Incredible Client Spotlight: Lisa Shirreffs
Happy Thursday! September is flying by and each of you are working so hard to achieve your goals you set at the beginning of the month. Continue to give your best this month! We know you can do it. Today, we are excited to introduce you to our client spotlight, Lisa Shirreffs! Lisa is an inspirational mother, wife, and friend! We love how each time Lisa comes into TransFit she has this enthusiasm and spark in her eye! She always gives 100% and has seen such a transformation in loss of body fat over her time at TransFit! Lisa has been consistent with weight training weekly and is adding in exercise one travel vacations! Keep giving your best Lisa and inspiring so many women that no matter your age - you can live transformed!
LISA & HER FAMILY
"In February, I began my workouts with Caroline after trying numerous other "work out" plans in town. I've always been an active person but a life-long and regular work out warrior, not so much. I did not do an organized "aerobics" class until well after college. I was in and out of work out programs while in Atlanta, DC and after I married and moved to Delaware. I (and my husband) realized quickly that working out was a great physical release but also a HUGE mental equalizer. I have always struggled to make my workout a priority. I need an appointment time and personal accountability. Caroline's motivation and energy have helped me continue to stay on task. I love that I make an "appointment" and have it on my calendar. No excuses and I block out an hour for my personal physical and mental health.
I've reached a point in my life where my fitness is a priority. I work out at Transfit at least a couple of times a week and get regular cardio and stretching a few times a week. I'm on the road a lot in the fall to see my boys in college and try to get in workouts on the road. Walks, tennis, TransFit sessions and the past couple of weeks - great hikes have helped me keep on track.
My diet is probably my biggest challenge. I love healthy food.... but there isn't much that I don't like. I've been lucky to be able eat pretty freely but as I get older and want to stay healthier, I recognize I have to be more cognizant of what I put in my body. As I began to work with Caroline and TransFit, I logged my food... for the first time ever. I became much more aware of the nutrients that I need and the "other stuff" that I don't. Though I don't always eat what I should, I do have a much better understanding of what I am consuming and it's effect on my body, energy and well-being.
After being diagnosed with osteopenia a couple of years ago and given the fact that my Mom and sister both have had osteoporosis, I am considered high risk and need to increase my bone and muscle mass. I also have had back issues for the past few years and Caroline is very careful to adjust exercises for my individual needs and check in with me to see how my back is feeling.
I married into an extremely athletic family and have two sons (now 19 and 21) who I had to learn and continue to try to keep up with. I was really humbled this spring when they came home from college and noticed a difference in me. They were so excited that I had muscle definition, seemed to be in better shape and healthier that I had before. Thanks to Transfit, I'm probably in the best shape ever."
Way yo go Lisa! You are incredible! Let's all strive to make progress on day at a time! In order to finish September strong, we are encouraging you to join us for our TransFIVE challenge starting next Monday. The challenge is 5 days of completely restoring your body, and will revamp your health in a new way. This challenge can help you focus on removing sugar and toxins from your body.
Let us know if you have any questions!
Blessings,
Team TransFit
Most Inspirational Client Spotlight, Jessica Beaver!
Inspirational Client Spotlight- Jessica Beaver's story of true transformation
Jessica came to meet with me four months ago and had a burning desire and heart to want to get healthy so she could be the BEST mother, wife, and friend she could be to all those around her. She wanted a program that would help her stay accountable and help her reach her goals for whole body health – body, mind, and spirit. Over the pst four months Jessica has lost weight, decreased body fat and inches significantly but more importantly has found her TRUE STRENGTH! Jessica’s story is so inspirational and I am so proud of her for staying committed and reaching her goals to be her very best!
“Set your minds ready for action, being self disciplined, and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you by Christ!” 1 Peter 1:13
I am so thankful that Jessica found her true strength and I know she will keep acheiving her goals and dreams!
For most of my life I have been a healthy, active person. My husband, Britt and 2 children, Amelia (10) & Landon (7), enjoy being active together at home and on vacation. With life and priorities, over the last few years my exercise routine had become sporadic and I developed some unhealthy eating habits. This led to a 30 pound weight gain. I struggled for some time with different diets, exercise programs, ‘fix-me-fast’ concepts that just did not work. I was in a place where I didn’t recognize myself, on the inside and out. I was defeated, hopeless and so ashamed of allowing myself to get to this point. I had even stopped doing physical things I loved to do. I have always been self-motivated, a do it on my own type, but after much prayer and I knew I needed some help. I needed consistency, accountability & encouragement. Caroline came to mind and I gave her a call. Of course being Caroline she was so sweet, encouraging and supportive. She was just what I needed to turn my defeat around. I decided on the Advance Your Fitness program –Weekly meal & exercise plans with weekly weigh ins. This was end of March, so I have been sticking to the program for 4 months now.
