Category: Fitness

My Two Year Transformation

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The picture on the left was taken 6 days before my daughter was born (March 11, 2019); I was 38 weeks pregnant. The picture on the right was taken January 14, 2021.

It took me almost 2 years to get to a place where I have gained my muscle back and feel as strong as I did pre-baby. I want to share some encouragement because as a fitness professional, social media is flooded with influencers and moms who seem to “get their body back” quickly and rock amazing abs 3 months post-baby. 

If that is you- then kudos! But, for most of us, it takes time. 

There are so many variables that play a factor in how quickly we get into shape. Let’s just get one thing straight, we will never “get our bodies back” — after growing and birthing a baby, our bodies will never be the same. That’s just biology.  I don’t mean that as a negative, but it’s something we need to accept. 

Prior to having kids,  I had no hips and a small butt. But once I had kids, I got hips —and thank goodness! 😉 

So, here is my personal journey of how I got from picture 1 to 2. 

This second postpartum journey is different from when I had my son; with him, the process happened a lot faster because I only had one baby to take care of instead of two.

Here is what influenced my journey:  

  1. Type of birth. How quickly you can get back in shape depends on if you gave birth naturally or had a C-section. C-section recovery takes longer; I gave birth naturally, so I was able to start exercising sooner than if I had a C-section. 
  2. Breastfeeding. I chose to breastfeed both my babies, and decided I wasn’t going to restrict my diet at all while I was nursing. I know people who were able to modify their diet while breastfeeding and lose weight quicker; but for me, being sleep deprived with two young kids, that sounded miserable. If I wanted chocolate at any given time— I was gonna eat that chocolate! 
  3. Workout intensity. This is a biggie for me. I breastfed my daughter almost a year, and during that time I just couldn’t workout at my “normal” intensity because my body was still lactating. Frankly,  I felt uncomfortable going hard in workouts with my breasts still feeling like water balloons TBH. 
  4. Time availability/ childcare. I am a stay-at-home mom, we don’t have a Nanny or any grandparents close by to help with childcare. I’m mentioning this because this plays a big role in our postpartum journeys. Even as a trainer, and studio owner, it was really tough for me to be consistent with my workouts that first year.  Morning wake-ups were inconsistent, during nap times I just wanted to sleep, and about 4 months after my daughter was born, our leading trainer -who had been teaching a majority of our classes- moved away. Since we couldn’t find someone to replace her right away, that meant my husband had to go back to teaching most classes and working longer hours.  There were some days he would wake up at 4:30 am to teach our 6 am class, and wouldn’t get home until close to 8 pm. Those days were exhausting. I was doing all it took to make it through the day solo with two kids; the last thing I had time for was exercise. 

In September of 2019, six months postpartum, I met a mom at the park (shoutout to Christina) who had just moved to the area and was starting Fit4Mom in Sunnyvale. I had done Fit4Mom classes postpartum with my son, but since moving south, I couldn’t find a similar program. Although I would have preferred to workout without kids, the stroller classes were perfect for me at that point in time. I could bring my kids, and also move my body and socialize with other moms.  A win-win-win!

Fast forward to March 2020 when the world shut down. Our studio had to close for a couple months, which was devastating; BUT that meant with my husband home more, I was able to workout more. During those months of shelter-in-place, the studio was my sanctuary. It was the one place I could go to be away from my kids that was Covid-free. No one else but me, the weights, and my thoughts.

When we finally re-opened in June, I started attending outdoor classes three times a week. Consistency is key. It’s not sexy – but it works. And also, having a really great workout. There is nothing like a K-Fit HIIT class. If you want to see your body change, high intensity interval training is the way to go. In one class, I’m doing functional weight training, core training, and cardio intervals on the water rower, ski erg, and airdyne bike. All of which are low impact, full body cardio machines. I love finishing a workout knowing I worked every inch of my body, and made my one-hour worth it. Even in the middle of (California) winter, I’m still waking up to workout at 8:15 am on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Right now we’re in rainy season, and it’s been windy, cold and downright dreary. Some mornings all I want to do is stay in bed instead of layering up and venturing out in the cold. But I still do it. I show up.

