About Andrea

I DON’T BELIEVE IN DIETING.

I have struggled with my weight and tried them all in my journey to be lean and have good health: Atkins, Scarsdale, Weightwatchers, Nutrisystem, Mediterranean, Low carb, High Carb-Low Fat, High Fat-Low Carb, Isagenix, Keto, weeklong fasts, and for two years I was Vegan. Some made me feel great and some just shrunk my waistline, but none took care of my whole body inside and out. Today, at 52, I know for sure that to be lean and healthy I need to focus on working out and eating the right foods for me. I don’t believe in dieting and short-term quick fixes but believe in long term body transformation for health.

I EAT ‘REAL FOOD’.

I never feel too full and I never feel too hungry, I eat 5 small meals a day, whole foods, mostly vegetables, lean proteins and healthy fats. I eat chicken, halibut, salmon and I eat meat once a week for a natural way of getting my iron. I drink 2-3 litres of water a day, I try to get 8 hrs sleep each night ( although I mostly get 6-7) and I don’t drink much alcohol. (Don’t get me wrong… I love red wine and the social/romantic aspect of it, but my body doesn’t really like it.) I drink coffee, I love fresh sourdough bread, peanut butter and I LOVE chocolate… really good chocolate.

I LOVE FOOD AND BAKING.

I love to come up with new healthy whole food recipes that have all the ingredients I love and are healthy. I’ve developed a knack for it over the years. I try to use fresh organic ingredients. My boys say I make the best almond flour salted chocolate chip cookies. I feel good that they are low in sugar and taste amazing. My mother is as an amazing cook, so I owe a lot of my interest in baking to her. She has taught me so much. As a young girl I was always too busy to really notice how lucky I was to have a Mom that made everything from scratch. I didn’t taste store bought jam until I was on my own at 18. Every year I aspire to become a better cook.

I EXERCISE REGULARLY.

If I don’t exercise, I get extremely grumpy. Exercise is a huge mood booster for me. It totally relieves my stress and anxiety. In the last few years I have changed from doing mostly endurance exercise to mostly Strength and HIIT workouts with lots of stretching for flexibility and stress management. Evidence suggests that doing more high intensity exercise as we age actually can ward off the weight gain and may stave off dementia. My best time to exercise is between 5 am and 9 am. I feel free of guilt when I exercise before my boys get up. It’s just me, my music, and my gym.

GOOD HEALTH IS A GIFT TO MY FAMILY.

I’m a busy mom of three energetic boys ages 12-17. I spend a lot of time in the car driving to all their sports. But more importantly, Whole Body Fitness has allowed me to participate in physical activity with them, whatever it may be. It is very empowering for me to live a healthy life and I feel this is the best gift I can give to my boys. I can honestly say they are proud of me and the things I’m able to do with them.

I AM NOT GENETICALLY GIFTED.

I was a chubby child and struggled with my weight. Eating healthy and exercising daily is my physical and mental therapy. It is a necessity for me. If I don’t exercise I feel tired and sluggish and I don’t feel happy. If I don’t do my daily exercise my boys will say, “Mom, did you exercise today? You are grumpy. You need to workout or go for a run!”

FITNESS ISN’T MY ONLY PASSION.

My other passion is music. I am a singer songwriter and my one and only album is called Orion. My life was always full of music. At a young age, if I wasn’t on the ice skating , I was singing and performing on stage. In my late 20’s early 30’s I performed with my band around Vancouver and Alberta. I loved being on stage and playing my music in front of a crowd. I could feel the crowds’ joy and I got back way more than I gave. I have learned so much from all the different things I have done but through it all fitness has been the one constant.

I AM A HOME BODY.

I love nothing better than to sit in my pyjamas, eat popcorn and watch movies with my family on a Friday night. I love sleep, I really love sleep. I could sleep 11 hours on the weekend if I am allowed.

Today, I live in a small community Seaside Village just north of Vancouver, Canada with my three boys and my husband. My husband and I have been together for over 24 years and he is the love of my life. We just got a new dog a little 4.5 pound Pomeranian and his name is Rocky named after Rocky Balboa. Now, he is the love of all our lives.

My Credentials, For the Record

  • BCRPA Personal Trainer: Specializing in Strength and High Intensity Interval Training
  • BCRPA Group Instructor: Step, Circuit, CrossFit, Bootcamp
  • Schwinn Certified Cycling Instructor
  • Certified Nutrition Coach: Cory Holly Institute of Sports Nutrition
  • Certified Exceed Nutrition Coach
  • Supplement Specialist : Pestige Labs
  • Pestige Labs Sponsored Coach
  • Gym Launch: Gym Lords Coach

Competitive History:

  • Competitive Figure Skating
  • Competitive Runner: 20 Marathons
  • Competitive Triathlete: 18 Half Marathons 3 Half Iron-Mans, 20 Sprint 10 Olympic Triathlons
  • Competitive Road Cyclist: 15 Grand Fondos (top 3rd woman in 2017 Banff Fondo, Trans Alp (7/35 Women 120/550 Overall, Haute Route 10/35 Women Team

Competitive Bodybuilding:

  • 2nd Bikini Masters Kelowna 2018
  • 3rd Bikini Grand Masters Kelowna 2018
  • 2nd Bikini Masters Vancity Showdown 2020
  • 3rd Bikini Masters Overall 2020

What role does physical activity play in my life?