Instagram Fit List

It's Motivation Monday and what better way to get motivated than update your Instagram list with these INCREDIBLE motivators!

I've rounded up my latest (and all time) favourite fitness bloggers/social media moguls and put them all in one post ;) Click the links throughout the post to be directed to the respective Instagram profile!

Do you follow these guys? Have I missed any of your favourites? Comment below!

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Georgia Loves: A Bikini A Day!

If you haven't heard of A Bikini A Day, you are in for a treat! If you're anything like me you have a love for Bikini's and EVERYTHING they represent! Sun, fun and sexiness! This is something A Bikini A Day (ABAD) personifies. Run by best friends, Tash Oakley and Devin Brugman (click their names for their respective Instagram profiles) ABAD does exactly what it does - the girls source a Bikini they think their viewers will love and post it. This is fab, but for me ABAD does so much more than this! Read below for more!

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Finding Your Motivation

It's no secret that motivation is so important. It's what gets you up in the morning and what gets you through that gruelling workout. Without motivation, as I'm sure you've experienced(!), it can be easy for your drive to ground to a halt.

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Fitspiration Friday! Interview with Elle HairTwoHeels!

I. Am. So. Excited!!!!!!

As you may know, Elle HairTwoHeels is my partner for this year's Tone It Up Bikini Series. I'm super lucky and SUPER blessed because Elle was one of the incredible, awe-inspiring winners from last year's challenge!

I jumped at the chance to interview her for you guys!

I am the blue text and Elle is in grey!

How gorgeous is my partner?

Hey Elle! Thanks so much for doing this! Tell us, how was it that you first found Tone It Up and when?

I found Tone it Up totally randomly. I was watching YouTube videos to get ideas of what to film for my channel and someone I was watching mentioned that she had done one of their online workouts. I clicked on the link to check it out and fell in love. I had already been looking for a fitness/nutrition program, and ended up losing HOURS watching all of their videos. Their fitness videos, their vlog videos. I felt like K&K were the type of people I would get  along with on a friendship level. The way they acted with each other was the same way my best friends and I act, and I just completely fell in love with the whole lifestyle. This happened to be the same week that the Drop10 challenge had started last year so I joined that challenge then became a member and entered the bikini challenge. I had yo-yo dieted/weighed for YEARS and was thrilled to find a lifestyle that was manageable, fun & yielding lasting results. 

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?

I grew up as a dancer, so living an active lifestyle was something I grew up with. Along with high school pressure/ dance pressure, became a pressure internally for me to look a certain way, act a certain way and be a certain persnon that was not authentically me. In university my best friend and I joined a gym and I regularly worked out, but since I didn't know how to manage my nutrition, the results were successful at times, and unsuccessful at other times. I also discovered in 2010 that I had a wheat, sugar, dairy & soy intolerance and  so I was looking for a nutrition plan that would help me reach my goal weight, be easy to maintain longterm, and catered to my food intolerances as well.   

What's your favourite Tone It Up workout and why?

I LOVED the abs routine of the Love Your Body series. I love working my abdominals and so it's hard for me to find an ab workout that will make me sore the next day, but this one did the trick. I also love the Malibooty workout because it's one I can do without worrying about my ankle injury. I also have a love/hate relationship with Tummy Tucks.

Do you have a favourite group fitness class?

I love Zumba classes because of my dance background. I also loved Body Pump when they had it at my own gym. I enjoyed any of the weightlifting classes at my gym but with my ankle needing surgery, I can't do any of the classes right now (restricted from doing lunges, or any ankle impact activities.)

Elle regularly checks in on Instagram - follow her at HairTwoHeels

=0 WE HAVE TO DO ZUMBA TOGETHER ONE DAY! You’re currently suffering with an ankle injury, what are your favourite cardio workouts to work around it?

