A New Chapter

New Gym, Same Me!

I’m delighted to announce that I will be training clients out of O2 Fitness in Goose Creek, South Carolina. Its a wonderful team there and I’m excited to test out the new digs with YOU!

As always, feel free to send me any questions you may have about anything. I will be posting more as I get my feet wet in the new facility, and I can’t wait to share what Ive been up to. Your success is my success!

Stay hungry, stay motivated, and let me do the rest. The hardest part is just showing up, let me help you get there!

IN HEALTH,

Demi Eliese

Best Of Charleston 2018!

CLICK HERE TO VOTE! Scroll down and you will see “Best Personal Trainer” Click VOTE next to my name.

If you are not aware, Charleston has a yearly competition to see who the public views as the “best of the best” in certain fields, whether it’s for best bar, best fitness studio, best salon, etc.  There is also a category for Best Trainer-and I am blessed to know that I was nominated in the Top 5 for the second year in a row!

Last year I came in second place-so close! I would LOVE to take this win home this year. It would mean the WORLD to my small business here in Charleston, South Carolina. For me and for DM FITNESS, it would mean being able to reach even MORE people to help them, with an accolade such as this in my arsenal.

For the past year I have helped more than 2 dozen people realize their true potential and crush their fitness goals. Without these amazing people in my life, DM FITNESS would be nothing. They trusted me to help them, and in turn I did my ABSOLUTE BEST to make them strong, agile, and CONFIDENT. The weight lost and the strength gained is simply a by product of self confidence and awareness that they are capable of anything. These success stories that I am lucky enough to be apart of are an ongoing thing, we work hard TOGETHER every day to keep crushing goals and to get stronger and fitter every day. Health and fitness is a never ending evolving thing…and I am blessed to know I can help anyone with their journey!

Friends, I need your vote! Tell your friends and family, my goals are BIG and at the end of the day it’s about being able to reach as many people as possible on a much bigger scale than I could ever imagine. It all starts with YOU. I never take your support for granted.

THANK YOU.

 

Wrapping up the year…

As we go into the New Year many of us are thinking of resolutions, goals, and new beginnings.

Whether you think 2017 was the best year or the worst year, always remember that you are the creator of your own destiny. You have every right to learn from the past. Pain and struggle are our most powerful teachers.

Make your goals concrete! Write them down. Every day try to do something that puts you in the right direction.

If your goal is to be healthy-start with the small goals. Start drinking more water every day. Cut out all empty calories for 4 weeks and see how you feel. Make a point to sweat every day. Load up on veggies and stay away from processed foods. GET BETTER SLEEP. Make your health the absolute priority in everything you do. The sum of all of these small things will lead to great results over time! Stay consistent!

Here are my goals for 2018 in case you wanted to know:

1) Get better sleep

2) Love myself more

3) Read a good book every month

4) Save more money by cooking at home more

5) Donate more time to charity

6) Do something terrifying that I know will make me a better person despite my fear

As always please know I am here for all of your health and fitness needs!

In DM FITNESS news-I have very few spots left for new clients in 2018. If you want to be on my client list, time is of the essence. Contact me to set up your free consultation today. 💪🏼

In Health….and HAPPY NEW YEAR! •2018•

Demi

Client Spotlight-Ray Evens

This weeks client spotlight had to be without a doubt, Ray! I started working with him at Exemplar Fitness three times a week about 2 months ago. To date he has lost 12 pounds, but most importantly over 14 inches overall. That tells me his body composition is indeed  changing, and we are on the right track to pursue his goal of putting on more muscle and getting more fit overall.

Let me tell you: Training with Ray has been a great experience.  He came in with a GREAT mindset, super motivated and ready to go. He hasn’t lost any of those qualities either. With our monthly measurements he becomes more and more HUNGRY to reach even more goals. He is EASILY coachable, and always puts out a 110% effort in on every single session. I’m super proud of him!

Ray has a certain quality in him in that he’s “comfortable with being uncomfortable” in our sessions. He trusts the process and never questions anything with our training program. He always asks how to be better to maximize his results; not just in the gym, but outside of the gym too. I say these things because if you are going into a training program with a trainer, definitely adopt this mindset. Mindset is EVERYTHING if you are looking to achieve your goals. A half a$$ effort will yield you half A$$ results. Come in motivated, try your absolute best and trust the process. You will have ups and downs, good days and bad days, and that is NORMAL. 🙂 Don’t let those days derail you from the task at hand. TRUST, BELIEVE, and GIVE IT EVERYTHING YOU HAVE and you will succeed in your goals and then some. Your health and the ability to MOVE with purpose and function is a beautiful thing. Don’t let it go to waste and know that it’s never too late to start. The hardest part is just STARTING.

Take that first step!

In health-Demi

Spot Reducing and Mindset

For any trainer, spot reducing is the first thing that is usually brought up as certain areas they want to “get rid of” by clients.

