Other fun tidbits...
Why did you decide to become a Fitness and Nutrition Coach?
Typically when you ask someone in the latter stages of their life or when a traumatic event occurs in their life, “what do they wish they did differently?”, a typical response is either “I wish I spent more time with loved ones” or “I wish I had taken better care of myself”.
I take great pride in being able to serve the latter. I get to help people take better care of their ONE body, help them feel better in body, mind and spirit so that they don’t need to “wish they had taken better care of themselves”. I can’t think of a better call of duty for me.
Why did you decide to serve busy women?
Today's modern woman is B-U-S-Y! Busy meaning, she may run her own business, work for a business, run her household, have an active social life, be active in her community AND try to fit in self-care! Phew! The reality is, that last one (self-care) can be the first to fall by the wayside.
I decided to serve busy women because I have been there (and I'm still there). I've worked in the corporate world for many years and now I'm running my own business, running my household, staying social and finding the time to still eat well and move well. I can serve this group of women because I have lived through the struggles and triumphs of juggling the work and personal life. I have figured out how to fit it all in (smartly and sanely), and I want to teach other busy women how to do so as well.
You switched careers in your early 40’s. That must have been a big decision. What made you decide to leave the corporate world and start Keeping It Real Fit?
Yes, it was a big and scary decision. I had a great career in marketing for my entire adult life. It was a comfortable living and I probably could have done it for the remainder of my working life. Even though it was a satisfying career and I met wonderful people, I realized that it wasn’t what I was meant to solely do on earth forever.
My natural tendencies always steered to food, fitness and self-care. The hours would just fly by when I’m tinkering in the kitchen or reading up on the latest health news. Plus exercise changed my life starting in my 30’s. So I knew this was my calling. Even though I had a good base of knowledge, I decided to go back to school and do my Nutrition and Exercise Certification and Personal Training Specialist Certification. I'm always staying on top of the latest nutrition and fitness studies. I'm a big believer in continuous learning.
Where did the name Keeping It Real Fit come from?
Keeping It Real Fit means creating realistic food, fitness and lifestyle solutions for each client's individual goals, schedules, tendencies, likes/dislikes, etc. This means doing a thorough assessment and really understanding the day-in-the-life-of each client, and uncovering their big WHY and motivations.
I noticed that if "getting fit" feels like a chore for people, there’s almost no chance they will stick to it for the long-run. So each client's program will be different, achievable and realistic for them. There is no one size fits all. I like to say "keep it real or it won’t keep."
Why do you think 1:1 coaching is effective?
There are a LOT of fitness and nutrition alternatives out there. Ranging from gym memberships, personal trainers, weight loss programs, cookbooks, nutritionists, free online videos and many many others. They all have their own merit. I think this is great because it's a sign that there's interest in getting healthier.
I believe that the journey to a better body takes a willingness to change, commitment, patience, knowledge and celebration. It's a journey for the long-run. It's a discipline. A discipline that is typically difficult for most people to sustain.
I'll take losing weight as an example - - studies found that over 90% of people who lost weight, gain it back within a few years. So in my coaching, we work a lot on building good sustainable habits, mindset shifts and truths about why one wants to lose weight. I always say, your body will follow your mind.
There's a process (a system) to follow with the end goal of having the client truly identify with the goal they seek to become. All this to say, for some people, it takes more guidance, commitment, consistency and accountability to beat the odds, which is why I believe 1:1 coaching works really well for these clients. Sometimes, you just need a wing woman!
What are three words people closest to you would use to describe you?
I think they would use: Honest. Reliable. Positive.
What do you like to do when you have some time for yourself?
I love to cook. One of my favourite ways to past time is spending a Sunday afternoon tinkering in the kitchen, testing out recipes while sipping on a glass of vino.
What’s your favourite dish to make?
One-pot meals like a stew or soup from scratch.
What are some staples that you always have in your fridge or pantry?
A variety of fresh veggies and fruit, oat milk, rice, quinoa, pasta, beans/legumes, canned tomatoes, veggie broth, steel cut oats, peanut butter, frozen berries & veg, variety of spices, coffee/teas, purified water.
What are your favourite exercises?
I love lifting weights and yoga.
Favourite indulgence?
Gelato (pistachio and green tea are my favs).
Do you have a favourite quote?
“Become the person you want to be.”