At first I felt VERY limited cardio-wise with my ankle injury. I also felt very limited in any lower body strengthening exercises because I wasn't allowed to weight-bare on the ankle nor do any impact activities. Even the elliptical was off limits. There is a machine at my fiancé's gym where you basically sit down and use these arm pedals to make a circle motion with your arms. Picture a bike motion but the peddles being in your hands.....I felt like a TWIT using it and I found it disrupted my breathing more than gave me a workout. I pretty much exclusively do the stationary bike for cardio. I'm pricing out used street bikes now that the weather is nicer in Canada. Sometimes I will use the arc trainer but I find I can only do 20 mins of that before it agitates my ankle. I've found the best calorie burn on the bike is when I alter any HIIT workout. I will either stand for the "high intensity" parts, or I will just peddle as fast as I can for them. I can usually burn over 500 calories in 40 mins on the bike if I push myself.

That's so inspiring! What's on Your Workout Playlist right now?

When it comes to working out, I listen to very different music than my normal taste. Normally I'm an old school folk, motown or soul lover, but when working out I like upbeat stuff. Right now my playlist consists of Light's newest album Siberia, the Inner Ninja song, and a lot of Girl Talk. Girl Talk is a band that takes popular top40 type stuff with old school rap/hip-hop and mixes it into dance music. the pace is PERFECT for when I used to run, but now just keeps me pumped up while I'm working out. I highly suggest Girl Talk and Lights!!! I also like a lot of Maroon 5 stuff for working out.

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 secrets! (Seeing as you're my personal Beauty Guru!)

This is one of my favouite things about the Tone It Up community. I said it while I was in California and I find myself saying it a lot: Tone it Up is MORE than just a workout....it'll change more than just your waistline. I have made some amazing lifelong friends like you and so many others. I have found a community of friends who I feel REALLY close and connected to. Practically none of my real-life friends are into fitness/nutrition so I LOVE having this communities support! My favourite beauty secret right now is for bad under eye circles. I recently found a GREAT combo: use Benefit's Erase Paste then set it with Bare Minerals powder concealer. The powder concealer gives it some extra coverage while setting the cream concealer leaving a flawless look that still looks VERY natural! I have TONS of beauty secrets, so if you'd like more, go subscribe to my channel! 

If you can narrow it down (hehe!), what is your beauty must have?

Yes. haha I like ANYTHING beauty/fashion related and for me it changes often because I like trying new products as well as finding "Holy Grail" products that work the best. I think I always am seeking a beauty regime which will consist of ONLY Holy Grail products eventually, so while I'm finding them all, I'm reviewing and sharing all my knowledge on my channel. In terms of broad beauty must have's I'd say the basics are a great hair conditioning treatment, a great mascara and a great skin product. The rest are all pretty much interchangeable for me. 

Elle has a YouTube channel full of tutorials, fitness related fun and vlogs! 

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?

To be honest, not really. I watch Blogilates sometimes, but found her not too long ago and so I can't do a lot of her workouts with my ankle yet. I like Sarah from DietSarah and had the amazing opportunity to meet her in person as well. I like watching her videos to learn diet/nutrition tips. When it comes to what I work out to though, it's pretty much exclusively Tone It Up. WAIT! ok....I also have this KILLER abs workout which is a Denise Austin VHS from the 80's that I had converted into DVD. The outfit is AWFUL, so is the music and she's of the old school "super hyper" instructor type, but it's a great workout so I do it often anyway. I also have the Brazilian Butt DVD workouts. I find him SUPER annoying to listen to, and there is WAY too much ads on the DVD, but his floor work is VERY challenging and something I can do with my ankle injury so I do that about 3-4 times a week too. 

I'm so jealous that you met Sarah Dussault! I LOVE her! Nutrition is obviously super impoerant too! What are some of your favourite healthy recipes?

Other than protein pancakes (which are obviously the best) I love making any fruit smoothie with almond milk. In terms of actual cooked meals I am a brussel sprout FANATIC as well as a shrimp lover.

Do you have a favourite activity to keep you active outdoors?

I was an avid outdoor runner before my injury. My fiance Dan and I are also big outdoorsy people. When weather permits, we go for 1-2 hour hikes with our dog Rosco every weekend. I like canoeing and camping a lot as well and do it most weekends of the summer. I was never a cyclist, but have started because of my injury so that's a new outdoor love of mine. My fiance plays ultimate frisbee and although I've never played a full game, I REALLy enjoy the sport too.

