Check Out Our February Client Spotlight Kathy Cousart! Feel Inspired to LOVE your body!

Happy Monday! 

We are so proud of all of you who completed our TransFive Challenge! Thank you for committing to five days of no sugar and giving it your all! Let's start this week STRONG! Love your body today and take time to make a plan for your exercise and nutrition.

Today, we want to share a client spotlight that will encourage you on your transformation journey! 

I met sweet Kathy Cousart, years ago when I was a GymDog and she was the Assistant Golf Coach at Georgia. We did aerobics together in the old PE building on campus!  Little did I know, 20 years later our paths would cross again! God is so confirming and so good!  I love how He brings us all full-circle and connects us with special people who touch our lives deeply along the way! Each person that crosses your path today could be someone who inspires you and could possibly change your life- you never know what God has in store- but we can be sure His plan is so much greater than we can imagine! Kathy's story is so inspiring because no matter where you are on your health journey YOU CAN begin again and reach your goals.  She was was 5th in our Holiday Extravaganza Contest (love it..still a competitor...always ALL IN) and just told me about her new goals for 2018! Dream it, believe it, achieve it! 

 Kathy, thank you for sharing your story with us and for living transformed by doing everything with your whole heart!

I am so proud and happy to be a part of the community at Transfit. So very special to have finished in the top 5 of my first Transfit Challenge and appreciate the many connections to finding my way to work out there! My admiration and appreciation for Caroline goes back a long way to UGA Athletics. I was actually coaching Women’s Golf at the same time that Caroline was competing in Gymnastics. My Golf Team did aerobics and worked out with the Gymnastics Team and it was always a fun supportive environment all the way around. Loved it!

Fast forward with all the fabulous twists and turns of life and I am now a full-time successful Artist painting almost every day out of my Carriage House Studio right here in 5 Points. I had continued working out and being active over the years but had some issues with my torn Rotator Cuff. I need that arm and shoulder to paint daily so felt I sometimes had to make a choice and painting always won out. I needed a safe way to work out and get back to being strong and lose that bit of weight that has slowly crept on. 

I have been in that “sandwich” place for quite a few years with finishing raising up my daughters and getting them through with college and starting careers while also caring for my Mom and Mom in Law. It gets tough being a full-time caretaker and 11 years really took its toll on me….everyone and everything came first and I just was too tired and worn out to make myself any kind of a priority. I was busy beyond busy with being a full-time caretaker, my art career taking off and beautiful grandchildren beginning to make an appearance. Blessings like I have never known along with some “hards.”  Life. 

I believe that my art and painting came to me at just that right time.   I was watching my Ph.D. Mom- the smartest woman I have ever known - struggle through a battle with Severe Vascular Dementia. I found that my art and painting was such a gift and place of peace to go to escape that sadness.  As my Mom needed full-time care, it was important to me to be there while she still “knew” me and care for her.  I learned the most important lessons I think I will ever learn about myself during that time and was such a gift. She remains the kindest person I have ever known and I try so hard to be that kind every single day.   

Over a year ago….Within a 9 month span….I wound up losing not only my Mom and my younger brother 6 weeks later but two other family members and finally my big sister best friend Meg.   It was a huge wake-up call to taking care of yourself and being strong enough to fight whatever fight comes your way.   

With all of that in mind and circling back….I had heard amazing things from several friends about Transfit and started going.   As with almost everyone there…..that last few minutes of stretching out and taking a moment to appreciate that we are here and embracing this day gets me every time.   I can’t say enough about how knowledgeable Caroline is.   I have always been pretty lucky and able to eat anything I wanted with my level of activity and good genes.   I finally understood to watch carbs at my age—-I can’t quite process them like I used to could.   I learned to eat a healthy snack when hungry and to make better choices.   I learned to LOVE water….what a difference when you listen to your body and really re-fuel it with healthier options. 

I have changed so much with being at Transfit…it’s a positive and uplifting environment with gals of all ages encouraging each other along this journey.  My tastes have completely changed and it’s a lifestyle now——with healthy options to satisfy that sweet tooth.   I want to know that I am doing all I can to take better care of myself and able to be all that my grandbabies want me to be.

I want to be strong for whatever comes my way. I want to be strong to be able to carry around my grandchildren who trust I will catch or carry them at their whim. I want to feel as good as I do working out at Transfit and being surrounded by everyone else there working on their own journey. It’s an amazing place and always a supportive environment. I have loved reading everyone else stories and am inspired by every single person there each day. I have always believed that anyone can do anything they set their mind to….if they want it bad enough and work hard enough. If I can do this….so can you!

Kathy, we are so proud of you! Ladies, may we all feel inspired by Kathy's story! Let's make this week count!  Keep pushing yourself to get active every day this month! Send us your February calendar challenges at the end of the month! 

We are also offering two NEW session times! Starting tonight, we will now have a 7:15 PM session and we will offer a Saturday at 10 AM session starting February 24! Come join us! Sign up on the app HERE! Also, don't forget you can always find FREE recipes, workouts, inspiration, and videos on our website and app! 

If you have any questions, please email us at transfitathens@gmail.com. 

Blessings, 

Team TransFit

Hey Valentine! 3 Tips to LOVE Your Body MORE this month!

Good Morning beautiful friends! 

Wow, it's been a great week with such positive energy in the studio! To all our ladies doing the TransFIVE No Sugar Challenge, we are SO proud of you! You're almost done! Remember to take it one hour, one day at a time! Stay focused! YOU CAN FINISH STRONG! And... if you haven't done as well as you would have liked this week- SHAKE it OFF! Today is the DAY! You can always begin again. The time is NOW! 

Can you believe it's February?! January was like a "trial" month so let's say your 2018 starts TODAY! February is a month that can be focused on candy and sugary sweets for Valentine's Day! But, Valentine's Day is the perfect holiday to take extra time to show  others how you love them and a time to take a moment to LOVE the body you have been given!  Let's take some extra time to love our bodies, these beautiful gifts, in honor of Valentine's Day!

Take just a moment to dwell on this truth:

"You are altogether beautiful my love; there is no flaw in you." Song of Solomon 4:7

The truth above is the Lord's thoughts about you! He has created you exactly as you are for a purpose. You are so beautiful and perfectly made in His sight! Take a few minutes today to write down things you love about the way God made you. Now, go share this verse with a friend or family member! Encourage your sweet friends today in their own beauty, inside and out.

Valentines Day is the day of love! Let's be intentional about spreading love, encouragement, and blessings as much as we can.

Now we know many of you will be spending Valentine's Day with your families so we wanted to share a few of our favorite healthier Valentine's Day recipes with you all! We guarantee these will satisfy your sweet tooth just as well as that box of Russell Stover- but without compromising your nutrition goals! These are treats (in moderation) you can feel good about because they will not only make your taste buds happy but make your body happy as well. 

First, here are our Top 3 Ways to Love the Body you have been gifted this Valentines Day! 

1. Rest- Take the time to rest. Our bodies need rest! Take the time to sit and be still. Add in your quiet time to your day. Allow your mind time to rest, renew, and be refreshed. Lack of sleep can throw these processes off balance, and can to overeating. Getting enough sleep,  seven to eight hours per night for adults is important for replenishing the body’s energy stores.  So please relax, refresh, and renew! Rest is critical for living transformed!