I’m not just saying this because I’m the owner, but truly, I choose to workout at K-Fit because of the people. We have the best community. For me, working out is also about accountability. It’s about showing up and having members see me. (It’s easier to skip that at-home workout when no one is watching you.) Being able to get back to a consistent workout schedule has been a game changer.

I am writing all this, because I want to say to you – you CAN do it. To those new moms, who look in the mirror and are tired, have low energy, want to feel comfortable in their skin again, just know you will not always feel like this. This is a season.

I’ve never been one to weigh myself; I like to judge my progress based on what I see in the mirror and how I feel. I did pull up some past medical records of what my weight was at the beginning of my pregnancy and at the end. Remember, these numbers aren’t meant to be comparisons, because every body and every pregnancy is different.

August 20, 2018- First OB appt for second pregnancy; I weighed 134 lbs.

March 11, 2019- Last OB appt before giving birth; I weighed 166 lbs- so I gained about 32 lbs during pregnancy 

April 26, 2019- First OB appt 6 weeks post-birth; I weighed 146 lbs

Feb 20, 2020- Almost 1 year post-birth, I weighed 141 lbs; so basically I only lost 5 lbs during that year which is totally OK. Like I wrote above, I wasn’t focused on weight-loss that first year while I was breastfeeding.

I weigh between 130-135 lbs right now. Not a dramatic drop in weight from one year ago, but a noticeable one. I feel great. I feel strong. The days that I workout, not only do I have more energy, but I also experience mental clarity. And my abs are peeking through again.. 😉

A big thanks to my husband for supporting me, and watching the kids those mornings so I can workout. I know this isn’t feasible for everyone, so I feel very fortunate! My advice to new moms is: give yourself grace during the newborn days; and when you have the energy again, find something that works for you, and stick with it! And if you’re in the area, give K-Fit a try. ;

*I want to note that fitness and nutrition go hand in hand when it comes to overall health and well being. Everything in moderation is my motto. I definitely love sweets, but during the month of January Kendrick and I decided to limit our sugar intake for a nutrition challenge we were running. I definitely noticed a difference in my body after the first two weeks. I was able to see more definition in my muscles, and feel toned and not bloated. I could make a whole post about nutrition, so I’m not going to get into it here. I did want to note that because it’s important!

This is the reason I love group training. The camaraderie and accountability. My friend Erica works out with me every MWF and she’s also a mom to 2 young kids. I can count on her to check in with me if I miss a workout, and I do the same for her. 🙂

Why I love to workout with Fit4Mom.

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HI friends!

Wow it’s been a while since I’ve sat down to write a blog post. I’m feeling a little rusty to be honest! While writing has always been a passion of mine, it’s definitely fallen on my priority list since becoming a mom. However, whenever I do make time to write it feels so good! Especially if I know that what I’m writing about can benefit someone else out there.

Background Story

As you may know, or not know, my husband and I are owners of a fitness studio, called Studio K-Fit here in Redwood City, California. In addition to personal training, we offer our signature small group workout called K-FIT HIIT; a high-intensity cardio class.  Participants have the choice of doing a 30 minutes or 60 minutes option (K-FIT HIIT 30 & 60) We’re the only studio in the Bay Area that offers a low impact, high-intensity cardio class utilizing both the Water Rower and the Airdyne Bike. What I love about these classes, bias aside, is they can be modified for practically anyone at any fitness level. Personally, I’m not a huge fan of running. Professionally, I’m still not a huge fan because of all the strain it puts on your joints. After I became pregnant, it gave me a good excuse to stop running, but I didn’t want to lose my cardio stamina either. The Water Rower and Airdyne Bike were the perfect equipment for me; and with some modifications during the core segment, I was able to continue working out up until my son was born.

Once I was cleared by my doctor postpartum, I jumped back into K-FIT HIIT classes. Working out during those early months didn’t pose a problem, because I could just bring my son along with me (perks of being a Studio owner) and he would sleep during it. As he got older, and he started staying awake longer, I was presented with a new set of challenges. My once easy going baby no longer could sit through a class without needing something from me.  Plus, our Studio is not designed to be “baby friendly”. Although we are the owners (and can essentially do what we want), I didn’t want to be inconsiderate to our clients who come to the studio to escape the craziness of their lives. Many of them are parents themselves, so they’ve dealt with their fair share of child meltdowns. There’s a time and place for everything… but I quickly realized I had to find an alternative to bringing Gio to the Studio.