Elle and Rosco! 

You went to Cali as a bikini series winner last year!!! What did you do when you found out that you’d won?

I literally couldn't form a sentence for 24 hours. I immediately went to my friend's house and we checked the site together because I had been stalking my computer for hours waiting for results but then had to run an errand which took me away from my computer. As I finished my errand, I saw that my twitter had blown up with congrats and so I knew I had won something, but I wasn't sure which prize (and I didn't want to get my hopes up). So I called my best friend and we looked it up together. I literally was in SOOO much shock I was shaking. I filmed a video about 30 seconds after finding out (with NOOO makeup on and making little sense) but it captures my shock for sure: 

AS A SIDE: this is a video I shot BEFORE I found out that I won last year, and I think it's important for people to watch considering the 2013 Bikini Series is underway. It helps put our goals in perspective and may help some people stay focussed on the REAL prize:  (I completely agree btw!)

Was it the absolute best girls trip ever?

I literally cannot put into words a) how much winning meant to me b) how amazing the trip was and c) how incredible meeting K&K as well as Holli, Sophie & Laura was. Becoming a Tone it Up girl has changed my whole life, but the trip was so profoundly amazing that whenever I try to describe it or give thanks I always fall short of appropriate words. 

What’s your favourite memory from the trip?

My absolute favourite memory was when the girls and I went out for dinner one night. It was no cameras, no schedule just a bunch of amazing and inspirational women talking about life and self-growth and it's then that I felt the most connected to everyone (including K&K). It was some great conversation and a really memorable time for me. 

The Bikini Series 2012 Winners at the JustFab.com shoot!

It’s the Bikini Series! The most exciting time of year for the Tone It Up team! What’s your plan of attack this time around?

This time around I have the motivation of my upcoming wedding! I've teamed up with you of course, but my goal is to be the healthiest and most fit I can be despite my injury for my wedding. It's a tall order, but an attainable goal that I'm willing to work hard to achieve and committed to fully. 

You're also getting married this year, you busy bee!  (To find out about Elle's fiancé Dan, watch this video - you will fall in love too. Trust me!) How's the planning going! 

The planning is going well!  I can't believe it, but I'm less than 3 months out! I plan on having a TON of videos on my wedding channel up and running soon to share all my wedding knowledge and plans! 

Do you have any goals for the next few months or for 2013?

YES! Sophie @sophiehowl27 showed me how to set small attainable goals to reach my full potential. My short term goals are to have my ankle surgery so that I can reach my long term goal of being able to run again! 

To someone deciding whether to join our Tone It Up Team, what would you tell them?

I would tell them that jumping full in and committing to the Tone It Up lifestyle is a FULL LIFESTYLE OVERHAUL. It will change your waistline, outlook on life, priorities, self-esteem, friendships and SO MUCH MORE for the better. If you're ready and committed to do the hard work, committing to the lifestyle is the best life decision you'll ever make!

Randoms; Just For Fun!

Favourite Fitness Related Quote? There are a few that I live by and repeat often to myself:  "life is a journey, not a destination" "change is uncomfortable" "You never regret a workout" & "the difference between a dream and a goal is determination and action"

Favourite Colour? Aqua or Pink (even before finding Tone It Up)

Favourite Pair of Shoes you own? =P my Birkenstock Sandals or my Asics GT2100

Best Place You've Ever Visited? Honestly it's a toss-up between California and this tiny island on a lake in Ontario  I used to canoe to with Rosco all the time in University. We'd camp all weekend him and I on this island of solitude in the middle of nowhere and I LOVED it.

Happiest Memory? Dancing in the living room with my Mom

Tell us a joke! The 7 dwarfs were in a tub feeling happy......so happy got out :P

Anything Else You'd Like to Say?

GEORGIE IS AMAZING AND I LOVE HER! I LOVE ALL MY TIU SISTERS!

HAHA I love you too!

Thank you so much Elle!! I loved reading this and I hope you did too! 

