THE TIME IS NOW: MOTHER'S DAY EDITION

Hey Crew, Elise here! Today, I am taking over the blog with a special Mother’s Day post. If you have been to the studio, there’s a really good chance you have run into my mom, Sue. Since our grand opening, she regularly takes five classes a week, and even doubles on some days! She’ll take any class with any instructor, and regardless of how she may look, always tries to push past her comfort zone…even if it takes making some funny faces ☺.

A lot of people, who know that she’s my mom, have come up to me and asked, “So is this where you get your love for fitness from? She works out every day!”

And I have to be honest. It’s a hard NO.

My entire life (up until now) we couldn’t pay my mom to take a fitness class. A really tough workout for her was walking around the lake. She was over 200lbs, not eating well, and really had no interest in taking care of her body.

Then in June of 2011, our family got some really tough news. She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Usually, when you hear the words “pancreatic cancer”, it’s already too late. In fact in her case, all of the doctors said it was too late, except one. One fought for her, and ultimately they decided to try a whipple procedure. Thirteen hours later, she came out of surgery and the doctors were optimistic, but still cautious.

After five years of fighting, countless mornings of being viciously sick, infection after infection, and way too many other complications to count, she’s here.

Five years cancer-free!

What came next is what inspires the hell out of me, and so many people.

To this day her body will never be the same. There are still more mornings than not that she wakes up sick, but she hasn’t let that get her down. In fact, her battle with cancer has given her a spark to light this fire that was missing. I remember the first time she asked me to write her a workout (before Sweat FIxx was opened), and my mouth dropped.

My mom wanted to work out?

I remember her saying that she was given a second chance, and the time is now to take care of her body. She said she will never take it for granted again.

That stuck with me.

So many people push their bodies to the side, and don’t make being healthy a priority, until it’s too late. It’s amazing to watch someone who never stepped on a piece of cardio equipment in her life, crush it on the rower five days a week. She was given a second chance and is making the most of it. I think her story is motivating because most people don’t get that second chance. For most of us the TIME IS NOW . You have one body, and it’s your duty to take care of it. It doesn’t mean LOOKING fit, it means BEING fit.

I sat her down to get her side of the story and here’s a little bit more of what Mama Caira had to say:

Tell us a little bit about your fitness journey? What gave you that kick start?

I was never devoted to working out, even after I hit my all time high weight of 220 pounds in my early 40’s. At that point, I tried to become a little more active and joined Weight Watchers. I went up and down the scale, and it was frustrating. By my 48th birthday, I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I was devastated and thought (like the majority of people) this was a death sentence. I promised myself that if I made it through this, I would make some huge life changes, especially when it came to taking care of my body. I am proud to say, I survived and have made the changes that I promised myself.

Do you feel like the cancer has changed you in any way?

Cancer has changed my life in so many ways. It has made me realize that life is so special and I should not take anything for granted. Every day is a gift and you should try to live it to the fullest. I try not to get upset over the small things. Ok Mom, then no more getting mad when you don’t break 20 seconds on your 100 meter sprint

You come five days a week, how do you stay so motivated?

When I feel like I can’t deal with working out or just day to day situations, I remember the promise I made myself. I think of how sick I was, what I went through, and how far I have come. If I can make it through cancer, I can go to the gym for 45 minutes a day or get through any daily situation in a positive manner.

What are some of your goals going forward?

I would like to see myself remain very active so I can enjoy my grandchildren, and hopefully great grandchildren. I would like to see myself be as physically fit (as possible for a woman my age), maybe even as fit as the instructors at Sweat Fixx someday! They, along with the members in all the classes, have been very positive and inspirational.

What is your favorite Fixx class and why?

I really like Sculpt and Row Fixx. I lost a lot of muscle mass and endurance during my sickness, and I needed to get it back. I can really feel and see my strength and endurance improving daily. It is very challenging, don’t get me wrong (and I have to modify at times), but I can accomplish anything that I set my mind to. I am now trying the Row Flow class and working on my flexibility. This is super super challenging for me, but as Elise is always reminding me flexibility is SO IMPORTANT.

What would you tell someone who is playing with the idea of starting to work out again? Any advice?

I would tell someone that they are much stronger than they think they are. You can do anything you really set your mind to. Start off slowly, but be consistent. As the instructors at Sweat Fixx say all the time, “BE BETTER TODAY THAN YOU WERE YESTERDAY = YOU ARE STRONGER TODAY THAN YOU WERE YESTERDAY = YES YOU CAN!!”

A Sweat Fixx newbie sits down next to you on the rower and you can give them one piece of advice what is it?

I would tell a newbie that this is your class.Block out everyone else. Set your mind to what you want of out of the class and go for it. There is no right or wrong. You’re “right” just for showing up to class and trying. Also if I can do this, ANYONE can.

What is your favorite thing about Sweat Fixx , besides for the awesome owner of course 🙂

My favorite thing about Sweat Fixx is that no one (instructors and/or clientele) is judgmental about anyone else. Anyone at any age, ability or sex can do these workouts. All the instructors are very motivational and can adapt the workouts for any age or level of ability. The mindset of Elise and her crew is to help and make fitness goals achievable for all of their clients, regardless of their fitness level. That is why I believe Sweat Fixx is becoming so successful for such a wide range of people.

There is no better time to get stronger, than right now. For Mother’s Day, take a chance to recognize just how strong your own mom is – whether she kicked cancer’s butt or crushed it while raising you and your siblings. Fight for your right to be just as strong as your mom. The time is now to make that happen.

We’re hosting a Mother’s Day battle on Mother’s Day morning – we want you to bring in your kids, your moms, and the best moms that you know, to celebrate being strong AF with us! Book your rowers soon, and then enjoy a Mother’s Day mimosa or two 🙂

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