Jonathan N. - Des Moines, Iowa: They say a picture is worth a thousand words. In two weeks, upon completion of the FXB course, I will take my after picture. I'm sure I will see some change. I'm hoping to notice significant change.

No picture, however, can capture the impact this class has had on my life. It's not only changed my life I believed it saved it.

Prior to the class beginning I had surpassed 260 pounds. In preparation for our January 7th test I worked out some so my ten week weight loss will not reflect the total weight I've shed. Still, weight loss only tells a portion of the story.

Prior to the FXB class my blood sugar, even taking 2000 mg of glucophage daily, bounced between 190 and 300. Today, after eating breakfast it was 91.

Prior to FXB my blood pressure, despite taking a water pill to lower it, hovered around the 170 for the top number and around 100 for the bottom number. On more than one occasion in getting it checked over the past couple of years I had to sign waivers to leave the hospital, it was so high. At one point it even reached stroke level with the top number well over 200 and the bottom number well over 110.

I was not yet on cholesterol medication, although I'm sure that was not far behind. I did receive an Ambien prescription to help me sleep though I decided against taking it. Instead I spent sleepless night after sleepless night punctuated by days comprised of four levels of energy - verge of collapse, exhaustion nearing delirium, burnt out and totally wiped.

With those energy levels I often found myself depressed, at best butting on a good front; my productivity was down; the quality of the time I spent with my children was diminished; my social life suffered; I was constantly stressed; and my poor physical conditioning often resulted in back aches, knee aches, shortness of breath and other consequences of being morbidly obese.

Since beginning the class my life, as I stated earlier, has not only changed but I believe has been saved.

The first and most noticeable impact has been the physical changes. I no longer look pregnant. Granted the first snow in January was not joyous for my children since they could no longer go sledding on the hill otherwise known as my belly. In the last couple of weeks I've actually noticed I have ribs.

My flexibility has improved considerably. For the first time in more than a decade my fingers could touch my toes while standing. My legs and arms have also developed very defined, steel hard muscles which I enjoy showing off every chance I get.

I can fit clothes long put away. I'm no longer popping buttons on my pants. I have a pile of pants that I'm going to get buttons put back on after the FXB class is completed. Some of them were favorites. Some of them I wore only because the progression of my waist left me few clothing options since I am self employed and cannot afford to buy new clothes simply because the old ones no longer fit.

I have been able to get away from having to wear huge sweatshirts and sweaters to cover what might be a button popping disaster made only slightly less embarrassing by the belt underneath holding up my trousers.

Worrying about your pants falling down during a meeting because the button popped off can contribute to a very unproductive work session. I worry about my pants falling down now but only because the waist on them has so much more room, now. Fortunately the same belt that rescued me before remains on duty, for the present.

I have been able to go from the tent look to wearing t-shirts and crew shirts that simply weren't options before. In the past if I wore t-shirts my gut might, at any moment, roll it up. That look might be sexy on a super model or Beyonce but not me. As for wearing the crew collar shirts, like Phil Mickelson at the U.S. Open a couple years ago, being so attired invoked conversations about the "Manzier" episode on "Seinfeld."

The physical changes have been very good for me but they are not the reason I say the class saved my life.

I had two homicidal maniacs hunting me and they were gaining significant ground. The first was diabetes and the second was high blood pressure. These two killers are merciless. And if they can't kill they cripple.

After just over a month in the FXB class the doctor removed me from all medication. I am back to diet control for my diabetes with my blood sugars in the 90 to 105 range. My blood pressure is also under control with my top number coming in at the 130 to 140 range and my bottom number in the mid to low 70s range. My resting pulse was in the high 80s and 90s prior to the FXB class. Now it checks in around 60.

A huge benefit of the FXB impact is that I am sleeping so much better. Prior to FXB my sleeping was laboured and often at night I would stop breathing. Even prescriptions didn't help me rest. Now I sleep soundly. I don't even snore anymore.

While tired was the best I could hope for prior to the FXB course my energy levels now range from enthusiastic to sleepy. I am rarely tired anymore, and if I am it's because I'm either sleepy or exhausted from a vigourous workout. Both of these are natural.

