How Kerri got in the best shape of her life at 48...

Former Pro Rationalizer - Nutrition Sensei - Muscle Factory

How would you explain your life, health and otherwise, before joining Lean & Fit?

I have been active all my life and have tried to live and raise my family in a healthy, active lifestyle. After my children were born I was looking to lose the extra pregnancy weight and started a journey to find the best workout and “diet” plan to follow. I think I have been a member at most of the gyms in the area and honestly had success at each one but never quite felt satisfied with my results. I either got bored of the workouts or just lost interest in the grind of working out daily without seeing lasting results. Ultimately, I haven’t struggled with my weight over the years and as great as that sounds, it did set me up for some very poor habits I wasn’t really aware I had. My number one bad habit was rationalizing! I could rationalize missing workouts for days, weeks at a time and having that extra cheat meal like a champ, since it didn’t really reflect on the scale all was good. All was not good, rationalizing became more powerful than the desire to be fit and as my 40’s hit and a hip injury came along my dedication to fitness and a healthy lifestyle diminished, I became complacent. According to BMI, the scale and other health markers, I was considered healthy and fit so why did I have to push myself? I’ll just ignore that I feel sluggish and unengaged in my life and continue on with the status quo, after all it is so much easier to be complacent, life is hard enough when you are working and raising a family.

How long have you been a member?

I have been a member since February 2016. I started on a 14 day fat blast promotion and signed up 7 days in.

Why did you join the Lean & Fit program?

I was in a fitness rut and it was seeping into and affecting my day to day life. I had seen commercials for Lean & Fit over the years (1 gym I hadn’t tried!) and now that it was 5 minutes from my house the timing was perfect. My dear friend Michelle signed up for a 14 day promotion (she is still a member too!) and told me the workouts would kick my butt…so how could I resist? Great workouts and a workout buddy!

How has this program changed your life?

It has changed the way I approach my thinking and commitment towards a healthy lifestyle. When I first joined I was still in the same frame of mind I was at previous gym. I’ve been doing this gym thing a long time, I know the basics and maybe even a little bit more than the basics. I know what my body is capable of and if I just keep doing this I’m doing all right. Little did I know that my body was capable of so much more which in turn strengthened not only my body but my mind not to accept mediocrity. It took about 6 months of regular attendance at Lean & Fit and Tread & Shred classes for me to learn this and it all came together this past September when I attended my first nutrition seminar since joining. John spoke about the Lean & Fit lifestyle and how you just have to make the decision to change and stop with the excuses. That really resonated with me because if I was good at anything it was excuses and rationalizing bad habits, especially in the nutrition department! A 6 week member challenge started that day, I jumped on board and have maintained the lifestyle. Looking back at the numbers from my first body composition (where John ever so gently told me I was skinny fat – reality check! to my most recent, I have lost only 1 pound on the scale but have gained 10 pounds of lean muscle and lost 9% body fat. I am proud that I am 48 years old and in the best shape physically and mentally of my life. Have I had some missteps since joining…absolutely, but I don’t rationalize them anymore…I own them and get right back at it!

Has this program helped you with any health conditions?

I am very grateful that I do not have any major health issues. The Lean & Fit lifestyle will hopefully keep it that way. My naturopath commented that she wished more gyms provided this level of commitment to both exercise and nutrition, especially nutrition.

Kerri's favourite quote...

My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive, and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humour, and some style.

- Maya Angelou

What do your friends and family think of your Lean & Fit success?

My family and friends are very supportive. They do think I am a little crazy though for getting up to do 6 am classes and why I am endlessly searching for new protein powder concoctions!

What would you like to say to people that are hesitant to join the Lean & Fit family?

Leave any trepidation at the door and jump right into it! It is such a welcoming environment and a sustainable way of life. You won’t be on your own island trying to figure it out, there are plenty of great staff and members to help you navigate.

Have you met any new friends here?

I have met new friends, nothing like a tough workout to bring people together and get them talking.

Have any staff members at Lean & Fit impacted you?

All of the staff have had and continue to have a positive impact on me. Each one has their own unique way of getting that little bit extra out of the members. I would be remiss though if I didn’t give mention to both Boban and Mia. I have been training with Boban for the past 9 months and I am so pleased with my progress. He has instilled the confidence I now have in myself to push past what I thought were my limits. I am lifting/pushing weights I would never have dreamed of 9 months ago. There was no way I would be able to deadlift almost twice my body weight, but I can! Mia because she was the first one to call me out on my crap and hold me accountable. Walk the walk just don’t talk the talk!

What are your future goals?

My immediate and future goals are all about continuing to feel comfortable in my own skin and feeding my brain with more knowledge about nutrition and exercise science. I have found a new passion and I want to explore it!