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My entire life I’ve had no interest in exercise or activities of physical endurance. I joined talent and fashion shows while my 4 siblings excelled in basketball, volleyball, martial arts (one sibling is a world-class iron man, and the other a black belt in everything). I laughed at my mom when she asked me to go to her classes (mom is a part-time fitness instructor).  I just shrugged it off as not having the “gene” to want to work out.

Flash forward to my 20’s when I took a bit of interest in working out with my friends. I joined the latest fitness chain and went 2 times a week. The minute a broke a sweat, I would consider it a success and hit the shower.

I am now in my 40s. I’ve never been more tired or drained in my life. Part of it is my nutty lifestyle, the other part what I eat. I am not about to preach to you about clean and healthy eating because I LOVE FOOD way too much. I can not give up carbs/sugar/caffeine/alcohol – and I’ll do my very best to keep consuming these no-no’s for as long as I physically can.  What I want to share with you in this blog is a HUGE change in the way a live – something I never, ever saw myself doing.

Please remember that I am not paid for any of these blogs. I only write about things/services I wholeheartedly love.

When I was 21, I was in a water accident involving sea doos. I dislocated my knee cap. The specialist said I would eventually need a knee replacement into my 40’s. I am now there. In pain every single day and so out of shape.

My husband who was also out of shape (enjoying the same foods and sedentary lifestyle I did) joined a boutique gym called Fiit House and to my TOTAL shock it stuck. He was hooked. He was up at 5:30am 5 times a week and headed to this “gym” where he would join people around an espresso bar before a gruelling work out. He urged me everyday to join with him, and I absolutely refused…”what about my knee”. “I can’t get up that early”, “my body is not built for that”.

Not sure what made me decide to finally try it out. Maybe it was the change I saw in my husband (he actually looked forward to the insane wake up time), maybe it was everyone in my community talking about it (mostly Lisa Sicoli – that girl is a MACHINE and an absolute joy to wake up to), maybe it was that I needed a change in my life and was ready to take the first step.

I am proud to say that I am a member of the FiiT House for the last 3 months. I am committed, I am dedicated, I ACTUALLY look forward to it.  My husband and I go to the 6am classes together. It’s “our time” in the early hours of the morning to do something for ourselves.  We show up at 5:45 to sit around the espresso bar and catch up with other members of our community. It truly is a hang out. And the trainers at Fiit House are all aware of my knee injury and give me modifications when necessary so that I don’t hurt myself. The best part is that by the time I get into work just before 8, I’ve already had an intense workout, a social hour, and about 4 espressos 😊.

I have not lost a pound, and I don’t care – that was never the intent. I feel better, have more energy, and sweat like I’ve never (allowed myself) to sweat before. The other day, I wore a dress that I normally can’t breath in after a meal. To my surprise, it was completely comfortable all day. I now see physical and mental results and have no plans of slowing down (until my dreaded surgery).

I still can’t believe the transformation I’ve made – it’s like a total mind shift. No more excuses. No more sluggish days. I have no idea how long this will last but what I can tell you is that every time I miss a class, the trainers are quick to ask my husband “where is Mary”? Now that’s a my kinda place.

More about FiiT House:

FiiT House is Ottawa’s hottest boutique gym.  They offer 45 minute high intensity interval training, personal training, nutrition consults and more!  Go for the sweat, stay for the espressos☕.  Their classes are for ANYONE and EVERYONE including hands on guidance from their trainers, FiiT House feels like home.