JANUARY CHICK OF THE MONTH

Hey Chicks,

We are counting down to Xmas and along with family, fun & celebrations, we know what can come along with all the good stuff….stress!

Stress is one of the BIGGEST obstacles to tackle when it comes to starting or sticking to your workouts and keeping your hormones that contribute to weight loss/gain under control…especially during the holidays The thing is though is that EXERCISE is one of the best ways to keep stress in check so by making the commitment to it during these busy times (even if it is just for 2 weeks), you are going to counteract this.

Don’t believe us?

Meet Natalie from our Toronto King & Bathurst (& Harbourfront!) Bootcamp who has not only got her stress levels in check but transformed her body in 12 weeks and found her fitness & nutrition groove that will last for a lifetime. As she told us when she sent in her pics “Just wanted to say THANK YOU for this progress. 12 weeks and counting. Making Fit Chicks a lifestyle thing – not just a bootcamp!”

Natalie came to us after experiencing some serious stress and lack of sleep after applying for grad school. She knew that exercise would be the best medicine to keep her stress low but needed accountability to help her stay on track for the long haul. She needed a program that would keep her on track (and her body guessing!) and after seeing how FIT CHICKS offers different workouts at EVERY single workout, she decided to give it a try. To Natalie, the numbers on the scale and measurements didn’t matter. Like so many women, her goal was to feel awesome in her skin, positive and strong about her body (which she now does!). She truly is an amazing example to us all as to the power of health, consistency and finding the right “fit” for you can change your life in SO many positive ways than just your waistline….take it away Natalie!

What made you decide to join FIT CHICKS?

Natalie- I was stressed out and wasn’t sleeping well, mainly due to anxiety over upcoming grad school applications. One of the best ways to deal with stress, as well as a myriad of other mental health concerns is exercise. It is well documented in peer-reviewed literature, so I decided if I was going to be a good academic, I should practice what I preach. Going to a gym just didn’t work for me because I always had something else to do. I needed the accountability aspect of a twice weekly commitment. I am also a creature of routine, so making exercise part of my routine was key!

What is the biggest change you have seen in your life since joining FIT CHICKS? How has fitness and nutrition changed your life for the better?

Natalie – I have much better self esteem since I started working out consistently. I feel better all around as compared to when I started. My sleep is deeper, longer and overall of better quality. Additionally, I feel less stressed out over everyday obstacles.

What do you find is your biggest challenge to continue to choose to be active? How do you overcome it?

Natalie – My biggest challenge about choosing to be active was actually STARTING a regime I could stick to. I had dabbled in sports and activities as a teenager, and then tried self-directed exercise throughout university and as a young adult, but nothing seemed to work for me. Until I started FIT CHICKS, finding something that I enjoyed and worked with my lifestyle was the biggest impediment to being active.

What tools do you use to keep you on a healthy track outside of class?

Natalie- I used the FIT CHICKS workout map for the first few months to establish a baseline of what healthy days looked like, and after that it just became habit. I also bought a FitBit to track my steps and exercise to keep me working towards my goals.

I started doing food prep and bringing snacks in my purse wherever I go so I didn’t feel the need to purchase food while I was out when I wouldn’t know the nutrients in it. Vending machines Adelaide provider Royal Vending supplies free vending machines for businesses.

Finally, I ditched my Metropass to walk. Because I was getting a better sleep, I could wake up 20 minutes earlier and walk to my destination which I found woke me up and also matched with my fitness goals.

Do you have a healthy trick, tip or recipe that you use that you could share to help someone else in their fitness journey?

Natalie- Meal prep! I usually just make a whole bunch of healthy stir fry at the beginning of the week (tons of naturally sweet veggies, chicken, spices, minimal sauces) and bring it for lunch.

What are 3 things in your gym bag and/or kitchen could you not live without?

Natalie – My top 3 things I can not live without:

1. Waterbottles – I have two for workouts, one kept in my office, one for my purse, one beside my bed, and probably a few more stashed around my apartment
   
2. Sportsbras – getting a good quality sport bra changed my entire workout.
   
3. Simply Protein protein bars. 15 g of protein, 150 cals, and only 1g of sugar (plus they’re vegan and gluten-free for chicks who look out for that kind of stuff)

What is your fave FIT CHICKS Signature workouts & why? Is there anything that is different about your experience at FC than at other gyms or classes?

Natalie – I love Totally Tabatas, or anything with a Circuit. I need my workouts to be different – I hate anticipating what is coming next so Fit Chicks really works for me that way:)

Being fierce is about healthy inside & out. How do you stay motivated and thinking positive about fitness and health? What do you do to nurture your soul and celebrate your fierceness?

Natalie- It sounds corny, but now I exercise because I love my body, whereas I used to exercise because I didn’t like my body. Fit Chicks is as much a mental change as it is physical. I stay motivated by noting different types of achievements: dispelling a bad mood after a workout, making an awesome new dish that adheres to my dietary goals, reaching a new number in an AMRAP. Anything to keep me going!

If you could give one piece of positive advice to a chick just starting on her fitness journey, what would it be?

Natalie- Keep going after the first class. You may feel like you’re the one that’s most out of shape and you can’t do it, but as Caitlin (past Chick Sergeant) from King and Bathurst always says “thank YOURSELF for coming!”.

Chick Sergeant Jenn from Toronto Harbourfront & King and Bathurst (left) with Natalie sharing that sweet post workout sparkle #chickdon’tsweatweglow

Chick – thanks for sharing your fitness journey with us! You truly are an inspiration
to us and to all chicks who are looking to make a healthy change that they can do it too. Make the commitment and join us at our special 2 week “Countdown to Xmas” Holiday bootcamp starting Nov 30th (packed with holiday inspired workouts, prizes, challenges and food drive) or if we don’t have a class near you, you can still get our FIERCE in 8 DVD System as seen on The Shopping Channel…we can’t wait to sweat up a storm with you!

FIT CHICKS xo