Life & Wellness Coaching

"I think of myself as someone who is fairly organized and introspective already, and I wondered what kind of benefits I would see from Andrea's coaching. I can easily say that it has been one of the most important events for me in the last 10 years. Andrea is gifted with natural enthusiasm for progress that you make personally; she's an excellent listener; and her questions, most importantly, were insightful and challenging. Andrea's coaching enabled me to make progress every week towards my goal to become more self-aware, and include more activities that are personally uplifting and in alignment with my goals. I truly feel like a new person: more confident and making better decisions at home and with colleagues. I highly recommend Andrea's Wellness Coaching to anyone interested in making a difference in their own life." - LM

"Looking for a 'jump start'? This works! Andrea's unique approach offered me valuable and practical 'life coaching tools,' fused with her sound knowledge and experience surrounding health, nutrition and fitness. She creates a PLAN, designed 'just for you,' to help you reach YOUR life goals, big or small, in such an energizing and empowering way!! I've loved every minute of our time together.....she's bright, kind and lots of fun!" - Amy K

"Working with Andrea was one of the most beneficial forms of personal growth and transformation. Her technique is kind & gentle yet focused on helping you achieve your heart's deepest desire no matter how far away it seems. She helps you define those desires and build a strategy to achieve them. She offered me many techniques and a sound structural approach to accomplish my goals. If you are truly committed to making changes in your life, I whole-heartedly recommend working with Andrea." - R. Fiat

"I grew up as an athlete. My best coaches helped our teams develop skills and strategies that made us go higher, farther and faster than we ever thought possible. Andrea has that coaching gift. And as an adult, I'm applying it to the things in my life that matter most - my relationships, health, family, work. The 'winning' radiates to everyone around me. It's an incredibly powerful thing to experience." - Sarah

"Having Andrea as my coach was great! She's very knowledgeable, encouraging and compassionate. Andrea gave me the confidence to step out of my comfort zone and believe more was possible for me. I was able to see myself differently and was inspired to change my habits. It's been a great compliment to my personal therapy. I definitely would recommend Andrea as a coach!" - CG

The top 10 tips I gleaned from working with Andrea Gaines:

1. Everything is not black or white. There is lots of room for choice in between this all or nothing approach which we sometimes use to sabotage our progress.
2. Less is more....than nothing. Doing a little vs. doing nothing is a starting point.
3. Break overwhelming goals down into the smallest components and take the 1st baby step. It's something....it's the beginning of a new approach.
4. Under-commit vs. over-commit. It feels better to accomplish less than to not accomplish something which is too much of a commitment from the outset.
5. Applaud what you did that was good instead of beating yourself up for what you didn't accomplish.
6. Be specific...general goals don't work because they are too vague & doesn't help you plan for unexpected interruptions.
7. It's OK to change your mind or your goals during coaching...be flexible to your needs.
8. Take it 1 day at a time.... After 12 weeks I really refined this idea to take it one choice at a time......even one day offered too many choices & it was easier to weigh in at one choice at a time.
9. Commit to your truest goals the one's you really want to accomplish not the ones you think you should accomplish - or are obligated to accomplish. Coaching can be about many things but I think the best use of it for me was to realize my most innermost desires.
10. It's OK to let someone help or support you on those difficult hard to accomplish dreams. As much as we don't like to be accountable to someone else for a commitment we have made to ourselves, it really does help to be accountable to someone else...it "encourages" us to work a little harder.
    
    - Randi

Personal Training

"I have been working with Andrea for over a year now and have been very pleased with the results. Andrea places a strong emphasis on strengthening core muscles and using your own body weight to perform exercises, which results in a toned and fit body. She has been tremendously helpful in providing eating and exercise plans when I am out of town so that I can continue to work towards the goals I have set for myself. She also does a great job mixing up the workouts and thinking up new exercises so that I am constantly challenged. I have really enjoyed working with Andrea every week and recommend her to anyone that is looking for a way to add some excitement to their workout!" - K.R.

"Andrea makes working out fun with an ever changing mix of techniques - whether pilates, spinning, boxing, or running. Andrea is a very talented, intelligent and motivating trainer. As a mom, I appreciate Andrea's balanced perspective on life, unlike some other trainers who I perceive to be all about exercise and uni-dimensional." - Michal

"I started training with Andrea after years of exercise and even completing the LaSalle Bank Marathon. Her expertise and extremely healthy style of integrating, emotional, nutritional, and physical health helped me achieve a depth to my exercise and overall health. In training with her, I reached the height of my strength and cardio training. She mixes the routines up, and keeps the sessions new and creative. Andrea approached my needs with a focus on my individual goals and most of all, the sessions were always challenging and fun." - M. Garcia

"A friend and I began weekly personal training sessions with Andrea last summer, and I immediately knew it was a great decision. I have back and shoulder injuries and I was always nervous about hurting myself again. Andrea taught me how to protect the areas while beginning to strengthen them so as to prevent future injuries. I have been amazed at how quickly I was able to strengthen my core, shoulders and arms, although I still have a ways to go! After only 10 months, my back pain has subsided and I can take part in activities that I used to have to watch from the sidelines. For anyone who is looking to get stronger and healthier, I would highly recommend Andrea." - A.W.

"I've been working out with Andrea for just about a year now. I am continually amazed by her creativity and enthusiasm when it comes to working out (even at 6 am!!). It seems as though every time I have a session with her, she teaches me a new move or changes an existing move to make it harder - workouts never get boring. I'm now pregnant and Andrea's been able to easily adapt my workouts so I can keep doing them while pregnant. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a way to liven up their fitness routine!" - Kate O.

"Everyone can use an Andrea - she gets me to do what I can't seem to find time to do on my own. She not only helps me to workout on a regular basis, she also helps me to learn about and maintain a healthy lifestyle." - J.T.

"An exerciser my whole adult life, I first met with Andrea Gaines to help me step off my fitness plateau. Andrea passed on simple, fun solutions that motivated me to work harder. Her energy and encouragement were infectious. The results were almost immediate. After a year of working with Andrea, I’ve definitely taken my strength and cardio capacity to a higher level. I feel fitter and stronger, with much more energy for my two young boys and my work. Working with Andrea Gaines has helped me deepen my commitment to my overall health and well being." - Coley

"Andrea is a very dedicated trainer and a great coach in all things health related. She has helped me reach my fitness and lifestyle goals through her enthusiasm, encouragement and ability to create a variety of challenging and specialized workouts. Andrea makes working out fun and she truly her clients’ best interest at heart." - M.M.