I have so much energy now that I even walk to school and pick up my daughters. It's a 2.5 mile roundtrip walk but my daughters enjoy it, we spend quality time together walking and talking and when we arrive home my eldest daughter no longer plops before the television or climbs under the covers, me too exhausted to tell her to get up. Instead she gets right on her homework or asks to help me prepare the evening's meal.

Both my daughters also are found doing little things like push ups or sit ups. Walking is now viewed as a recreational option. We've even gone to Baskin and Robbins, purchased cones, and then walked for a mile or two before I take them to their mother's for the evening.

Getting healthy has inspired me to eat healthier to the point I have joined a farm in Waukee that grows fresh produce. Beginning mid-May I will receive fresh produce weekly and learn how to prepare it healthy, also.

Chips, cookies, doughnuts, and comfort foods that were once seen as a staples are out. I practice portion control and yet I find the foods I really enjoy I
still can eat without guilt or consequence. Even on my free days I find I don't gorge. I prefer baked over fried, breaded meats and water has become my drink of choice rather than a forced consumption. I buy cases at a time and keep a case in my car so that I can stay hydrated and cleansed throughout the day. Currently I'm drinking close to a gallon of water a day.

Getting healthy has also inspired those around me. My massage therapist, getting the best view of the physical changes in my life, has signed up for FXB and will take the March course at the Beaverdale location. Another friend of mine is now going to join me on evening walks. My mother has started getting health. At 72 eating better, walking and doing her ball exercises may mean the difference between an earlier death or seeing her grand children graduate high school or even college.

I think I've also inspired my classmates at Farrells. When the class started I was the only one staying late the first week. Now anywhere from eight to twelve of our group stay and do extra situps, pushups and stretching. Today four of the fellas started jumping rope after watching me jump rope after class the past two days.

They struggled but they tried it after watching me. I also try to congratulate and encourage everyone after each class and those who have been missing I either inform the coaches about their absence or welcome them back upon their return. I know at least a couple of participants that didn't quit because of this encouragement.

I've even convinced a few of our class to do maintenance stressing we're not competing for prizes but changing lifestyles. I look forward to continuing maintenance with the friends and support group I've developed through FXB.

As a publisher I have even decided to add a health and fitness publication to my stable of products.

On the surface the FXB course was costly to me. Being self-employed with a nine year old and a six year old cash flow is always a challenge. Maintenance is going to be expensive for me. But to not take the class or to not do maintenance would even be more costly. Plus I find I am now saving money on my medication, eating out, and recreational expenses related to the improved quality of time I'm spending with my daughters. For example instead of buying the girls a video to watch because I was too tired to do anything else I now spend time with them walking or at the park.

We take our picture on March 17th. On March 10th I get my real reward, however, my three month hemoglobin. More than any picture that blood test will hopefully document just how healthy I've become through the FXB program.

I am looking forward to the ten week test, however. I expect my running time to improve by at least four to five minutes. I didn't do the five week running test because my knees were swollen. Since blowing out my knee and my car accident that happens.

At the five week test I did double my sit ups and nearly doubled my push ups. My flexibility improved by 5.5 inches. I lost body fat, 11.4 pounds and 11 inches.

I think my week ten tests will blow away those results but even if they don't I've already won!

It is my understanding that Farrell's was originally opened as a means of instructing individuals in the self defense arts. Well, FXB has done more than teach me how to kick or punch or fend off a knife attack. FXB has provided me with critical life defense skills against two of the world's legendary killers and has also helped me to stave off at least two or three others.

Prior to FXB Mr. Diabetes and Mr. Blood Pressure were hunting me and it wasn't going to be long before their buddies, Mr. Heart Attack, Mr. Stroke, and Mr. Cancer showed up competing for the kill.

Staying healthy will be an ongoing struggle, though I find I really enjoy working out. Someday one of them may take me down. But not today! And I can say that with confidence because FXB has taught me how to protect myself against these deadly foes.

Well, I know you're a busy man. I just needed to share that.