About Us

  I wasn't really sure what to think or expect when informed by Mega (Erin) that she was going to organize a free "mini-challenge", taking us right up to Thanksgiving...the ultimate cheat day.  I was excited, but also scared and nervous.  I had lost a good amount of weight prior to finding out about Erin and GYMRATZZ, Inc., but at the same time, I'd been "stuck" for awhile.  The mini-challenge was the kick in the ass I desperately needed!  Having successfully completed it now, I can honestly say I can't wait to start the 2013 GYMRATZZ, Inc. Challenge book.  During the 5-week mini-challenge, I lost inches and about 10 lbs. total.  More importantly, with Erin's guidance and the support and encouragement of my fellow RatZZ, I proved to myself that I could do anything I put my mind to.  The combination of daily challenges, boot camps, 5:30 a.m. workouts, and food advice helped to not only hold me accountable, but with every day of the challenge completed, it became that much easier to stay on track towards my goals!  I hope to use the 2013 challenge to further solidify healthy eating habits and to gain strength!  -Megan Yuenger, Woodbridge, VA

I am 5’4’’ tall and never had to worry about what I ate until I graduated from high school. At 19, I found myself weighing 180 lbs. just one year after graduation! Then I had kids and tipped the scale at 220 lbs. I spent all of my twenties and thirties yo-yoing up and down the scale between 170 and 200 pounds being frustrated all the time. In October of 2011 I was back at 200 lbs. at age 41. I knew if I didn’t get serious about losing weight the numbers were going to just keep climbing. I finally found a weight loss program that worked for me and I lost 50 lbs. Now…how was I going to keep it off? I requested a week trial pass from Gold’s Gym to see if I could justify paying for a membership since I’ve never stuck with any exercise routine for longer than a week. I decided to try “BODYPUMP” on a Monday night where I was immediately greeted by a “GYMRAT” not knowing what a GYMRAT was or what to expect from the class. I was encouraged to come to the 5:30am class with Erin; “she’s the best,” I was told. I thought to myself, “Ha!” There is NO WAY I’ll be able to work out every morning at 5:30am and stick to it…but I told her I would try. The next morning, Tuesday at 5:30am, Bodypump with Erin was the beginning of my Gymratzz life. I remember Erin asking me if she invested her time into learning my name…would I come back? Erin learns everyone’s name and invests her time into all her RatZZ. I am at the gym for Erin’s classes every Tuesday – Friday morning and most Saturdays when I’m not chasing after my kids. I’ve only been a part of Erin’s Gymratzz since the end of July 2012, but I can’t imagine my life now without the Gymratzz in it. Since July, I have participated in one of Erin’s short challenges. Staying connected all the time, competing with one another on food choices and daily exercise challenges was not only helping me eat healthier, look and feel better, but also it was also FUN! I have lost another 5lbs, but more importantly I’ve lost inches and toned up in places I thought were lost causes. I still have lots of toning left to do, but I know if anyone will help me get there, it is Erin! -Shauna Schwartz, Woodbridge, VA

I recently signed up with Erin’s ever-growing group of GYMRATZZ. Her classes are like a gourmet meal with all the trimmings and spice to keep you wondering what the next entree is. Then suddenly she yells, “Oh, stop whining! Do you want to get healthy? Do you want to feel good? Well get tough!” “O.K. I’m tough.” I thought. I love to exercise but then came…………..the dreaded food diary. Not only are we to write down everything we eat and drink, we are expected to eat five to seven times daily. I read this and saw pounds and pounds added to my thighs and butt (because that’s where fat likes to attach itself on me). Well, I didn’t care what she said or what she thought she knew. I had lived on two or less meals a day for almost half a century and I wasn’t going to stop now. I sat with confidence as she read my diary. Suddenly her body became rigid and her head started shaking. She had a death grip on my food diary as she came at me with the fury of a miniature demon. That’s when I got a little scared. “Are you kidding? Donna, are you freakin’ kidding me? You are starving yourself.” I’m sitting there with 30 extra pounds and she’s telling me that I’m starving myself. That sounded really stupid and I said, “Well, I’m not anorexic.” “I didn’t say you were anorexic. I said your body is going into starvation mode and you will never lose weight until you eat more often. Your body is holding onto the fat because it doesn’t know when it will get food.” Then as though she read my mind she said, “We are all busy. Pack little Tupperware containers and carry them wherever you go. Take time to plan what you are going to eat and eat healthy.” At the end of her lecture I was determined to prove her wrong. I went to Max Muscle and bought the protein powder and mixed it with almond milk for my 10:00 and 2:00 snack. I ate my standard yogurt for breakfast, a light lunch, and healthy dinner but nothing past 7PM. To my dismay and delight my energy increased, I stopped snapping at my husband and kicking my dogs. I’m sleeping better and discovering that I’m worth the time it takes to plan ahead and take care of me. This is one time I don’t mind being wrong. Thanks for the wakeup call and please never lose your passion for chewing someone royally when they are hurting themselves. –Donna Wiprud, Woodbridge, VA

