About The Fitnessista
My name is Gina- I’m so happy you’re here.
On this blog, I like to share some daily happenings, as well as quick, effective workouts and healthy recipes.
About The Fitnessista
I started writing The Fitnessista when we were living in Valdosta, Georgia. I was in maintenance mode after losing 40 lbs, but healthy options were pretty scarce. Going to Whole Foods in Orlando was a vacation in itself, and the little things, like being able to harvest my own organic produce made me scary excited. The blog was a little way to share healthy recipes and workouts with some of my personal training clients and since the beginning, a lot has changed:
-My eating style. I started off the blog eating “diet foods” and eventually transitioned to more whole, unprocessed foods. I also experimented with pescatarianism but went back to eating chicken a couple of years later. Today I like to focus on lean protein, fruits, veggies, grains (I prefer to eat gluten-free), chocolate, wine and all the fun stuff sprinkled in.
-Our location. We travel and move fairly often and are currently stationed in San Diego, CA. Living here is absolutely dreamy, and we’re having fun exploring and living like tourists until our next move in 2016 or early 2017. So far, we’ve lived in Fayetteville, NC, Valdosta, GA, and Tucson, AZ. It’s been a fun and exciting adventure to see new parts of the world. Oh, and the honeymoon feeling? It never goes away.
We’ll be headed to Tucson for a few months this winter, then BACK to Valdosta Spring 2017.
-Our family. We started off as The Pilot (the love of my life I met at Starbucks), Bella (our maltipoo) and myself. In January 2012, we welcomed our daughter Olivia into our family. After dreaming about her for years, meeting her and having her in our life was even better than we imagined. You can read more about our family adventures, the pregnancy, birth, and musings as a new mom over on the family page.
In October 2015, we welcomed our second daughter, Penelope, into the world. Our family is complete with our two little ladies, and I feel so lucky to be their mama.
-My jobs. Since we move so frequently, I’ve changed jobs along with our location. I went from working in retail management to personal training and group fitness instruction, which is my passion. I’ve taught at a world-renowned health resort, private training studio, at brand events, and at local fitness clubs and studios. My #1 job is being a wife and mama, in addition to wrangling puppies and blogging my little heart out.
Certifications:
AFAA certified group fitness instructor
NASM certified personal trainer
NASM weight loss specialist
NASM Women’s Fitness Specialist
Precision Nutrition Level One Coach
Barre Body instructor
200-hour RYT yoga instructor
Zumba licensed, Aqua Zumba licensed and ZIN member (2008-2015)
Les Mills BODYPUMP certified instructor
Level 1 Raw Foods Chef (105degrees)
I try my best to respond to every comment and email I receive. If I happen to miss yours, please leave a comment on a recent post, send me a tweet or hit me up on Facebook! I apologize that I’m unable to create personalized workout training plans and provide nutritional consultations at this time. If that’s what you’re looking for, be sure to seek out the help of a local personal trainer and/or Registered Dietitian.
Occasionally I will do sponsored posts or giveaways on the blog if it’s a company/product I truly love. It helps me to support my family and cover the expenses to keep this blog running. If a post is sponsored, I will clearly label it. As always, all opinions are my own. You may see some Amazon affiliate links or ShopStyle links on the blog. These do not affect the purchase price and allow me to earn a very small commission. Thank you so much for supporting this awesome community <3
Interested in sponsoring or banner advertisements? Send me an email at fitnessistasponsor at gmail dot com for a media kit and current rates.
You can “Like” The Fitnessista on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest for more updates and pictures. Snapchat: fitnessista
Also, check out my eBook here for all of my blog-related tips, + my first health and fitness book, “HIIT It!” (Demos Health 2015), available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble. My full postpartum fitness plan is available here.
Thank you so much for reading!
Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor or Registered Dietitian. The information presented is purely to share my experience and for entertainment purposes. As always, check with a doctor before making any fitness or nutrition changes. The author and blog disclaim liability for any damage, mishap, or injury that may occur from engaging in any activities or ideas from this site.
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Hi Gina,
I’ve been lurking on your blog for a few months now. I found you through some fashion blogs, but stayed b/c you offer great exercise tips and programs (I am just getting back into working out). If possible, I would appreciate some exercise fashion tips: best workout gear (especially capris), best multifunctional makeup so my bag doesn’t weigh 40 lbs, etc. Sometimes what is even better is what *doesn’t* work (e.g., Old Navy capris are too thin to hide fanny sweat). Thanks for your kind consideration. Best of luck!
Sincerely,
Joie de Vivre
Hi,
Found your blog when looking for positive (not thinspo) fitness blogs. I’ve never heard of HIIT before, can you explain (and sorry if I missed a post explaining it) the difference btw HIIT and interval training?
Trying to make my cardio more effective.
Thanks!
thank you so much for checking my blog out! here’s my hiit post: http://fitnessista.com/2012/10/hail-hiit-the-cardio-king/
Hi Gina,
What advice would you give to someone who is considering taking the steps towards becoming a certified personal trainer?
