Katie Collins

February Client Spotlight - Shelley Stearns 2023

Happy MindRight Monday! We hope everyone had a restful, fulfilling weekend and is ready to be INSPIRED by our February client spotlight to get into the studio, drink you water, and try a new healthy habit.

Our client spotlight embodies our February theme of Iron Sharpens Iron. Proverbs 27:17, “Iron sharpens iron, so one personal sharpens another.”

Incredible Client Spotlight

Shelley Stearns
 

We are so excited to spotlight our first TransFit Oconee client—Shelley Stearns! “For years, I  have passed Shelley countless times walking these country roads on my way home.  Even on freezing cold winter mornings, Shelley would be bundled up walking! She  would inspire me then to bundle up and soak in the sunshine and get my own steps in! 

I didn’t know Shelley well then, but I knew one thing — she is consistent! She is also  motivated! She strives to be healthy, to serve her family with love, and she honors her  body through movement. I was thrilled when she came to try out the new Oconee studio. She is always up to try new exercises, to step out of her comfort zone, to go the  few extra reps and try a slight heavier weight! I am so proud of her progress! Week after  week, she prioritizes her workouts — even if that means getting in a strength workout at  5:30 am!

Shelley, what an inspiration you are to your family and to so many women in our  community, including me. I am grateful for her commitment to whole-body health, and it  has brought me so much joy watching her get stronger each workout at TransFit  Oconee! 

You will see in her pictures that Shelley and her husband Dave have a beautiful family!  Not only do I get the honor of training her, but also a few of her daughters as well! Just  another example of how we are all stronger together!! 
Katie Woodall, TransFit Oconee

Words from Shelley

“I began working out at TransFit Oconee in October. I have always exercised; my mom  modeled exercise as being important when I was growing up. I had just gotten out of the  habit of strength training when Covid-19 hit. As I was getting older, I wanted to be strong  for my family...especially as more grandchildren were entering our world. I also realized  that as I was approaching my mid 50s, it was easier to gain 5 pounds and harder to take  it off. So, besides gaining strength, I wanted to lose a few pounds. 

I have always enjoyed the camaraderie of exercise. Meeting new women, developing  friendships with them, and encouraging each other has been something I've enjoyed  over the years. When I first started TransFit, pushups were impossible! My goal was to  be able to do just one. I'm thankful to have reached that goal and more! Katie has been such an  encouragement to me and very patient with me when I can't remember from one set to  another how to do the exercise. Adding TransFit to my weekly routine has been  relatively easy for me because by nature I am a fairly consistent person who thrives on  routine. I regularly go to TransFit 3 times a week. Besides TransFit, I have enjoyed  walking with friends over the years as a form of exercise. 

After my first baby was born (when I gained over 60 pounds and she was only 6  pounds, 5 ounces), a friend put me on a walking weight loss plan. I knew if I didn't lose my weight quickly, I probably never would. So within 3 months of giving birth, I was back  to my pre-pregnancy weight. 

My husband and I have six biological children and one adopted son. In 2011, we moved  to Zambia, Africa for a year to serve Christ on the mission field. We were able to do this  because at the time we were homeschooling all of our children and my husband was  self-employed and able to leave the business for 13 months. While there we met,  fostered, and adopted our son, Samson. My greatest blessing has been the privilege of  raising these 7 children alongside my husband, Dave, to be warriors for Christ. Through  the ups and the downs, we believe that our responsibility is to show our children what  an authentic relationship with Jesus Christ looks like and to pray that they would love  Jesus and want to serve Him with their life. 

Being healthy is important to both Dave and me. We try and eat healthy (mostly at  home) and exercise. I love homemaking....cooking, cleaning, sewing, reading...so  having supper around the dinner table was a normal occurrence for our children.”

Shelley, You are an inspiration and encouragement to us in so many ways! We are so proud of your dedication to whole body health and wellness for God’s glory! You sharpen us all! We celebrate you! 

Recipes from Shelley:

Peach Smoothie! (Some say it's better than Chick-fil-A'a)

1 cup ice 

1 cup favorite milk 

1 serving vanilla protein powder 

1 cup frozen peaches 

Quick and easy!

Easy Banana Bread!

It's 7 ingredients and they are all “1”....except for the bananas, so you can memorize it  easily: 

1 cup Flour 

1 cup Sugar 

1 stick of melted butter 

1 egg 

1tsp baking soda 

1 tsp salt 

3 ripe bananas 

Mix all together in a mixer. Pour into a loaf pan that you have sprayed and dusted with  flour. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Check out our website for more blogs, inspiration, free recipes, workouts, and more!

Let us know how we can serve you! Email us at transfitathens@gmail.com if you have any questions or want to schedule a one-on-one.

Blessings, 

Team TransFit

Client Spotlight: Amazing Katie Collins!

