Meet the Trainer
Meet the Trainer October 19, 2009 at 8:00
Hi Everyone, I’d like to introduce you to Lia Taylor. Lia has been with Sassy Fit since August of 2009.
Question and Answer Time:
What’s your fitness story?
I grew up in a very fitness-oriented household and with very active parents. My dad was always training for something. He has competed in road races and triathlons my whole life and my mom was also very active running, hiking, and playing soccer. I enjoy pretty much anything active, but especially running, cycling, snowboarding, wakeboarding, yoga, and hiking. I completed my first full-marathon this summer and had such a great time, I am hooked! I plan to also do my first triathlon this September. My weekly fitness routine varies depending on if/what I am training for, but in general, I am always running, cross-training, and strength training. I love fitness, try my best at everything I do, and have a great time doing it!
Do you have any fit secrets?
Find something you love and challenge yourself to do your best at it.
What is your favorite fit move?
Other than running … weighted lunges (with upper body twist)
Do you have a favorite fit meal?
Thai beef (or chicken) salad: http://www.templeofthai.com/recipes/thai_beef_salad.php
Inspirational Quote:
If you aren’t going all the way, why go at all?
Any fun fit events coming up for you?
Lavaman Triathlon! Woo Hoo!
Meet the Trainer October 11, 2009 at 13:41
She may look cute and sweet but don’t let that fool you. She’s known for her love of burpees and interval training. Ladies and Gents, please let me introduce you to Mrs. Kristen Scally….
P.S- She’s totally cute and sweet!
Questions and Answer Time
What is your fitness story?
As a young girl, I grew up being a sports enthusiast. I spent my weekends playing soccer and running track. I have suffered from Asthma my entire life and have found that I can keep it under control by being consistently active and challenging my body physically every day. I spent nearly ten years in the corporate world and was recently laid off. I have chosen to follow my dream of helping others overcome their individual challenges and help them achieve their fitness and wellness goals. I ask that all my clients give me 100% as I will do the same in return.
Do you have any fit secrets?
I treat staying fit like brushing my teeth – you do it everyday. (of course, I brush my teeth twice a day but you get the point!)
I eat 6-8 ‘mini’ meals a day and drink at least 100 oz of water a day.
When running and you develop a cramp, smile. Don’t ask, just do it.
Favorite fit move?
A full body plyometrics conditioning move:
Burpees
(4 minutes total: 20 sec work, 10 sec rest)
1. Begin in a squat position with hands on the floor in front of you.
2. Kick your feet back to a push up positions
3. Immediately return your feet to the squat positions.
4. Leap up as high as possible from the squat positions.
Repeat
Can we say total body conditioning…with your own body weight!!
Favorite fit meal?
Breakfast! It truly is the most important meal of the day. It sets the tone of the day, much like making (or not making) your bed in the morning.
3 egg whites with pepper and hot sauce
8 oz/1 cup black coffee
1 small banana
Inspirational Quote:
“Thou shouldst eat to live; not live to eat.” –Socrates
Any fun fit events coming up for you?
I have recently decided to join the Sassy Fit Trainers, to train together for the Lavaman Olympic distance Triathlon in Kona, Hawaii in March…eeeek!!
Meet the Trainer October 2, 2009 at 8:00
Hi Everyone! Well, I’m the face behind the Sassy Fit Blog! I’m a Sassy Fit Personal Trainer and the Team and Community Coordinator and a health and fitness enthusiast. If you have any blog ideas or would like for me to research and write about a certain topic, please send me an email at amanda.whitworth@getsassyfit.com.
Question and Answer Time:
What is your fitness story?
You wouldn’t know it by looking at me now but almost five years ago I was lying in a hospital bed wondering if I was ever going to be able to be as physically active as I once was. I had just had a portion of my colon removed because I had a precancerous polyp that was in the last stages of turning into full blown colon cancer. I was 25 years old and what my mom called her ‘health nut.’ Due to complications, I was readmitted to the hospital 2 days after I was released from my first surgery and had to have several more surgeries and an iliostomy bag for 6 weeks. My once rock hard abs were now a thing of the past.
