Happy Fit Stars
Happy Fit publicly acknowledges clients for living “Happy Fit,” and achieving goals big and small.
Juanita McNeary is a Happy Fit Star for so many reasons. She’s been training with Happy Fit for a few months, and is a star client: always completing her habits as assigned, in fact often getting ahead of her trainer! No matter what life throws her way, Juanita is always working to continue her journey to improve her overall health and fitness.
Jaunita is also an adorable mother of two adorable sons (pictured at left – how cute is that pic??) and works tirelessly to give them the best care possible.
As mentioned below, she introduced her sister Denise to Happy Fit, and Denise has returned the favour by getting Juanita into Zumba. We all know that motivation can come and go, so these sisters do their best to keep each other on track. Juanita also wears her Happy Fit shirt out and about, and tells everyone who asks about it to check out the webpage for more information – she gets bonus points for that!
As mentioned above, there are so many reasons why Juanita is a Happy Fit Star…not the least of which is her flawless kettlebell swing (you should see it sometime), and her sense of humour in class (she’s been known to say “If Lisa is excited about this next move, we’re all in trouble”).
Way to go Juanita, keep up the great work!
(February 1st, 2012)
Denise Bush is a Happy Fit Star because over the past few months, not only has she improved her health, fitness, energy levels, eating habits; lost a bunch of weight and gained a bunch of lean muscle; but she has also spearheaded a number of health and fitness related programs at her place of work.
Denise has started a healthy recipe exchange with her coworkers, and daytime walking/fitness challenges. Her team has also committed to accumulate enough activity this year to add up to the equivalent of walking across Canada. Awesome stuff.
These fitness activities will not only help Denise and her coworkers feel better and get fitter, but research shows they will also work more efficiently. So that should make her boss happy as well!
Way to share the Happy Fitness, Denise!! You’re a Happy Fit Star.
Honourable mention needs to go to Denise’s lovely sister Juanita, who introduced Denise to Happy Fit in the first place. A star Happy Fitter herself, I am certain Juanita will be featured on this page before long…. 
(January 20th, 2012)
Stacy Thorburn is our final Happy Fit Star of 2011. While Happy Fit classes were on hold for the Holidays, Stacy did not let that stop her from staying fit. She completed her own version of Happy Fit Fusion multiple times over the break!
It takes a lot of motivation to exercise on your own, but one of Stacy’s motivations was to prevent the pain that comes from starting up a fitness class after taking a long break. Great strategy Stacy, way to start 2012 on the right foot.
Stacy is also a wonderful all-around Happy Fitter who consistently encourages her friends, family and coworkers to participate in all kinds of healthy living activities. We are all lucky to have her in our community, as Stacy is an awesome Happy Fit Star!
(January 3rd, 2012)
Kathi is a Happy Fit star for multiple reasons – recruiting her daughters into fitness classes of all varieties, balancing work and caregiving of family, while still finding time to keep herself fit.
The Happy Fit achievement last week that gets Kathi a spot on the wall of Stars involves the tree pose – quite appropriate for such an outdoorsy person. Kathi is the one who likes to be outdoors all the time – if all Happy Fit clients were like her, I am confident we would be bundled up doing Fusion classes in the snow, all winter long.
Kathi practiced the tree pose for months, centering herself in the pose, trying to solidify her balance while keeping her hands at her heart.
Last week she was confident enough in her balance to lift her arms above her head and hold the pose in that more advanced position – with great results – true success!
Here’s a nice photo from a distance of Kathi before her progression to extended tree pose – conveniently, in the trees. Solid, perfect posture.
Great work Kathi, you’re a Happy Fit Star!
(November 3rd, 2011)
Dottie Hatt is our next Happy Fit Star. Her strength, balance and flexibility has improved since starting with Happy Fit almost two years ago.
Dottie is a Star for many other reasons. She brings a great sense of humour to fitness class, and often makes others laugh during challenging moves, which believe it or not, improves core strength! She is experienced with the movements so helps others with modifications during Fusion.
Supportive, cheerful and enthusiastic, Dottie also has a great memory, and is very good at reminding Lisa (the instructor) when she’s missed a move (during the very rare occasions that this happens).
Thanks to Dottie for helping “Happy Fit” live up to its name – you’re a Happy Fit Star!
(October 24th, 2011)
Last night (Sept. 28th, 2011) Leslie Robart (see left) came to Fusion even though she was tired.
Sometimes it takes extra effort to get out the door. Leslie came to class despite feeling a bit tired, because she knew it was important, and would make her feel better. That’s why Leslie’s a Happy Fit Star!
Shelly Connolly is a powerhouse – she has no problems with burpees, push ups from her toes, and is a plank expert. TRX? No sweat. Beach Bootcamp? On it! What else could she possibly be working on??
One movement she’s been working on is a balance and strength-based move known as the tree pose. This week (September 26th, 2011) she accomplished something impressive – holding the tree pose with her foot above her knee (see right). Up until this week, she was working on her balance with her foot below her knee (on her calf).
Excellent Job Shelly, you’re a Happy Fit Star!
Leslie and Shelly have been attending Happy Fit classes together for over a year, and can both also be considered stars for their great attendance – they rarely miss class, and it shows. With any fitness program, consistency is key for seeing improvements.
T racy Richards is our newest Happy Fit Star!
Tracy has been on an awesome journey towards weight loss and improved health. After gaining a certain level of health through other programs, Tracy decided she could do more, so joined Happy Fit classes and has been seeing consistent gains in her strength and ability ever since.