Do you have anyone you'd love for me to interview? Tweet me your suggestions! 

Happy Friday everybody! 

Fitspiration Friday: Bikini Series Winner Holli Berry!

It has been sooooooo long since I've posted one of these interviews! I know, I'm sorry! I LOVE doing them too so I really have no excuse! 

For those of you that are new to Camp Beach Babe, Fitspiration Friday is an old feature where I interview some of the most influential Tone It Up team members :) 

This week I got in touch with the AMAZING Holli Berry, who was one of the four Tone It Up Bikini Series winners this Summer. 

She talks about her experience in Cali, her routine and more! Check it out below! The purple is me, the blue is Holli! =D

How gorgeous is Hol!

Hey Holli! Thanks so much for doing this! First off, tell us how and when you first found Tone It Up :)

My best friend, Ashley (@ashluv77) introduced me to Tone It Up early in 2011. I jumped in on the very first Bikini Series Challenge, but didn't stick to it. Throughout the year, I did workouts here and there, but nothing consistent. It wasn't til April 1, 2012 that I basically dedicated my life to TIU. Now, I just love sharing TIU with others!

I can absolutely relate. It's addictive isn't it! Had you been working on your fitness before TIU? Did the girls inspire you to get started or give you that little extra push?

Motivation came in spurts. There were times I would work out for a few weeks and then quit. Nothing ever kept me going. Even when I would see results, I would think, 'oh my gosh, I've done so well...time to treat myself.' One treat would then lead to another and eventually, I was back where I started and all that hard work was gone. I was constantly fluctuating in weight. Sometimes I was thick, sometimes I was more on the thin side, but still never fit and happy. In March 2012 I hit a breaking point where I thought, I just can't do this anymore. I had finally hit my highest weight of 172 lbs. I was depressed and always down on myself. You can't have healthy relationships with others if you don't even have one with yourself. Seeing pictures of K&K and the transformations of other members of the community are what really pushed me.

Absolutely! I love how much of a community we are. Do you have a favourite Tone It Up workout?

Malibooty and Sunkissed Abs are both tied for my favorite TIU workotus. I love doing squats and lunges, but a lot of girls dread them. Malibooty gives you a fun way to lift and tone and make a "bootiful booty". Sunkissed Abs is similar in that sense; different ways to get true toned abs versus just crunches, which can get boring. It's fun to spice up your workouts. By doing the same routine every day, not only is your body not getting a variety to make results, but you're less likely to stick to your fitness plan.

Holli getting ready for Christmas!

Great advice! Malibooty is one of my faves too! Tone It Up workouts aside, do you have a favourite group exercise class?

I truly love spinning! I love getting lost in the music and my ride. Instructors that turn out the lights are the bomb. It's an easy way to focus on yourself and get in a major sweat. You don't notice anyone around you. I really want to try out a boxing class. I feel like that would be a blast!

I so want to try spinning! It's on my New Years Try-It List! Do you have a favourite cardio workout?

Circuits/HIIT's are number one on my list for favorite cardio. I don't like being confined to one machine, but I like being able to start my workout with a good sweat. Running outside would be my next fav. It's nice to get out and just take in everything around you; appreciate where you are.

Absolutely! I really learnt to appreciate nature when I started running! Tell us; what's on your workout playlist right now?

I use Pandora mostly, but my current station is "Salt n Peppa Radio". Love oldies that pump me up. When "Push It Real Good" comes on, you can guarantee it is about to be one amazing workout!

ROCKING the Daisy Dukes!!

'Push It' is the BEST SONG EVER!! Now, living the Tone It Up lifestyle like we do is more than just working out an eating right, it's about living a healthy lifestyle too. Tell us one of your beauty secrets!

I am obsessed with teeth! Mine, yours. Nothing is better than a pretty and clean smile. I probably brush my teeth 5-6 times a day. I carry a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and a mini thing of mouthwash in my purse. I chew gum like it's about to go out of business. Got to have fresh breath 24/7! A smile says a lot about a person. If you're around me after I eat, it's a known fact that when I am done, I am going to ask you if I have anything in my teeth. Not as much as a beauty secret as it is a beauty obsession. ;)

HAHA! This is so true though - dental hygiene is so important! What is your beauty must-have? Toothpaste hehe?