My mother, older brother, grandfather, and I have a genetic predisposition called HNPCC. Basically, it increases our lifetime chance of getting colon cancer by 80 % and several other forms of cancer by 30-50%. They have all had colon cancer and my mom and grandfather have both had other cancers as well. We are all still here. Healthy, happy, and a pretty darn fit family if I don’t say so myself. My brother just ran his first 1/2 marathon this past March and my gramps, well he is an inspiring man at the age of 80. Always out and about fixing things. My mom, she is what I like to call a firecracker. She is simply amazing and strong both physically as well as emotionally.
I have learned many things through this experience but what I consider to be one of the most important lessons is to appreciate my body for what it is. I’m not a size zero and to be honest, babies got a little back on her or if I may, a little junk in my trunk. But you know what. I could care less about being a tiny little thing. I think what’s important is to work WITH your body and not against it. I like to feel strong and healthy, not weak and exhausted.
I went from wondering if I was ever going to be strong and active again to this past year participating in several triathlons, including Lavaman in Kona, Hawaii where I came in 9th in my age group. That was a huge accomplishment for me and opened my eyes to how far I have come these past five years. Not only have I found a love of triathlons but I also participated in a 185 mile running relay and my first 1/2 marathon, beating my goal of 2 hours by 13 minutes.
Through all of this I have come to realize how much I relate to my clients and their struggles. We may have not had the exact same experiences but I know how hard it is to start all over again and work from square one. I know how scary it can be and understand how sometimes it may seem easier to just give up then to continue to push through those difficult patches. But trust me, when you finally do, you see the world and yourself completely different.
Favorite fit move?
Over the last couple months I have fallen in love with Yoga. I started a certification program this week and couldn’t be more excited for it. Because of all the running and biking I do, my hip flexors are a mess. I have a LOVE/HATE relationship with any stretch that works those areas. But I have to say, I love doing Chaturangas. What it has done for my arms is amazing!
Favorite fit meal?
My favorite food hands down is Mexican which can also be extremely fattening and unhealthy. I like to take any of the traditional recipes and make a healthy alternative. And I love guacamole!! I also have a sweet tooth and love chocolate. The darker and richer the better but have learned to eat it in moderation.
Favorite quote:
“Sometimes you have to give up the life you planned in order to live the life you’ve been given.”
I thought about this quote often when I was in the hospital and throughout my recovery. It has taught me that it’s good to have a plan but more times than not things never turn out how you planned and you should be open to all possibilities the universe throws your way.
Any fun fit events coming up for you?
I will be running the Seattle Half Marathon on November 29th and participating in Lavaman again in March! Oh, and I’m travelling to Taiwan at the end of October and it’s my goal to do as many active things there as possible. I will be blogging about them all and stay tuned for pictures!
Meet the Trainer September 25, 2009 at 8:00
Ladies and gentleman, she is known all across Seattle as ‘Brillian’ for her butt kicking Sassy Fit boot camps at Gasworks Park….please allow me to introduce you to Bri Cooper, Sassy Fit Personal Trainer and Director of Marketing.
Question and answer time….
What’s your fitness story?
My mother put me in gymnastics at the young age of 2 to try and burn off some of the overwhelming energy I had as a child. I loved it and grew up as a competitive gymnast but was still always full of energy, even as an adult. I coached gymnastics in college and then discovered the sport of Triathlon, which I currently adore because I’m always working to push myself to the next level, so it never really gets any easier. Daily activity is like a natural therapy for me, it keeps me balanced. I’m very passionate about health and fitness and really enjoy encouraging others to reach their fitness goals and get excited about what they are able to accomplish.
Do you have any fit secrets?
Not letting myself get into a routine. It’s easy for me to lose interest if I’m always doing the same thing, so I love mixing it up with swimming, biking, running and yoga. Always having something different keeps it fun for me.
Favorite fit move?
I love doing handstands in Yoga or trying other challenging poses, and I’ve recently fallen in love with swimming and finding that smooth rhythm in the pool.
Favorite fit meal?