Enter Fit4Mom.

I heard about Fit4Mom through a non-parent friend who had another parent friend with a baby born two weeks after Gio. She told me that their Stroller Strides class was held down the street from her house and that I should check it out.

My first Stroller Strides class I attended, my son was about 3 1/2 months old; and it felt like an accomplishment just getting out of the house on time! The class begins with a warmup together, introducing ourselves and our babies, and sharing a fun fact about ourselves.  Then, the group splits off into two smaller groups…those who are walkers, and those who are runners. I chose to walk and followed the other mamas to another location in the park where we would complete a strength set. The only equipment we use during class are resistance bands and yoga mats. The instructors do a really great job of utilizing park benches, sidewalks, fences, basketball courts, walls, and fountains to perform our exercises. For example…doing step-ups on a park bench, or pushups off a sidewalk curb.  It’s all about being creative.

We usually complete four or five strength stations around the park, and work our cardio in by walking or running to each station. All the while, the babies are getting the royal treatment. Not only do instructors lead the mamas, they also entertain the kids! At each station, instructors will either sing nursery songs for the babies, read a book aloud, or when babies get fussy and cry, they’ll rock/push the stroller back and forth so the mom can finish her exercises. It’s a full on show!

At the end of class, we’ll circle up and lay out our yoga mats to do a few core exercises and stretch. Kids are required to stay in the strollers for the duration of the class for their own safety and for the safety of others. However, sometimes if kids are getting fussy at the end, instructors will let them come out during stretch time, with the caveat that the quality of the mom’s stretching will be affected. It’s cute to see toddlers try to imitate their mamas; they just want to get in on the workout too! 🙂

In addition to the workout, there’s scheduled activities for the kids after class each week. Some of these things include arts and crafts; like making a sensory bag, finger painting, or making play dough. Other activities include story time at the library, meeting at a coffee shop, or a trip to the playground. This is what makes Fit4Mom truly unique and special in my eyes. They go beyond building a fitness empire, to building a strong community of moms. Their slogan, “strength in motherhood” couldn’t be a more perfect description of the values and ethos which they embody.

*It should also be noted that this group is totally breastfeeding friendly! As a new mom, I was nervous to go out places when I knew my plans would overlap with when I had to feed Gio. That’s what I love about this community, they just get us! They know that we have other priorities and that being a mama always comes first!

Honestly, there was a period of a few months when Gio and I couldn’t make it to class, because he was taking his morning nap at 9:30am. Some moms may not find that an issue, but for me personally, I knew that I would be stressed out if I didn’t let him nap, so  that was a sacrifice I had to make.

Overall, I can not recommend Fit4MOM enough. I’ve met so many wonderful moms through class, and Gio’s met lots of new friends! It’s something we look forward to each week, and Gio really enjoys watching me exercise. He’s been known to even laugh when I’m doing pushups, burpees, or jumping jacks. I still have yet to figure out if he’s laughing with me, or at me….HA.

If you live in the Bay area – Fit4Mom has locations on the Peninsula, San Mateo, Fremont, and Danville. Gio and I personally attend class at Burgess Park on Mondays and Wednesdays, and at Burton Park on Fridays. If you attend one of those classes, come say hi! We’d love to meet you.

Anyone can try their first class for free; just go to: sfpeninsula.fit4mom.com. 

Sara and Michele, the Owners of Fit4Mom SF Peninsula, were gracious enough to offer a special discount especially to Mrskfit readers.

*For 20% OFF a 10 class pass or monthly membership for Stroller Strides and Stroller Barre classes; use code: SSKFIT.
*For 20% OFF a 10 pack of Body Back Drop-in classes, use code: SSKFIT. 

*For 30% OFF the Body Back Transformation program, use code: TRANSFORMKFIT.

*Use code: F4MKFIT to receive an unlimited Stroller Strides and Fit4Baby pass for $75/month. 

