My clients' stories

Real people, Real Results

Eva’s Journey

Keep mums fit AN & PN class member and Postnatal personal training

I was always under the impression that you shouldn’t exercise during pregnancy especially during the last trimester. Having found Kate’s antenatal exercise class was the best thing that could have happened to me.

Kate’s expertise as a midwife was so helpful & reassuring. I always felt very welcome in the relaxed gym atmosphere and the circuit workouts combined with relaxation at the end was perfect for me.

After giving birth I wanted to get back into exercise and due to the amazing experience during the antenatal classes decided to join the postnatal fitness class. This class allowed me to start exercising again after a c-section under the watchful eye of Kate who always made sure that we never pushed too far as it was all about regaining strength and pelvic floor exercises.

Once the 6 weeks course was completed I progressed to buggy boot camp. Love exercising outside and the fact that Shannon always had a free arm for comforting a not so happy baby. All these classes allowed me to regain strength, meet other mums and bring my baby which is super helpful.

Once the buggy bootcamp had finished I knew that I had to step it up a gear to get back to my pre 2 kids fitness level and loose some pounds on the way...the offer of 12 for 10 personal training sessions just came at the right time.

The plan is personal, achievable and so rewarding. On my first remeasure I had tears in my eyes as I couldn’t believe the result. It’s not a quick fix solution, it definitely involves sweat and in my case super proud tears but i can’t thank Kate and her team enough for supporting me on my journey. I feel more positive about my body image, feel fitter and have a much better understanding of the nutrition requirements to lose weight and keep it off. Loved every single PT session so far and will definitely sign up for more.”

PAULINE’S JOURNEY - Over 60s Fitness

A big thank you to all at Kate Campbell Fitness!”

“When I had dogs my weight stayed stable at 8 stone. Since I lost them the pointer on the scales was much closer to 9 stone. This coupled with a back injury meant I had lost my previous level of fitness, which I wanted to regain. My initial goal has been to lose half a stone and build strength.

I prefer to work out on my own and enjoy a balanced workout of 30-40 minutes, a mix of cardio such as the cross-trainer and bike, light weights and core-based floor exercises. I am now able to tackle hills comfortably and have really built the strength in my legs and glutes.

I have been greatly assisted by Kate’s personal interest and guidance. She introduced me to the MyFitnessPal nutrition app which kept me focused on the dietary aspects of my campaign.

I succeeded in achieving my target weight in three-and-a-half months. I am hoping to shed a few more pounds over the next couple of months.

Philippa’s Journey - Postnatal mum

I started training with Kate a few months after the birth of my second daughter. I had been to her Keep Mum’s Fit antenatal class and really enjoyed them. I was keen to get my fitness back and get into shape again but wanted to do it safely and with the guidance of someone who knew what they were doing.

When I first started my aims were to lose weight and improve my strength and fitness. I wanted to lose 14 pounds initially which felt like a realistic target.

I loved the exercise sessions with Kate, but I also found all her nutritional advice invaluable. I have always thought I ‘ate healthily’ but with a few tweaks to my diet (mainly increasing my protein), I found I was easily losing weight, building muscle and feeling so much healthier. My whole outlook on food and relationship with eating has changed for the better and over a year later I have now lost 25 pounds and am maintaining my weight loss with what feels like minimal effort.

I trained with Kate for about a year and in that time,  she progressed my exercises and helped me modify my food intake as needed. I have never been as strong as I am now and I can feel the benefit in all areas of my life.

Alongside the nutritional and exercise advice Kate was a great source of support to me going through the post-natal period. Even though this was my second baby I found the whole experience much more challenging than I had the first-time round. She helped me with breastfeeding advice, managing a toddler and basically all aspects of my life!

I can’t recommend Kate enough – she has literally changed my life!!

I’ve stopped PT sessions now as I wanted a mix up of my fitness routine, so I’ve started trying out all the classes at the gym which I’m really enjoying.

Nearly 17 months after giving birth I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in, I’m physically and mentally stronger and am confident I’ve made lasting changes in my approach to exercise and food for the better.

Sara’s Journey

What a proud trainer I am - Meet Sara if anyone can inspire you to make a change even when the mountain seems so hard to climb and you don’t know where to start, it’s her story. We met this time two years ago when I was still training clients in my Lodgemoor studio.

So many times she had walked passed my studio never daring to venture inside, until by chance we got chatting at an event. Taking my flyer the next time we met was on the keep mums fit postnatal foundation course. Sara joined the group and we hit it off immediately, her smile and wonderful personality shined.

2 months later I was chuffed when she walked into the studio and asked for support. Her aim and long term goal was clear, to lose weight, keep it off and to make fitness part of her life and regular routine.

