Hello everyone!
We are so excited to bring you our next edition of our Member of the Month series, where we feature some of the amazing people who are part of our Loyobo FIT family. We think it is important to share their stories to help inspire others and to celebrate their amazing accomplishments!
This month that member is Maude Stephany, who is one of our All In Virtual Members and also an extremely well-loved presence in our community. Our entire team is so impressed with Maude’s consistency towards their health and fitness goals, their body positivity and the way fact that they are such an amazing advocate for our community!
This month, MAUDE, we celebrate YOU! We are so grateful to know you. Thank you for being a part of our family and for sharing your story with us!
How long have you been coming to Loyobo FIT and what initially inspired you to try a class?
Almost two years now. I’d heard about Loyobo FIT’s body positive approach to being fit and this really spoke to me. I had spent years in and out of gyms where I never felt like I could do anything right or have any true success. Loyobo FIT made me define my own idea of success in a fitness and health context, and this has helped me continue to motivate myself to come to classes more than I ever have before.
What are your top 3 health and fitness goals?
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Strength
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Endurance
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Flexibility
What is one of the challenges that you have faced in your health/fitness journey? What have you found most helpful in working to overcome it?
My fear of not doing things right is one of the things that I always have to check myself for. I often have had problems measuring myself against someone else’s accomplishments and ability to do something. I used to get hung up on that a lot. I have learned, over the past two years, to stop comparing myself to others, and only to myself. By doing that, I’ve been able to let go of the idea of perfection, and to celebrate every small win, whether it’s being able to do a downward dog or happy baby pose, or to actually run (and enjoy it if only a little).
What was your life like before you started at Loyobo FIT? How did you feel about your body?
Before Loyobo FIT, I really didn’t do much of anything at all. I spent most of my day in front of the computer or on the couch. I went to class, did my work, and that was it. I hated how my body felt heavy, weak, and useless.
What has changed since you joined the Loyobo Family and started coming to class regularly?
Many things have changed since joining the Loyobo Family. First of all, I have family outside my own – and this feeling of connection to community has been a big part of what keeps me coming back. Knowing that we’re doing this together, holding each other accountable is what makes Loyobo FIT different. I feel supported by both the Loyobo FIT Team and members in achieving my goals to be stronger, more flexible, and to have more endurance than I did before. Before Loyobo, being active was a chore, it was something I HAD to do to get my butt off the couch and get fit – it was something that was filled with horrible judgements about myself and my body. Now, I see being active as something that I look forward to. In fact, I feel ‘off’ when I have to take a day off because of illness/injury and I find myself adapting my routines to make sure that I sneak in something active every day.
What advice would you give to someone just starting their health and fitness journey?
Take off your judgement hat – do what your body can do today. Accept and celebrate every small win – whether it’s touching your toes, being able to do a half-jack, or doing a full jump-up burpee. No one else gets to tell you whether what you’re doing is good or tough enough. You are enough, just as you are.
What is your favorite class and why?
All of the classes offer so many different things, it’s hard for me to say which class is my fave. That being said, I love the music and energy of Zumba, I always feel so energized after spending time dancing with Courtney. I love Donna’s Barre class because she’s such a badass (in a good way) and challenges me to work on balance and strength and grace all at the same time. Sobia helps me strengthen my core, and the rest of my body in Pilates and LoYoga. But I would have to say that the classes I get the most from are the early morning Mindful Morning classes, which incorporate a bit of movement and mindfulness or meditation. These classes are always a good part of my day, and I look forward to them all the time.
What is your favorite snack?
I love snacks that crunch. Crackers, popcorn, cereal, chips. If it’s crunchy, I can binge-eat it.
Anything else you would like to share?
I am so thankful for the Loyobo Fit community. During the pandemic, being active every day has helped me have a sense of stability – and helped create a feeling of safety even with all the crazy things going on. I truly appreciate and love the work that Courtney and the team do for us, and look forward to when we can all come together in person, once more.
Congratulations Maude!
You deserve this moment in the spotlight as we celebrate the awesomeness that is YOU.
THANK YOU for including us as part of your journey and for sharing your story. Your positive spirit, perseverance and determination inspires us all and we are so grateful to have you as part of our Loyobo Family!
Feeling inspired? You can become part of our loving and supportive community that will enable you to make a lasting lifestyle change.
Book a FREE Meet & Greet with one of our coaches to get acquainted with our Loyobo community, and get a feel for whether it’s the right fit for you.
Click the link below to sign up. We can’t wait to welcome you into our community!