 

Angie and Gio SS 2

All smiles at our morning workout!

Ander and GioGio and everly

Gio hanging with his friends Ander and Everly

Angie and Jordan SS

Jordan and I started Stroller Strides around the same time and our babies were born only two weeks apart!

 

 

Thanks for reading and keep on, keeping on mamas!

XO,

Angie

February’s Healthy Heart Challenge

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As January comes to a close, our New Year’s resolutions may be winding down as well. To keep the momentum going, I have a challenge for you that will keep you moving through February!

For those who are new here, I am 8 weeks postpartum and announced in my last post that I have set a goal for myself to lose my baby weight by April 6. To help keep me accountable, I will be tracking my cardio weekly…and you can join me!

Here’s the challenge:

WHAT: 4 hours of cardio each week (16 hours total for the month) with 1 cardio session to be done with family, friends, spouse or dog each week. Studies shows this helps improve heart health even more! If you participate in classes at our studio, these count toward your cardio count. You can add the time in small segments as well; ex: dog walks of 20 minutes everyday would add up to 2 hours 20 minutes of cardio for the week assuming you do it every day.

Since February starts mid-week, your goal will be to log 3 hours of cardio this week (breaks down to about 35 minutes per day).

Since it’s hard for me to get in an uninterrupted 1-hour workout these days, my personal goal is getting outside for a 20-30 minute walk daily. Instead of setting lofty goals for myself, I’ve concentrated on smaller, more realistic goals; like, completing 10 push-ups a day. When I can check something off my list, I feel more accomplished and that motivates me to continue pushing forward.

The best thing you can do when setting small goals for yourself is attach the action to something you already do. For example, I complete my push-ups before taking a shower each night. My husband Kendrick wrote a great blog post about creating positive changes without motivation. Read more here.

 

I’m super excited for what February has in store! If you missed the announcement in my last post, I will be publishing an exclusive newsletter bi-weekly for those who are subscribed to my blog. The first newsletter will be released this Wednesday, February 1st.

 

I’d love to hear if you’re joining me for this month’s Challenge! Feel free to comment and let me know if you’re participating below! 🙂

 

Back to Body: Postpartum Series

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Last Friday I had my 6 week checkup post-baby. I tried not to psych myself out for that fateful moment when I would step on the scale. Over the course of my pregnancy I gained 42 pounds. More than I had expected, but since this was my first pregnancy, I wasn’t as worried about weight gain as I was about staying healthy and doing what was best for my body. I was very active for most of my pregnancy and my OB wasn’t at all concerned about my weight, so that reassured me that everything was going smoothly.

Truth be told, when I saw that number on the scale, I panicked a little.  I’ve never had to intentionally try to lose weight. I’ve maintained a healthy balance between exercise and nutrition so that I can eat what I want without feeling guilty.

The first 22 pounds have come off seemingly easy. I’ve been exclusively breastfeeding and walking daily. After week 3, when I started finally feeling like myself again, I hit the gym for some higher intensity cardio. My favorite machines have been the water rower, the ski erg, and the Airdyne bike. I like to rotate between all three during my workouts and add strength training  in between. Then, I usually finish with a core set.

(NOTE FOR NURSING MOMS: Be wary when feeding your baby after a high-intensity workout! I learned this the hard way.  I had no idea that the lactic acid could affect the composition of my breast milk. Recent studies claim that moderate exercise has no effect on breastmilk, only “exhaustive” exercise…this may be the case, but I can only account for my own experience. I spent an hour working out, rotating high intensity cardio with strength training; and when I fed my baby a half hour after, he ended up spitting it all back up. I must also note that my milk smelled sour, something that has never happened before. Since he showed no other signs of sickness, and didn’t have a fever, it made sense that the reason he spit up was due to the composition of the breastmilk. Every body is different and what happened to me might just be a fluke, but I don’t want to risk putting my poor babe through that again so I will be sure to feed him BEFORE working out next time.)

