Beach Babe Interview: Winner of the Spring Challenge 2011 - Kate Bear

Hi everyone! Welcome to the first of what will hopefully be many interviews conducted with what I think are some of the most influential members of our Tone It Up Team. 

I've been fortunate enough to make fantastic friends with amazing women through Tone It Up and I hope through these interviews I can pass on some of the ways they've inspired me on to you - my readers! 

Today's interview is with Kate Bear. Kate was the winner of the Spring Into Bikini Series Challenge in 2011 and her prize was a trip to California to live the Tone It Up life! 

In this interview Kate talks to us about everything from her trip to Cali to her beauty regime to the now infamous BMoreToned group! Check it out! 

Kate with Karena and Katrina

- Hey Kate! Thanks so much for doing this, how did you first find Tone It Up and when?

I actually kind of stumbled on Tone It Up when I was doing research for one of my clients. At the time, I worked for an agency who had a few athletic apparel clients. Being in charge of one such company’s social media presence, I was constantly looking for something fun and fit to share with their audience. One day, a friend of mine who loves working out shared a Tone It Up workout and I immediately fell in love. Katrina and Karena’s upbeat, fun attitudes. The awesome workout moves. The delicious sounding recipes. The more I explored their website from this one little workout I was passed, the more I knew I was going to love Tone It Up! That was probably around March of 2011 and I’ve been a TIU girl ever since. J

Kate recently on Valentines Day

- Had you been on a fitness journey before then or did finding Tone It Up motivate you?

That’s tricky. I was…but it was a failing one. Basically, I thought I was doing ok but I knew deep down that I really wasn’t. I needed TIU. They were the kick in the butt I needed to really get myself going on the journey I’m on now toward a healthier, more toned me. J

Kate and some of BMore Toned after running a 5k

- How did you find out you'd won the Bikini Challenge and what was the very first thing you did (besides jumping up and down and screaming!)?

I was, of course, waiting with bated breath once they announced the date they were picking the winner. To be honest, I was up against such amazing women, I really didn’t think I stood a chance. Unfortunately, it was actually an extremely busy work day for me so I was tied to projects most of the day. I didn’t get a ton of time to chat with the team online but I get some TIU updates right to my phone and once I started seeing the “Congratulations to the winner!” messages, I threw down everything and watched the announcement video. I was speechless. The jumping up and down and screaming part came much later when it hit me a little harder. Hahaha I immediately told my coworker Annie (who I had just convinced to join the TIU team) and we had a little freak out in the office. I called my boyfriend. I called my mom. I called my best friend, Emma (who ended up going to California with me). I felt so lucky. So blessed. So proud of what I’d done for myself. It was honestly one of the most exciting and indescribable feelings I’ve ever had. J

(and yes, apparently I’m going to end all of these answers with a happy face hahaha) 

- Was it the most awesome thing ever to go to California? (I'm so jealous!)

Yes. There are no other words but YES. J

Beautiful Kate in a beautiful outfit!

- What was the best part about your trip?

Seriously? Is this really a question? How in the world do you expect me to answer this? Haha We did SO MUCH…there’s really no way to break it down to the “best” part. But if you’re going to force me, I’d probably have to say working out with Karena and Katrina. We see them every week in videos and photos and updates and you feel like you get to know them. But you really don’t get to enjoy that back and forth. Not only did I get to hang out with them for a few days, we got to workout with them one on one. We did some cool stuff while we were in California, but that was definitely the coolest. J

Kate and her friend Emma with Karena and Katrina after a workout

- Is Karena as tall in person as she looks online hehe?

Hahaha actually yes. She’s an Amazon-like beauty. Karena and Katrina both are even more beautiful than they are online. Seriously. But the cool thing about them is that, even though they’re models and ridiculously pretty, they’re HEALTHY pretty. They aren’t bone thin. They are fit and toned and healthy. (And tall…well, at least Karena). J

- What's your favorite TIU workout and why?