2. Exercise- Add in exercise to your week! Your body and mind will feel renewed and alive when you honor it through a workout! View your time exercising as a form of worship! 

3. Nutrition- Take the time to meal plan and prepare for your nutrition!  Sit down and make a basic plan, so that you can hold yourself accountable and have an organized nutrition plan! If you are craving chocolate, here is a great recipe from our TransFIVE Meal Plan that will help fix that craving without added sugar! Try these healthy deserts after TransFIVE!

Chocolate Heaven Smoothie

Makes one serving

• ½ cup crushed ice
• 1 cup unsweetened almond or coconut milk
• 1 small frozen ripe banana
• 1 serving Chocolate protein powder (Vega)
• ¼ of an avocado
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa (I like Hershey’s Special Dark- 100% cacao)
• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon chia seeds
• **1 teaspoon honey or a few drops of stevia (optional)
• **can add in 1 tsp vanilla extract 

Pulse ice cubes in blender to crush. Add almond milk, banana, cocoa, and other ingredients and blend until frothy. Serve immediately and enjoy some liquid energy!

The Chia seed helps keep the smoothie dense and satisfying, all while helping to increase your energy and endurance; promote your hydration and electrolyte balance; lower your blood pressure; regulate your blood sugar levels; and support your weight loss by keeping you feeling full longer.

Strawberry LOVE Shortcakes

• Get small mason jars
• Cut strawberries & raspberries, 
• Small pieces of angel food cake 
• Topped with tru Whip & more fruit 
• Could sprinkle with a few mini chocolate chips on top with love 

Ladies, we hope that you take the time to love your body! Your body is a gift and a temple! You are made in His image. Let's finish this week strong and feel accomplished after completing TransFIVE! If you didn't join us for our no sugar challenge this week, it's not too late to join! You can purchase the eBook on our website HERE! Don't forget about our February calendar challenge either! Commit to doing everything with your WHOLE HEART and getting active every day this month! You can do it! 

You can find recipes, workouts, and videos on our website! Use these as a resource for your meal planning and workouts outside of the studio! You can find them under the HEALTHY LIVING TAB! 

If you have any questions, please email us at transfitathens@gmail.com. 

Blessings, 

Team TransFit

Are You Up For the Challenge?! FREE 5 day No Sugar Challenge Meal Plan to Start February Strong!

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."

Colossians 3:23

We have had an amazing week here at the studio! Thank you for coming to help us celebrate TransFit's birthday! Let's start  February 2018 strong! We have talked about the importance of setting goals and now we want to commit to doing everything with our WHOLE hearts this month! Here's a goal for you...5 days no sugar!  I know you are rolling your eyes right now and think we are crazy... but we believe in you!  How about trying our 5 day NO SUGAR CHALLENGE (TransFIVE) starting Monday (yes...tomorrow)? The TransFit community and all friends will start the TransFIVE Challenge this Monday! Join in the challenge to eliminate sugar and feel your best going into February!  Download the (FREE today), plus be added to the TransFit Facebook group to join other ladies on this journey! We are stronger together!  You will find recipes, meal plans, inspiration, and a 5 day devotion to allow you to complete these 5 days! In honor of our birthday celebration, you can purchase the TransFive eBook for FREE! Let's do this as a TransFit community of strong women and hold each other accountable to having no sugar next week! 

We challenge you to join us for FIVE days of NO sugar! We believe you can do it! We want to remind you to sign up for your sessions in advance and meal prep today! Scheduling your workout in advance allows our trainers to have workouts set up specifically for you and provides you accountability if you sign up at the beginning of the week. 

We also have our February calendar challenge! We hope that you will join us for this challenge. The winner will receive a month of FREE sessions!  In order to win, you must fill out the calendar with your exercise each day and send it to us at the end of the month! Yes you can do it!  

This month we are also offering YOU a special - $180 Love Your Body All Access Pass. This pass will allow you to come to unlimited sessions for the entire month! You can purchase it on our FREE app HERE! If you have any questions, please email us at transfitathens@gmail.com. 

Blessings, 

Team TransFit 

Goal Setting Takeaways that will help you Finish January Strong!

Sweet friends, 

Last Friday, we had an incredible Lunch and Learn where we heard from our TransFit Personal Trainers, our Dietitian- Kaeti Shurling, and Kristy Smith from lululemon. We walked away feeling refreshed and renewed, ready for this new year and ready to conquer our goals and dreams. We wanted to share some of the key takeaways and the delicious salad recipe.

3 Key Things that Can Transform Your Life in 2018:

1. The people you spend time with! 

Are you spending time with people that lift you up, encourage you to be your best? 

2. The books you read! 

Are you reading books that challenge your mind and spirit? Here are a few that we recommend.

3. Encountering the presence of God! 

Are you taking time to be still, rest, and listen? Even a few minutes of calm and stillness can change your day and enhance your mood.

Kristy spoke to us about how to identify our core values, write them down,  and reminded us to come back to those values each day as a reminder of the amazing woman you CAN become! Listen to this beautiful song we played while centering our minds....

Remember ladies, even more important than the dreams and the goals you achieve is the person who you become along the way! The journey to your goals is where the real transformation takes place! These dreams make take a lifetime to achieve but they are worth waiting for and working for! Let's start today by CREATING the future of our dreams! Pray big bold prayers! We are here to help you! 

Transformer Plate at The Pine (Above)

Mix greens, curry vinaigrette

Herb roasted heirloom carrots and cauliflower (Roast veggies on 425 for 25 minute)

Crispy quinoa cake, sweet potato puree, goat cheese, toasted pecans

Curry Vinaigrette

• 1/2 c Rice Wine Vinegar
• 1/2 c Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1/2 tbsp curry powder
• 1/2 tbsp honey
• 1/2 tbsp dijon mustard 
• 1 tsp turmeric
• S&P to taste

TransFit Quinoa Cakes

Makes 10-12 cakes

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups cooked quinoa
• 4 large eggs, beaten
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon lemon pepper
• 2 Tablespoons chopped parsley
• 1/2 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 Tablespoon oil, plus more as needed
• **any seasonings you like to add deeper flavor

Directions:

1. Combine the quinoa, eggs, salt, and lemon pepper in a large bowl. Stir in the parsley, onion, and garlic.

2. At this point, you should have a mixture you can easily form into 10 thick patties (use a ¼ cup to form into patties). You want the mixture moist, so the patties aren't dry tasting. However, you want the mixture to hold together when cooking

3. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat, add 5 patties, cover, and cook for 7 to 10 minutes until the bottoms are deeply browned. Carefully flip the patties with a spatula and cook the second sides for 5 minutes, or until golden. Remove from the skillet and cool on a large plate while you cook the remaining patties. Add more oil to the skillet if needed between each batch.

A goal that one of our TransFit trainers had last year was to serve the community well. After praying bold prayers and lots of hard work Shelley is in the process of opening a home to help women called HOPE 139! If you want to help Shelley with her ministry in anyway, please reach out to her at shelley@transfitathens.com. 

