person.  After the consultation I immediately got started with a routine.  I began with five-pound weights and ten rotations of each exercise.

As the weeks progressed I moved up to fifteen-pound weights and more rotations.  I no longer need long pauses between each exercise.  At one point I dreaded doing squats, but can now do the squats holding ten-pound weights.

Excel training has been great for me because they work around my schedule. I feel there is a real partnership between me and Anne Tyler, the certified personal trainer that works with me twice a week.  She shares exercise tips I can use at home and diet suggestions.  There is encouragement to complete the routines, not pressure.

In just three months I have lost 28 pounds and lowered my cholesterol to 186.  My blood pressure is fine.  Excel has not fixed my long commute, but the weekly training has certainly given me more energy to take on any challenge.

Janet P., Bowie, MD