On the eve of Sept. 20th, 2011, Tracy accomplished her most recent goal of completing a front-plank “drop-set” – holding the planks for 1 minute, 45 seconds, and then 30 seconds, with perfect form, from her elbows and toes, without breaks. Well, she took a short break in between the first two front planks to complete two side-plank holds.
Just last year, when she started Happy Fit classes, Tracy was able to hold the front planks from her knees, and has gradually worked up to her toes. It only took her 3 weeks of purposeful training and practice to accomplish her drop-set goal.
Not only that, Tracy has been showing off her moves at Curves, sharing proper plank form with her fellow Curves participants, and encouraging them to incorporate this great core-strengthener.
Way to go Tracy! You’re a Happy Fit Star!
P at Dixon is our third Happy Fit Star. Almost 70 years old, “Nanny” Pat is our most advanced participant in the age competition. She is a great participant in Fusion Fitness, always arriving early to get her prime spot. She is also a great contributor on the “Happy Fit” Facebook Page, and a helpful motivator. Always enthusiastic about the classes, and never without a friendly smile, Pat is definitely “Happy Fit” and although she has to take a break from Fusion, we know she’ll be keeping the Happy Fit movement going in her heart.
R uth Smith is our second Happy Fit Star. During her vacation week, she couldn’t attend the Happy Fit classes she’s been attending consistently for over a year. She also had relatives visiting who are not as keen about fitness as she is. But that didn’t stop her from getting her exercise, and sharing her passion with her visitors! While playing cards, in between hands, Ruth did various arm and shoulder strengthening exercises while seated at the table. She also took every opportunity to zip to the living room and practice her plank holds. Finally, she taught her guests a specific arm/back strengthening exercise (the “Letter Moves”: those who have attended Happy Fit classes before, will know what this is).
Ruth has shown that you don’t have to use your vacation or sedentary visitors as an excuse not to stay fit, and that’s why she’s a Happy Fit Star. Way to go Ruth!
O ur first Happy Fit Star is Michelle Graves:
On the morning of September 2nd, 2011, she executed, with perfect form, 8 full push-ups from her toes, the most she’s ever been able to do!
Up until a few weeks ago, Michelle had never done a full push-up in her life, not even in childhood.
Way to go Michelle, that’s a huge accomplishment and you should be very proud!!
When discussing the push-ups later on, she said “I surprised myself this morning with those push ups!”
It’s important to have fitness goals to help you stay motivated. If you’re inspired and want to reach your fitness goals, contact Happy Fit today. The feeling of pride and accomplishment you can get is just awesome.
Happy Fitters love to share their love for fitness – that’s why the Happy Fit T-shirts are so popular among Happy Fit participants!
Take a photo of yourself wearing your Happy Fit T-shirt and you can be featured in the Happy Fit Gallery. The more creative, Happy, and Fit, the better. Check out the excellent submissions below.
Tees feature “I (Heart) Happy Fit” on the front, and “happyfit.ca” in white running up the right hand seam. Fitted are $22 (see “Julia” 2 photos down), and non-fitted (shown on both Josh and Lisa below) are $20. Contact us to get yours today!
These shirts come in handy when you’re on your second or third set of burpees, to remind you that you “Heart” Happy Fit and that the effort is worthwhile! Also, they look pretty cool.
In Edmonton, AB, Julia sports her Happy Fit enthusiasm:
Jim showing off his Happy Fit strength in Fort Anne, Port Royal NS:
Spot the Happy-Fitters in Liverpool, NS during the Community Fitness Frenzy:
Ali C. looking Happy Fit in Scotland – - – with a story:
“If you’ve ever seen the movie Maid of Honor with Patrick Dempsey, this town was where the bride’s hen party took place. This was taken right next to the colorful buildings which are in the movie, as well as The Royal Hotel which is where Bonnie Prince Charlie too refuge. You can probably tell by the boats and the seagulls flying around that it was a fishing village (that was absolutely taken over by tourists the day we were there). You can see some highlands in the background too!”
Glenda and Alice in Jamaica!
Nathalie and her Physics class: Members of the Canadian Military studying in Dartmouth;
she clearly only had to flex her biceps to get these guys to cooperate!
Dottie Hatt attending the Royal Wedding – she was just going for a nice lunchtime walk in Mahone Bay and got invited along! I guess all those curtsy lunges paid off.
AMAZING!
I absolutely LOVE the latest entry from Ira and Erica, canoeing near Alma, NB (October 2011). It’s always more fun to be fit together!
Claudine and Stacy pairing up for some help with balance and stretching at After School Yoga! Beautiful!!
Sue takes a lovely canoe ride on 10 mile lake Oct.29/11, what an absolutely beautiful shot. Sue was wise to get out on Saturday to enjoy the weather before it took a turn on Sunday. That’s the Happy Fit way – seize the day!
Despite the crazy, windy weather on Sunday, October 30th, Teresa participated in a free fitness class promoting Queens Place, even though she really just felt like staying inside. Because of all her time training with Happy Fit she had no problem keeping up with planks and push ups.
Then when she came home, she carved a Halloween pumpkin with her family (Teresa and daughter Megan are shown, hubby got to take the photo). Thanks to the weight training of Fusion and Bootcamp, carving through that pumpkin was a breeze! She sent along the finished product, shown below. That is definitely a Happy Fit day!
We’ve got some new Happy Fit Stars!
After an entire challenging Fusion class, these ladies were kind enough to volunteer to do yet another side plank so we could capture this lovely shot and use it to entice new members to join in Happy Fit fun times! They definitely deserve the Happy Fit Star title for that (December 2011).
Submit your photos today to be featured on this page!