At no point did she say she wanted to be able to run! But over the months her consistent effort to learn new healthy nutritional habits and commitment to personal training saw her lose weight, gain strength and grow in confidence. Steady progress was made and running crept into conversation!

With no fond memories of running at school she never believed she would be any good!

But look at her now Wow! ...along with many others she joined our Body Blitz Bootcamp to maintain and improve her fitness and is currently set to run 5k with our new 6 week beginners running course.

Nearly 5 stone lighter Sara has excelled and reached her goals with ‘bells and whistles’ and goes from strength to strength. Her success she’ll say is down to ongoing support and encouragement, monitoring what she ate at the beginning consistently and with honesty and learning that balance commitment and effort even when celebrations and holidays occur has kept her motivated and helped maintain her weight loss and enable her to enjoy exercise for the first time.

If you are inspired and ready to make a change contact us we would love to help.

Mum of 3’s Journey - rectus diastasis recovery

Contacted me pre birth to enquire about Personal training after the birth of Twins. She was keen to have the support and I had been recommended by a friend.

The twins were born by elective C/S in November and we started training in January, by May when we finished her results were better than she could ever have imagined. Her Rectus Diastasi resolved and she was back to running.

How did she do it? We began a core restore programme focusing on functional daily exercises to improve posture, concentrating on the deep stabilising muscles of the abdomen, pelvic floor and back.

Running was her passion so a slow gradual return was needed - once her core strength had recovered, short bursts of higher intensity training was included. A couch to 5k programme which included plenty of walking in between jogging allowed her joints and ligaments to adapt and cope with the added impact of running.

Nutrition was the key to weight loss and C/S recovery - a diet high in protein aids satiety and supports recovery from surgery. By eating a diet low in refined sugary carbs, high in healthy fats combined with eating 3 meals a day and no snacking, she managed to lose 19lb, drop 6% body fat and reduce her measurements by 14.5cm.

Personal Motivation was high and although tired from looking after 3 under 3’s her desire to improve her fitness and strength was a priority.

Fast forward 4 months and the complements were rolling in from colleagues family and friends. She was now a comfortable size 8, happy with her results and continuous fitness gains.

Her passion for running had returned and in September 9 months after the birth of her twins she was regularly running 5k comfortably.

What a wonderful and inspirational success story.

My Journey’ Or ‘How I lost over 3 stone while still eating chocolate ‘Freddo’ frogs every night’!

Illness had left me overweight and unfit, and for a while I tried to convince myself that I was content to stay that way. However, a difficult bike ride through Sherwood Forest during the autumn of 2013 left me feeling embarrassed and facing the reality of my weight gain. I wasn’t happy, I couldn’t do the things I used to do and I needed to make some changes. I started to attend Kate’s ‘Legs, Bums and Tums’ class at the beginning of 2014, but I knew I needed to build more activity into my week, so I approached her about personal training sessions. I was a bit nervous about it if I’m honest, but I shared my story with her, and my weight loss goals.

We talked about my own particular issues around food and exercise and the great thing was Kate listened!

Together we came up with a plan that suited me (which included a nightly chocolate ‘Freddo’ frog that I made clear I wasn’t prepared to give up) and I think because I was so involved in that part of the process I was happier to carry it out because it was about me and my lifestyle.

Kate was great. She was motivating, informative and encouraging. I couldn’t have done it without her support.

7 months later I am 3 stone 6 pounds lighter and I feel amazing. I am so chuffed at what I have achieved. Losing weight has brought a real freedom to my life. I can wear the clothes I want to, play sport competitively again and just move around so much more easily.

Best of all though, I went back to Sherwood Forest and did the embarrassing bike ride again, but this time I felt strong and fit and no-one had to stop and wait for me!  

What worked for me

1.     I was honest with myself about how I really felt about my weight and level of fitness.

2.     I made losing weight a priority, and I dedicated time to it even though I’m a busy Mum with 2 children. My health and well-being became a project. I knew that if I made a half-hearted attempt at it, I would soon lose motivation.   

3.     With Kate’s help, I made a plan that fitted my personality and lifestyle. So for me that meant no calorie counting, weighing food or exercising outside! Kate taught me to visualise portion sizes, to gradually increase my exercise and she didn’t nag me to attend Bootcamp outside in the park!

4.      I set myself goals. Some were short term, some longer term. The final one was to go back to the embarrassing bike ride.

5.     I stopped thinking I had to conjure up this magic thing called ‘willpower’ to succeed and started to think more smartly. I kept making small improvements to what I ate and how much I moved and my body responded.