How do I know if I have what it takes? Do I need to have a background in fitness or nutrition?
Thank you,
Tracy
you don’t need a background in it at all; my degree is in finance!
check out the nasm programs- that’s the course i’m studying right now and really like it in comparison to my old cert
xoxo
I have a degree in finance as well! You’re awesome! Thanks!
Hey Gina – You work out a lot and the workouts are intense. How do you prevent injury? I was working out a lot doing strengthen training, classes, and running until I ended up getting piriformis syndrome. It has been 7 months and the piriformis syndrome is still not gone (I even stopped working out for the past 3 months). I just wonder what your secret to workout longevity is?
i think it’s training efficiently and knowing your personal limits. i usually work out 4x each week, including the cardio classes i teach at work (if i teach a very active class, that’s my workout for the day). i alternate intensities (hard day, easy day, medium intensity, rest day, etc) and make sure to fuel my body! hope you heal soon. xoxo
Hi Gina! 🙂 Just wanted to thank you for everything you share, I’m SO inspired!! 🙂 especially from the fitness part of the blog, but the family part is very touching too!!;) I pray God’s protection over you and your <3 family!
Hi I just started following your blog and I saw that you are vegan or at least you were. I was wondering why and if you are not anymore why did you give it up? I am currently vegan but I just started working out more and I have trouble fueling my body on a vegan diet. I am trying to figure out if I should go back to eating non-vegan or not. So I would appreciate your opinion! Thank you
Hi Gina! I just included you in my post about my top 12 favorite blogs to follow! Thank you so much for all that you do and for being such an inspiration in so many ways :).
http://lifewiththeladniers.blogspot.com/2013/05/my-top-12-favorite-blogs-and-why.html
I’m honored to have been included! Thank you and I’m happy you like the dehydrator 🙂 xoxo
I love your blog! You are very inspirational!!
Oh wow!!!!! I’ve been on here for only like 5 minutes and I’m in love with it !!!!!!!!
Just found your blog via your chicken pizza crust recipe. Trying it this morning! THANKS! Love your site:)
I just found your blog and I love the whole thing. I really love your daughter’s name 😉 I had a son in Nov of 2011 so our babies are close in age. Anyway, I’m excited to read your fitness posts! I have struggled with motivation since having my son.
Hi Gina! I’ve been reading your blog for over a year and I love it – so many great ideas and inspiration on the daily. I recently got put in charge of my work’s wellness program and would love any ideas or suggestions for getting this thing up and going. I work in a male-dominated field, but am eager to help all employees start making healthier fitness and nutrition decisions. Thanks!
thank you so much, tiffany!
hmm let’s see with some ideas. challenge loop is a really cool app to track progress, as well as endomondo for walking. you could have like a pushup and sit up challenge where they have to check in, or a walking challenge? weekly emails with recipes? set up a group fitness class once a week or lunch time workout?
HI Gina! I have a 4 week old and been using the Moby. I feel like it’s going to get too hot for humid NC summers. I’m thinking of the Babyhawk mei tei which I see you love. Living in AZ do you feel like the Babyhawk is a cooler option in summer? Thanks! Michele
awesome!
Looking forward to reading your newsletters.
Looking forward to trying your workouts and recipes! Thanks for sharing!
Looking forward to your newsletters and starting the SSU 2013!
I’m pretty excited about this. Always love your shapeups!
Hi,
We recently created an infographic which highlights working out at the gym and staying in good health and shape.Thought I would reach out to you as it might be of interest to your blog readers.
Here’s the link http://www.gymjunkies.com/do-i-workout-today-infographic/
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.
Best,
Jim
I love your blog!
Love it!
Is it possible to sign up for email updates?
Would like to sign up for newsletter
I have been really enjoying your blog! Thanks for sharing all of these great workouts!
I am a teacher and I have a serious workout addiction. But I have some questions about fueling my addiction. The biggest problem with my addiction is that when I am off for the summer I tend to find myself going for a run in the morning, a walk in the afternoon, a swim at the pool, the INSANITY videos. Some days I work out a lot and some days I might do just one of those things. Occasionally (once a week), I might take the whole day off.
I’ve seen the calorie calculators online, but I don’t know how to account for my level of activity when my level of activity fluctuates so much from day to day. Over the last several years I have consistently gained weight over the summer (usually 5 – 7 pounds) and I think it is because I’m not eating enough to keep up with the amount of exercise I’m doing. That much excessive tends to suppress my appetite and I don’t think I am fueling my body sufficiently. I’ve seen a nutritionist several times and that always helps for an immediate fix, but I don’t want to see a nutritionist every time my exercise habits change. How do I know how much to eat?
Hi,
It’s great to see a blogger from Tucson! I’m looking to connect with you regarding some healthy products; would you be able to provide your email address?
Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you!
Monet
super motivational blog. love it!
You article is very informative and useful for me. Thanks
So glad I found you! I live in south ga (love that you were stationed in Valdosta!) and feel like this area has so few healthy options. Im a WAHM and blogger myself and can’t wait to read through your blog!