Anyway, I still have 18 pounds to lose to return to my pre-baby weight…however, I can’t deny that having a baby changes your body, and chances are my body is never going to look the same as it did before…and that’s OK. It took over 9 months to grow a baby, so it may just take another 9 months for my body to return to its NEW normal.  I am not going to stress over the scale. I am going to give myself a 5 pound buffer to account for the changes my body’s been through (these new boobs weigh at least a couple pounds each) 😉

I’ve set a goal for myself to lose between 13-18 lbs by April 6, 2017…a little more than 3 months from today. Since this is a first time journey for me, I’ll be documenting my progress along the way. If I don’t reach my goal by this specified period, I will not give up. This process is about the journey, not the destination; my number one priority is my new baby and taking care of his needs first. If that means I carry around some extra weight for a little while, then so be it!

I’ll be posting  on Instagram (@mrskfit), Facebook (Mrs K-Fit page), and Snapchat (@acn1228), in addition to my blog…so be sure to follow along on these social media outlets as well.

I’ll also be releasing a newsletter twice a month filled with exclusive content; such as workout videos, delicious (and easy!) recipes, monthly challenges, tips and inspiration, and of course – baby photos! 🙂

To receive the newsletter, be sure to subscribe to my blog!

 

Here’s a quickie core set to start your week off strong:

20 crunches

15 butt lifts

15 toe touches

10 sit-ups (* I only did one set of sit-ups, but if you feel good, go for two!)

1 minute plank

REPEAT

 

Let’s do this!!

 

 

 

7 Tips for Mindful Eating during the Holidays

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With the holidays fast approaching, (Thanksgiving is already next week!)  I’ve put together a list of tips to ease your feasting anxiety. 😉

  1. Don’t let the fear of the Thanksgiving Day feast cause you to start dieting now. Instead of restricting your favorite foods the week before Thanksgiving, practice eating mindfully so that when turkey day comes, you don’t find yourself with the excuse to suddenly binge on anything and everything you find enjoyable. Remember, it’s all about balance. Drastic highs and lows in your diet do not do any good. Learning to eat healthy consistently will be much better for you than extreme dieting, binging, and then dieting again.
  2. Offer to bring a dish (and make sure it’s a healthy one). If you’re not the one hosting Thanksgiving, ask the hostess if you can bring a dish. Having a healthy option can bring you a sense of relief if you’re unsure of what the menu will consist of. Chances are there will be someone else secretly thanking you for bringing something they don’t feel guilty eating. I brought this delicious kale salad to Thanksgiving last year, and it was such a hit..seriously! I even had a guest request the recipe and she’s told me she makes it regularly for her family. Another favorite holiday salad of mine is a spinach salad with roasted strawberries and almonds. The roasted strawberries are warm and gooey when they come out of the oven and provide just the right amount of sweetness. Check out the recipe here. spinach-salad
  3. Schedule your exercise for the day. Plan a hike, walk, or go to your favorite exercise class in the morning. (If you live in the Bay Area, visit us at Studio K-Fit for our annual Pre-Turkey Burn workout! 😉 ) Remember, high intensity exercise allows your body to continue burning calories even after the workout is over. If you can’t get out before dinner, plan to do a walk after. This will help fight that ‘sluggish’ feeling and also help you digest your meal faster than if you took a nap or sat on the couch. If you’ve been inside cooking all day you’ll feel grateful to get out of the house for some fresh air.
  4. Use a plate when nibbling. When you’re at a holiday party, or standing around the kitchen waiting for the roast turkey, be sure to pick up a plate so you’re mindful of what’s going in your mouth. The more steps you take to observe the food that’s in front of you before you eat it, the less likely you’ll overindulge in that cheese dip.
  5. HYDRATE. Instead of grabbing a beer or pouring a glass of wine when you arrive, opt for a glass of water. Drinking an alcoholic beverage while also munching on hors d’oeuvres will most likely cause you to overeat/eat more than you planned. If you opt for a glass of wine at dinner, be sure to follow it up with a glass of water. Drinking water in between courses will not only aid in digestion, but also trigger a cue to your brain letting you know you’re full.
  6. Assess your dinner plate. Does it contain a protein (turkey) and at least 1 serving of vegetables (corn doesn’t count). Instead of grabbing a biscuit, mashed potatoes, AND stuffing – choose 1 or 2 of your favorites. For me, I would choose mashed potatoes because it’s something I never make myself. Bread is easy to come by, so I usually pass up the dinner rolls at Thanksgiving. Be mindful if your veggies are loaded in cheese or a cream sauce. If you were munching on cheese and crackers before dinner, choose to eat more turkey and green beans and/or carrots during your main meal; especially if you have a sweet tooth like me and know you won’t be able to refuse a slice of pie. Remember, you control your food- not the other way around!
  7. Slow down and enjoy the experience. Savor the foods smell and texture. Engage in the dinner table conversation and thank those that helped prepare the meal. You don’t have to refuse Grandma’s pumpkin pie, but take small bites and give yourself time to digest afterwards before helping yourself to seconds.