Sushi is my all time favorite meal. There are easy ways to make sure it stays healthy like request brown rice instead of white, holding the mayo, and focusing on fresh fish rather than tempura. My girlfriends and I hit up Red Fin in Hotel Max as much as we can.
Inspirational quote:
“If you have accomplished all that you have planned for in life than you do not have enough planned.”
I love this quote because it reminds me to keep pushing for new experiences and to try everything at least once.
Any fun fit events coming up for you?
I just recently completed my first half Ironman this summer. It was my biggest physical accomplishment so far and an amazing experience. I’m looking forward to training for several more races next spring and summer, including Lavaman in Kona with the Sassy Fit Crew!
Meet the Trainer September 18, 2009 at 7:11
Please allow me to introduce you to the woman behind it all, Kelly Singer. Owner, founder, and trainer, Kelly came up with Sassy Fit in 2006 as an alternative to the time consuming regime of driving to the gym. Today, with a highly trained staff of certified professional trainers, Sassy Fit offers the most exclusive form of personal training available.
Question and Answer Time!
What is your fitness story?
Five years ago, I was 40 lbs overweight. As a full time student in college, I was also the Deputy Finance Director for the US Senate Campaign. I was surrounded with high calorie foods and alcohol at home and the office. I’m not exaggerating when I say a typical day would start with a grande, full fat pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks, an egg, cheese, and bacon breakfast sandwich from Fat Burger, cheese pizza from lunch (the campaign ordered pizza almost every day), multiple bite sized snickers for my afternoon snack plus more coffee, and PF Changs and drinks or hors d’oeuvres for dinner. My breakfast alone was almost my daily caloric limit. I would leave my house at 6:00 AM and sit all day until about 7 PM. Exhausted and stressed, I would turn to food to make me feel better. One night after the campaign had ended, I tried on an old pair of jeans that I couldn’t even pull up half way, and that was it. My boyfriend-now husband and I decided we were going to make some serious changes. We were going to walk or take the bus everywhere within 10 miles of our house. We stopped eating fat food. We eliminated saturated and trans fats, high fructose corn syrup, and white flour. When we did go out, we always split a meal. We switched our lattes to green tea and joined a gym, working out 4 days a week. With these changes, I lost those 40 lbs within 9 months (went form a size 12/14 to a 2!) and decided I wanted my entire life to revolve around living a healthy lifestyle.
Do you have any fit secrets?
Having my husband as a support and workout buddy has been key for me. Also, walking everywhere gives me energy, keeps my metabolism up reduces stress, and burns extra calories.
Favorite fit move?
My abs are the first to gain and the last to lose chub. Sprint work and interval training along with a plank combo are the most effective ways fro me to keep my abs in bikini shape. (see my workout below)
Favorite fit meal?
I love soup – a big pot of veggie soup will last a few days, is low in calories but fills you up and is an easy way to get your vegetables in. I also love roasting a big pan of cauliflower, peppers, butternut squash, onions, corn, etc. tossed in olive oil with herbs and using them in omelets, pita sandwiches, tacos, you name it! A perfect and filling meat alternative.
Inspirational Quote:
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” – Aristotle
This quote helps me remember that every decision matters, but also that those little mistakes do not dictate who you are.
Any fun fit events coming up for you?
Lavaman in Kona, Hawaii in March. Training starts soon!!
Kelly’s Killer Ab Workout
Interval training on the treadmill
I set the treadmill to a 5-6 minute mile pace for 20 minutes (start slower if you have not been running for 3+ months) and run for as long as I can, resting when my heart rate reached my maximum limit (Sassy Fit can help you determine your interval heart rates). Once my heart rate has decreased, I run again continuing this pattern until I reach 20 minutes. Killer workout and you will burn almost double the calories as you would jogging for 20 minutes at a moderate pace. I then move to my Plank Combo Routine.
* 30 second low plank hold
* 3o second side low plank hold on left side
* 30 second side low plank hold on right side
* 10 side to side plank rotations with high plank, slow and controlled
* 30 second high plank hold
* 10 low plank jumping jacks
* 10 high-to-low plank ups
* 10 side plank raises on left
* 10 side plank raises on right
Hello toned Abs!!
