yaya_hilbert – All round fitness

April 26, 2025

My Fitness Journey: From Chronic Back Pain to Badminton Comeback

Name & Background

My name is Michael. I’m 36 years old and a full-time programmer. When you spend most of your day at a desk, staring at a screen, it’s no surprise that your body starts to push back — and for me, it did.

For years, I dealt with chronic back pain. It wasn’t just uncomfortable — it started affecting my daily life and even the sports I used to love. I used to enjoy playing badminton, but over time, without enough strength in my legs and core, I found myself struggling more and more on the court.

That’s when I knew I needed a real change — not just “getting a little more active,” but building a strong, functional body.

Starting Point & Challenges

When I first started training, I weighed about 85 kilograms. My body felt heavy, sluggish, and weak where it mattered most: in my legs and core. Playing badminton — something I used to enjoy so much — became frustrating because I couldn’t move fast or maintain good form without risking injury.

The biggest challenges were time and consistency. Between work and daily responsibilities, finding time and energy for myself was tough. And honestly, dealing with chronic back pain made starting even harder — mentally and physically.

Finding the Right Support

That’s when I came to All Round Fitness and started working with Anu. What made the difference was how Anu approached my training: not just focusing on weight loss, but truly rebuilding my body — focusing on strengthening my legs, core, and improving my overall mobility.

She designed a program tailored to my needs: gradual, smart, and effective. Every workout pushed me toward better strength and stability without overwhelming my back.

Transformation & Results

Fast forward to today — I now weigh around 70 kilograms.

But the number on the scale is just part of the story. The real win is the strength and agility I’ve gained. My legs are much stronger now, which completely transformed my movement on the badminton court. I can run faster, react quicker, and — most importantly — enjoy playing again without worrying about injury.

The back pain that used to bother me daily? It’s no longer a constant issue. Strength training didn’t just change how I look — it changed how I live.

Final Thoughts

Working out isn’t just about losing weight. It’s about taking control of your health, rebuilding your confidence, and finding your way back to the things you love.

If you’re dealing with chronic pain, feeling stuck, or thinking it’s too late to get stronger — trust me, it’s not. You just need the right guide, the right plan, and a commitment to yourself.

Thanks to Anu and All Round Fitness, I got my body — and my love for badminton — back.

January 14, 2025April 26, 2025

How I Transformed My Health After 65: A Civil Engineer’s Fitness Journey

Name & Background
My name is David Fraser. I am 74 years old and retired after working for 52 years as a Professional Civil Engineer, graduating from Carleton University in Ottawa in 1972. In March 2025, my wife and I are celebrating our 50^th wedding anniversary. We have two grown-up children with one married and four grandchildren ranging in age from 10 to 16. I am also on the Board of Directors for a non-profit society managing two $10/day daycares in the Whalley area.

Fitness Journey
My son works out regularly and in 2016, when I was 65, he encouraged me to sign up at a Surrey personal training studio where he knew the owner and manager. Much later, Anu became my personal trainer at the same studio for over a year before she opened All Round Fitness in Guildford in 2024.

Initial Goals & Challenges
In 2016, my personal fitness goal was to lose weight and stay fit. I was working 80 hrs/week and out of shape with minimal energy. My challenge was and still is to remain committed and not miss any sessions.

Transformation Story
I grew up on a small dairy farm in Quebec where we milked nine cows by hand in the 1950s and 60s, and I was expected to work hard when home from school. Working out brings back memories of yesteryear. When I started physical training in 2016, I weighed about 190 lbs and now I’m approaching 160 lbs.

Overcoming Physical & Mental Challenges
In 2016, I convinced myself that I needed to stay fit if I wanted to continue engineering work past age 65. In my opinion, physical training is equally as important as mental training. Making a commitment and sticking with it is paramount. Anu has a system of progressive achievement – listening to clients and tailoring her sessions to reflect the client’s ability, age and mental commitment to achieving physical fitness.

Personal Testimonial
Working out occasionally at a regular gym can be a losing proposition without a desire to stay past the first month. Personal training 3 hrs/week for me is an investment in my future good health. Like the stock market, personal training can deliver a great return on a person’s investment, paying dividends like good health, more energy and confidence.

January 14, 2025April 26, 2025

My Fitness Journey: From Postpartum Struggles to Finding Strength Again

Name & Background

My name is Cheryl. I’m 33 years old and a proud mom to a lively 5-year-old son. Life has been full and busy, but after giving birth, I struggled with something I never expected to hit me so hard: my own health.

For nearly three years after my son was born, I battled with postpartum weight gain. No matter what I tried – diets, random workouts, even fitness classes – nothing seemed to stick. I felt frustrated, exhausted, and honestly, defeated.

That all changed when I met Anu at All Round Fitness in Guildford.

My Starting Point & Challenges

When I first walked into the gym, I was carrying not just extra weight but also a lot of self-doubt. I had gained a significant amount of weight after pregnancy, and my energy levels were at an all-time low. I found it hard to even imagine feeling like “myself” again. I wasn’t just trying to lose weight — I was trying to find a way back to my own strength and confidence.

The biggest challenge for me was consistency. With a young child and endless responsibilities, putting myself first felt almost impossible. Every workout felt hard. Every week was a battle between giving up and pushing through.

The Turning Point

Meeting Anu was a real turning point. She wasn’t just another trainer handing out workout plans — she understood. She combined strictness and encouragement in a way that made me feel accountable but also supported. Every time I wanted to give up, she reminded me why I started. Every time I tried to slack off, she was there — tough, but fair — pushing me to give a little more.

Her studio became a safe, motivating space for me: clean, well-equipped, and full of positive energy. I started training with her consistently, 2–3 times a week, and slowly, changes started happening — not just physically, but mentally.

Transformation & Results

After 1.5 years of working with Anu, I lost 8 kilograms of fat and gained visible, strong muscle. My energy levels skyrocketed. I felt — for the first time in years — strong, capable, and proud of what my body could do.

What surprised me most wasn’t just the weight loss, but how much more confident and positive I became in every area of life. Fitness stopped being about a number on the scale. It became about proving to myself that I could be resilient, disciplined, and strong.

Final Thoughts

Training with Anu wasn’t just about fitness; it was about reclaiming a part of myself I thought I had lost.

If you’re a busy mom, someone who feels stuck, or someone who thinks it’s “too late” to make a change — trust me, it’s not. Find a trainer like Anu. Find a community that lifts you up. Make yourself a priority again.

Investing in your health is one of the best gifts you can give yourself — and your family.