Please meet our Member Of The Month, Karyn Elliot!! Karyn joined our Hers Family late February 2024 and we want to spotlight her success! Let's find out what Karyn has to say about her journey thus far..
What initially inspired you to do the challenge?
I had been searching for a new gym/martial arts studio to train and came across the HERS 6-Week Challenge online. Seeing that it was an all female gym piqued my interest and knowing how competitive I am, well, I couldn’t pass up on a challenge!
What were your goals and how did you track your progress?
My goals were to gain strength and to develop healthier eating habits by building a solid nutritional foundation. Food and I have a very tumultuous relationship and I was aiming to make more positive choices and changes.
What did your weekly exercise routine and nutrition look like?
My job was my daily dose of exercise. I work in construction, specifically concrete formwork, and it is definitely physically demanding. When it came to nutrition, I used to eat either barely anything or I would binge like crazy. My lifestyle was definitely not sustainable. After joining HERS, I’d say my diet has changed drastically and for the better. Now that I’m supplementing my daily “workout” (aka my job) with classes, I’ve noticed that my stamina has increased and so has my strength. I’ve literally had jaw drop moments at work when I’m lifting material I never could before!
What kept you motivated?
What kept me motivated throughout my challenge was that I wanted to surpass expectations, not only my own, but of those I work with. It’s hard being the only female labourer on a job site and with that comes people’s assumptions on what you can and cannot do. Everyday I have to work ten times harder than everyone just to receive a modicum of respect and that can be exhausting. Having the HERS team supporting you, and the incredible community of women that comes with it, allowed me to push through plateaus, find my stride and exceed expectations. It’s hard not to be motivated when working out next to all of these incredible women who raise you up and encourage you to keep going! Also, hearing from my colleagues that I’m killing it at work and seeing the direct results from this challenge is the perfect motivator to keep pushing forward.
How did the challenge impact your life?
This challenge came along at the exact perfect moment. I was definitely struggling mentally and physically. Work was becoming increasingly difficult, I wasn’t eating properly, I wasn’t motivated to move my body in ways that brought me joy and that put me in a funk. I felt like something was missing and I couldn’t figure it out. The second I started this challenge everything changed. I had something to look forward to and I was able to create a routine that gave me comfort and structure. I found an activity that energized me instead of sapping my energy. Also, it is such a great outlet to take out your stress and frustration. I might walk into class with a thundercloud over my head, but when I leave it’s only clear skies.
What would be your advice to new members starting the challenge?
Be patient with yourself, but also persistent. Healthy habits don’t instantly form overnight. It takes trial and error, but once you find your groove you’ll become unstoppable. Also, utilize the incredible HERS community. These women have such incredible advice and perspectives and are such a wonderful resource. If you’re going through a rough patch trying to find your stride, I can guarantee that someone has been in your exact position and can support you through it.
What do you love most about Hers Kickboxing?
I love that I have the ability to still do something that I’m passionate about (martial arts), but in a modified way. I love that I still get the benefits of kickboxing without the worry that I’m going to be injured the next day. Also, working out exclusively with women was such a breath of fresh air. I didn’t realize how much I would appreciate it. After working alongside only men all day, coming into a room filled with women instantly puts me at ease and allows me to focus on my goals.
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