6-Week Weight Loss Challenge in Hamilton, ON

Five years ago, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I was in constant pain, and always exhausted.   It took a couple years, but I eventually resigned myself to being OK with it. This is how I am. You see, I am a joyful person, no matter how my body feels, and I wasn’t going to let this destroy me. but after years, even that was starting to wane a little bit. It’s like I had a blanket over my spirit, and it was tied directly to the pain and exhaustion in my body. 

3 1/2 years ago, I was in a car accident, and Broken ribs, sprained ankle, whiplash, and concussion were the result.  All of those things exacerbated and compounded the symptoms I already felt from my fibromyalgia. Now the joy and hope was taking a huge hit.  Now it was starting to feel like I was ruined, and there would be no coming back from it. Obviously, I gained a bunch of weight during that time, but literally moving through my house, using the stairs, bending down to pick something up, all became Insurmountable tasks. 

A year and a half ago I was talking to my therapist about how I needed to reconnect with my body. Even though it was failing me, I couldn’t give up on it. That same day I saw an ad for Fitt Forge. (Now, Coach) Sam was on my screen, telling me how good it feels to show up for your body. I took a chance and clicked the button. Zack was so quick to follow up; he was so encouraging, but more importantly he was so earnest, and I could tell that this was something that he believed in. At this point I needed someone else to believe because I was done. So, I went to my first class that day.

A year and a half later, I can run up and downstairs easily, I can squat, and bend, and balance in a way that I thought my injuries and illness had taken away from me forever. Sure, I’ve also lost some weight, but the real weight that I shed was despair. I no longer feel like I am someone who carries around illness, like I’m beholden to it. Yes, I’m still sick, and yes, I still live with pain, but it’s not the boss of me anymore. That joyful heart has way more room to take the lead in how I behave and how I treat people and how I treat myself and show up for my body that is starting to show back up for me.

Before joining the 6 week weight loss challenge at Fitt Forge, I felt stuck. I had tried everything-different diets, even the wonder drug, Ozempic, but nothing seemed to work for me long term. When I started Zach’s program, I decided to follow everything he shared on his pages “exactly” as instructed.

In just 6 weeks I lost 31.1 pounds and dropped 5% body fat! The difference has been life-changing, my knees don’t hurt anymore, I have so much more energy, and I’m not constantly tired and sleep well. But the biggest change has been in my mindset. I’m proud of how I look and feel confident again.

This challenge showed me what’s possible when you commit and trust the process. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the experience and plan to keep going until I reach my ideal weight of 210 pounds over the next few weeks. I couldn’t recommend this program enough. Thanks to you all, Zach, Sam and Jordan.

I’m obsessed with FITT Forge, and here’s why:

I spent years dodging gyms like they were haunted houses. Typical gym culture made me feel so judged for my body, so I just… stopped going. (And thanks to COVID, I turned gym avoidance into an Olympic sport.) But eventually, I reached the point of feeling consistently terrible, and I knew I had to start showing up for my body.  

Enter FITT Forge – i.e. the place where the people are kind and accepting, the workouts are fun, yet challenging, and where we all come together to lovingly roast Zack (💗💗💗!!!). The vibe is giggles and joy, not side-eye or shame. 

Now Sam, Jordan, and Zack feel like my weird little FITT Forge Fam.  Since June 2024, they’ve helped me shed 50 lbs and my fear of gyms. Honestly, I’ve gotten like fifty times stronger, and I’ve really taken to feeling like a SWOLE BEAST 🏋🏻‍♀️🏋🏻‍♀️🏋🏻‍♀️.  Thank you FF, I love yoooouuuu!!!!

Following knee surgery I was looking for a gym that I could work on my recovery and gain the strength I lost. Fitt Forge has been the perfect spot for this. The small classes and absolutely amazing trainers have helped me to continue to build strength while accommodating my injury by adjusting the exercises safely for me.

Their easy to use app has allowed me to track my progress while I continue to watch my strength build. This gym has an amazing community of like minded people with incredible trainers who are consistently looking out for you best interests.

Big yes! Very worth it!

Glad I did it this time. Zack asked me in the spring and I totally rejected the offer because I was so pissed off and mad at myself for gaining weight though out the winter- I was going to do it myself. Wrong, I only dropped 5lbs in 1-2 months. I had lost 60lbs this time last year and did very good till about after new years, then with my work and lack of exercise, on it came!🥹 So here we are now and back to what I was. I needed a kick in the ass to focus and concur. I thank FITT Forge for the push! Not going to lie and say it was a walk in the park, you must commit 100% and follow the diet at least 90% or better- or you wont be successful! But I feel so much better-more confident and happy! So just do it!