Having a game plan before going to a party this holiday season will help you to make smarter decisions when temptation comes knocking. Instead of completely eliminating everything you love, choose which vice you would rather indulge in. For example:

“I will drink sparkling water with hors d’oeuvres instead of wine.”

“I will have a glass of wine instead of having a slice of pie for dessert.”

“I will eat the sour cream mashed potatoes at dinner instead of eating these macaroni and cheese bites as an appetizer.”

The holidays don’t have to undo all your hard work from this year. With these mindful tips, you’ll be sure to have a healthy, and happy holiday season 🙂

Entering Maternity Leave & Hiring a New Trainer

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This week I trained my last client before becoming a momma. I’ve been reluctant to admit how hard training has become on my body, because I’ve had a wonderful pregnancy thus far. I like staying active, and the thought of going on maternity leave made me fear that I would be sitting on the couch watching reruns of Friends all day.

Being a business owner, I knew the implications of taking a maternity leave…it didn’t mean paid vacation, it meant paying someone else to take over my job. In the past, it’s been difficult for us to find trainers that we feel are 1) Qualified; and 2) a good match for our Studio. We’ve received plenty of resumes with pictures attached of candidates flexing or even worse, sending a video of themselves grunting and posing in front of a mirror. To say we were nervous about diving back into the candidate pool is an understatement. The fitness field can be full of egotistical trainers, and we wanted to stay far away from those people as we could.

My favorite thing about our Studio is that we are community driven. We want everyone who steps in the door to feel welcome and accepted, and not intimated. We expect our members to greet their fellow classmates by name, and come in with a positive attitude. We live in the Silicon Valley, so we know the pressure and stress our members face every day in the workplace. We want the Studio to be a haven or “happy place” for people to come and de-stress; not just physically, but mentally as well.

Another “rule” we have in the Studio is for people to make friends. We encourage people to not only learn each other’s name, but to learn about them. If you’re gone for a week, you better believe there will be someone in your class asking where you’ve been. It creates accountability that you otherwise might not have had if you were attending a class with 30 people, who never said Hi or Bye to you. That’s why we keep our classes small, not only for accountability reasons, but so that we can correct people’s form and make sure they’re doing the exercises correctly. My biggest pet peeve is when I try an exercise class and see that people are doing things incorrectly. I can’t help but cringe and think, “How come no one is correcting them??”

The most common mistakes are with lunges and squats. Too often I see someone do a squat where they drop their hips too low, or do a lunge with their knee over their ankle. I’ve always told my clients to remember the magic number…which is “90” for 90 degrees. Your knee in a lunge should be at a 90 degree angle, and same with your squat- you should always keep your butt out to protect the lower back. The minute you drop those hips, say hello to serious back pain.

left leg lunge

Proper lunge form

squat

Proper Squat form

Now that I’ve gone off on a tangent about proper form, I’ll get back to our hiring process. Thankfully enough, this time around we had much better luck with the trainer pool. We interviewed some great candidates, even some that we felt were over-qualified for the job. In the end, we found our perfect match!  She couldn’t have come at a more perfect time as well. I’ve been struggling with serious back pain these last couple weeks, and feared how much longer I’d be able to train if we didn’t find someone. The universe works in mysterious ways, and it was like God knew exactly what we needed, at the time we needed it. I feel totally confident that our new trainer will do an excellent job taking over for me. In the meantime, you’ll find me blogging and writing more, and also doing lots of back end stuff for the business like marketing and advertising.

