It's heartening to learn that many MBS members have enjoyed POSITIVE changes over the past few months. Indeed, as we head into the holiday feasting and celebrations, we can count on many good things in our lives to be thankful for.

"I'm very, very proud of what I've accomplished," says Brenda "Bubbles" Gellman, 64, an MBS member who works at the deli across the way.

Bubbles, as she's affectionately called, lost 15 pounds in a little over two months and says she feels better than ever.

"For 40 years I didn't have a waist," she jokes. "The other day I was walking with my friends--leaving them in the dust if you really want to know--and one of them remarked on my new curvy figure.

"On Thanksgiving Day, my grandson called me 'skinny'."

Gellman made her move when a doctor's visit revealed that her cholesterol had skyrocketed. She was determined to make some changes and when she asked folks at the gym, Andrea Contant's name kept popping up.

"I was a little intimidated at first," Gellman admits. "But Andrea worked with me and kept me focused."

Gellman's regimen includes six different machines for toning various body parts and walking the treadmill.

"Everyone at the gym has been so encouraging that I intend to continue working out forever! Once you get started, it's easy to make changes with the right knowledge," she says.

Adrianna Chambliss, 35, agrees. The Venezuelan-born attorney weighed a whopping 150 pounds after the birth of her second daughter four years ago.

She began taking classes at MBS and asked a lot of questions.

"I got a lot of information, especially from Andrea who I think is a walking encyclopedia of fitness and nutrition facts," Chambliss says.

"From Andrea I learned what foods to eat and when to keep my calorie burning rate efficient," Chambliss explains. "More recently I've been training with Bob Esquerre who's taught me how to fine tune my form to work more muscle groups.

"But the best change for me was taking yoga with Leslie Glickman. Somehow all my training came together with an added spiritual element that makes working out a totally new experience.

The Pompano resident even hosts yoga parties at her home, proving that fitness is not only something you do at the gym.

"The staff at Michael's is unique," she says. "There are many gyms closer to my home, but this is the one I love."

Mark Alfieri, 33, lost 30 pounds this year. Alfieri, who produces television shows, started gaining weight in college.

"Those midnight subs and pizzas did me in," he laughs. "I never lost the weight and I was tired of being heavy. So I joined the gym and started training with Tevvy. With his help, I've lost the weight and feel terrific."

Tevvy Washington worked with Alfieri to develop a lifestyle program that was workable.

"My schedule is pretty demanding so I needed meals that I could eat on the run or at my desk," Alfieri explains.

"Tevvy would prefer I eat better but we worked out what kinds of sandwiches are better for me and I used protein meal replacement shakes when I absolutely don't have time for a full meal.

"Basically we got rid of white flour and sugar," Alfieri explains. "I try to eat more wholesome foods."

He trains three times weekly, working different muscle groups from various angles to combat boredom, and plays softball once a week.

"Tevvy is an awesome trainer," Alfieri says. "He inspires me to continue and stick to my routine. I'm really, really happy with the changes I've accomplished so far."

Gary Day, 40, is a prime example of how just a little bit of change can make a huge difference in your life.

"As a professional golfer, I knew I had to get into shape to keep up with the game," Day says. "I was smoking too much, I was getting nagging injuries and needed to lose a few pounds."

Day, who also trains with Andrea, made his selection because of her training skills.

"She teaches the way I teach," he says. "She's totally focused on her clients and customizes the workout for the individual."

For Day, that means twice weekly workouts augmented with his own routine. Since Day wasn't about to make wholesale changes in his life, he cut back on the diet sodas and smoking.

"Instead of dessert every night I limit my sweet tooth to weekend fare," he adds.

In less than eight months, he's lost weight and increased both strength and flexibility.

"Once Tiger Woods came on the scene, golf became a whole new ball game," he says. "I needed to make these changes to keep up with my sport. In turn, my whole life has benefited."

Andrea says that we should evaluate our workouts every eight weeks and "step out of the box" if we want to see changes in our bodies.