We hope that you feel inspired. It's never too late to set your goals! You can print off our 2018 goals handout and kickstart this year! Don't forget to send us your January challenge calendar! Remember, the winner wins a package of FREE sessions!! You can email the calendars to us at transfitathens@gmail.com. 

 If you have any questions, please email us at transfitathens@gmail.com. 

Blessings, 

Team TransFit

Monday Motivation! 💥

Happy Monday! 

We hope you are ready for another great week- ready to REVIVE your body, mind, and spirit!! We would love to encourage you in the studio this week for sessions and for our Lunch and Learn this Friday at 12:30! Today, we want to inspire you with one of our Holiday Extravaganza top 5 winners- Mary McKillip! Mary is a stunning women inside and outside and we are so proud of her health journey. Read below to hear about Mary's transformation story! 

I never thought Trans Fit would be the right place for me.  I have known Caroline for years but was always reluctant to reach out to her for help.  But after years of trying my own exercise plans and failing with various quick fix diets resulting in the inevitable creep of weight gain, I called Caroline and, well long story short, she changed my life.

Oh it has not been easy.  All of us have our own struggles to overcome in the journey to better health and I am no exception.  For starters, I had to deal with a vicious case of panic attacks that would occur in structured social settings and I quickly learned that the Transfit workout sessions were a huge trigger.  During a particularly crowded Transformer class, I had an awful panic attack that left me feeling dizzy and seriously afraid I was going to collapse on the floor.  I walked out of the class and swore I would never return. 

After making many excuses about not coming back, I opened up to Caroline about the panic attacks and said I just could not be there anymore.  I assumed she would express sympathy and tell me that she understood my decision.  But I will never forget what she said- “I am not giving up on you.  Come back to TransFit and we will get you through it.”  Over the next several months, she took it slow and kept a close eye on me. She made sure I booked the small group classes with only a few people.  She adjusted my workouts so I was not feeling pressured.  She reminded the class to “breathe and smile” but I knew that was mainly directed at me.  A gentle reminder to stay calm and know she was on my side.

Gradually, my anxiety subsided and Caroline started pushing me out of my comfort zone.  We started boxing together which I am surprised to say that I really enjoy! And after much coaxing, she even got me to jump rope!  Now I feel comfortable at TransFit because I know I am supported. It is a place where I can be myself— with all my flaws and insecurities-- I know I am among friends who want to help me become better physically, mentally and spiritually.

Getting through the anxiety now means that I can focus on the whole reason to be here—get healthier! Next up Caroline had to help me get through a mean sugar addiction that manifested itself in a total addiction to Peter Pan peanut butter! With Caroline’s help, I gradually went from peanut butter graham crackers to peanut butter in yogurt to peanut butter on bananas then apples and finally no peanut butter.  It has been 3 months since I have had any!

With the combination of workouts 2-3 times a week and a focus on better nutrition, Transfit has allowed me to reach many of my goals.  I still have work to do, but I am more confident that I can do it.  If I can get through all these hurdles, then I know anyone can make it through their own struggles and reach their goals!  

---

Mary, we are so proud of you! You have encouraged and inspired us all!  Keep motivated- keep striving to reach your goals each hour, giving your best! 

We would love for you to join us THIS FRIDAY for our Lunch and Learn! We will be focusing on goals and dreams. Please sign up for the Lunch and Learn by Thursday at 1 PM. You can sign up on our FREE app under the SPECIAL EVENTS tab! We hope to see you this Friday! If you have any questions, please email us at transfitathens@gmail.com. 

Blessings, 

Team TransFIt

Congrats to Our Holiday Extravaganza Winners!

After a wonderful holiday season, the 2017 Holiday Extravaganza has finally come to a close! We have been so encouraged by the stories from so many competitors, and we had a blast doing this again with you all! Over 100 people played and over 3/4 of the participants received their money back! That means they kept their weight the same or lost weight over the holidays! WOW- that is hard! Congrats to EVERYONE who played! You should be proud of yourself for being accountable over the holidays! Here are the final results: 

1. Brionne Antwine- 15.36%

2. Angie Sanders- 8.07%

3. Kelly Strickland-6.79%

4. Mary McKillip

5. Kathy Cousart

6. Catherine Warner

7. Kasey Dillard

8. Jennifer Rickard

9. Megan Melton

10. Melynda McCutcheon

We will do a spotlight on our top five winners throughout the month! We encourage you to read these spotlights and draw inspiration from these hard working ladies! We are so blessed by their words and we are so motivated by their transformations!  Our prayer is that the spotlights will light a spark in YOU to give your best this year! Way to go ladies! 

First Place Winner- Brionne Antwine

My name is Brionne, I am married to Jamie, and we have 4 kids, ages 5-12. While trying to balance kids at three different schools who are all playing sports, working part time as a nurse at Piedmont Athens Regional, and keeping up with my husband’s busy work schedule, nutrition and exercise was not the priority it should have been. It was all too easy to pick up a pizza or go though the drive thru between practices. When I stepped on the scale at the beginning of the Holiday Extravaganza, I knew something needed to change! The first step was to end my relationship with Dr. Pepper  The break up wasn’t as hard as I anticipated, and the more water I drank, the more I craved...water! I made it a priority to get in 96oz a day. I started keeping a food journal, and at first submitting daily to Caroline. Talk about accountability! I found ways to incorporate more vegetables in my diet, and spinach has found a permanent place in our fridge. I aimed for a salad a day, and added spinach and fruit smoothies into my morning routine. I found myself sautéing zucchini for lunch, which was a far cry from my ham and cheese sandwiches with a side of Chex Mix! 

The hardest week for me was attempting the “No Added Sugar” challenge. I almost quit before I even started! But I learned so much that week! Turns out that my “healthy” yogurt, wasn’t so healthy after all! It was loaded with sugar! I switched to the Dannon Oikos Triple Zero yogurt, which allows for a flavored yogurt with no added sugar. And I learned that most salad dressings have sugar (I honestly had no clue), but that a little olive oil and red wine vinegar still tastes delicious on my spinach, feta cheese, strawberry, and walnut salads!

I had fallen way out of routine with exercise, so Caroline encouraged me to aim for at least 30 minutes a day. Some days I would walk, some days I would jog, and some days I’d dust off an old workout DVD. Most importantly, I didn’t get discouraged when I missed a day. I planned exercise into my schedule, and my husband was very supportive to give me that “me time.” 

Now, I am looking forward to attending weekly Transformer classes. I love the accountability, and just because the challenge is over, I don't want this journey to end! Seeing results gives me the encouragement to continue! 

Well done to all contestants! We are so incredibly proud of everyone who competed! Remember that the January Jump Start can still be purchased! We would love to have you join us in our journey towards a healthy lifestyle this year! 

Blessings, 

Team TransFit

Release, Reset, Renew in 2018!

Happy Thursday! 

