Testimonials

Before After

July 5th, 2005, another 4th of July weekend in the books. As I walked down the hall I got a good look at myself in the full-length mirror in the hall, not just a casual glance but that hardcore reality check. There I stood 39 years old and 228lbs. What happened to that chiseled physique I had 18 years ago? What happened to that physique built by the Marine Corps.

That is definitely not what I saw that morning in July when I looked in the mirror. Thousands of burgers, fries, and shakes later, I saw only a remnant of that proud Marine I was many years before. I was getting ready to turn 40 and definitely looking it. Then something happened, for just a split second I believed I could be that again. That's all it took.

I spent my 20's in the health club business and even though I was around fitness all the time I lived on a 50lb roller coaster. I was either in great shape, waiting for the day I couldn't maintain my grueling 3-hour workouts, or I was on the gaining cycle where my clothes gradually became tighter and tighter, leaving whatever designer I was currently wearing embedded in my waistband. My daily mantra was: " Today is the day I'll start exercising and eating right." No matter where I was, I was in a world of shame.

On July 5th 2005 I put down the fork. I made a promise to give myself “six pack abs” for my 40th birthday. I took 20+ years of experience in the fitness industry and went to work. I promised myself three things; no compulsive training, no starvation, and I would not quit. Over 6 months, I lost 50 lbs and another 8 lbs in the following 2 months. At no time during that period did I spend more than 90 minutes day training. I averaged between 45 minutes to an hour 5 days a week.
I never skipped a meal, after the first 30 days never felt hungry. It has completely changed my life. I will never tell anyone there is a quick fix, because there isn't. I spent the better part of 20 years relying solely on my sense of humor and quick wit to meet people. And more importantly not let you see how miserable and ashamed I was underneath. I didn't go on a diet, or start a workout program. I adopted a new lifestyle and worked it from the inside out. Today I enjoy my life, have plenty of energy and best of all I get the opportunity to share my experience with others. I get to take my new lifestyle and use it to support myself. What a gift. If you are willing to give yourself the gift of just an hour a day and change the way you eat you can TRANSFORM your life. Believe me it's worth it!!! If you have experienced similar challenges and want similar results, then let us show you how.

P.S. I turned 40 May 23rd 2006 and that six-pack I promised myself turned 40 with me.

Andy Clay
Co-founder Blue Clay fitness

I was immortal, until a reporting assignment that became a riot, resulted in the tearing of the meniscus in my right knee. Meet Mortal Gayle! No running. No biking. I could barely walk! Thanks to the guidance of two amazing doctors and an amazing physical therapist, I'm up and at it again, BUT THERE ARE FORTY MORE POUNDS OF ME. What used to be TIGHT now JIGGLES! Where did that come from? Ugh! Well, I could not exercise following my injury. My rehabilitation was slow and physical activity was limited as the healing process began. I tried to expedite the yearlong healing/rehab situation with something I call "The Pity Party Diet": fast food, ice cream, pizza, beer, etc. consumed all hours of the day and night. Even my three dogs, which attended ALL of my Pity Parties, gained weight! (My vet urged me to get them off this eating program before they developed hip problems, real hip problems, beyond my "hips-big-enough-to-show-a-major-motion-picture-on" hip problem.)

I figured it was time to get some professional "reduce-my-IMAX-booty" help. Several years ago, I successfully worked with a personal trainer and I loved the results, but that was before there was a knee injury to worry about. Enter BLUE CLAY FITNESS! I described my new limitation to them and they said NO PROBLEM! I was suspicious. I told myself the first time these six-percent body fat, picture of good health folks hurt me, I'M OUTTA HERE!

Well, we started over 4 months ago and I'm still driving THEM crazy! My sleek, toned, and strong arms and legs are back. My clothing is baggy. I was wearing a size 16, weighing 180 pounds when we started. Now, I'm down to a size 14. I still have some MAJOR abdominal work to do. I'm still a little pudgy around the middle, so I'm too chicken to get on a scale just yet. I'm in it to win it and they are, too WITHOUT nagging me to death. They know I have a demanding work life and my eating is not always perfect, but their encouragement; both in the gym and at the dinner table, keep me from falling too frequently of the wagon.

As I work hard with Blue Clay Fitness to whittle away the weight, in the meantime, they're restoring my physical strength and endurance. My body is getting strong and stable, again. The limping and stumbling resulting from injury is going away. Fit and fine Gayle is on her way back. Where's my Orange thong? Stay tuned!

Gayle Anderson
Live Remote Reporter / Producer
KTLA-TV
Los Angeles, CA

Before After