I must have lipgloss! Even chapstick works! Some kind of lip moisturizer. If I were on Survivor, that would be one of my necessity items.

Ok, toothpaste and lip gloss! Got it hehe! Are there any blogs that you look at besides the Tone It Up website to get inspiration or new workouts to get you motivated?

I look at ALL of my Tone It Up sisters blogs! I sometimes just click from page to page of fitness blogs to get my motivation. FitFluential is one I look at regularly. I even go on Pinterest and type in fitness, workouts, or inspiration and find pictures or blogs that way. 

Holli (on the left) with Laura, Elle, Karena, Sophie and Katrina on the Girls Trip to Cali!

Pinterest is amazing right? Do you have any favourite activities, besides running, to keep you active outdoors?

I love being outdoors! Hiking is the best! I enjoy getting lost in the hills/mountains, not sure where I may be going. Never been mountain biking, but I sure did bring along my bike my Daddy gave me. I finally put air in the tires, so I guess I will be taking that up soon. My boyfriend loves skiing! I would love to perfect snowboarding. I've been once, but it was an awful roll down the hill. But hey, I enjoy a good challenge.

I can just imagine! Try, try and try again right!? What are some of your favourite healthy recipes?

I love shakes! They fill you up, their refreshing. There are guilt free, holiday drinks for the winter or fruity ones for the summer. Lean, clean and green ones. Also, I love anything breakfast related. I could eat breakfast for any meal. The TIU Protein Pancake is my favorite TIU recipe. Sometimes, it comes out more as a scramble, but hey, it's still delish.

Exactly! Execution is not always important ;) You went to Cali this year!!! What did you do when you found out that you'd won?

Before they announced the winners, I stared at my computer all day, refreshing my facebook, twitter, the TIU blog, watching everyone write they were "patiently waiting". After hours, I decided to step away from my computer and watch a movie. I heard my phone beep, then another beep and eventually, that thing was going crazy! I got up and looked at my twitter, and my news feed had blown up with "Congratulations". I never even imagined I won the trip! When I opened the blog and saw my picture, I had to refresh the page, cause I just knew it wasn't right. Sure enough, I was going to Cali! My heart was racing, I was screaming and just in shock. Called my parents immediately and SCREAMED then balled my eyes out. Was the best feeling ever! I called everyone! My boyfriend didn't believe me. Took me an hour to finally calm down...at least a little bit. I don't think I ever got off that cloud.

Try not to get jealous!! This is Holli on ones of the gorgeous Cali beaches

I know!! I think I will always have that page bookmarked! Was it the absolute best girls trip ever?

It was the best trip ever, PERIOD! It was such an amazing experience. It felt like I was in a dream. We had an itinerary, so we were constantly doing something or meeting new people. I went there with three girls (Sophie, Laura, Elle) I didn't know, leaving there with three new best friends that I wouldn't trade for the world! It was nice having them to share this experience with. And Karena and Katrina...I left Cali with more than just trainers. I can't even describe how genuine they are. We honestly have the best supporting us. Just writing this is making me cry. Oh gosh, I'm pullin' an Elle.  I swear, when I got off the plane after the trip, I was like, 'wait, did that just happen?' It still to this day doesn't seem like it did.

Awwe that's so special! I can 100% believe it too! This is going to be the hardest question ever but what was your favourite memory from the trip?

Our "low key" night was the best memory. It was a personal and private evening of dinner and just six new friends hanging out. We all shared stories and got to really be ourselves. We laughed, cried. I got to see who these girls really are and why I got to be so lucky to sit amongst each one of them. Lots of fun times, inside jokes, and new memories were created from just those three days in Cali!

Oh wow! That sounds amazing! You've recently moved to a different state. How did you make your new home fit in with your new routine?