The ladies have come up with a ton of great new workouts but I think my favorites will always be the Itty Bitty Bikini and the Bikini Strap workouts. They are two of the first workouts I got when I was in the Bikini Challenge and they’ve just stuck with me. The moves are solid and really work you (me) where you (I) need it. Plus, I love them (and pretty much all of the TIU workouts) because they’re quick. Like most of the girls on the team, I work. And over the past year, I’ve really upped my work load and responsibilities causing me to work even more. AKA much less time left to workout and stay fit. Having these short workouts really helps me stay on the ball. If I have time, I’ll do cardio and a few rounds of 1-3 of their routines. BUT If I don’t have time, I know I can still fit in at least 1-2 sets of one workout. I really strive to stay active every day and these workouts help me do that. J

How can you not love her?

- What's your go-to cardio machine at the gym? Why?

Hmm…none. Wait, I guess I can’t say that. Here’s the thing…I’ve never tried to make it a secret but I honestly hate cardio. Hahaha I always have. (although don’t tell anyone, but TIU is starting to change that…what? Who said that?)

I guess if I had to choose it would be the treadmill. But not because I like it. Hahaha Here’s another reason I love the TIU girls – they’ve helped me overcome my fear/hatred (well maybe not completely over the hatred) of the treadmill. With their HIIT workouts, I don’t get as bored on the machine, which a lot of times is my main issue. I like to switch it up if I’m on there – HIIT, run/walk/shuffle step, etc. It makes it less tedious and helps me feel like my cardio is done faster (and most of the time I burn more calories!).

Looking gorgeous in Hawaii!

- Tell us about BMore Toned!

Well, BMOREtoned is our little local group of Tone It Up ladies. It started out small. Sarah (@i_will_overcome) and Jami (@jamijoytiu) realized they were in the same area…then I realized we were so close. Then I brought my coworker Annie (@annietruax) then we gained Caitlin (@cait58TIU) then Lauren (@BmoreLC), Molly (@mbakes2123), Brittany (@beermeamartini) and Mary (@aznstarlette). To be honest, I’m not sure what the order was of everyone joining but it doesn’t matter. It feels like I’ve known these girls forever and I wouldn’t have it any other way.  They really have become some of my best friends and inspirations. We work out at least once a week together on Friday mornings and sometimes more than that, depending on schedules. And what’s cooler is that, over time, we’ve evolved our workout format. We used to just get together and say “ok…so what should we do?” Hahaha Funny, right? Most recently, we choose one or two girls to develop a workout for the week and we go with that. That way we don’t blabber away and we work hard to get our sweat on. J BUT, because we need to blabber away, we get together at non-workout times and hang out. We have holiday and seasonal dinners. It’s really fun. Like knowing everyone on the TIU team, it’s really been a blessing in my life to get to know and become friends with these 

girls. J

Kate with the BMore Toned crew!

- Do you have a favourite group exercise class?

Yes! I love love LOVE CXWORX. This is a core class created by Les Mills and put on at my local gym, Merritt Athletic Club. It’s a 30 minute core class that really rocks your socks off. They really strive to reinforce the fact that YOUR CORE IS NOT JUST YOUR ABS. Of course you work your abs, but you work so much more – your back, your legs, your chest, your arms, etc. It’s a really great (and again, quick) class! J

- We know that TIU are about living a healthy lifestyle as well as working out and eating right. So you've got to look good too! What's your beauty must have?

Lotion. I’m all about skin. That being said, I have scars and acne and run into things all the time and I by no means have beautiful, flawless skin. Hahaha BUT, I do know it is important. I love St. Ives Collagen Elastin for my body. It has this amazing fresh smell like fresh cut grass or some sort of herbal remedy. It’s really soothing in the morning. I also have this Ponds rejuvenating lotion that I use under my eyes and on my face and neck every day. It’s definitely a beauty must have for me. J

- You always look so smiley and glowy! Tell us one of your beauty secrets!

