 |
| The Beautiful Grace |
Hey Grace! How was it that you first found Tone It Up and when?
I've seen TIU videos on youtube for a while but didn't really become serious about workouts and nutrition until early March 2011 when I "woke up" and decided it was time for a change
Had you been working on your fitness before? Did Tone It Up first inspire you to get going or give you that extra kick you needed?
Definitely inspired me to get going. My daughter was about 18 months old at that time and from when I hit my 25th birthday (I'll be 33 this year), my weight has steadily creeped up. I of course gained weight during pregnancy then I lost a lot of it due to breast feeding but gained more weight again (so I couldn't really blame my daughter for my heaviest weight) since we were constantly eating out or eating processed foods. I was also not into exercise at that time. I can even remember that I would huff and puff on our stroller walks whenever we had to walk uphill (even a smaller slope). Needless to say, Tone It Up has changed not just my view on health and fitness but our whole family's.
What's your favourite Tone It Up workout and why?
An oldie but goodie: TIU best body bikini bootcamp! it tones every part of the body and utilizes one of my favorite fitness equipments which is the exercise ball. Come to think of it, I haven't done this workout in a while so you've reminded me that I need to do it more often! :) I also love Karena's summer arm workout since that is my secret (well, not so secret any more) obsession: to have really toned arms and shoulders.
 |
| One Hot TIU MILF! |
Do you have a favourite group fitness class?
When I still went to to the Y, my absolute fave class was Body Pump. I just felt so much stronger after each class. I also loved going to Barre workouts which I will be starting again soon hopefully.
Do you have a go-to cardio machine at the gym? What is it and why?
I don't have a gym membership at the moment since we are lucky enough to have a treadmill and elliptical at home which we consider our home gym. Since I love to run, you can say the treadmill is my most used cardio equipment. I also liked the stair master (when I still went to the Y) because it was pretty effective in getting my heart up quickly and also toned the the glutes as well as hamstrings and quads.
What's on Your Workout Playlist right now?
I've got a good mix of pop, alternative and some hip hop songs for my workout playlist but one of my newest faves at the moment is Gym Class Heroes - The Fighter. I also like tuning to Pandora's pop fitness or dance cardio stations.
 |
| Tone It Up! |
You've recently run a half marathon! Congratulations! How did you prepare yourself?
Thank you! I actually completed 2 back to back half marathons within 2 months of each other which I never thought or imagined I could do! For my first half marathon which was March this year, I allotted about 12-14 weeks of training with 3-4 runs a week: one for speed, one on hills (I did the Atlanta half which is a hilly course) and a long run along with an optional easier paced run when I can get it in. I made sure to cross train in between runs too to prevent from injuries. I didn't train as much for my second half but I guess I was still conditioned from running that first half so it all worked out.
You're featured on the Tone It Up Diet Plan Website as a Success Story! How did you feel when you saw that?
Amazing, flattered, and to be honest a little nervous too. I know so many women who are also inspiring and motivating that are on the team and being featured was just an honor. Hopefully I've inspired at least one person who has read my story :)
Your daughter is beautiful! How are you going to pass on your healthy lifestyle to her?
Aww, thanks! she definitely is the apple of our eyes. It's funny you mention her because she was a huge part of why we turned to Tone It Up. She was getting to the point of eating solid foods regularly and loves to sneak bites from our plates so from that point on, I wanted to be a good role model for her. To this day, she eats pretty well for a toddler: she likes salads, a variety of fruits and she's also been exposed to things like almond milk, quinoa, hummus (which she devours!) etc. She also likes to do walks with me or we run with our jogging stroller and she watches me do TIU workouts (which she follows at times). I'm hoping she continues to eat healthy and lead an active lifestyle as she grows up and eventually when she is on her own.
 |
| Grace after her first Half! |
Living the Tone It Up Lifestyle, like we do, is about more than just working out and eating right. Tell us one of your beauty secret?
I think moisturizing is very important for skin care- Coconut butter or oil works really well. And being the beach babes that we are, I think wearing sunscreen is very important to protect from sun damage.
What is your beauty must have?
Lip balm, most specifically Burt's bees. I never go anywhere without carrying one. I actually have multiples (one in my car, one in my purse and at home).
Are there any blogs or websites you look at (besides Tone It Up of course!) to find inspiration / new workouts to get you that little bit more motivated?
I like blogilates.com for her Pilates inspired workouts and runnersworld.com for everything running-related. Pinterest is also a major go-to for inspiration and motivation.
 |
| Holy Abs! |
What are some of your favourite healthy recipes?
Besides the TIU protein pancakes? ;) There are so many! but one of my favorite ingredients is quinoa so I like anything quinoa-inspired like quinoa fried rice. I also like stir-frys so the chicken stir fry from the plan is perfect as it is quick and easy
What are your favourite activities to keep you active outdoors?
We've established the running/walking part but I also like to bike and go hiking from time to time. I'd really love to try stand up paddle boarding- hopefully soon!
Do you have any goals for the next few months or for 2012 in general?
To maintain a healthy and active lifestyle and help my husband reach his fitness goals. I'd also love to do a fun run with the whole family :)
To someone deciding whether to join our Tone It Up Team, what would you tell them?
It will be one of the best decisions you'll ever make! This team has been such a huge part of my success (as I'm sure is the same with everyone's) since it is made up of such inspiring, supportive and motivational women!
Randoms; Just For Fun!
Favourite Fitness Related Quote? We are what we repeatedly do. excellence then is not an act, but a habit
Favourite Colour? Baby blue
Favourite Pair of Shoes you own? Just a pair?! that is tough lol. But I would say I'm a sandals kind of girl so my fave would be this light blue wedges from Michael Kors.
Best Place You've Ever Visited? For the people and diversity: London. For the food: Paris. Most picturesque: Victoria, B.C
Happiest Memory? Giving birth to our daughter.
Anything Else You'd Like to Say?
I just wanted to say thanks again to K&K and all the wonderful women in the tone it up family. You alll have been so inspiring and supportive throughout this whole journey and we all know how important a good support system is for success! My hats off to you ladies!!!!
You can follow Grace on Twitter - @MomToCutiePia
You can check out her website at www.mominmoderation.com
Be sure to check out the other interviews on my blog and tell me who you would like to see next!
- Kate Bear
- Liz Trewhitt-Schultz
- Frances Murphy
Oh Grace's quinoa fried rice <3 One of my fav recipe to make. This tastes so awesomely good :) I'll have to make it again soon :D
ReplyDelete