I recently re-read your post about once again eating meat (chicken) and I was hoping you could do a follow up post about experiences since enjoying meat again.
Mainly I ask, because I’ve been a pescetarian for 4 years but recently haven’t been able to feel fulfilled at meals – regardless of what I eat. I’ve considered eating chicken again USDA organic certified so I know some of my ethical guidelines are maintained.
I was wondering…
1) Have you maintained your goal of only eating USDA certified, organic meats?
2) What about at restaurants?
3) How have you felt physically?
4) Was chicken a gateway meat for you into enjoying OTHER types of meat?
5) Are there still meat products you avoid?
6) How do you react in family/social situations where people question your stance on eating meat that’s not certified?
I’ve followed your blog for years and truly trust your opinion and would greatly appreciate any insight you can give to the difficulties of again eating meat and dealing with social situations.
Hi Gina – I believe you worked for Lululemon a few years ago. I recently applied for a educator’s position at my local showroom. Are you able to tell me anything about working for the company? I am extremely excited about the opportunity! Any information you can provide regarding employee expectations,etc. would be a huge help! Thank you!
I have just found your blog and am loving it. I see that you had some challenges with TTC and I thought I could ask you a question. I have PCOS and my husband and I have been TTC for over a year now and my doctor put me on clomid to see if that would help (since I am not ovulating at all). I stopped working out to see if the workouts were causing me not to ovulate, but that didn’t work and I would like to get back to working out again. My question is do you think it is okay to start bodyrock workouts while TTC, if I haven’t exercised in about a month and a half? Or should I do light cardio, like walking instead? I would love your input.
Hi Gina, I commented on a family post the other day asking where you got the mini dining set that Olivia has. I love it and was looking for something similar for my daughter. Thanks!
Also, I couldn’t find your email address to ask you directly…
hi! sorry i missed your question last time.
here are the links:
the chairs http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Christopher-Knight-Home-Isabella-Dark-Brown-Patent-Leather-Childrens-Dining-Chair-Set-of-2/5016577/product.html?cid=202290&kid=9553000357392&track=pspla&ef_id=FFdQPnTiyi4AAB46:20130802210739:s
the table http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Juvenile-Java-Mission-Table/6217353/product.html
we love them– it’s even more beautiful is person and livi loves to play sitting at her table
Thank you!!
I’d like to sign up for your newsletter! 🙂
I’d like to sign up for your newsletter as well!
Gina,
Throughout the course of the week, I read your entire blog from first post to most recent. Some made me cry; some gave me hope; other’s made me laugh out loud. You’re honesty and motivation is what I needed as I recover from binge eating disorder and seek out to return to my old self and health status. I thank you endlessly.
I would like to try your class. Where are you located? I live in Tracy, CA
OMG…Thank you thank you thank you…
We can’t thank you enough for the amazing gift! We walk at least 20 people over to the booth because these shoes are so awesome!!!
Please contact us (ericaglia@hotmail.com or 928-274-6333) as we forgot to get all of your contact info.
We have some projects in the works and we want to work with ya!!
Thank you again,
E&C
yay, you are so very welcome! i love taking zumba from you and would love to work with you on upcoming opportunities 🙂 will send an email asap
xoxo
I would love to receive your newsletter!
I’d like to receive your newsletters (:
i would like to sign up for your newsletter 🙂 thank you
So glad I stumbled upon you via pinterest. Fellow fixed wing military wife. Great stuff! Thanks!!
thank you- nice to meet you!! 🙂
Heard about you through Julie at Peanut Butter Fingers. Love your blog! Would love your newsletter!
Love your blog! I’d love to sign up for your newsletter!
I’ve been following your blog for a couple of years now and while I almost never left any comment, there has always been something I felt I needed to say (maybe because I still feel weird about saying such things about people I don’t really know?). I know you have your struggles (whether they’re from an aesthetic point of view or on a deeper level), but you are the most gorgeous woman I have ever come across. Gorgeous from a physical perspective, gorgeous as a mother, gorgeous as a wife, gorgeous as a human being. I guess I thought it would be nice to know how much of an inspiration and model you can be even for someone who has never met you. You just give me hope (and I have no idea why I started crying now, I’m such a tool, haha). So thanks for taking the time to do that (even when you don’t know it).
what a beautiful comment to wake up to. thank you so much for the sweet words- they made my morning <3
thank you for reading, too <3
xoxo
Stumbled upon your site and love it!
Hi Gina! I was just wondering where you went to Raw Food Culinary School? And how long is a course to be certified? The closest school to me, that I can find, offers some one day classes that sounds great, along with slightly longer courses, but wondering about options:) Thank you!!
i went to 105degrees in okc, which has closed down. the new version is matthew kenney academy in santa monica
Tried your Awesome August workout this morning and love it! I look forward to receiving newsletter updates!
yay! awesome job 🙂
Would love to sign up for your newsletter. Loving your blog, happy I have stumbled upon it.
Great site! I would like to sign up for your newsletter 🙂
Sign me up for newsletter
I would like to sign up for your newsletter!