How did you stumble upon FITT-RX?
In the spring of 2016 I had a 4 month old daughter, a 2 year old son, and had just quit my job to stay home with my kids. I was new to Elmhurst, didn’t know anyone in the area, and my fitness level was far from par. I was in the trenches of being a new mom and felt like I was drowning. I attended a trial class at FITT-RX through a local wellness crawl. I was intimidated by the look and feel of this place but I was drawn to it. I liked the hardcore feel of it when you walked in the door, how each class was different, the atmosphere of the class, the intensity, and how much I hated the workout because it made me work muscles I didn’t even know I had… so I signed up that night! All honesty I probably would have never worked up the courage to walk into FITT by myself. It looked scary and so hardcore and I was intimidated by it….but I am so grateful I did.
What motivates you to workout?
The adrenaline when you walk in the door, how you carry the workout with you throughout the rest of the day, the sensation of pushing yourself more than you thought you could, the mental game of telling yourself you can do it, the feeling you get when you lay in bed at night with your muscles tingling from the workout that day, the stronger way I think, walk, and feel. Mentally and physically I am a better version of myself when I work out.
I feel it is extremely important for my children to see me work out. It’s important for them to know how to take care of themselves and that it’s ok to make small sacrifices today to ensure a healthier tomorrow. Damn that sound super corny! … but it’s also extremely true. They need to know how working out can better your body and your brain. They need to know it’s ok to put yourself first, to work towards a goal, and get there!
I also work out because it helps strengthen my knees. I tore my ACL in college, and two years later, I tore my meniscus in the same knee. I didn’t know it at the time but that was the end of my soccer playing days and also the beginning of a 10 year lull in working out. I tried a few different workout places over the years but was not able to find one that stuck. I played the game of working out for a few weeks then stopping for months. It was a cycle that I could not break…until I found FITT-RX. After a few months at FITT-RX I found that I was building up muscle and my knee pain was being alleviated. My knees are now stronger than ever and I know the importance of maintaining a strong body. What I love about the workouts at FITT-RX is that each exercise has a variation that can be done if needed and the trainers are all well equipped to provide alternatives.
You were another one of the “insane” moms who worked out during her pregnancy. How did this help you throughout your pre and postnatal stages?
I was a year and half into FITT-RX and probably in the best shape of my life….then I got pregnant. I was so excited for this but there was a big part of me that was worried about having to start all over again. I knew the hours, sweat, and time I put into getting in shape and losing the weight from the first two pregnancies. I was freaking out that I was going to lose everything
I’d worked for. I also wasn’t sure if I could work out throughout the entire pregnancy since I didn’t with my first two, but I saw other women work out until the day before they had their babies. That motivated the hell out of me to do the same. Or at least try. I was able to work out until I was 38 weeks pregnant! I was able to stay active during its entirety and could keep up with two toddlers… for the most part. After the baby I was able to come back and get back into my groove. I had a lot of work to do but I had the confidence and the support from the FITT-RX staff and community. It felt great to have people cheering me on and letting me know I could push myself again.
Tell us what your fantasy day looks like?
I like long walks on the beach, candlelit dinners, etc… LOL kidding. I have an almost 5 year old, 3 year old, and 1 year old so this question threw me for a loop. I’m not used to thinking about what I want but I must admit it’s nice. Let’s see… I would like to start out by sleeping in till 8, have a killer workout at FITT-RX, brunch with my mom and grandma, have a drink or two with my girlfriends, BBQ with my husband and watch our kids play in the backyard, and end it with an outdoor concert. OMG, that would be so amazing!!
What is are your favorite aspects of working out at FITT-RX?
FITT is unique in that you are working out individually in a group setting but yet you feel very connected to everyone that’s there. You watch people push themselves. You get this high from it and are able to push yourself more. I love that no two classes are the same and that you are able to get a full body workout in each one. The instructors push you and motivate you to get the most out of class as possible. They crank up the music, show us the correct form, and encourage our best. The environment allows you to be focused solely on the workout and block out all of life’s distractions.
Katie Kare has been a lifesaver for me. I trust the Katie Kare workers, and my kids feel welcome every time they walk in the door. There is a general love for the kids that come in each day. They know my children’s personalities, what they like to play with, and how to help them when needed. My kids love going to Katie Kare and usually never want to leave.
If I could describe the community at FITT-RX in one word it would be…rare. It is rare to find a group that has each other’s backs whether you are expecting a new baby or going through a tough time. I feel welcomed and supported, and I feel like I belong with this bad-ass, hard-working group. It didn’t happen overnight but every workout I feel more and more connected to the community.
Motivational Tidbit
I have designated this year as the year of ‘me,’ meaning for the first time in 6 years I am putting a major focus on things that are important to me. Getting in shape and losing the baby weight is definitely on there, but I also wanted to focus on my personal growth. I set a goal of listening to podcasts and reading books. I also set limitations for certain activities like watching tv or drinking wine (which is a lot harder than it should be lol). I’m telling you this to hold myself accountable and to also share something I learned that is helping me stay motivated.
One of the podcasters I listen to talks about our internal thermostats. Each of us has a certain degree we think we should be at, aka our self-worth. This changes with each area of our lives like weight, job title, money, status, etc. So let’s say your internal thermostat says you are at 70 degrees for physical activity. If you get to 80 degrees you will then consciously or subconsciously self -sabotage yourself to meet what your internal thermostat says. I’ve done this for years with my weight and workout abilities. If I did better than I thought I should have I would then subconsciously revert back to where I thought I deserved to be. Understanding this was a game-changer for me. In order to change yourself, you need to adjust your internal thermostat and what you think you deserve. You need to increase your confidence and your love for yourself. You need to love yourself enough to know that you deserve it. So this year I am choosing to love myself enough, and if you find yourself in the same mindset as I was, you need to figure out how to love yourself a little bit more and up your thermostat! You deserve this!