October 14, 2002
I have been training with Eileen Sheppard for the past 6 months. I initially sought out Eileen's expertise due to concerns about my weight and energy level. Eileen was able to organize a well-structured training program tailored to my needs and schedule. I have seen marked improvement in terms of strength, flexibility, body fat composition and energy level.
Eileen is always well-prepared, adjusts my program when needed and provides excellent instruction and encouragement during my work-outs. She is very professional and thorough in her approach while at the same time creating an enjoyable, fun atmosphere for our sessions. Anyone seeking to improve their fitness level and lifestyle would be well-served by Eileen's guidance and instruction.
May 23, 2003
I contacted Eileen Sheppard in September of 2002 because, as a Diabetic, I needed to take control of my health and exercise was one factor lacking in my life. I always knew I "should" exercise and that any physical activity could help control my disease but keeping myself motivated was a constant challenge.
With Eileen's expert guidance and gentle encouragement, I have made a positive life style change and find that should events happen that prevent me from exercising, I feel as though I am being cheated. I look forward to my weekly sessions at her home. She has helped me to make exercise a part of my life.
Recent blood tests for bloodsugar levels confirm that the exercise is having a positive effect on my Diabetes. I also feel better, sleep less, and find I am very conscious of my posture while sitting, standing and walking. My increased energy level is evident to all who know me.
I continue to see Eileen weekly and appreciate all she has done to help e accomplish my fitness goals. I never would have lasted more than a couple of weeks if it had not been for her wonderful method of coaching me. Thanks, Eileen!
Marg Adley
Adley Group Enterprises
An Appreciation
Within a very few minutes of meeting Eileen I knew that I had found a very good person to work with. I had read all the letters after her name on her business card and it soon became evident that behind those letters lies a fount of knowledge, attention to detail and a pleasant personality.
Having summarized an outline of my background and performed some basic flexibility and range of motion tests, Eileen's businesslike, yet pleasant, approach made for a friendly interchange of ideas when discussing my goals and aspirations. I had no wish to be an Olympian but Eileen was very encouraging about my more modest goals. The programme she developed for me was aimed at achieving those goals. In other words, I felt it was MY programme.
Introduction to the programme was extremely detailed with emphasis on the correct positioning of all parts of the body, (even if they didn't appear, at first, to be a part of the exercise), with a view to maximizing the benefits while minimizing the possibility of injury. We proceeded through each exercise and discussed my comfort level with each of them.
I found that after the first gym session that Eileen's instructions about body position and the objective of each movement, while detailed, were clear and easy to understand, resulting in a desire to master each technique, (and to keep that toe in line or the chin in). Three months after my introduction to Eileen she developed a revised programme for me, both as a variation and to take into account that I would be involved in outdoor activities during the summer. During the three months we had met for five gym sessions when minor modifications were made to the programme and also corrections to keep me on track.
I would suggest that Eileen's quiet determination and expertise, tempered with a nice hint of humour is the best possible incentive to anybody wishing to improve their physical fitness, enjoy working at it and seeing the results.
Like many people I've joined gyms, bought expensive exercise equipment, and tried one diet after another. Any one of my efforts might have worked if I'd stayed with it long enough, but I didn't. I needed an expert I could rely on to plan the right workout for me, and who could show me how to do the exercises so that I wouldn't hurt myself and would gain maximum benefit.
Eileen Sheppard is that expert. She is able to pitch my workouts at a level that is enough of a challenge to require an effort, but not so much that I ever feel overwhelmed or discouraged. On the contrary, working with Eileen has brought many physical and emotional benefits. I am much more confident in my ability to meet physical challenges and to handle stress. I feel so much more balanced and positive.
Making the commitment to better self-care by working with Eileen is one of the best decisions I've ever made.
Karen Hume
Education Officer
Durham District School Board