Kitna Brewer was fed up. She was tired of being overweight and out-of-shape. The 44-year-old single mother of two teenage boys didn’t want to live that way any longer. She decided to make a change.
Enter Chani Overstreet.
Chani, a professional fitness instructor who recently opened Strada Fitness studio with her husband, Luke, in Flower Mound, knew exactly what Kitna needed.
“When I met Kitna, I didn’t see a heavy woman,” remembers Chani. “I saw a beautiful lady who just needed to overcome some bad habits so she could get healthy again and feel better about herself. ”
Chani immediately put Kitna at ease, first by convincing her that she really could lose the weight and get back in shape.
“I was skeptical at first, and I kept asking Chani ‘are you sure you can help me?’” said Kitna.
Beginning in August 2010, Kitna began working out three times per week under Chani’s direction. She started slowly, easing into a routine and gradually building up to more strenuous exercises as Kitna’s body became accustomed to the work.
At the same time, Chani began changing Kitna’s eating habits, by providing healthy meal plans and stressing the importance of consuming at least eight glasses of water and five small meals per day. Two of those meals are protein shakes, which complement her exercise routine by building muscle and burning fat.
“I never feel hungry and, in fact, I’m usually surprised when it’s time to eat again!” said Kitna, who works full-time as a branch administrative manager for a wholesale insurance company. “The meal plans are super simple, and Chani has provided some really delicious recipes that include lots of protein, egg whites and fresh veggies.”
Kitna started seeing results within the first month. The inches started coming off, and she started feeling better both physically and emotionally.
By last June, Kitna had lost 65 pounds – more than a quarter of her initial body weight. Her sister, Robin Daniels, who started working with Chani at the same time, had lost more than 50 pounds as well.
Since Strada opened its doors in August, Kitna has been a regular. While continuing to work with Chani, she has also been tutored by Luke, as well as Jake Camp and Jonathan Pirpich, two of Strada’s certified trainers.
“All of the trainers at Strada are awesome,” says Kitna. “What I like most is they don’t just sit and watch you work out. They make sure you’re doing the exercises correctly, so you get the most out of your workout and to keep you from hurting yourself.”
Kitna started going to Strada’s boot camps on Saturday mornings to supplement her weekday exercise regimen.
“They’re not as brutal as they sound,” said Kitna, of the boot camps. “They let everyone work at their own pace, and the instructors are very positive and encouraging. Nobody’s getting in your face screaming at you!”
Kitna notes that Strada Fitness has something for just about everybody. While the majority of their clients are “regular moms and dads looking to get in shape,” you’ll also see teenagers and seniors in the studio. In fact, Kitna’s son, Hayden, started training with Jake, a former standout football player, in preparation for his next football season.
“The environment is really great and the new facility is terrific,” Kitna explained. “They make everyone feel like part of a family. It’s also not the type of gym where normal people will get intimidated by a bunch of body builders working right beside them.”
“Kitna has seen great results because she committed to changing her lifestyle,” said Luke. “She started eating healthy and working out regularly, which is all it takes. Being in a environment that provides encouragement and support, while celebrating your successes along the way, keeps you from rebounding and getting back into the old, bad habits.”
Of course, nobody’s perfect.
“I have the occasional Subway and Chick-fil-A, and I let myself splurge every now and then,” Kitna admits. “That’s okay. I just make sure I get back in the gym to work it off, and I never let myself stray too far from Chani’s meal plans.
“I still want to lose another 20 pounds or so,” says Kitna. “But just having gotten this far has been a minor miracle. I feel like I have my life back again. I can keep up with my crazy boys, and I get compliments every day about how much better I look.”
Strada is making it even easier for clients like Kitna and Robin to eat right. Their new Strada Fit Meals are delicious, healthy entrees that can be heated up at home or work. Conveniently packaged in just the right portions, the surprisingly affordable meals are ideally suited for busy people who can’t always take the time to cook.
“The American food industry has done a disservice to our society, with all the chemicals, preservatives and hormones they’ve added to our diets,” said Chani. “And don’t get me started on fast food! The simple fact is, if we want to get our health back, we have to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, and stay away from processed foods.”
The emphasis on whole-life fitness is what sets Strada apart from other gyms. Luke and Chani call themselves “lifestyle coaches,” because getting in shape is much more than just working out.
“Chani has helped countless people, like Kitna and Robin, not only lose their excess weight, but reclaim their lives by turning unhealthy habits into healthy habits,” explains Luke. “That’s why we’re so excited about what Strada Fitness can mean to our town. We want to play a role in making Flower Mound one of the healthiest places to live in America, not just one of the most affluent.”
Strada Fitness has no contracts and no monthly fees. To try a free session with one of the studio’s certified personal trainers, call 972.330.4300, or visit www.StradaFitness.com.
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