Tony Greco and Leanne Cusack on CTV News at Noon – July 5th, 2011. Getting the Ottawa Firefighters from fit to Shredded and Ripped for “Boys of Fire” Calendar.

February of 2011 was a milestone month in my life.  I had recently found out my wife and I were expecting our second child (later to be change to second and third ‘children’), I donated platelets for the first time, and I decided it was time to do something about my fitness level, or lack thereof. 

I had heard friends talk about the Greco Lean and Fit program and, having tried to get into shape by myself multiple times in my life with no success, I decided to give Greco a go.  When I went for my initial consultation, I was 208 lbs and had almost 30% body fat (considered obese by most charts I have seen). 

I was immediately impressed with the knowledge Josh seemed to have and his ability to translate that knowledge into something understandable.  I began my journey down the Lean and Fit road a few days later.  Lean and Fit, at the beginning, was likely the most difficult undertaking of my life.  I had to drastically change my eating habits (I LOVE to eat), and had to force myself to go to ‘the gym’, as my daughter calls it, three time a week.  As time went on though, the lifestyle change I had decided to make became second nature.  I now make healthier choices in foods without even thinking about it and going to work out is something I look forward to as opposed to dread. 

Five months after my initial visit, thanks in large part to the staff and trainers at Greco Barrhaven, I weighed in at 147lbs and about 11% body fat.  

Greco Lean and Fit has allowed me to do more than I could ever have imagined, or even thought myself capable of!

This Saturday on Grecosize and Greco Lean & Fit 4 life:

1. Former Ottawa Senator Mike Fisher will be on the show
2. Kayla Bouffard has a great Greco Success Story that she will share with us

Team1200 Grecosize Promo:

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CFRA Greco Lean & Fit for Life Promo:

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Tune in this Saturday at 7AM on CFRA, or 9AM on Team 1200 to listen live or by podcast on the Team 1200 website.

To listen to full previous shows, click here.

Its been 6 years since I started lean and fit.  I started in 2005 when Greco only had the one location in Barrhaven – I still remember the days of Kelly and Todd, Josh, and even your advanced classes one night a week!  When I started Lean and Fit, I was 172 lbs (keep in mind I am 5’7), my BMI and Body fat percentage were well over 20% ( I think BMI was 26 and Body Fat was 26.9%). Now, my body fat fluctuates between 13 – 16% and weight is around 145 lbs.  I recently got married and have put on a little weight, but a year ago, in my prime, I reached 13% body fat and 135 lbs.   

Lean and fit has changed my life – it has given me self confidence, It has given me positive energy.  I feel amazing and formally wanted to thank you and your team in Barrhaven (I was there from 2005 until Kanata opened) and Kanata (opening until now).  

Thanks again, Anik Dattani

Sean Adams is a member at our OAC location, and has lost over 39 pounds and 18% body fat with the Greco lean and fit program! Congrats Sean.

Kayla Bouffard is a member at our OAC location, and has lost over 40 pounds and 15% body fat with the Greco lean and fit program! Congrats Kayla.

On a Wednesday in suburban Kanata, the air is fresh, a carryover from a welcome cool night, the mid-morning sun not yet burning hot.

Tell it to the six hockey players inside the Greco training facility, sweat rolling off their faces as they dance along a floor ladder (think about old schoolyard games of hop scotch), music pounding in their ears so loud it’s impossible to think. (That’s generally good, when hockey players aren’t thinking). Ripping through the ladder, dancing in and out of the squares, at three-quarters speed, on the heels of 30 minutes of dynamic weightlifting exercises, would be tough enough.

But Tony Greco and his fellow instructors – one per player at this session – turn the ladder into a gauntlet, literally pushing the players during the footwork drills, calling on their core strength to maintain balance. Now they’re yanking on the players via straps lassoed around the shoulders. Makes sense. Being pushed and pulled while trying to execute a skill is a lot like hockey isn’t it?

“You can always do better than you think you can,” bellows Tony Greco above the blaring music. “Give it! Give it!”

To enhance effort, he talks tough during the sessions, but afterward he sits on the gym apparel and chats easily with these players, who range from an established NHLer like Claude Giroux to others looking to get to another level.

“It sucks while you’re here, but the results are worth it,” says Calvin de Haan, a 20-year-old defenceman from Carp drafted 12th overall by the New York Islanders in 2009. “I really enjoy working with Tony and the other trainers here are great as well.”

Read more of the Ottawa Citizen Story…

Sharlene,

A few months ago I walked into your location and couldn’t make it through a workout. Today I biked 70k in the CN Cycle for CHEO and thanks to you and Luke was able to do it! My next challenge is 100k for the Ottawa Hospital in September.

Thanks again,
Stuntman Stu

“Stuntman Stu & Angie Poirier”  |  Weekday mornings 5:30-8:30  |  www.Majic100fm.com

PA announcer for the Ottawa Senators | www.StuntmanStu.com

I came from an athletic background in kickboxing at which time I sustained a hamstring injury.  I was told that I would never be able to participate in the sport again.  I did not accept this diagnosis and decided to take up cycling to repair and rebuild the damaged muscle.  That summer, I was hit by a car.  This resulted in broken bones in my chest, damage to my wrists as well as my lower back and hip.  All injuries healed over time except for my back and hip.  I endured pain and very limited mobility, which prevented me from any level of activity.  As a result of my lack of physical activity, I had gained weight and lost most muscle mass.  