I did just move. Moved from Kentucky to Colorado. A big jump, but I made the best decision. It's been difficult adjusting my routine. Before I knew that when I was done with work, I was going to the gym. Same routine every day. So far, I haven't been working, so having a set time to wake up every single day and get my workouts in has been tough. Sometimes I go in the morning, sometimes at night. You would think that by me having all day, every day to workout, I would be rocking this bod, but even little things like cardio have been a struggle. I have mentioned many times that the altitude here has had an effect on my workouts. After finally getting into running before my move, I am now starting over. Of course, I won't let that stop me. It's just going to be more of a challenge to keep going. It'll be easier when I get back into working again.

Holli with Karena and Katrina on their JustFab shoot

Now that you're in a new home, do you have any goals for the next few months, or for 2013 in general?

Constantly setting new goals is what keeps me going. In January, I pick up my dress for my sisters wedding. I ordered a size 4, which is two sizes down than I was this past summer. I would love to be that 4 by that date, however, I won't stress and will just keep working hard if I am not there by then. Her wedding is in May, so I have time. I would also love to run two half marathons. One in the spring and the Rock n Roll half in the fall. I've never done a run before, so why not just start big!

Exactly! I'm so nervous for my half! Finally, to somebody on the fence about joining the Tone It Up team, what would you tell them?

Do it! It is so worth it and it's more than a "diet". Caring about your fitness and health becomes a lifestyle. I consider this a new way of living. K&K make working out and eating fun. We're taught to feel good about ourselves, not strive to be a certain weight. The Tone It Up Team is not even just a community to me anymore. It's my family! The support from our trainers and our fellow team members is tremendous! I don't think you can get the constant love and support we do from each other anywhere else. 

I love that!! We really are a family 

I love this haha! Holli lounging in her swag!

Here are Holli's 'Just For Fun' questions!

Favorite Fitness Related Quote?

Wake up with determination. Go to bed with satisfaction.

Favourite Color?


All shades of blue!

Favorite Pair of Shoes you own? =P


Well since it's fall, my current favorite pair are the Quynetta boots @ JustFab. Love any boots with a little heel.

Best Place You've Ever Visited?


Home. There is no place like it. Being far away makes it tough, so when I want a break from where I'm at, home is my getaway. 

Happiest Memory?


My happiest memory was my whole Cali trip. I was able to feel free and just take everything in. I didn't have a care in the world. And for the first time, I felt comfortable with myself and more happy than I had ever been! Being able to get back home and share my trip with my family, friends and all my TIU sisters was amazing! I get my happiest every time I talk about it. 

Anything Else You'd Like to Say?


Thank you! Thank you, Georgie, and for every other Tone It Up girl that has taken the time just to say hi. Some of you don't know the power you have of brightening up someone's day, just by a simple hello. I am so lucky to know such beautiful, positive women who are out there changing lives, not just in health and fitness, but in everything that you do!

BEAUTIFUL! Bikini Series Winners 2012

NO THANK YOU, HOLLI! I love yoouuuuuuuu!

You can contact Holli on Twitter (@Berry_Holli) or she has her own blog which you can access here :)

Search for 'Fitspiration' in the box to find even more interviews! I love doing these so if there are any people you would like me to get in touch with comment below! 

Love and Hugs!

Fitspiration Friday: Lisa Marie! (@Unrehearsed)

It's time for another Fitspiration interview! I reached out to my good friend Lisa; you may know her as @Unrehearsed from Twitter! Let's see what she had to say ♥

Lisa!

Hey Lisa! How was it that you first found Tone It Up and when?

I found TIU right before the first Bikini Challenge Started last year. I saw a tweet from @tenleymolzahn (yes Tenley Molzahn from the Bachelor!) about starting the Bikini Series and clicked the link she posted. Then I checked out toneitup.tv (the YouTube channel) and fell in LOVE with K & K and their workouts...  I followed the Bikini Series the whole way through before actually joining the TIU plan.   

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?

Yes,  I started my weight loss journey in November 2010.  I lost 20 pounds on my own before TIU gave me that extra kick to push it into high gear with the first Bikini Series, and I loved the fact they told us exactly what workouts to do and when. 

What's your favourite Tone It Up workout and why?

