Amanda

Name:  Amanda Sluss

Occupation:  Public Relations Manager and Asst. Vice President, Fifth Third Bank (Tennessee)

Age:  39

Number of children and ages:  6 year old Siamese cat named Mai LeiJ (no human children)

Marital status:  Single (for life…or so it seems!)

 

Which locations and primary time do you attend?  Lenox Village- 5:15 a.m. boot camp and 7:15 p.m. yoga during the week, and Saturday morning.

 

Why did you pick Niki G’s Fitness Classes as your workout?   The gym is SO BORING and I have never felt that way about boot camp in that past year and a half!  I am challenged every day and love it.

 

What was your health/wellness/fitness situation before coming to Niki G’s?  Fitness has always been a priority but eating healthy and knowing how I should eat to lose & maintain, that’s always been a road block.  My weight has fluctuated since I was in college.  Six months before I came to Niki G’s, I gave myself a “food makeover.”  I was determined to eat healthy and solve the mystery of how my body responds best to timing of meals, snacks, etc.  I dropped over 20 pounds, three sizes and that was the catalyst for changing up my workout routine.  I started boot camp and training for a half marathon…the rest is history.

 

What would you say to someone who is thinking about quitting?  Do not give up!  Seriously, change does not happen overnight and it doesn’t come in a magic pill.  If you stick with it and open your eyes to what it takes to change YOU/YOUR BODY, I promise you’ll have no regrets.  Patience is the key.

 

Why is Niki G’s Boot Camp the best choice for you?  The variety in the workouts that prevents the body from adapting and the bonds that I have formed with my fellow boot-campers!  I have developed great friendships that I will cherish for life.  And it doesn’t hurt that I only have to walk down one street to get thereJ

 

What is your inspiration/motivation to get to class?  Only I can be accountable for my actions.  I know how good I feel afterwards and I want to continue to fit in my skinny clothes!!!

 

What’s your favorite Niki G Workout/Exercises/Class Format?  I think it’s safe to say I love to hate them all!  My favorite has to be the stairs at Lenox Village….brutal!

 

What’s your favorite healthy snack?  Greek yogurt, MaxPro shake, Think Thin bar, string cheese

 

What’s your favorite treat food? Pizza, beer and dark chocolate!

 

How do you find the time to exercise and keep it a priority?  Exercise has been a habit and a very important part of my life for several years.  I try not to let anything get in the way!  For example, I started a new job in August that not only has me commuting downtown but also has me working later.  It became impossible for me to get to 6 p.m. boot camp so I had to suck it up, wake up before dawn and get my workout in before heading into the office.  I am NOT a morning person but was pleasantly surprised to see how quickly I acclimated to the schedule change and I didn’t bite anyone’s head off in the process!

 

What’s the most important piece of information you have learn from Niki G’s?  I have learned that no matter how much I hurt (sore muscles, injuries, bad knee, running into furniture), I am motivated and want to keep pushing myself further.  At the same time I have learned to be humble and know my limitations (so I can prevent injuries.)  All I need to do is listen to Whitney’s voice in my head saying “yes you can!”