I feel so blessed to be in a position where I can take the time off I need to prepare for this new  life coming soon. I’m also incredibly thankful to have such a supportive husband who has encouraged me in this new phase, and understands how important rest and relaxation is for both me and baby. It’s only been 3 days, but I think this new adjustment is working well so far…( I haven’t even watched one episode of Friends)  😉

Thanks for reading and encouraging me to keep this blog going.

Sending good vibes your way on this Friday 🙂

xo

Rowing For Meals: How our Fitness Studio Helps Feed America

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Hi there-

First off, I want to say thank you for reading my blog! I also want to say thank you for sharing my articles with your family and friends. In our digital age we are constantly bombarded with content, and so when I write a blog post, my hope is to always share something useful for you to take away. I created this blog because I love to write; but mostly because I wanted to share meaningful content with you. I am always intentional about my posts, and never want to make this blog “all about me”. I will always strive to write about things that I feel are of value to my reader and possibly teach them something new.

With that being said, I want to share with you a mission very dear to my heart, that has been the motivation behind what we do.

My husband (Kendrick) and I own a small fitness studio in Redwood City, California. In January of 2015, we took a risk and bought 4 Water Rowers…a seemingly unknown piece of equipment at the time. We had owned a Concept 2 Rower…and Kendrick really liked how the water rower was smoother, engaged more of the core, was more aesthetically appealing and was a full body, low-impact cardio for our clients.

k-fit experience class

Rowers

Up until this point, our studio consisted of mostly personal training and partner training. We offered one class, a 30-minute circuit style blending cardio and strength training. When we got our rowers, we were excited to create a new class (which we named the K-Fit Experience); a blend of water rowing, strength training, and core training.

At first, clients were apprehensive to the rowers. We are creatures of habit; and not many people like change. (Anytime you add something new, it takes people time to adapt.) But, the more time they spent on the rowers, the more they started to love how they felt.

A couples months later, Kendrick and I heard a sermon at our church by John Ortberg on the power of giving; and it sparked in us a desire to use our studio to give back to our local community. We were pressed with the question of: “How often did we give more than what we felt comfortable?” It was after our unsettling realization that we decided to actively give and trust that we would see that generous spirit come back to us. Kendrick had read about Feeding America and liked the transparency of the organization and also how 98.5% of the money donated goes directly to food (less than 1% goes to administrative costs-according to  charitynavigator.org). This was a very high number compared to most charities. We also liked that they linked up with local food banks, and that our money donated would get to feed those within our community.

…And so began the concept of rowing for meals. Our initial plan was to encourage clients to come early before class to warm-up and get in some extra cardio. Kendrick had been telling clients that if they rowed  at least 500 meters, that he would donate 1 meal to Feeding America. (This equated to about $0.10/meal since they buy in bulk quantities). We started tracking how many “meals” each client had contributed. By the end of our first month, the buzz was swarming. Clients loved the concept and were excited about working out on the rower. Kendrick and I thought, “How can we help clients row for more meals while they’re here?”

In our K-Fit Experience class, we have a 6-minute relay that clients complete during their second set on the rowers. Instead of offering 1 meal per 500 meters, we would offer 1 meal per 250 meters! This created a little more competition and desire to row faster in order to donate more meals. And so, at the end of the relay, each client adds up how many meals they rowed and tallies it on the board.

October 2015 Meal Board

Each month, Kendrick and I add up the meals and donate a portion of our personal earnings to Feeding America. A few months into our fundraiser, clients started to approach us asking if they could “match” what we donated and contribute as well. Our answer? “Of course!!” We seriously are so blessed with amazing clients who are 100% behind us and support us in whatever we do. Since Kendrick and I don’t have family in California (except my sister who now lives here-yay!), they have become our family and our #1 fans. It has been over a year since we started our “Row for Meals” program, and we’ve donated over 23,000 meals to families in need. This would NOT have been possible without their generosity and support.

We plan to continue this program as long as our studio is in business; and wholeheartedly believe that “the key to living is giving”.

 

 

xo

 

If you’d like to make a donation to Feeding America, click here.