6.     I started and kept going. I didn’t criticise myself if I didn’t meet a goal, I stopped thinking I had to have perfect food and exercise days and I stopped labelling food as good or bad. I just thought of it as my journey.

What a fabulous honest insight into how with motivation, determination honestly and making it a priority allowed Fiona to make choices and achieve her goals.

Janet’s Journey

Meet Janet, Read her inspiring story:

Janet had two goals when she joined us in February

1: To improve her flexibility and movement.

2: To lose weight through regular exercise.

"I had previously been to this venue but whilst convalescing from a total knee replacement it closed. However my daughter who attended one of Kates bootcamps told me it had reopened under Kate. I attended and was pleasantly impressed with its make over and friendly atmosphere. Following Kate and Shannons guidance I have improved my fitness and lost over 1st 2lb. My Knee feels fantastic and I can now manage all the exercises.

I am 70 years old and feel part of the gym family and would recommend you joining and giving it a go, its a win win so why not?

Postnatal Mum's Personal Training Journey by Elly

Four 150g bars of chocolate eaten in one sitting, bags of triple chocolate cookies, packets of kit-kats - "the healthy option," pizzas and garlic bread all washed down with litres of lucozade. I feel embarrassed to think that person used to be me only 12 weeks ago. This was what the worst of my postnatal diet looked like.

As my daughter became interested in watching me eat. I suddenly found myself looking at what I ate and thinking would I want Poppy to eat like this? The first step for me was actually deciding to do something about it. Although it took me a few weeks to work up the confidence to email Kate and get started.

When I met Kate one of the questions I asked her was "If I do this how are you going to keep me motivated?" Kate answered matter of factly "I'm not. You are going to motivate yourself, I'll just support you." This changed my thinking from - this is a quick fix thing and if I can't do it it's not my fault - to deciding to focus on being healthy, take responsibility for my health and to choose to make a new way of life for our family.

I decided, on Kate's advice that rather than say I'm on a diet which for me seems like deprivation and something to do to achieve a fast result. I would call it having a healthy focus, this felt unrestrictive and positive. Kate put me on the my fitness pal app to get my portion size under control - I'd used this app before and always found a way to cheat it, either by eating lots of chocolate but skimping on real food to keep under my calorie goal or by guessing amounts. This time I made a decision that if I was doing it, I was doing it properly. So I got some digital scales, recorded every single thing I ate and drank and got really into balancing my macros.

After being on the app for a while I started to think that maybe I'd become a little obsessive. That didn't fit in with our "healthy focus" idea, so I spoke to Kate about it and she suggested I try a week without inputting and see what happened. Coming off the app was really daunting as I thought I'd balloon up again because I didn't know what I was eating. However I found that using the app had just taught me what I should be eating and how much of it was a good amount to have.

Another thing Kate tackled was my lack of exercise. I came to Kate naively thinking that, the one day a week training with her would transform my body and I wouldn't need to do anything in between! Ha not true! I was quite shocked when Kate suggested doing the couch to 5k app, "what running, err no." Was my first thought? However I got the app and started running. On my first run I tried to go really fast and got stitch in the first 3 minutes, I rang Dave thinking he'd say "oh poor you, come home and rest". He didn't. He encouraged me to keep going even if I did it really slowly. I completed that run and didn't give up, (as was habitual for me) that was another turning point.

I promised myself that no matter what I would complete each run and that "I'm tired or achy or even have stitch" etc. were not valid excuses for not sticking to my runs. I've slowly become a person who doesn't just tolerate running; I'm actually starting to enjoy it! I also have started walking more with the pram.

When I suggested "healthy focus" to my husband he was keen to join in on the condition that we still had treats and that he was never left feeling hungry. So I bought a book and started learning how to make healthy treats for us. Banana pancakes really got him on board! My husband has been so supportive of me doing this that he has gone down two belt sizes himself!

I’ve had a couple of new revelations during these 12 weeks. The first was to realise that I don't need to binge eat a whole packet of anything; it will still be there tomorrow. The other is when I've had a treat and I start reaching for more I say to myself "you are not that person anymore".

Even though I was unhappy with my previous size and lifestyle, I was comfortable. I'm now learning to leave that comfort and to get comfortable with the new healthier me. I'm so grateful to Kate and my husband for all of their support and I never thought I could have achieved this!

Thank you x

Elly Update.......

While I was on holiday I received a lovely text from Elly.... her little girl is now 18 months (14 months since we started her healthy focus). 

She is a real inspiration to everyone, not just postnatal mums....Elly has continued to keep active regularly and the results are fantastic JUST LOOK AT HER ABDOMINAL DEFINITION WOW!!!!! Elly changed her food habits and her found healthy eating enjoyable... investing the time to cook healthier foods and adds regularly to her recipe collection. 

