Lisa has been with Terrific Fitness (TF) for three years.  In that time she has not only seen a physical transformation but one that has made a difference in her entire life for the better.  The TF community and engagement has played a huge role in that.

Lisa has been working for a large hospitality establishment in the Melbourne CBD for the past 17 years.  Starting off as a worker, a supervisor and now a manager and administrator role.  Shift work, long hours, night work, and long hours on her feet, then long hours sitting at a desk in administrative positions.  This lead to disrupted sleep patterns which increases internal stress factors. When it came to food, she was not completely in control of her food and diet, although she did her best. She would take food in with her but heavily relied on what was available at work cafe to help her get through the day. 

Work, travel, and rotating shifts had an impact on lifestyle and increased stress and anxiety, especially with added responsibilities of promotions. 

Work, commute, couch, sleep, was the routine; too tired and a disrupted work/life balance to do much else.  Stress and anxiety reached such a point that a formal diagnosis prompted Lisa to opt for medication to help her through things.

Lisa wanted to change things for the better.  In 2017 Lisa joined the community at TF and started out with two group sessions a week.  She found a routine of exercise and community that began a new path and new habits, giving her a place to release and unwind, allowing her to break away from the numbing effects of what she was previously doing and established a true connection with the community of members and trainers. 

Within a couple of months, Lisa began to notice a change.  The benefits of exercise, doing something for herself and seeing a genuine change.  Her follow-up Body Composition Analysis (BCA) 8 weeks from her start date, showed a huge improvement.  Since then, over the past three years had a complete transformation in lifestyle as well as her physical transformation.  The loyal patronage (members and trainers), bonding of groups in training, the connections made and shared amongst members have yielded incredible achievements:

• A renewed sense of well being
• Stronger and Fitter
• Community connections, new friends and bonds
• Improved confidence in life and ability
• Managing stresses and anxieties enough to stop the medication

Lisa began with two sessions a week, upgrading to unlimited training only a few months later. From 2 sessions per week, Lisa now participates in 4-5+ sessions per week.

Lisa sought the advice and direction from the trainers, learning more about exercise, nutrition and mindset along the way.  She participated in the Body Composition Analysis (BCA) which tracked her body measurements and biometric levels.  Coupled with nutrition counseling sessions over time, these measurements changed to reflect a healthy lifestyle and to Lisa’s amazement and satisfaction, she gained the understanding of better habits and the benefits of exercise; improved movement and food through the advice and direction of her trainers.

Lisa’s confidence grew, and so did her knowledge and application of strategies of healthy living.  The support available to her from the trainers and admin staff, and the other group members that together form the TF Community, contributed vastly to her improved lifestyle.  Lisa made new training buddies, formulating deep friendships.  Training buddies become a source of motivation that works both ways (you to them and them to you).

Since Covid19 saw the government install mandated closures of gym establishments, Terrific Fitness innovated, pivoted and engineered a scope of variety to our clients, in providing training at home through our online app and virtual live classes. This has enabled Lisa to continue her motivation for movement, to keep healthy, fit and strong.  Interaction is vital to break the isolation limitations and maintain a healthy mental state.  Lisa is still keeping up with 5 sessions a week via the virtual live workouts and training with the training app that allows her to train at any time of the day. With a variety of programs using kettlebells, bodyweight or boxing classes, she has a pick of the bunch, depending on her mood.  There has been a letup or slowdown in her training because of the changes conditions of Covid19.

Lisa experiments with food preparation, variety, cooked and raw ingredients and shares her food journey with the other members of the community in the member’s only Facebook group.  Lisa has used isolation as an opportunity to continue to improve rather than an excuse to go backwards. She has not only kept the wheels turning, but has enabled them to keep pushing forward.

– Coach Stephen Mantovani

Here is Lisa’s story in her words:

“When I decided to make a change for myself, I looked around online for what was around me and I found TF and gave it a try.  The first day and the first experiences where good so I have stuck by it ever since.  I’ve learnt a lot about training through variety and the health aspects of food as well.

I would rate my exercise activity and motivations prior to joining three years ago about a 5 out of 10.  Since I’ve been with the TF community it’s a 10 out of 10.  There is more than just exercise that comes with it.  My awareness of health and fitness certainly is greater now.

My favorite thing about TF is the community, consistent training, direction and motivation.  I’m glad that Terri (Owner and Head Coach) has been able to provide the extended ability to go online and provide a variety of training.  To try to find something else out there I would be apprehensive to do so.  Although I’ll say I’m not used to change, Covid19 has forced me to change, but I’m glad TF has been able to go online where I see the other members participate and look forward to the participation with them in classes, meetings and social events.“

– Lisa Pretty