We are off to an amazing start this January and we are excited to see all that this year will hold for YOU! With a new year, it is so important to focus on our goals for the month and upcoming year! We want to challenge each of you to take the time to think about your goals. We all have goals and dreams that we want to accomplish and our TransFit team wants to help you see each goal achieved! It is not too late to purchase a January Jump Start Package to help kick start your January! You can purchase it on the app HERE or on our website HERE! 

 A new year gives you time to start fresh with your goals. Let's not look back at the past at what we should have done or missed out on, but rather look to the present moment and get ready to focus on what we are going to accomplish! Setting goals will allow you to focus on what you want to accomplish- your dreams and your passions. Setting goals and completing action steps will help you to make what seems impossible become possible! In addition to goals, we must focus on accountability. When someone is on your side, keeping you on track with all of your goals, you can transform and achieve! This person should be someone who checks in with you, at least weekly, and is encouraging and motivating you to be your best! 

Please print and fill out this goals sheet below and send us a picture or bring it to the TransFit studio so we can help hold you accountable!

Congrats to all of our Holiday Extravaganza participants! We are so proud of each of you who participated in our challenge. We will be doing final weigh- in's today and will announce the winners this weekend! We hope that you feel inspired and ready to start this new year! We want to say thank you to each of these businesses who donated-

• The Pine
• The National
• Avid Bookshop
• lululemon
• Georgia Skin Cancer and Aesthetic Dermatology
• Epiphany
• Rosilie's Beads
• Andree's
• Fresh Market
• Perfect Portions
• Ginkgo Creations
• Kathy Cousart Fine Art
• Bangs Salon
• Dr. Glenn Alex
• Smoothie King
• Blonde Beauty Bar
• Journey Juice
• Fire and Flavor
• Donna Changs
• Condor Chocolate
• Kasey Shuler
• Zoe's Kitchen

Celebrate each small victory and realize that your health and nutrition is not a diet or a means to an end. This is your new healthy lifestyle!

 If you have any questions, please email us at transfitathens@gmail.com. 

Blessings, 

Team TransFit

What's Happening This Month at TransFit?!

Ladies, 

We are off to a great start for this January! We have loved seeing your smiling faces back in the studio! We wanted to share some important dates and events that are happening this month here at TransFit! 

Holiday Extravaganza Weigh-In's: Weigh Ins are going on now and will end Thursday, January 11. If you participated in our Holiday Extravaganza challenge, come weigh in so that you can get your $20 BACK! There will be prizes for the top 10 winners, so keep working hard this weekend!

January Jump Start Packages: It's not too late to purchase your January Jump Start packages. Kickstart the new year and commit to your health for 2018! You can purchase packages on our website HERE and our our app HERE! 

Middle School Girls: Sessions begin Wednesday, January 10 at 4:30 PM. We would love for your daughter or friend to come join us for our middle school session! These girls learn about the importance of living transformed in body, mind, and spirit while working out with friends! You can sign up on our FREE app HERE! 

Friday TransFit Yoga Sessions: Starting Friday, January 12 and moving forward, the yoga session will be meeting at 9:30 AM on Friday mornings! We hope that you can join us! Click here to sign up!

January Lunch and Learn: Our Lunch and Learn will be January 26! We are excited to team up with Kristy Smith from Lululemon, our dietitian Kaeti Shurling, and your TransFit trainers for a life transforming goal workshop in the studio. We will learn how to create that life vision and achieve your goals and dreams so you can thrive and live your best life!  You can register on our app HERE! We have been inspired to take risks and step out in faith toward new directions and to strive for new life goals. 

Bible Study: Our Live Transformed Bible Study will begin on January 25. Our prayer for you in this study is for you to learn what God wants for your life, for Him to reveal to you your strengths, and His plan for your amazing body, mind, and spirit.

We would love to see you at these different events and hope to see you in sessions, too! You can sign up for all events and sessions on our FREE app HERE! If you have any questions, please email us at transfitathens@gmail.com. 

Blessings, 

Team TransFit

Happy New Year! Commit To Your Health in 2018!

Happy New Year! We are looking forward to an amazing 2018 with you! Let's make the most of every single day we are given, and make the most of every opportunity we have to be healthier in each area of our life! Don't wait another second, realize that you CAN change any aspect of your life that you want to!  How can you commit to your health and reach your goals this year? Accountability is the key to unlocking your success in 2018! Our TransFit Team wants to know you and help you reach your goals!  We want to take this journey with you and we know you can achieve your goals! 

Thinking about the New Year- Are you going to be looking to jump start your body, mind, and spirit for a successful 2018? The TransFit January Jump Start package will provide you a healthy inclusive approach to help you achieve your fitness goals! The January Jump Start packages will get you on the right track to make 2018 the best year yet, body, mind, and spirit! Our January Jump Start package and all other packages  will be offered to you today for 10% OFF! Use the code TFNEWYEAR when you checkout! You can purchase packages on our app AND website!

We want to say that you so much for another incredible year. God has continued to bless TransFit and we have loved watching Him use TransFit as an amazing ministry. You all inspire us each day, and we could not be more grateful to do what we love and serve you! For all of our Holiday Extravaganza participants, weigh-ins will begin on January 2nd and end on January 12! Email us at transfitathens@gmail.com if you have any questions!

Blessings, 

Team TransFit

Who Needs Some Tips on How to Navigate Holiday Parties?! 🙋🏼

Hello sweet friend! 

As we continue into this wonderful season, one of the most challenging things in our health journey can be staying on track when we go to holiday parties. We all know  parties are to enjoy friends, family but also there can be endless amounts of food. People gather and all bring dishes that are so tempting and we often go through a cycle of overeating and then feeling guilt after the party. Friend, let's not so this to yourself this holiday season!  Bring a healthy dish to share and choose wisely! 

Here are a few tips on how to have your best and healthiest holiday season yet.

1. Focus on fellowship with family and friends! You are not there for the food. Yes, there will be a lot of food that only comes once a year but at the end of the day it is exactly that- food. Food was meant to nourish our bodies for service, not tempt us into over-indulgence and lead us to guilt. Go into your party knowing that this party is about fellowship and spending time with the ones you love. 
2. Drink a large glass of water and eat a high-protein snack before the party.Now, you will be satisfied from a healthy snack going into the party and much less likely to reach for empty calories and mindless snacks. I know often people will not eat all day to "save their calories" for the big party or meal, however this leads to over-consumption of foods that are not going to satisfy or fuel you in the long run! Prepare before hand so you can enter and exit this party feeling healthy and nourished. Having victory! 
3. Bring a healthy snack or treat that everyone can enjoy and so you will know you have a healthy option available. Some ideas are: lean meat and cheese trays, fruit and vegetable trays, homemade trail mix or glazed nuts. Below is an easy recipe that you can take that is sure to be a crowd favorite and leave everyone feeling great and not weighed down and guilty! 
4. Keep moving! Stay on track with your fitness goals by continuing to schedule your workouts as usual. Block of these times in your schedule, so you don't skip a workout. When family is town, take walks together! Park further away from stores to get in extra steps! 
5. Begin with the end in mind! Make everyday count! January is only a couple weeks away! Need some extra accountability? We're here for YOU and believe in YOU! The TransFit team wants to see you reach your goals! We want to see you get your $20 back in January at the end of our Holiday Extravaganza! Remember: consistency is key! Remind yourself daily to focus on Jesus the reason for the season. You can't control all of your circumstances, but you can control where you keep your focus-- on Him! 