Awww! First of all, thanks! I really appreciate that. I’ve always loved that quote from Audrey Hepburn “I believe that happy girls are the prettiest.” Smile. Smile a lot. It really doesn’t hurt. And it makes your (and often everyone else’s day) at least a little better. J (ßsometimes I do too much, as you can tell my incessant smiley faces)

- What are your favorite songs to workout too?

Oooh that’s a good one. Although there’s often a new song that comes out every month or so that I add, I have a pretty standard list. My current top faves are:

Jay Z – On to the next one

Foster the People – Call it what you want

Rihanna – S&M

Girl Talk – Oh no/Get it get it (most things Girl Talk)

Lady Gaga – Born this way

And, a new favorite, MSTERKRFT – Bounce

The Beautiful Kate

- Anyone who follows you on Twitter will know that you love Pin Ups - what do you love about them?

I find them beautiful and inspiring. I’m not sure what drew me to them in the first place but I just adore them. They’re playful and sexy but powerful in their own way. Plus I think the other reason I’m so drawn to them is because I LOVE the retro style. ADORE it to be honest. Sometimes I can find cute things in today’s fashion world but there are just so many amazing shapes and colors and styles we’ve abandoned that I see on pinups. And the hairstyles…don’t even get me started. J  

- Do you have any favourite websites or blogs (besides Tone It Up) that you visit to get some inspiration/motivation/or just for fun!

Oh definitely. There are SO many amazingly inspiring women out there online – it’s hard to not find inspiration/motivation! A few of my favorites are Eating Bird Food, MizFit Online, Peanut Butter Fingers, to name a few. But, I’m definitely loving the teams behind our women’s fitness magazine’s social teams. They really are stepping up their game and providing engaging conversation and healthy tips. Women’s Health, Fitness, Women’s Running, Health, FitSugar, etc. They are always on top of it. J 

- What are some of your favourite healthy recipes?

Hmm…there are ton! It’s hard to pick favorites. Recently, I was introduced to this amazing salad by BMOREtoned friend Molly and I seriously make it for everything. It’s amazingly delicious and healthy. I also love stuffed peppers. They are so tasty and you can pack them with whatever! I think my favorite combo has been peppers stuffed with turkey, fresh corn, onions, and a little low fat cheese. SO good. (I’ll let you in on a little Kate secret – the key to a delicious stuffed pepper is mixing in an egg white into your stuffing mix. It helps keep everything together and makes it a little fluffier when you’re done). J

Kate loves the glamour of Pin Up Girls - I can relate!! 

- To someone just joining Tone It Up or starting the New Year off with health goals - what would you say to them? What advice would you give?

Get involved with the team. They are your BEST asset, tool, inspiration, motivation, friend, sister, etc. in your journey. No matter what kind of day you’re having, they are there for you. If you just need to say you feel flubbery (we all feel that way), talk to them. If you need to get it off your chest that you hate how work has kept you all week and you just need a cookie to forget about the stress, talk to them. Despite being some 50,000 strong, we are a close knit group. J

Also, set an alarm for your booty call workout. The early morning is daunting, I know. But do it. It will be the best thing you ever do for yourself. Start slow – do a quick workout for 1-2 sets. It really only takes about 10-15 minutes. Then add on another set. Then try a longer workout. And so on. You’ll gradually build up you “morning person”-ness and it will come naturally. Those extra minutes mean more than you could ever imagine. J

- Anything else you want to say?

As always, thanks again to this team. You really have been one of the greatest, if not THE greatest (sorry, Tom – love you J ) thing in my life and I cannot ever stop thanking you for helping me start and continue this journey to a better me. <3 

I LOVE this picture hehe!

Thank you so much Kate!! If it's possible we love you even more now!! Thank you on behalf of all of the Tone It Up Team for being such a huge inspiration! Sending big hugs from Camp Beach Babe!

You can contact Kate on her Twitter page - @KateKateBear

Who else would you like to see interviewed? Email me with your suggestions as well as question suggestions! This is going to be a regular thing from here on out :)