 Oooh.  That’s seriously a tough one.  I honestly love so many of them.  Don’t you just love how you don’t even feel like you’re working out? Out of the Bikini Series, I adore Beach Bum and Beach Babe.  But… I have to say Best Circuit is my all-time fave.  It’s quick, works so many areas, and it’s really awesome to hear people’s reaction at the gym when I bust out the Spider Girl push-ups. 

Do you have a favourite group fitness class?

I work out at the gym at work.  We just finished Pilates which was AMAZING.  I want to try Reforming Pilates next (but the classes are so $$$!!)   I’ve taken Boot Camps before (which is great when the instructor gives mods for getting a harder workout in), and I LOVE Zumba.  I love anything involving dance.  

Do you have a go-to cardio machine at the gym? What is it and why?

As funny as it sounds… I HATE doing cardio at the Gym!  I find running on treadmills makes me run really different then my natural run “gate” and prefer to run outside when I can.  Ellipticals just fit me weird because I’m super tiny (4’9 ½”) so I feel like I’m stretching to reach the feet and the arm bars properly.  I love jumping rope (10 minutes of HIIT jump rope = 30 minutes jogging!), running stairs, using the aerobics step-up blocks. 

Does living in a big city make your healthy lifestyle difficult sometimes? How have you had to adapt?

NO!  Not at all.  It’s easier actually.  Not as easy as say New York City (it was SO EASY to find healthy things there!) but I love having more than one grocery store to get things at and it’s only a few minutes from my house.  There’s TWO organic markets a 15 minute drive away.  I’ve been finding new restaurants popping up within the new communities that are either organic, or green or they give you lean or GF options.  AMAZE.

Lisa's Pretty Hair!

What's on Your Workout Playlist right now?

I’m SO addicted to ‘Call Me Maybe’ by Carly Rae Jepsen it’s not even funny.  That’s like… my jam.  Don’t even hate.
Always some sort of dance/rap mix tracks.  Right now I can’t get enough of ‘Wild Ones’ by Flo Rida & Sia and ‘Starships’ by Nicki Minaj. 

My power song will ALWAYS be 'Come on Kid' by my friend Josiah Leming (I promote him/his music constantly if you follow me on twitter.  Either check him out, @josiahleming, or just deal with it! ( : haha) My iPhone will put this on when it knows i'm dying during a workout.  It's kinda perfect.

‘We Can’ by Jesse Ruben (@jesseruben).  He’s a friend of Josiah’s and Jesse wrote the track to motivate himself when training for his first marathon.  SO GOOD.

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 secrets!

 I find that so hilarious. Self-confidence has been something I’ve gained since being on TIU, so I wouldn’t even say I have any beauty secrets. I have problem skin, so I’m either oily in spots or extremely dry in others, and I can never get rid of black heads. It’s horrible. So I just try not to look like a caked-on make-up face.  I’m also sensitive to anything scented, so all of my skincare stuff must be unscented.  I’m really loving ‘Simple’ right now.  It’s from the UK and just came North America.  I guess my main tip would be, throw conditioner on your hair and then wash your body, shave, etc.  Let it hang out on your hair as long as you can.  Then wash it in the coldest water your can stand to be standing in.  It’s the best to moisturize and close off your hair follicles.  Words straight out of my Hairdresser’s mouth. 

What is your beauty must have?

 The right colour foundation/powder!!!  I’m so pale that I’m translucent.  You can literally see my veins like a roadmap (how sexy is THAT?!) It’s hard for me to find exactly the right colour.  MAC is usually good to me.

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?

 Usually just my TIU girls on twitter.  @lilbumbleyliz has been my LIFELINE.  We share a lot of the same qualities, interests and we just CONNECTED. We even iMessage each other now.

What are some of your favourite healthy recipes?

QUINOA BURGERS!  I L-O-V-E love these things.  My mama found the recipe in Chatelaine.  AMAZE. 

  I also love looking in my fridge and throwing absolutely anything fruit/veggie into a smoothie.  Almond milk, almond butter, cinnamon... whazz it up and you're GOLDEN. 

What are your favourite activities to keep you active outdoors?