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Here are some great healthy recipes to take to your next holiday party!

Strawberry Edamame Salad

• 2 cups organic baby spinach
• 1 cup chopped kale
• 1/2 cup chopped strawberries
• 1/3 cup edamame
• Tbsp. goat cheese (or feta or whatever your favorite is!)
• 1/4 cup toasted, chopped pecans

Combine all ingredients together. Drizzle a tablespoon (or two) of your favorite dressing on top. I like a tablespoon of olive oil and balsamic vinegar! Don’t forget to make an extra salad or two for lunches this week!

Fruit Kabobs

Perfect kid friendly healthy snack! Add one marshmallow, strawberry, banana, and grape for the perfect Santa kabob! 

Holiday Grain Bowl 

• 1 cup cooked wild rice
• 1 cup cooked quinoa
• 6 radishes
• 1/2 cup roasted chickpeas
• 1/4 cup roasted pumpkin seeds
• 1/3 cup reduced sugar craisins 
• 2 cups salad greens of choice
• 1 shallot sliced
• Fresh basil
• Pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp green goddess dressing

First, make sure your rice and quinoa are cooked according to package directions. Slice your radishes and shallots. Arrange all ingredients into two bowls. Garnish with basil and pepper. Drizzle with green goddess dressing. 

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Take this opportunity to practice your will power, and then notice how great your body and spirit feel after the party because you have experienced all of the great fellowship without overindulging. Parties should be filled with laughter, fun and time spent with the ones that you love. 

Now you may be wondering what to do if you do get off track and have one too many pieces or Christmas candy or dessert. Let it go- it is in the past. Clean the slate! Realize that this health journey you are on is not a diet. No friends, this is a lifestyle and sometimes you will face challenges! We encourage you in these times to remember why you started this lifestyle. Think for a second on all of the positive changes you made this holiday season in compared to your last. Think of how far you have come and all the progress you have made. Now with a renewed mind and spirit prepare to have your best and healthiest day tomorrow and drink plenty of water and green tea to help purify your body so you can feel your best! 

You can do this sweet friend! We are praying for you and can't wait to hear all the success that you all have and how God blesses your holiday season! 

Blessings, 

Team TransFit

Let's Finish This Year Strong! Check out our December Client Spotlight- Fran Hahn

Happy Friday, sweet friend! 

It has been such an awesome week in the studio as we start this month! This week we challenged each of you to try the TransFIVE sugar challenge. If you didn't get to try the challenge this week, challenge yourself to complete it next week! It's never too late to start! 

Today we want to introduce you to one of our clients, Fran Hahn who has taken on our challenges and seen transformation, as a result! Fran inspires each one of us at TransFit when she walks into the studio with her bright smile! She makes the best smoothies and always encourages US by sharing her favorite healthy snacks and recipes! Another quality we love about our friend, Fran, is her commitment to whole body health, not just exercise! 

The week after Christmas in 1983, I got lost from my group of Auburn friends at a conference with about 20,000 other college students, and sat next to this hot, redheaded guy. One of the first things I said to him was: “If we got married, we would have all redheaded kids!” We did and we do! I have four redheaded kids, three daughters and a son, two sons-in-law (not redheaded), and a sweet granddaughter (not a redhead either).

Paul and I have moved twelve times in our thirty-one years of marriage. We are so happy to have landed in Athens in the summer of 2016. Although I am a Tiger in a Dawg world, this is for sure one of my favorite places we have called home.

My good friend, Laura Wilfong, brought me to TransFit about a year ago, and I have loved coming ever since. Working out here is consistently one of my weekly highlights.

Believe it or not, I was the 1981 Alabama state high school champion in the two-mile run. And since then, I have tried it all when it comes to fitness: from Jane Fonda’s aerobics tapes in the 80’s, to long distance running and swimming in the 90’s, to track workouts with the family in the 00’s, to CrossFit and hot yoga this decade. I have pretty much tried it all! As I grew a bit older, I fell into an ugly spin cycle of working out hard, getting injured, resting a little, then diving back in, only to get injured again. And I have tried every wacky diet plan known to mankind.

So, coming here to TransFit has brought some much-needed consistency, balance and challenge in my approaches to food and exercise. TransFit incorporates exercises which don’t kill my body, but strengthen it. And, I am encouraged to stay on course with my diet.  

My big challenge at this point in my journey is in being consumed with how I look. I want a 25-year-old body at 55. And that just isn’t going to happen, no matter how hard I work or obsess. I am learning how to lean into Jesus and be thankful that I have the privilege to exercise, and to enjoy him as I do. And though it may sound silly, drinking my daily water allotment is always a struggle for me!

Aside from running a few races and just staying in the game at my age, I don’t have any huge fitness achievements. But, Jesus has been good to me; he meets in sweet ways as I work out, and in all parts of my life. I am truly grateful.     

Fran, we are so proud of you! Thank you for sharing your story with us! You are such an inspiration! Ladies, let's finish the TransFIVE challenge STRONG and make this our best and healthiest holiday season, yet! We believe in you and know that you can do it. If you have any questions, please email us at transfitathens@gmail.com. 

Blessings, 

Team TransFit

Join us for a 5 Day No Sugar CHALLENGE! Start December STRONG!

Happy Sunday sweet friend!

You are ready to finish 2017 strong! To kick off December and the holidays feeling our BEST, we are going to start another round of the TransFive No Sugar Challenge this Monday!! Woo!!! Yes, Monday, December 4th ladies we can do 5 days of no candy, cakes, cookies, or added sugars! We are stronger together ladies. Let's do this challenge and feel VICTORY as we go into this holiday season!

 We would love to have you join us for the first time OR for another round! You are AMAZING AND WE WANT YOU TO REACH YOUR END OF THE YEAR GOALS ! Let's do the challenge together, ladies!  

The TransFive  eBook is given to you, sweet friend, FREE this week, you just have click the link to get the eBook with a sample meal plan, recipes, and 5 day devotion! Commit to being ALL IN with the 5 day Challenge! Yes, you can! 

Here is a sample recipe from TransFive! 

Hummus-Crusted Chicken

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Salt and pepper
• 1 zucchini, chopped
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 1 cup hummus
• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• 2 lemons

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Prepare one large baking dish or two smaller baking dishes with cooking spray.

Pat the chicken dry. Season the chicken breasts with generous pinches of salt and pepper. In a large bowl, toss the zucchini, squash and onion with olive oil until evenly coated. Season with salt and pepper. If using one baking dish, place all of the vegetables on the bottom of the dish in an even layer. Lay the four chicken breasts evenly on top, then cover each chicken breast with the hummus so that the entire breast is covered. Squeeze the juice of one lemon over the chicken and vegetables. Then sprinkle the pan with smoked paprika. Thinly slice the remaining lemon, and place the slices in between the chicken and vegetables.

**If using two pans, use one for the chicken and one for the vegetables.**Bake for about 25-30 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. Serve immediately.