Katie Collins and I met over a year ago! She is the most amazing wife, mother (of two precious boys), and friend! How she finds time to do it all—I will never know! She has committed to changing her lifestyle over the past year by exercising 2 days a week at TransFit, running, walking and doing yoga and has seen great changes physically, mentally and emotionally! She has lowered her body weight significantly but primarily has decreased body fat multiple percentage points! Katie always has a positive attitude in the TransFit studio and in every workout she trys to push herself to the next level! Her hard-working attitude and determination is contagious and inspiring to all who are around her!! Katie is a real life example that hard work, sweat, and dedication really do pay off!! Congratulations Katie- so proud of you- continue to reach your goals!!! 

Kathhalf

Two years ago, my family began building our new home in Bishop & everyone had new changes ahead of them.  I wanted a healthier lifestyle for myself & my family to be one of those changes.  I knew of Caroline & her successful & inspirational fitness program & I finally had the opportunity to join TransFit!
So, 14 months ago & 20 pounds heavier, I began my journey towards healthier choices.  Working on one thing at a time, initially, my goal was to get back on a consistent weekly exercise program.  Finding motivation to exercise is not an issue with me, it is making the time during the day.  2-3 days of strength training, 2-3 days of cardio training & 1-2 days of yoga/toning is what I decided to schedule.  With my kids in school, my motivation, & Caroline's accountability, that change was an easy adjustment.  
After several months of a consistent exercise routine with not much change in my body composition, I knew my nutrition needed to be more of my focus.  WILL POWER is my biggest enemy.  Caroline's tips about portion control & more thought into meal planning was the turning point.   Once I began taking the extra time to plan our weekly meals, then I made better decisions for myself & my family.  As an added bonus, our eating out habits decreased, our household produced less trash, our grocery store trips & bills decreased, & we were having ENJOYABLE family meals together AT HOME! 
mday
My most recent accomplishment was, again, inspired by Caroline. 
She offered me an entry 5 DAYS PRIOR to the Chick-fil-A half marathon.  I couldn't believe my eyes when I read her text.  My first thought was "REALLY!  Who just up & decides they can go for a 13-mile run without training?!?"  I've always had 3-4 months to prepare my body &, more importantly, my mind!  So, after initially declining her offer, the thought kept eating at me.  I knew I had the endurance & the strength & I decided that I was going to be "THAT GIRL" who decides to go run a little 13-mile race! I didn't finish with a PR or anything, but I felt good afterwards & was so glad I decided to run!
tri
I still have a ways to go to reach more goals I've set for myself, but I'm beginning to see changes in how my clothes fit, I'm receiving compliments on how I look, I feel good & most importantly, to me, the healthy choices I'm making are automatic some days.  Previously, I had to think about when I was going to fit in exercise or what my lunch would be for the day.  Now, because I'm getting used to a routine & I have healthy choices readily available; I don't have to think so much!
Nutrition & food choices are still a daily battle for me.  But, I can honestly say I am more conscience about the foods I am eating & realizing just one bad choice doesn't have to snowball into bad choices for the rest of the day or continue on all week.
I'm trying to incorporate more vegetables into my diet and I am not very creative, nor do I really enjoy being in the kitchen cooking for long periods of time.  So, when I find easy, quick, healthy, recipes I stick with them.  I will say my children haven't gotten on board with these side items, but my husband has, so that's a start!
I have truly enjoyed my weekly workouts with Caroline, but meeting & working out with all her amazing & inspiring clients makes it that much better.  So, THANK YOU ALL  FOR helping me with my journey, as well!!!!
Thank you Katie! You decided on a lifestyle change and stuck to that decision amidst all the things going on in your life!
Here is a recipe that has Katie and her whole family enjoys! Check it out below:

Blueberry Chicken Salad

ChickenBlueberry_Final

Ingredients:

3 chicken breasts

Olive oil for coating, plus 1 tbsp.

Good quality sea salt and fresh-ground black pepper to taste

4 oz. Greek-style yogurt (can substitute plain yogurt)

2 tbsp. white wine vinegar

1 tsp. finely chopped fresh lavender leaves (can substitute herbes de Provence)

1 small apple, peeled and chopped

½ red onion, finely diced (you can leave out if necessary)

1 cup fresh blueberries, washed and dried

¼ cup roasted chopped almonds

Spinach for serving

Directions:    Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Coat the skin on the chicken breasts with the olive oil, salt, and pepper and roast for 30 minutes, or until no pink remains. Cool. In a small bowl, whisk the 1 tbsp. of the olive oil, yogurt, vinegar, lavender, 1 tsp. of the salt, and 1 tsp. of the black pepper. Add the apple and stir to prevent browning. Add the onion, blueberries, and almonds; mix well. Remove the skin from the chicken breasts and discard (or freeze for use in making stock). Separate the chicken and shred or cut into 1-inch pieces. Add the chicken to the yogurt-blueberry mixture; stir gently to combine. Serve on a bed of crisp lettuce or spinach or in a whole wheat pita.

Blessings,

Caroline