AGE:  30 (both)

PROFESSION:  Max (Wine distributor), Felicia (Wedding photographer, www.feliciaperryphotography.com)

FELICIA

BACKGROUND:  Growing up in the LA area, I have always relied on my genes and healthy eating habits to look healthy.  Even though I didn’t play any sports nor seriously work out at a gym, my body image was never an issue for me until…I woke up on my 30th birthday and realized my stomach was hanging over my jeans.  Years had snuck by me and my weight had crept on me one pound at a time, and now I felt mushy and out of shape.  That’s when I took control and joined Sonki Fitness.  When I started Sonki Fitness in January of this year (two weeks after my 30th birthday), I weighed 138 lbs and was at 28% body fat.  Six months later, I have lost 17 lbs and 6% body fat.  What’s so cool is that I see muscle tone that I have never seen in my life, feel much stronger, more coordinated, athletic, healthy, and am rarely stressed (which is my biggest achievement).  This is going to sound ridiculous, but I look at myself in the mirror constantly because I can’t believe that’s my body I am looking at.  I finally look and feel the way I have always wanted to!

What is your current exercise routine?  I do Sonki Fitness 3 days a week; if I’m feeling adventurous I’ll double-up and do two a day. I also try to squeeze in extra activities on my off days like cardio at the gym, walks, hikes, whatever I can squeeze in. Sometimes I get a lot of extra activities in and sometimes I just do Sonki Fitness.

What is your motivation to stay in shape?  I have never in my life felt and looked this good, and therefore want to continue to feel this way.

What is your greatest challenge to staying in shape?  Dining out. My husband and I are total foodies so it is a bit difficult to eat healthy while dining out (or staying in getting carried away with cooking rich recipes).

What is your key to success?  Committing to go to every class, pushing myself harder each class (which makes me feel great when class is done and even better when I see the results), & healthy eating.

It’s also extremely helpful if you have a partner to join with as you tend to be more accountable and keep each other in check.  My husband and I joined together and it’s been really fun having something to achieve together and someone to compete with too. 🙂

How long have you been doing Sonki Fitness Boot Camp?  Six months.

What do you like about Sonki Fitness Boot Camp and how has it affected your life?  I love the group environment, the diversity of exercises, the positive reinforcement, and the location (close to home and outdoors).  Sonki Fitness has made working out fun and rewarding in so many ways:  I eat healthier, I feel great, I spend more time outdoors, I’m more energized, I’m less stressed than I have ever been in my life, I have a better attitude in general, I look better than I have ever looked in my life and I have made new friends too.

What advice would you give to others about fitness?  Committing to a fun exercise routine and seeing the results in so many facets of your life is a really great feeling, but I feel strongly that you have to fully commit yourself if you want to see major results. I started noticing really big results, physically and mentally, when I followed through with each and every exercise (didn’t cheat or rest), was more active on my off days (walking, running, taking stairs, whatever) and followed a better diet. I ALWAYS have breakfast and continue to eat small, well balanced meals throughout the day.

Any other comments?  Sonki Fitness instructor Katie is awesome! She is fun, motivating, inspirational, supportive and positive and has totally changed my attitude toward fitness and overall wellbeing.

MAX

BACKGROUND:  I started with Sonki Fitness at the beginning of the year.  I was feeling really out of shape and unmotivated.  My wife and I promised each other to change our patterns on eating, working out, and staying healthy.  Personally, I have lost between 10 to 12 lbs and feel great.  I am stronger and I look better than before.  She and I canʼt rave enough about how great Sonki Fitness has been for us both!

What is your current exercise routine?  As far as my current exercise routine, I mainly do just Sonki Fitness Boot Camp during the week.  On weekends, my wife and I go on an occasional hike or kayak in the Marina.  We go on walks around the neighborhood in the evenings at times.

What is your motivation to stay in shape?  To keep motivated, I feel that having a positive partner is the most important.  To be honest, I may not have kept up with working out if it werenʼt for my wife.  Also, Sonki Fitness trainer Katie is great.  She is a big reason for my attendance at boot camp.

What is your greatest challenge to staying in shape?  Because I sell wine, I drink a lot of wine!  Staying in shape is really important after trying so many different types of wine all week.  Iʼm sure my liver isnʼt too happy with me either!

What is your key to success?  Even though I give a great deal of credit to Katie and my wife, I have to pat myself on the back.  I am proud of myself for staying focused, trying to beat my personal fitness assessments, going stronger on the resistance bands (no more green for me!), and staying positive.

How long have you been doing Sonki Fitness Boot Camp?  This is my fifth 5-week session in a row, starting in January.

What do you like about Sonki Fitness Boot Camp and how has it affected your life?  Sonki Fitness has brought a new avenue to my life.  My co-workers are getting motivated.  My family is proud. My relationship with my wife has improved.  Plus, we have met some really cool people during the process.

What advice would you give to others about fitness?  I donʼt like to advise people about fitness.  I feel that itʼs a personal goal in life.  You have to want to get healthy.  You have to want to look better and change your habits.  I felt worse when everyone else was getting in shape until I finally had to kick my own butt into gear!  Hereʼs my advice:  Do it yourself.

Any other comments?  Thank you all so much for providing such a positive environment that keeps me excited and motivated.  You guys rock!!