Profile: Why did you initially come to One-On-One Personal Fitness?
I first came to one one-on-one in early 2009, about 6 months after moving to Calgary. I was looking for a workout program as I was working a lot and not finding the time to get back into a regular gym. I also missed my personal trainer when I was living in Toronto. The location was convenient for me, and I was able to start with the women’s workout program back then, and I met one of my closest friends in the process – another busy lawyer Mom! It was a great experience.
I also wanted to focus on my health and my energy, and one on one provided that. I took some time off after having kids, and I realized that if I wanted to age well with them as an older Mom and be able to be active with them, I needed to return to the gym, get strong and build my endurance for longevity.
Why did you enter the Lean and Mean?
I joined because I wanted to get more serious about my health and well-being. I had done this a few times before, and I had not always even finished – life got busy, and I got distracted. I am 53 years-old now and will be 54 this year, and I want to be in the best shape I can be. And this year – 2025, I am focusing on wellness – physical, emotional, and mental. I want to be my best self. I have also been dealing with menopause symptoms over the past few years and wanted to feel my best and manage it better – getting fit and stronger helped me feel better about the changes in my body I was experiencing.
What are your fitness goals now?
I want to continue to get stronger. I can squat 185 pounds and leg press about 300 pounds now. My husband jokes that now I can carry him as he gets older! I have been reading a lot, and I understand that aging well means building more muscle as we lose it with age. I may even try a fitness contest in the future if I get my courage up! I’ve also brought my 13-year-old twins to the gym as I want them to learn how to work out safely. My son commented on how strong his mother was – made me happy!
You are both very busy people. How do you fit exercise into your life?
It must be in the morning for me or it won’t get done – I usually have 12 or 14-hour days at work and I’m beat at the end of most days. I work out with Codrut at 730 or 630 am two days a week and I also do cardio at home on my peloton, treadmill and rower at home 2 days a week. If I miss a cardio session I do something active with my kids on the weekends – basketball, skating or skiing for example – depending on the season.
What was the toughest part of the Lean and Mean for you?
The food management for sure and limiting alcohol intake as I do like good wine! The dietician workshop in the program this time was excellent, and I am considering signing up with the dietician to help me manage gut health but also manage menopause symptoms.
What was the most rewarding aspect of the event for you?
For me the most rewarding is that EVERYTHING in my closet fits! Getting stronger helps me look leaner and tighter and things fit better. I don’t want to buy new clothes if I don’t have to!
A lot of women feel that “making muscles”, will make them bulk up – but the opposite is true – they will be leaner, and their clothes will fit better, and they will burn more fat because of the muscle they have developed.
If you could give advice to another person who was struggling with their fitness what would that be?
Sometimes just knowing you have an appointment with a trainer at the gym is enough to get you out of bed or out of work to show up. Show up for yourself and your family. Give yourself some self-care. Health is indeed wealth and without your health, you can’t live the life you want. I always feel so much better after a workout – even if I complain throughout (Codrut knows!), I feel incredible after, and I feel like I’ve accomplished something already by 830 am! Just Do It!