The exercise plans are great! Honestly, I love exercising, always have. I love challenging my body and trying new things to see what I can do.
I will admit that on some days I did not think I would make it through the strength training workouts! I was pushed to my limit and it was hard. But I kept going. These workouts also taught me to listen to my body – when I could push harder and when I needed to take a break. My favorites are lunges and squats with planks mixed in. My current routine is strength training (body weight, HITT) 3 times a week and cardio 2 times. I try to get in yoga or stretching once a week.
If you haven’t worked with Caroline on nutrition – you should. I have to admit I was skeptical about the concept of losing weight eating nuts, oils, avocados, etc. I am convinced that is the most significant contribution to my weight loss. More importantly, I have more energy and no longer crave the bad things I thought I had to have a few months ago. My new favorites are chia seeds, farro, avocado on most anything, and smoothies. Adopting this all around healthy lifestyle has benefited my family as well. This has been a family movement – for the most part I am not making separate meals for them and me. They are eating things we had never heard of – and loving them!
When I initially began the shift to a healthier lifestyle, my main goal was weight loss. I just wanted to get it off. 20 pounds lighter, I have achieved that. Although I still have more to lose, that is no longer my focus. It has been an amazing experience to see my body transform. It was so encouraging to not only see the scale go down, but my BMI & body measurements were significantly lower. I am stronger, healthier, and more confident in my own skin. I had no idea it would happen this fast. It has been HARD and I still struggle, it is a daily battle. But it is worth it. I look forward to seeing even more progress over the coming months. My family has noticed a difference too. I am in a better mood : ) I want to ride bikes again. Go to the park. Be active WITH them.
My goals at this point are to maintain my current exercise routine & nutrition when I begin working full-time. I am also working on increasing my push up max and developing core strength.
I encourage you to take time for yourself – to give your body the care you deserve.
Below is one of Jessica's favorite recipes!
Cucumber, Feta & Sun-dried Tomato Farro Salad
Ingredients:
* 1 cup uncooked pearled farro
* 2 tbsp minced red onion
* 1/4 cup minced sun-dried tomatoes
* 1/4 cup fresh grated feta
* 2/3 cup finely chopped cucumber, seeds removed
* 1/4 cup finely chopped bell pepper
* 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice (use vinegar if you don’t love lemon)
* 1 tbsp olive oil
* 1 tbsp finely chopped mint or parsley
* kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste
Directions: Cook farro in salted water according to package directions, about 15-20 minutes. Drain and let cool. Combine olive oil with lemon juice. Gently mix ingredients and toss well. Serve chilled or room temperature. Add in chicken or avocado. Delicious over a bed of fresh spinach for a hearty, healthy lunch.
Makes 4 servings.
September Client Spotlight: Meg Parker
I am so excited to brag on Meg Parker this month for the September Client Spotlight!!! Meg is a highly respected financial advisor, mother of 2 precious kiddos, and a wife! Meg started exercising at TransFit 6 months ago and has completely changed her body type. She is a muscular, sleek woman and is one of the strongest women I have worked with this year! Meg has lost 10 pounds over the course of 6 months, decreased her body fat, and continues to push herself in all that she does. She is such an inspiration to so many women!
Her Field:
I am a senior financial advisor/vice president at Merrill Lynch. In a nutshell, I help my clients (individuals and families) pursue their long-term financial goals! I do this through finding the appropriate mix of stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and ETFs to fit their personal objectives and risk tolerance. I monitor progress towards goals and keep the investment strategy consistent with any changes that take place in their lives and/or business. Her Fitness:
As far as exercising goes, I have always been a pretty active person. I rode horses my entire childhood, played sports in school, took an exercise hiatus in college, and then lived out west for a year and a half where we biked, hiked, jogged, and walked. For the past 9 years (prior to TransFit), I would go through phases of exercising, but it would be all weight training and no cardio OR all cardio and no weight training; then I’d take some time off, etc. So basically, I had no real pattern to my workout schedule. After 2 kids, this no-patterned workout did not work, because I was not seeing any results and I felt bloated, etc. After working out at TransFit for a few months, I finally feel like I have a great balance of weight training and cardio.
Her Food:
I thought that if I worked out, I could eat or drink whatever I wanted: a cookie here, some chips there. Over the past 6 months I have become more aware of eating the right (and REAL) foods and drinking more water, green tea, etc.
Her Fortitude:
My clothes are fitting MUCH better, and I truly feel the best I have ever felt. I believe this is all due to a perfect balance in exercise and cutting out LOTS of preservatives and sodium, and eating MORE fruits and veggies, drinking more water, etc. I have also FINALLY lost the bloated feeling that I have had since having kids. Caroline has taught me to take much better care of my body bywatching what I put in it, stretching more (which I NEVER used to do), and following the right exercise regime.