Have a fabulous weekend friends, and congratulations on another amazing week of living transformed and striving to become to healthiest version of yourself. Remember that with EVERY small step you take you are making lasting changes and becoming better than you yesterday.  Small changes equals BIG results! Take time this weekend to celebrate all of the healthy changes you have made this year and how your new healthy lifestyle makes you feel.

You are beautiful and strong, friend!! We so value and treasure you at TransFit and we are incrediblly proud of you. Keep motivated to achieve your whole body health goals! 

Blessings,

Team TransFit

BELIEVE You Can Finish 2017 Feeling Your Best!

Happy December sweet friends! 

Our theme the month of December is BELIEVE. We want you to believe in yourself and finish 2017 strong and feeling your best! Make everyday count!

These next few weeks, remember your goals and go after them! You are stronger than you think you are, we believe in you! In addition to your nutrition and exercise goal this month-- set one new goal this December: keep your focus on on Jesus.  Amidst crazy holiday parties and overwhelming schedules you can stay focused! Breathe in the goodness of His love and grace for you.  You can't control all of your circumstances but you can believe in the God who loves you unconditionally, and you can keep your focus on Him this season! #newgoal

Here is your new December Holiday Extravaganza Calendar! When you finish a weekly challenge let us know and you will be entered in for a weekly prize!  Write our your exercise plan for the week on your exercise calander below so you can stay accountable this December!

This holiday season, we have an amazing December Holiday Salad that has everything you need to stop sugar cravings! Whether you use it as a side or with your favorite protein as a main meal, it is delicious! We love fueling our bodies with healthy foods that also taste great. Beautiful pomegranates are a good source of vitamin-C and provide about 17% per 100 g of daily requirement!

December Holiday Salad

• 4 cups spinach or mixed greens
• 1 oz goat cheese
• ¼ cup walnuts
• 1 Bartlett pear, ripe
• ¼ cup pomegranate seeds (use a splash of pomegranate juice in the dressing)
• ⅓ c olive oil
• ⅓ c white wine vinegar
• ½ tsp minced garlic
• Pepper

Instructions: In a jar with an airtight lid, shake last 4 ingredients. Toss with greens, top with cheese, walnuts, ripe pear, pomegranate. Add in grilled chicken or other protein for complete meal! Toasting walnuts (400* 6-8 minutes) brings out such a rich flavor. Enjoy!

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Friends, let's make the most of the holiday season. Take in all the smells, lights and the wonderful feeling that lingers in the air this time of year. Take the time to cherish your family and friends more than ever before, and make the most of every day. Choose to pray more, give more and love more in the coming month perhaps than you have all year- always remembering the true meaning of this season, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus! Happy December sweet friends!! Check out our Live Transformed Bible Study to recharge and refresh for this December! 

Blessings, 

Team TransFit

🍴How to Stay On Track During Thanksgiving Festivities🍴

Happy Black Friday! 

We hope each of you had a great Thanksgiving day and were able to spend time with friends and family! We each have so much to be thankful for!  

Today, we are excited to offer YOU a TransFit Black Friday DEAL! We are offering 20% off ANY package, session, or item on our website & the TransFit app. This means that you can purchase ANY item, whether it is personal training, transformer sessions, or a nutrition consultation, for 20% off! You can purchase these packages on our TransFit app or our website and use the code BLACKFRIDAY to receive the discount! Each package will have an expiration of 3 months!

You can also use our BLACK FRIDAY deal on our merchandise on ETSY! Click HERE to go to our Etsy store! 

Enjoy this time with family, but remember to continue to exercise and focus on nutrition. Continue to make everyday count so you can be the biggest loser for Holiday Extravaganza! Check out our app, website, and YouTube channel for recipes and workouts! We can't wait to see you in the studio next week! 

Blessings, 

Team TransFit 

Thanksgiving Day Inspiration! 🙏🏼

Sweet friends, 

We are so grateful for you! This week has already been full of family and friends and it has been on our mind how thankful we are for our amazing clients, friends, and family. As Thursday approaches, let's stay focused on everything we are thankful for- especially the opportunity we have to live our healthiest life. Let's remember we can stay on track, even in the holiday season! Our Challenge this week for Holiday Extravaganza is to do cardio for 30 minutes each day! You can do it! 

During Thanksgiving, the main idea is to remember PORTION CONTROL. You do not have to avoid dessert completely, but focus on being mindful with your portions. Moderation is the key! Maybe decide ahead of time which treat you want to have, and then decide which you could give up. For example- maybe skip the rolls and mashed potatoes, instead choose a sweet potato with honey and turkey, vegetables, and cranberry sauce, and then have a smaller piece or just a few bites of pumpkin pie. Toast some pecans for a healthier treat! Below are 3 Thanksgiving Tips to help you have a healthier and happier Thanksgiving Holiday! 

3 Holiday Tips:

1. Make a list of why you started your fitness journey  and read it before going to your party or meal over the holidays! Keep your goals you set at the beginning of the month in mind! 
2. It is okay to say "NO" to all the food pushers. You don't have to try everyone's famous recipe or try each of the foods that are sitting out. Check our healthy Thanksgiving recipes from our blog HERE! 
3. Exercise over the holidays: Be ready to be flexible, your usually workout time may not work, so try to fit it somewhere else in your schedule. Join us at the Give Thanks 8K Thursday morning! 

Picture from Fire and Flavor

Take an afternoon walk before or after your meal, admiring the beauty outside and spending some time to be thankful for all He has blessed you with. Enjoy celebrating your health and spending time with those you love, and have an incredible start to this wonderful holiday season. Our Transfit Staff is grateful for you! 

Make sure to check back Friday morning for our Black Friday DEAL! 

Blessings, 

Team TransFit

Are you ready for the most TRANSFORMING Holiday Challenge?

Sweet friend, 

Are you READY to TRANFORM?  Don't let these holidays months fly by and your back to square one in January friends!  Thank you for participating in our October calendar challenge --we are SO proud of each of you! We are so excited to announce our winner, Ellen Sabatini! Ellen exercised everyday in October and had the goal of positive thoughts daily! Ellen and her whole family are the true TRANSFORMERS! Ellen is inspiring our community and teaching children about whole body health. Together, she and the Barrow Buddies at Barrow Elementary School are the winners in the race of life! Thank you, Ellen, for giving your best one day at a time and renewing your body, mind, and spirit- living transformed! 

BUT... now that October has come and gone it's time for everyone to compete for a chance in the BIG Holiday competition and win BIG!

You guessed it... it's time for HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA! 

Time for the Holiday Extravaganza, the best holiday challenge to keep you accountable to your goals over Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years!  If you would like to participate this year, please e-mail us, transfitathens@gmail.com, to find a time for you to come weigh in or weigh in before or after a session! Feel free to invite friends & family to play as well. The pot will be huge this year, but hopefully everyone will take their money back! 

DETAILS OF THE GAME:

Starts the week of November 13th - Finish week of January 8th

Here's how it works: Challenge begins the week of November 13th. In order to play, any person who wants to play puts $20 in the bucket. You will weigh in (cinfdentially) and do your best over the holidays to eat right, exercise, drink water, and do our weekly challenges. On the week of January 8th we will weigh in again. 