I love running outside.  I literally have a conversation in my head with myself, or just envision me reaching my goals and dreams.  I don’t even listen to music or anything.  Just the sounds of nature, traffic.  I love it.  I live in Canada, so I did a LOT of snowshoeing this winter, as it was WAY too icy to run. 

Do you have any goals for the next few months or for 2012 in general?

YES… I have gained 10 pounds since my vacation last fall where I was at my lowest weight I’ve been in YEARS…. I’ve been suffering through a terrible plateau for months just staying at the same weight.  I recently lost 2.5 pounds on the #5DSD but gained it back a week later with the fabulous P that came around.  So I want to breakthrough that plateau again and lose those 10 pounds so I can get down to my goal.  I was just 15 pounds away last fall!  SO CLOSE.  But I know with the help of K & K and my #toneitupteam I can do it.  I’ve also NEVER worn a bikini before, so I bought one in a size too small and I’m bound & determined to look unbelievable in it for my 28^th birthday (August 21), I’ve been tweeting #bikinibirthday.  That’s what that’s all about.  

To someone deciding whether to join our Tone It Up Team, what would you tell them?

It’s not a diet plan, it’s a lifestyle change.  You’ll not only change the way you eat, but the way you think.  You’ll gain confidence, friends, and everything in between.  Get ready to go through your closet and because your clothes won’t fit.  Yes it’s $150, but that’s the ONLY time you’ll have to pay it, unless you want TIU/Beach Babe/Perfect Fit merch.  No meeting fees, no paying if you gain weight, you’ll not only lose weight, but gain muscle & support! 

Randoms; Just For Fun!

Favourite Fitness Related Quote?

It’s so standard TIU & cliché but, “You’ll Never Regret A Workout” & “You have to feel uncomfortable to make a change”… I also love Shaun T’s “Dig Deeper” and “Get Better”…  and I can’t forget “Come On Kid” it’s my mantra I repeat to myself when I’m pushing through.

Favourite Colour?

I can’t pick just one.  Aqua/Teal, Pink, Orange, Yellow, Mint Green, Grey… I could go on!! HAHA.

Favourite Pair of Shoes you own? =P

I’m SO in love with my pink peep-toe kitten-heels with heart-cut outs… and my Chinese Laundry rainbow flats.  I am SUCH a bargain shopper, I’ve never spent over $100 for shoes… EVER.  I’m tiny but I can’t wear heels because of my flat feet, so anything I own is an 1 ½” or less.  I find neat kids shoes that fit all the time!  SO AWESOME.

Best Place You've Ever Visited?

New York City.  I miss it terribly.  I love the hustle and bustle.  I’m a total city girl.  I could be a country girl for a short time, but my heart will ALWAYS lead me back to the city.

Happiest Memory?

 My happiest memories are when I’m around music.  There’s something about when you feel the bass vibrating all the way up from your toes, or you can feel the drum thump like your heart is beating out of your chest.  I love it.  I feel so at home at small show.
Also when I ventured out on my own last summer and travelled BY MYSELF to the Northeast US (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts) was incredible.  My allergies weren’t bothering me, I had no headaches, I was still following the TIU plan WHILE on vacation eating AMAZING food… I was just… HAPPY.  I even came down with a terrible cold while in New York City but I couldn’t wipe a smile off my face.  I can’t wait for my stars to align and be able to find that happiness again.

Anything Else You'd Like to Say?

Thank you for nominating me to do this interview!  I haven’t been feeling like the most A+ TIU student with allergies kicking my ass lately, so it’s nice to feel like I can still inspire people.  ( :

Thank you so much Lisa! I'm so pleased you wanted to be involved! 

Fitspiration Interview; Grace (@MomToCutiePia)

I am SOOOO excited!! You may recognise today's interviewee from the Tone It Up Diet website! Grace has been a Tone It Up member for 18 months and it's fair to say her life has turned around. Check out what she had to say!

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!!!! 

Thank you so much Grace! You've been such an inspiration to so many in this team and I am so grateful for your presence in my life! Love that you love London too!!


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