'I went to a party last night and saw friends I haven't seen in ages, I got so many compliments also apparently I look better now than before I was pregnant hehe! Thank you so much for investing your time into helping me! I feel incredible now and I'm having a healthier lifestyle! Love Elly "

Jemma

After having my twin boys, my body had changed shape dramatically and I desperately wanted to lose the excess fat I had gained. I knew I had a challenge on my hands and I was at a loss not knowing how to do it. I started dieting, but after day 3 I was miserable (I love food too much). So I contacted Kate for guidance and it was the best thing I did! From our first meeting to our last training session she has been incredible - supportive, motivated, helpful and patient. I have learnt so much in terms of dieting, nutrition and exercise which will help me in the long term.

Thank you so much Kate! Your Back to Basics - 8 week weight loss plan has been brilliant! 11lbs lighter and 9 inches of fat lost! I feel like me again and can even run for more than 5 mins! I feel great and my confidence has soared!!!

Katy 

I just wanted to thank your for your support over the past 6 months. I feel like me again, and that's thanks to your advice, guidance, support and motivation. Every week you've given me new ideas to keep exercise interesting and nutritional tips (Rich tea biscuits a carb-lovers staple!) 

You've even made me consider having another by showing me that it is possible to get back in shape after the second and subsequent babies! It's not just your knowledge but your bubbling enthusiasm that was so key to keeping me going!

Matt

After my first session I knew new muscles had been awoken! By the end of only my second session, I noticed positive changes in my physique, posture & overall core strength. Over the sessions these improvements continued as Kate encouraged me to push harder. On top of all of those benefits, I met some great people at the boot camps which always helps to make training more enjoyable. Many people there had similar targets for their training, others were more focused on specific fitness areas they wanted to develop. And this is what makes Kate's classes so unique - she has the ability to deliver a personal fitness session to everyone there, even as part of large group. For me, my core was the focus, for others, running, upper-body strength, legs whatever it was as part of a 45min session everyone came away knowing they had trained hard and taken a massive step closer to achieving their individual goals. 

Kate has a passion & desire for healthy lifestyles, training, fitness & ultimately helping people meet their own personal fitness goals. I cannot recommend Kate and her classes enough.

Ann

I am 66 years old and had chemotherapy over the winter months. The treatment, whilst successful, left me feeling very low and unfit to a point where even the smallest task seemed impossible I contacted Kate and we decided my aims were to be able to manage a bowls match, garden and play with the grandchildren without becoming exhausted. Kate gave me goals each week that were not only achievable but worked with my lifestyle. She encouraged me constantly and slowly I achieved my goals. At long last I can bowl, play with the children and have just finished the garden. Thanks Kate. 

Helen

I first met Kate when I joined her antenatal classes back in 2011. I was never a real fitness fanatic but I wanted to meet some friends and also be fit enough for labour. I survived the labour and have been lucky enough to make a load of friends who have helped me keep sane through two pregnancies and bringing up two gorgeous little boys. With hindsight I was over eating, but with two pregnancies close together and breastfeeding I had thought I’d be okay. Nine months after the birth of our second son I found myself over 2 stone above a healthy BMI and weighing more than I had before my first pregnancy. I decided I had to do something about it before my return to work. The answer for me was Kate’s 321 classes. I found that for the first time in my life I didn’t just give up and I built up my fitness over the 6 week course. In fact I found the exercises Kate taught us addictive and easy to replicate at home. With loads of support from Kate, I have now lost 2 stone 8lbs. More important to me than the weight loss, I now feel that I genuinely enjoy the exercise and that I can actually do it! The 321 classes really fit well into our lifestyle. The fact that the classes only last 30 minutes mean that even if the children are not very settled or if they wake then I can be home soon to help. I really like the fact that the 321 classes can be booked in blocks because it is the incentive I need to keep me going! Over the block of lessons you can really see an improvement in your fitness. I now attend the Saturday morning class and I love to stay for the abs blitz class straight afterwards (something I never would have felt able to do before!) So, by 9am I have done one hour of exercise and it’s the perfect start to the weekend. Thank you Kate!

Sarah

Kate’s Keep Mums Fit antenatal & postnatal classes are brilliant. It’s great that Kate’s also a midwife & can give such helpful advice , and the antenatal class is a good mixture of cardio, stretching and relaxation. As well as keeping fit, it’s made me more aware of posture and my pregnant body generally. 

It’s also a good way to meet other mums-to-be who generally follow through onto her postnatal classes – a unique benefit of Kate’s classes. Kate’s really helped me through both my pregnancies, & I recommend her classes to everyone I know who’s pregnant! 

Get in touch

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