If your weight stays the same- you get your $20 BACK! If you gain weight, your money stays in the bucket and you contribute to the biggest looser prize! 

If you are the biggest loser (we use % of weight lost) you get to keep all the money in the bucket! Our top five winners will also receive a special gift basket! The Holiday Extravaganzas is the best way to keep you accountable over the holiday season! Let's do it! 

Last year our 1st place winner won $950 cash!!

If you have any questions, please email us at transfitathens@gmail.com. We can't wait to enter into one of our favorite times of the year! Let's hold each other accountable and make this the best holiday season for our body, mind, and spirit. We believe in YOU! We hope you will join us! 

Blessings, 

Team TransFit

AND Biblical Meditation the first Tuesday of every month from 12-1 PM! 

October Client Spotlight: Paige Colquitt

Hi sweet friends! 

We are almost though the month and our October Challenge is going strong! Activity daily and one positive statement is the October Challenge! We hope you are trying to get in some type of movement everyday and recording it on your October calendar! Also, it's not to late to start the challenge, or restart the challenge! Make every day count this month! Today, we have the joy of introducing you to our October client spotlight- Paige Colquitt!

Paige radiates inner and outer beauty and shines her bright spirit on everyone she meets! Paige is transforming daily in body, mind, and spirit and we LOVE Paige's daily goal "to take it one hour, one day at a time!"  YES, that is what living transformed is - resetting, restarting, refocusing one hour at a time- giving your best with what you have! Not comparing yourself but being grateful for your little blessings! 

Thank you Paige for that reminder! We are so proud of you!  

My journey to good health began after the birth of our second child in 1998. I had lots of baby weight to lose, so I started running... and running... and running. Running still continues to be my favorite cardio exercise. Running combined with less eating helped shed all those pounds.  

As I aged, I continued to exercise regularly. In addition to running, I love to swim, hike, bike and have just taken up paddleboarding with my husband! I LOVE the way exercise makes me feel...strong, confident and ready to tackle the day! Although I felt like I had the exercising part down pat, I quickly realized that I was missing a key component in to my health routine, that of good nutrition. I began to understand that eating the same types/amounts of food as a 50-year-old didn't yield the same results as when I was a 30-year-old. I began to feel frustrated. I was still exercising as much as ever. Why was I gaining weight? That's when I discovered TransFit. The timing was perfect.

I made an appointment with Katie Woodall, nutrition specialist at TransFit, who explained to me that the food choices I make should be looked at as a way of fueling and energizing my body. I had always looked at it as depriving myself of tasty foods and missing out on good food. This was a huge paradigm shift for me ... one that I desperately needed. Katie instilled in me four nutrition goals that I try to adhere to each day. 1) Drink lots of water daily. 2) Eat more protein. 3) Consume more greens. 4) Eat smaller, more frequent meals. Everyday is not perfect by any means, but I've realized by doing these four things, I feel so much more energized and happier!  

At the same time, I also enrolled in Caroline's Transformer classes. I had been doing some exercise "boot camps" at home, but knew I needed to change things up. After taking Caroline's first class, I knew it was different. The strength/interval training was just what my body needed. The class itself challenged me, kept my body guessing and had me coming back for more. I loved it and continue to enjoy it twice a week. Losing some weight, decreasing body fat, and increasing muscle mass have all been positive results I've seen. I sweat like I've never sweated before and leave each session ready to tackle the day! Another plus is that all the teachers are so encouraging and truly want you to succeed. TransFit has helped change my mindset as well. I've always been really hard on myself and expect perfection at times. I've learned not to beat myself up when I make mistakes and that God doesn't expect perfection from me... all He asks for is my dependence on Him. He loves me just as I am and asks that I trust Him daily. My favorite part of each TransFit class is when Caroline prays a closing prayer to lift us up and remind us that God's love is unfailing.

Lastly, a huge part of my health journey has been the fun of sharing it with my husband, Steve. He, too, is on board with making healthy food choices for himself and exercising daily. He is an awesome accountability partner and encourager. We've learned that we work so much better together as a team and strive to enter each day with positivity. 

Paige, we are so incredibly proud of you! We hope that Paige's story inspired and encouraged you! We love how Paige shared about the importance of whole body health through exercise and nutrition and accountability!  

Ladies, we can finish this month strong! Let's make it count and give it our BEST! We believe in you! If you have any questions or would like to schedule a 1-1 appointment with any of our trainers or dietitian and nutrition consultants, please email us at transfitathens@gmail.com or register on our website or FREE app! 

Blessings, 

Team TransFit

Fall is in the Air! 🍁🍂

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power." Ephesians 6:10

Where do you find strength to keep going? Yes, fall is in the air and the air seems energizing; however, I know some days I feel weary, tired, and down. That is why I want to encourage you today friends! You can keep going and stay focused on your goals. We believe in you! We all need an extra dose of encouragement to keep going and stay focused on our goals and dreams.

Living transformed means once you make a decision to do something, you make a commitment. Commit to whole body health everyday, take action on your goals, and ask Him daily to give you the strength to do whatever it is that you are setting out to do!  Trust in the truth that with God's help you can accomplish anything. 

This fall weekend, Athens will be filled with activities for you and your family! Check out all these fun and active weekend events! 

Friday night- Light the Night is a walk raising support for Leukemia. This is a great event to join with friends and family to walk for a cause and spend time enjoying this beautiful fall weather!  Join Team Jain Gang

Saturday- AthHalf 5K- AthHalf is offering a 5K this year! The race will begin at 3:30 PM. Sign up and walk or run with your friends and family! Come out and support our TransFit runners and the entire Athens community of runner and walkers! 

Sunday- ATHHALF! We are so proud of each of you who are participating in the race and can't wait to see you cross that finish line! If you aren't running, come out and cheer on all the runner! The AthHalf will begin at 7:30 AM!  

Let us continue today, to give our best, no matter how we have done in the rest of the week or this month, to push harder, grow stronger and seek to know the Lord more than we ever have! Each opportunity and moment is precious- so let us dedicate every moment of today to living a healthy, joy-filled life.

Our TransFit Team is praying for you this month, sweet friends!

If you would like to start walking or running, our running coach Lisa Patton would LOVE to meet with you! You can sign up for 1-1 sessions with Lisa on our FREE app HERE! We also have running packages and eBooks on our website! If you have any questions, please email us at transfitathens@gmail.com. 

Blessings, 

Team TransFit

Finish TransFIVE Strong!!!

Happy Thursday!

Thank you for joining us for the transFIVE Challenge! We are SO proud of you for accepting the challenge to eliminate sugar for 5 days to make the first week of October your best! Challenge yourself to workout daily and come join us in the studio for strength training, running, Bible study, Biblical meditation, or yoga! You can do 5 days with no sugar- we believe in you!! 

As we enter into Day 4, here is a great reminder- Release all your worries to the Lord! We pray that you are able to surrender all control to Him.  Rest in His peace and His love for you. The Lord reminds us in His word 365 times to not be afraid- one for each day. May we live in the freedom found in Christ! 