Upon meeting Tony, he convinced me he would be able to help.  I told him if he would invest in me, I would become his “poster child”.  That was 1.5 years ago.  I had numerous false starts due to the pain in my back and mobility limitations.  We decided that personal training would be the best route for me to start with so that I obtained personalized regimes which were tailored to rebuilding my injured body.   

I am now completely pain free, at a healthy body weight and am in the “excellent” category for my body fat composition.  I have just celebrated my 51^st birthday and am once again living a full balanced life, which includes a strong body which is essential to feed an active work/home life and nurture the spirit.  I am elated to be back to my “old self” and continue to work with my personal trainers who consistently bring me to “the next level”. 

Arlene Dorey

Barbara Mireault, owner of the Fish Market in Downtown Ottawa; shares her Greco Success Story on Grecosize.

Listen Below for her interview with Tony Greco and Steve Warne, February 26th, 2011.

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When I first started Greco I weighed in at 189lbs with 31% Body Fat. Today – I am 20% body fat .. weighing in at 142lbs 24years old, 5″7

Lean + Fit, Personal Training (with Armand) and Six Pack Abs have all contributed to me shedding just over 45lbs.

I have to say  – the six pack abs was the most exciting program for me – The diet was challenging and the results were quick, visible and real. We all have abdomens – the six pack abs program truly helped me burn excess belly fat and now I can see them!

One of the biggest changes in my life Lean + Fit has contributed to is my over all health and my skin. I suffer from excema, and so long as I work out – my skin looks rejuvenated, less irritated and I have minimal flare ups. This goes hand in hand with a clean healthy diet.

I was recently in a car accident (beginning of December) and currently participating in physiotherapy to realign my hips, lower and upper back. I hit an 8 point Buck with my car and endured an intense impact. My car has been written off however, I am forever grateful I still have my precious life. Because I am in such good shape – my recovery is progressing quickly and the whiplash was not as bad as it could have been had I had been in poor shape. I hope to be fully recovered within six weeks and cannot wait to get back to lean + fit.

I am not a professional athlete training for a championship – I am just a girl who prides on her body’s strengths and physical capabilities. I love challenging my body and have an addiction to working out.  Nothing taste as good as lean + fit feels… nothing.

Kelly Lee

Peter has a new photo and success story:

I just thought I’d give you an update on my success with the Greco style of living. I’ve adapted very well and easily with my new lifestyle and I believe my update photo will prove that! Since the last photos in May 2009, I have taken three strength classes as well as another 6-pack abs program.

My weight loss to date is 60 lbs and my body fat is now at 10% (down from 30%). I still have goals I want to achieve and I know that I will get there with the help of the program and Brent and Dan. Speaking of which, I cannot talk about my success without mentionning that an important part of it has to be attributed to the great support and encouragement I continue to get from these two guys! Thanks Brent and Dan!

Peter

To view Peter’s previous post and photos, click here!

This is a great photo of one of our hockey teams that have been training at the Kanata Grecos throughout the winter. The team won the Bell Capital Cup PeeWee A division! It’s a great picture showing the sponsorship on their jerseys.

I have always considered myself to be an active & fit person. As a child I was in dance, track & field & loved being outdoors. As an adult, I maintained an active lifestyle. I continued to run, hike, cycle, ski cross country & became a dance teacher/choreographer. Over the years, my fitness level remained the same but my energy was down to an all time low. Due to overwork, stress & low energy, it was getting harder & harder for me to fit my exercise regimen into my busy schedule. I became frustrated as well as disappointed with myself. The vicious cycle of not eating right, exercising sporadically & sticking to running or walking as my work outs just wasn’t cutting it for me anymore. My clothes were tight fitting, I lost muscle definition & I wasn’t sleeping well.

I joined Greco Lean & Fit in March of 2009 and thanks to Tony’s Kanata team (and now the Beech street team) I finally feel like myself again. I will always consider myself a work in progress as I strive to become leaner & fitter, I still haven‘t reached my goal. 6 months into this program I lost 20lbs & 7% body fat but the benefits of feeling & looking better far outweighed the numbers on the scale. When I first heard about the Lean & Fit program I must admit that I was sceptical. I thought that the food plan would be impossible for me to follow & that attending class 3 times a week really wouldn’t make that much difference with my current exercise regimen. Although I realized that I had to make lifestyle changes in order to achieve my goals, I had this fear of trying something that was so different for me & contemplate the possibility of failing. I couldn’t have been more wrong. We monitor what we eat carefully with the help & suggestions from the folks at Greco. Our fitness classes complement whatever else we choose to do on our ‘off days’ so I was able to continue running. Whether we run, power walk, cycle, swim or even play hockey, the Lean & Fit exercises strengthens our bodies overall & promote a strong core. This in turn can help prevent injuries while participating in other activities. At Greco schools, we are surrounded by people who motivate us to work hard. Their enthusiasm reinforces ours and nobody drags anybody else down with negativity. When it comes to food & fitness the staff at Greco can only guide & teach us, as knowledge is power.

In the end though, it’s left up to us to follow through as we reap the rewards of consistent hard work. I not only feel better, I sleep better, I manage my time better & have more confidence to tackle the many challenges of running my Bark & Fitz franchises. When Tony says “Hey Lynne you look great!” I reply with “Oh no Tony–I look fabulous!” And I say that with utmost confidence.