NAME:  Natalie and Lisa Roach (sisters)

AGE:  Natalie (28), Lisa (27)

PROFESSION:  Natalie (registered nurse), Lisa (elementary school teacher)

LISA

BACKGROUND:  I lived an unhealthy lifestyle prior to joining Sonki Fitness Boot Camp – 20 pounds heavier, a smoker, poor diet, and no exercise regimen.  I’ve always had issues with my body and never really understood that to maintain a healthy weight you simply had to exercise regularly and eat smart.  In the past, whenever I wanted to lose weight I would drastically cut calories (i.e. starve myself) in order to drop excess pounds and then eat just one meal a day to keep it off.  Of course this strategy always backfired whenever I would eat normally again as I gained all the weight back plus more!  This type of dieting always made me miserable and sucked all the energy out of me.  It was not until I joined Sonki Fitness that I realized how foolish my previous dieting strategies were.  I never knew that you can enjoy food and STILL lose weight!

My sister was the one who got me to join Sonki Fitness.  At first, I was hesitant to enroll because of my insecurities about my weight and my worries of not being able to keep up, yet she eventually convinced me to join.  On that first day of boot camp, I remember huffing and puffing running one lap around the track and realizing how out of shape I was.  That day, I decided to stop smoking for good and haven’t smoked since.  Since starting Sonki Fitness, I’ve seen dramatic results (losing 20 pounds, quitting smoking, getting faster and stronger overall) and am so much happier and healthier.  I plan on taking this class as long as I possibly can.  I love it!

What is your current exercise routine?  I attend Sonki Fitness Boot Camp on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays I try to walk, run, or do the Santa Monica stairs.  On weekends, I try to fit in a hike whenever I can.

What is your motivation to stay in shape?  My main motivation is to never get back to my unhealthy state (20 pounds heavier, smoker, etc.) before I began Sonki Fitness.  When I think about how miserable I was then, I quickly quash any thoughts to miss a workout or eat poorly.  I really want to live a long, healthy life.

What is your greatest challenge to staying in shape?  I think my greatest challenge is not letting outside factors get in the way of my workouts.  In order to overcome this, I constantly remind myself that my health is a top priority and something I must make time for at any cost.  Also, I try to focus on that great feeling I will get after a workout.

How long have you been doing Sonki Fitness Boot Camp?  I have been doing Sonki Fitness Boot Camp continually since September 2007 and will continue taking this class for as long as I possibly can!

What do you like about Sonki Fitness Boot Camp and how has it affected your life?  This class has completely changed my life!  I am so glad that I made the decision to join because it truly has changed every aspect of my life.  Most of all, I am so much happier since I have started working out on a regular basis.  I really do feel stronger, faster and leaner!

What advice would you give to others about fitness?  My advice for others is to just do it.  Find a program or activity you enjoy and commit yourself to it.  Also, it’s helpful to have a workout partner.  My sister is my workout partner and roommate, so whenever I want to skip a class or slack off I have to answer to her and vice versa!

Any other comments?  Thank you Sonki and all the other trainers for being such great teachers!  You guys are so motivational and kind.  Also, I wanted to say thanks to my sister for persuading me to take this class and always being there to push me and encourage me.

NATALIE

BACKGROUND:  Prior to starting Sonki Fitness Boot Camp, I never really enjoyed working out and therefore didn’t exercise regularly, avoiding it whenever convenient.  Because of my work as a night shift nurse, I was always too tired to work out.  The first day I started Boot Camp, I felt weak and completely out of shape.  When Sonki told us run two laps, I remember thinking that the last time I ran a lap was in 8th grade!  I have come a long way since that first day.  My body is stronger, and I have more energy than I’ve ever had before.  Overall I just feel so much more efficient.

What is your current exercise routine?  I currently attend the 8:30am Santa Monica class 3 times a week and have been trying to increase that to 4 times a week.  I also do a hike or stair workout on the days that I don’t work out with Sonki.  Lately, I’ve been trying to incorporate a yoga video into my regimen to further improve my flexibility.

What is your motivation to stay in shape?  I want to live a long, healthy life and feel great while I am living it!  Also, the changes I see and feel in my body as a result of exercise continue to motivate me to stick with it.

What is your greatest challenge to staying in shape?  I am a nurse working night shifts, so I attend Boot Camp right after work.  Sometimes after a busy 12-hour shift, all I want to do is get in my bed.  Yet I remind myself that when I am finished with the class, not only will I not regret it but also sleep better as well.  The 8:30am class really works for me because it is the only time I know I have nothing going on.

What is your key to success?  I keep reminding myself that I have made a commitment to exercise for life and that it is important to me.

How long have you been doing Sonki Fitness Boot Camp?  I’ve been attending continually since last June, right before my birthday.

What do you like about Sonki Fitness Boot Camp and how has it affected your life?  I really enjoy the program because it is fun, always different, and always challenging!  In fact, I actually look forward to exercising now and the way I feel afterward.  I also enjoy meeting and getting to know so many great people in class.  Sonki’s Boot Camp has made a significant difference in my life in a way that I never thought possible.  It really is the best thing I have ever done for myself besides going to nursing school.  I am not only stronger physically but also mentally as well.  Sonki has really helped me develop that “just get it done, no excuses” mentality.  I have achieved goals that I never thought possible, and I now have new goals that I am working on.

What advice would you give to others about fitness?  Find something you enjoy and just do it!  It is also great to have a workout buddy.  I am so lucky because I have my wonderful sister to participate with me in all my endeavors!