Karen Reedman

About me:

I am a 40 year old PT in Sydney Australia and I have been operating a boutique PT studio in the Hills District of Sydney for over 5 years.  I have three children (Jordie 14, Brandon 11, Zara 6) and run a thriving business, so I know how hard it can be for working mums to find time for themselves.

In my role I see how many women struggle with feelings of selfishness when I tell them that they need to find time to exercise and eat well.  They believe that they are short changing their family if they take time out for themselves.  Whilst I understand this mentality I completely disagree with it and operate from a completely different paradigm.  You see I believe it  is in fact selfish NOT to take care of ourselves.  As parents and as a community we need to step up and role model what leading a healthy lifestyle LOOKS like, not sounds like.  You see my children are my biggest motivation to do what I do.  I am passionate about SHOWING them how to live.  I want them to see that if you want something in life you have to EARN it.

Background

I started my PT business five and a half years ago when I decided to leave behind a 15 year corporate career where I was managing teams of Business and Project Analysts in a major financial institution in Australia.   As much as I loved my corporate job I was not living my passion so I launched myself into study and so began my new career.  At this point in my life there were many doubters who didn't think that a rookie PT could start by launching their own PT studio right up front but I silenced them. 

To make matters worse my marriage broke down and I went from needing some 'hobby income' to being the sole provider for my children.  I suddenly had to support a half a million dollar mortgage on my own and turn a hobby business into a fully fledged business.  It is amazing how a situation like this can bring out the best in you.  Instead of whinging and complaining I just put my head down and bum up and did whatever  I could to be the best PT I could.  I read everything I could get my hands on and spoke to whoever would listen on how I could build a stronger business.  In the end it took me only 12 months to take my business from a hobby income to matching my corporate one.

Fit and Firm Personal Training

I typically have 40 clients under my care at any one time, shaping and chiselling out their dreams and desires.  It is an honour and a privilege that I take very seriously.  Right at this time I am training 15 clients for a Fit and Firm Calendar Challenge, whereby they under-take 12 weeks of diet and training and then take part in a photo-shoot on the central coast as part of our first ever CALENDAR.  Exciting hey!  Let me tell you that there is nothing more motivating than knowing you have to get your togs on in front of a camera to get you moving!

At Fit and Firm I offer the following services:

* Personal Training
* Nutrition Plans
* Online Training
* Lifestyle Education Programs
* Galileo Whole Body Vibration Training

All of this is done from a private, boutique studio that caters for clients who want a more personalised service.  Many people are intimidated in big gyms and women in particular are not comfortable heading into the weights room.  At Fit and Firm they don't have this problem and instead they are supported by a trainer who is focused on their needs and abilities and ensures a safe but most importantly EFFECTIVE program.

I am a passionate 'ENCOURAGER' of people.  I encourage them to lift their expectations and to believe for a greater outcome.  We are all capable of so much more than we think we are and sometimes all it takes is having someone walk beside you who believes in you and who will push you outside the comfort zone you find yourself in.

Achievements in Sports Modelling

In September last year (2010) I competed in my first ever INBA Sports Model Masters competition and got 2nd place.  It was a very exciting moment for me as the 12 weeks leading up to it were filled with roadblocks and obstacles.  I was able to demonstrate to my clients that when you want something bad enough, you will do whatever it takes to get it.  

I was turning 40 in the April so I wanted to start that year BOLDLY.  It truly was the best thing I could have done and since that time more doors have opened up for me and my business has exploded.  However what the competition gave me most was the belief I still had the courage and the tenacity to push further than I ever dreamed possible.

2010 INBA (September)
2nd Place in Sports Model Masters

Today I wanted to share some of my core beliefs about food and exercise.  You see our daily habits are directly linked to our core beliefs and regardless of what you think beliefs and habits CAN BE CHANGED.  So I want you take 5 minutes out of your day to read and consider for a moment if there are beliefs and habits that you have that could do with fine tuning. 

My core beliefs about food

* Food brings pleasure and don't believe anyone who tries to tell you that food is only about 'FUEL' and that emotion should never be attached to it.  I believe in living by moderation.  80% of the time I eat healthy, nutritious food and 20% of the time I eat and drink what I ENJOY in MODERATION.

* It is NEVER ok to stuff my face and overeat.  The feeling of busting at the seams and the guilt associated with it is just NOT worth the momentary pleasure the food or drink gives me.  I finish eating when I am 80% full and then stop.  If that means food is left on my plate then so be it.

* It is NEVER ok to skip meals, particularly breakfast.  I choose to take time out of my week to plan and prepare for the week ahead.  If I find myself in a position without good alternatives (which rarely happens - we can find them if we choose to) then I take out a protein bar and an apple from my bag.  My cells, metabolism and brain needs a steady stream of nutrition throughout the day to keep everything FIRING and efficiently running.

* It is NEVER ok to binge drink (alcohol).  Binge drinking is not only hazardous to your health, but makes it IMPOSSIBLE to develop a healthy, lean body. 

* Water is always my first my drink of choice.  In saying that I am partial to a glass of chilled white wine and a daily Gloria Jean's coffee, but like I said everything in moderation people ;-)

My core beliefs about exercise

1.    The only valid excuses for not exercising everyday are:

*  It's Sunday (my specified day of rest - if it was good enough for God then it is good enough for me).
*  I am legitimately sick (virus, infection etc) and my Doctor has told me to abstain.  However I do train when I have a headache (migraine excluded) as it can sometimes alleviate it.
*  I have a personal emergency.
*  I have an injury that requires rest.

I still train even when:

*  It is Day 1 of my period (sorry boys but this is one for the girls).
*  I have a sniffly nose or a headache (as opposed to an infection or virus).
*  I have had a crappy day.
*  I have been run off my feet all day and all I want to do is to sit on the couch.
*  There is a lot to be done around the home and with my kids.  The truth be told, the dramas and the busyness of life never goes away so I choose to make exercise a priority in my life and do it anyway.  In cases of severe busyness I will just go harder with my workouts for a shorter duration e.g. 20 mins.
*  I have a lot on at work.
*  I have a work or personal function/event.  I just get myself organised by planning ahead and doing the workout early in the morning. 
*  My head tells me not to!

If we seriously wanting to live a life that leaves us healthy, fit, lean and overflowing with health and vitality then making good nutrition and daily exercise a part of our life is NOT NEGOTIABLE.  We can try and find ways to short-change the hard work it requires or we can just stop wasting our time, money and energy and start LIVING IT!  There are no secrets, no pills, no potions, no machines that can magically help you achieve this.  It is simply a case of changing your habits, changing your attitude and changing your life!

"The pain of discipline is far less than the pain of regret"