I told you this morning that I take insulin.  During the last two weeks, while participating with the 37-day challenge, I have dropped my insulin dosage by at 1/3.  I have had an average blood sugar of 122, which I have not accomplished in years, and I lost 5 pounds. There’s a little more to the story. I first started to experience diabetes when I was pregnant with my second child; she is 13 now.  Shortly after delivery, it seemed the diabetes went away. But it was not too long after her delivery it came back.  I have been on oral medications, metformin a generic form of Glucophage for about 7 or 8 years now.  I tried several other medications as well.  I have been taking insulin along with the metformin for about 5 years.  1 year by injections, 4 years with the Omni pod insulin pump, I have been to many gyms.  I have had period's of success, though I don't remember getting my number this low.  But usually once school start's things start to fall apart.  That's why I decided to try the early morning classes. I just wanted to say thank you for allowing me to participate with the challenge.  Thank you for your faithfulness to teach the morning class, and your commitment to helping others achieve their fitness goals. Thanks! -Jennifer Gayneaux, Woodbridge, VA

What Gymratzz means to me.... January 2011 I walked into a 5:30 AM class taught by this exuberant, humorous, blonde bombshell.... With it being January there were many new faces...The instructor made it a point to meet and greet everyone new...not far into the class I could tell this was no ordinary exercise class. The atmosphere was one of family. I had stumbled onto something pretty fantastic. 

I have been a member of many gyms in my 40 years of life and have never encountered an instructor quite like Erin Reilly Hawkins. She pushes you beyond what you think you can do. She does not allow you to give up or slack. Her classes are filled with humor and entertainment and she inspires us with her drive and determination. She has taken a room full of ladies and a few men from all walks of life and created a family, which she refers to as her Nation. Since becoming a member of her 530 AM classes, I have gained 40 plus family members, lost 30 pounds, gained self confidence, muscle and improved my over all health. I have become a much happier person which in turn helped me to become a happier mother, wife, teacher...etc. Thank you Erin Reilly Hawkins and my new Gymratzz family! -Sherrie Steele, Woodbridge, VA

I have spent my life from teen years upward obsessing over my weight. I couldn’t walk down the street without comparing my body (unfavorably) to everyone around me. I didn’t step on a scale for twenty years, afraid of the downward spiral this would create in my life. Until I encountered Erin Reilly, it seemed unlikely that I could be free from the crushing weight of my own lack of self-esteem.  I started taking Erin’s classes a year ago and was surprised that she motivated me to get out of bed before the crack of dawn to—of all things—work out. Bit by bit, I was pulled into the GymRatzz nation, finding that there was a network of support that could help me to focus not on a scale number, but on the food I put into my mouth and the strength of my body. Now, at the age of fifty-three I am in the best physical shape of my life. But more importantly, I feel good about myself. I can look at a scale without judging myself as unworthy. I can look at the inches I’ve lost and be glad. I lift heavier and feel like I am strong. Thanks to Erin and all of the GymRatzz I have health, many wonderful friends, and for the first time in many years, balance in my life and peace within myself. -Debbie Webber, Woodbridge, VA