Metamorphose

This is a *long* overdue review for Abui. Years ago, she asked me if I would consider writing a review, and I said yes and never followed through. I suddenly remembered that today and decided to fix the tardiness. I haven’t talked to Abui since 2012, I think, (although I still get her Metamorphose newsletter) so I don’t know how helpful this review will be. But– let it float out there in the ether– and maybe it will do some good (in addition to letting me reminisce).
I used to work in 3 Embarcadero Center, and eventually joined Club One, the gym in 2 Embarcadero Center. For a couple of years, I «worked out» regularly, sometimes achieving a light sweat on the elliptical. This did not translate into any (much-​needed) weight loss.
So, I bit the financial bullet and decided to pay for some sessions with a trainer, and started working with Abui in 2007. By now, those first couple years with Abui are a blur … I do remember how she continually switched the types of exercises I did, and the emphasis she placed on building muscle strength. I sweated as I had never sweated before, but I could see the gains I made on a monthly basis, slowly building stamina and strength.
I met with Abui 2 – 3 times a week, for probably two years. Whenever I was a less than stellar client (being tardy, or not eating sufficiently before a workout and subsequently bonking), she was forgiving, nice, and professional, which I really appreciated.
How did this translate on the weight scale? It didn’t, which is why Abui eventually sat me down and said that we needed to talk about nutrition. She bought me a cookbook and recommended that I think about Weight Watchers. I’m sure she remembers how my eyes filled with tears (I felt like a failure), so then (because she is a really nice person) she comforted me.
I joined Weight Watchers online and watched the pounds melt off. It was amazing to learn how ignorant I was about the importance of proper nutrition and managing caloric intake. Abui was directly responsible for catalyzing a major lifestyle change.
I continued working out with Abui for another two years (2009 – 2011). She saw me when I was experiencing rock-​bottom moments in life, and gave me what support and comfort she could. I understand that I paid for her services as a highly-​trained professional, but, honestly, it was also a bit like working out with a friend. A friend who is in phenomenal shape, loves animé, and has a great guffaw of a laugh.
Due to some fallout from an aforementioned sucky life moment, I decided to save money and stopped training with Abui. I felt like I was on track for weight-​loss goals, due to the Weight Watchers lessons, and also had some workout tips, routines, «best practices», etc filed away mentally. Also filed away electronically, because Abui– in her unending sincerity to find what worked– used online platforms to send me workouts.
In the intervening 4 years (2011 – 2015), I’ve managed to wholly backslide, and then partially undo the backsliding, if that makes sense. I still perform a few of Abui’s workout routines, and maintain the «best practices» I remember. I’m not sure where she works now– I know she left Club One and went to Bay Club– and I haven’t taken the initiative to reach out to her.
I think of her fondly and with gratitude. She helped me a lot: she was a cheerleader; she pushed me hard; she made me sweat and she made me strong; she didn’t let me get away with too much sh*t (but she also never made me feel like sh*t); she was incredibly sincere in trying to find methods that clicked; she opened my eyes to the role diet plays in weight loss; she was *great*.
Best of luck to Abui in her current venture. I *highly* recommend her as a trainer, in case this was not sufficiently clear.

Abui is an amazing trainer. I have been seeing her for a couple of years and she has made a huge difference in my life. I’ve had back, neck and shoulder problems for over 10 years and it’s been really hard for me to workout. But between the MAT (Muscle Activation Technique) treatments and her wonderful training I’ve got a lot less pain and am getting into shape.
I would recommend Abui as a trainer to anyone, but especially people who have injuries.

I love Abui! She is an amazing and dedicated trainer. She will teach you proper form with weight training and she will kick your rump at the same time. She will put you on a program that will fit in with your lifestyle and has a website to check off what you did that week. I started seeing her twice a week because I wanted to see results faster than just seeing her once a week. Eventually I went once a week and carried what I learned from her to my gym. I became so dedicated that I saw her once a week and I would go five days a week to the gym, or go cycling. She gave me plenty of extra energy. I have met my goals with Abui through a lot of hard work. Abui got me there through passion and commitment. I highly recommend her as a trainer, and as a friend!