Kristie Has Put the Pieces Together

The last time we profiled Kristie, it was as part of an article where we celebrated her success as the second-place winner of RydeOn! University.

So how is she doing today? We're thrilled to say that Kristie has kept Rydin' On!, and we have both Kristie and her friend and RydeOn! instructor, Malissa, to tell you all about it.

“I feel fantastic!,” Kristie reports, after shedding forty-six pounds and shrinking from a size twelve to a size six. “I actually wake up each day thanking God for one more day on the planet and for a strong body that can change based on how I take care of it.” And change it she has! Kristie tells us she ran the last Chicago marathon in 28:59 – her personal best!

What's the secret to Kristie's incredible success? According to both Kristie and Malissa, Kristie has met her initial goals and has been able to move to a maintenance phase in her health and fitness journey because she has developed a “no excuses” attitude and because she has taken everything she's learned about health and fitness and used those bits of information to put together a “puzzle” that works specifically for her.

Malissa says that she has known Kristie for about seven-eight years through Malissa's work as an overall fitness professional. “We've done cardio kickboxing, Yoga, general weight and strength training, and that sort of stuff,” Malissa says. Kristie followed Malissa to RydeOn! last winter, when Malissa became an instructor here, to add indoor cycling to her regimen.

“Throughout our time together, I heard every excuse there is from Kristie,” Malissa laughs, and adds that Kristie is successful with her health and fitness now because she's learned how to deal with challenges that get in the way of taking care of herself.  “No matter the roadblock today, Kristie has found a way around it. She's proof that no matter what excuse you can come up with, you can find a way around it.”

In addition, “I'm really proud of her because she's been able to take the pieces of each type of exercise and nutrition plan and pull them together into something that's working for her body – instead of doing just this one thing and that one thing,” Malissa adds.

Kristie says that RydeOn!'s 5:45 am indoor cycling classes help her exercise on the days she works, making them a perfect “no excuses” workout. “Plus, I love seeing everyone and working out with a 'team' because I do a lot of my other workouts on my own.”

For herself, Kristie says that her long relationship with Malissa has been a key to her success.

"Malissa is very positive and encouraging!," Kristie says. "She understood that I wanted a lifestyle change and long term health and that the journey has bumps in the road, but you keep working towards your long term goals. She also has so much experience that she was able to give me good advice on injury prevention and my overall fitness plan. And let's not forget Brigid! Her happy face is so encouraging at 5:45 am – I'm not sure how she does that!”

Kristie is living proof that, no matter how many the roadblocks in your way, you can achieve health and fitness success! If you're ready to join Kristie at 5:45 am – or are ready to sign up for any other RydeOn! indoor cycling class – just click here.