 

Thanks for reading! I’d love to hear about ways in which you give back to your community. Please share in the comments below! 🙂

5 Moves for Buns & Thighs

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5 Moves for Buns & Thighs

Happy Friday!

Spring is almost 2 weeks away…and that means, Spring Break! Time to don those bikinis, shades, and flip flops. I noticed the growing popularity of the “cheeky” bikini bottom last summer. If you were one of those bold trend setters, good for you! Whatever you choose to wear, the most important thing is that you feel comfortable. I won’t be able to give you a Brazilian booty overnight; but, these 5 moves are sure to help sculpt those buns and thighs.. and I am all for that!

Let’s get started!

 

  1. Hip Dips – 20 reps

hip dips

Advanced option: Try single leg dips (10 reps each leg)

hip dips single leg

2. Lateral Leg Lift – 20 reps each leg

lateral leg lift smile

3. Backward Skaters with an Ankle Band  – 20-30 seconds

ankle band skater

4. Frankenstein Walk with Ankle Band – 20-30 seconds

ankle band start

5. In-N-Out Jumps with Ankle Band – 20 reps

 

Repeat this set 2 times; for best results, perform this circuit with your favorite strength workout twice a week.

Ready to start? Buy your Resistance Bands here.

*Make sure to consult a doctor before starting any exercise program.

What workout would you like to see next week? Share in the comments below!!

 

5 Exercises to Tone & Strengthen Legs

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One of the first things I learned after retiring from gymnastics, was that if I wanted to relieve/combat knee pain, I had to strengthen my quads.  I added strength training to my workouts, and started to see a huge difference in my running. I was able to run for longer periods of time without the shooting knee pain.

Here are some of my favorite leg exercises to strengthen your quads, hamstrings, thighs, and glutes. We do these exercises regularly in our K-Fit Experience class at Studio K-Fit.

Perform 10 reps of each exercise, and repeat. Start with your Left leg the first round.

#1: Squat Jumps with Toe Touch (works those inner thighs!)

Make sure toes are facing forward; when you jump push your hips forward to engage your glutes; touch toes together and land back on feet.

#2: Single Leg Deadlift

Stand on your left leg, holding 10 lbs weights by your sides; keeping a soft knee (slightly bent) and your chest up, lean forward and touch a step or chair with your weights (you should feel the pull in your hamstring). Stand back up, then repeat. *Remember to switch legs the second round.

#3: Single Leg Squat 

Using a chair or elevated step, keep your left foot planted on the ground and sit back onto the chair. Stand back up and squeeze your glutes pushing your hips all the way forward. Switch legs second round.

#4: Forward Lunge

Make sure to keep your shoulders back, and your front knee at a 90 degree angle.

#5: Elevated Backward Lunge

First round: Place your right foot up on the step, left foot is on the ground. Perform a lunge, making sure your front knee is at a 90 degree angle. Switch legs second round.

 

*For best results, perform this set at least twice a week. As always, consult a doctor before starting any exercise program.

Don’t forget to “Like” Mrs K-Fit on Facebook to stay updated with new workouts each week!

4 Minutes to Flat Abs

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4 minutes to flat abs

 

Hi there!

Welcome back 🙂

Today I’m bringing you a quick, 4-minute ab circuit that you can do at home! In our K-Fit Experience class, I create a new ab workout each week that has been dubbed, “Angie’s Abs” because I always like to throw in an element of surprise.

In class, we perform our ab circuit after completing 4 rounds of vigorous cardio (rowing) and strength training. There can be a misconception that working your abs everyday will make them flat…however, the SECRET to flat abs is cardio + clean nutrition. In order for that six-pack to emerge, you have to burn through the fat layer…which can only be done by spiking up your heart-rate (think running, rowing, or cycling).

Let’s get to it…

Perform each exercise for 30 seconds each. Complete 2 rounds. For best results, try to do the circuit 3 times weekly after your favorite cardio.

#1: Crossover Reach

#2: Butt Lift 

Butt Lift

#3: Reach and Tuck 

#4: Oblique Dips

 

Don’t forget to “Like” Mrs K-Fit on Facebook to stay updated with new workouts each week!

 

 

 

*BE SURE TO CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE STARTING ANY EXERCISE PROGRAM.