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7

You are beautiful and made in His image! Shine today beautiful friend! Make today your best day and commit to eliminating sugar today! Take this journey just one day at a time! You will feel energized & revitalized at the end of the 5 days! Please read the daily inspiration for today in the eBook & remember your goal for this week! 

Keep these great tips in mind each day- 

• Avoid simple carbohydrates, like processed breads and cereals 
• Consume ALL your meals prior to 7:00 P.M. Then, brush your teeth for the night and avoid any food until the next morning when you eat breakfast 
• Drink a minimum of 100 ounces of water DAILY
• Try to eat less fruits and MORE veggies
• Exercise for 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the afternoon- one option would be to alternate your strength training and cardiovascular exercise

YOU ARE ENOUGH! The Lord has created you in His image! Be encouraged by His truth! Thank you for accepting the challenge! Stick with the meal plan today! You are strong and you can complete these FIVE DAYS! We believe in YOU! Download our app, TransFit to book sessions and find recipes, inspiration, and workouts! Follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Snapchat @transfitathens, to keep up with what is happening in the studio, enter in great giveaways, and find new recipes or workouts to try! If you have any questions, please email us at transfitathens@gmail.com. 

Blessings, 

Team TransFit

"Let us RUN the race marked before us..." Why do you RUN?

Happy Wednesday, friends! 

Can you believe we are in our last week of September?! The month has flown by, and we hope that you have made this your best month yet and challenged yourself in our September squat challenge! Today, I am excited to share some stories that will inspire you to run or walk .... not just physically but run the race of life- well.  "Why would you ever want to do that to your body" many people have asked these past few weeks as we talk about a marathon. On September 19-  Lisa, Allison, Sara & I finished a marathon in Chicago.  Yes I emphasized finished because there were a few times where I wanted to stop and give up.  However, reflecting back on the marathon trip I realized we are all running marathons- daily - the marathon of LIFE! You have an easy pace one day, a race pace another, a natural high and a rock bottom low. We all have those feeling some days that we can't take another stop forward but with help from God, friends, and family yes we can! That is why I love a marathon!!! To have to fully rely on Christ to get me through seemingly impossible situations when I physically can not stand on my own. Exercise is worship! No matter how much you train in this marathon of life we will all be tested but when you trust in Him, you CAN and you WILL finish the race. 

I am excited for you to read these stories below.

Love and blessings, C

Sara Swann, Allison Cass, Lisa Patton, Caroline Ward

In Lisa's words: I trained for a marathon, but the Lord had a bigger plan for me. To prepare for the marathon, I carefully planned workouts, journaled food, added more water and was well hydrated for all workouts. I spent time focusing on scripture and positive thoughts in preparation for the mental challenge of the race. I felt confident and ready. I planned, prepared, and then performed, however my outcome was not what I had envisioned. A stomach virus had crept in and I was febrile and nauseated during the race and for the next few days. If I didn’t accomplish what I had set out to do, where was this peace and fullness coming from? As I reflect on the weekend, God presses on my heart the true race we are running. Our training plan is set for eternity. We are all running a marathon. Sometimes the outcome is exactly what we planned for and sometimes it takes a turn we never expected; even one we were careful to avoid. One of my favorite things about marathon training was the fellowship and accountability with my TransFit running partners. Yes, sweet friends, we need the accountability for physical fitness and wellness, but oh, how much more precious are these relationships that we are building for our marathon of life.

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Sara's marathon story: I started running and still do, because I love being outdoors, feeling the breeze in my face and the feeling of joy it brings when I finish a run! Sometimes it's hard to get started; its cold or hot, I'm tired, or it's really early when the alarm goes off, but the feeling of pure joy and the fellowship of the wonderful women inspire me to "do it anyway". I love challenging myself to new goals and the feeling of accomplishment when I reach them, and the accountability partners that help me get there! Nothing like the feeling of finishing a race whether it's a 10k, half or full marathon. I think running is a lot mental for me- a good way to have some personal time alone with God, enjoying His beauty or the time to get to talk with other friends to encourage one another! It sets the tone for a great day to go out and sweat, release energy, spend time in prayer and surround yourself with encouraging women! This marathon was really special because I was able to enjoy it with some amazing women. The training is time consuming and difficult to work into your busy life but the reward is so much more than any sacrifices made!! I had to battle some obstacles going into the marathon with a foot injury and an upper respiratory infection the week before however the good Lord taught me some lessons in this and helped get me through the race- a feet I could not have done without His strength!! Because of that, the beautiful scenery, amazing friends and the strength of my God, I have never felt more close to God or had quite a feeling of elation after finishing this marathon! It was life changing and I would encourage everyone to do a 5K, 10k, half or full marathon so they can also experience this! Unbelievable! 

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Allison's marathon story: If anyone had asked me this time a year ago if I had any interest in running a marathon, my response would’ve definitely been a huge NO , accompanied by bellowing laughter!  That seemed like a goal so unattainable that I wouldn’t have even considered it possible.  I have always loved running…but definitely short distances, usually 4-5 miles a few times a week. It wasn’t until after I ran my first half marathon in April that I truly realized how passionate I really was about running.  After the half, Sara and I continued to run with a running group on the weekends and it became something that I looked forward to each week!  I got to know some of the most precious ladies and established friendships that I will be forever grateful for. Many, many problems were solved and deep questions were answered on those early Saturday morning runs.  As our mileage crept up, it briefly entered my mind that I might could TRY…but it wasn’t until my husband gave me the little nudge of support I needed to really set the goal and say…YES, I can!!   I did, however, tell Caroline and Lisa that I felt like I’d probably lost my mind ;) !  But from that point on, I’d committed so I chose to not look back.  It was a journey in itself just to get to that weekend of Sept 17th.  So many miles logged, so many days checked off our training plan, so many questions and fears.  I just can’t express how instrumental Caroline and Lisa were in keeping us accountable and guiding us through the training process—soooo grateful for the instruction and support they provided through all of it.  The weekend itself was incredible!!  We saw God’s hand in so many things throughout the whole weekend.  We had such an AMAZING support group of both family and friends back home and we truly felt all the prayers lifting us up throughout our time in Illinois.  We had such a sweet, special time, enjoyed fellowship with one another and were able to focus on not only our physical health and readiness for the race but more importantly on our spiritual health and our relationships with the Lord.  It became so clearly evident the correlation between running this actual race and the race of life.  Race day was amazing! Those last 6 miles were TOUGH!! But we powered through and to finally see the finish line was so wonderful!!  While that day was the culmination of all the many weeks of training and hard work…I realized it was the time spent those couple days before that I am most grateful for.  The whole thing was such an empowering, spiritual experience that I will always treasure.  I learned so much, I grew so much…I’m just so thankful.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.  And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

~Hebrews 12:1-2

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We each have a race set before us! May we look to the Lord for guidance while running the race marked before us! We would love for you to join us Friday at 12:30 at the TransFit studio for our Walking and Running Lunch and Learn! Please sign up on our app here! We hope to see you there! If you have any questions, please email us at transfitathens@gmail.com. 

Blessings, 

Team TransFit