I totally get it too! When I first got into fitness myself, I often asked the same thing. Thanks to science and what I’ve seen actually works throughout the years…I can tell you what I tell clients when they come to me with this particular’ mindset. (Keep in mind this is all very general, your trainer would explain more)

First off there is a reason I just put “mindset” in bold right there. It’s ALL about mindset. When you come into the CORRECT mindset about your health and fitness, it can quite literally make the difference between you succeeding and failing. I know that can sound harsh, but it’s absolutely true. What is the correct mindset? Let me explain.

A healthy mindset includes but is not limited to the following:

• Knowing that you are building life long healthy habits
• Your work is NOT limited to just what you do in the gym
• Being REAL and honest with your habits-good and bad
• Progress comes in stages…your payoff in your efforts will come as such
• It takes guttural WORK that will make you question everything you think you know about getting healthy and fit

And back to the whole point of this post-YOU CANT SPOT REDUCE. Be honest with yourself and your MINDSET when you embark on your health and fitness journey.

Mindset is everything, as you can see. Be patient and know that you can’t spot reduce. A lot of the time many clients will come in and quite literally grab some skin on their abdomens and the skin on the back of their arms and tell me “I want to get rid of this!” And I always tell them the same thing. You CAN get rid of the things that bother you (if it’s within a healthy reach of course) but it’s going to take patience. That’s where a strong and healthy mindset comes into play. I also love to explain this very easy to understand analogy. I call in the “Onion Analogy.” 🙂 Every day that you eat nutritiously, hydrate well, and sleep good-a sliver of “your onion” comes off, from head to toe. You need to stay consistent in these healthy habits for that onion (your body) to reach certain trouble spots, and you need to train RIGHT FOR YOUR BODY TYPE AND YOUR GOALS (this is where having a personal trainer is KEY), but eventually you can get there. Also always remember that being healthy and strong is what really matters at the end of the day. Everyone has different goals of course-but always keep this goal as your foundation.

Go out and hire a trainer. Trust me-it’s the best investment you will ever make. You don’t want to mindlessly plug away in a gym with no guidance…I did it for years and it really didn’t get me anywhere. Once I discovered trainers my life changed and my goals were a true reality that seemed much more simple. As long as you have that healthy mindset, patience, and commitment…everything else will come along for the ride and eventually you will see the sweet fruits of your labor!

As always feel free to ask me anything!

In Health-Demi

 

Weekend getaway

Sometimes you just need to unplug for a bit and spend it with the ones you love and experience what is right in your backyard! Fortunately for us, we had several waterfalls that we were able to travel to and swim in! We created a ton of lifelong memories with the family and it was SO much fun!

We stayed at the beautiful Mountain Inn and Suites and the staff was just amazing! Super clean hotel and everyone was so nice.

Did I eat more than I usually do?

YEP!

It wasn’t all healthy food, not in the least bit either. You see…when you are living a continuous healthy and active lifestyle, you can totally “afford” to splurge a bit here and there and not ruin your efforts along the way. Think about the bigger picture…eat right and live active MOST of the time. Then when situations arise and you want be a bit adventurous…it will not sabotage your efforts not even in the least bit. Remember every pound of muscle that you put on your body burns 50 calories even at complete rest, even during sleep, and weekend getaways 😉 .

Creating memories is priceless-pursue them and enjoy them. Stay active and eat according to your goals most of the time and then when you have full fat ice-cream with the family it will be a totally joyous event!

As always, feel free to ask me anything.

In Health-Demi

 

Reggaetronic 2017!

Myself and the Artist-DJ Rehab

I had the ULTIMATE pleasure of accompanying my favorite person ever to a killer music festival; Reaggaetronic! He happens to be one of the best DJ’s in the south and goes by the name of DJ Rehab. 😀

Why am I sharing this on a fitness related blog? The same reason why I showed you pictured of my trip to Hawaii! To show that you can still have an insanely FUN life while still retaining your health and fitness goals. Work hard play hard right? RIGHT. 🙂

This picture represents years of setbacks, failures, and ultimately finding my own balance and success. Stay consistent!

Knowing that you will be in a bathing suit all day is great motivation in itself-but honestly PLEASE know you can still achieve goals and maintain them 365 DAYS A YEAR. Yes-summer IS a great motivating factor in starting new healthy habits. BUT-being a healthy human being truly only matters if you are working hard all year round. Don’t let the seasons of the year be your only motivating factor in your health and fitness. You can still look and feel your best in the dead of winter as well!

BACK TO THE FUN ON THIS DAY! This event was great, my boyfriend DJ’d to over 5,000 people all on boats! The stage was on a floating barge as well-and after he played his set we were able to relax and enjoy the day with lots of dancing, swimming, and RELAXING. We all need time to unwind and enjoy life from time to time, and we most certainly did just that.

So CHEERS to having BALANCE  between your professional life, family, loved ones, and health-remember it’s all about trial and error. Find out what works for YOU, everyone’s schedule for a well balanced life is very different. Find what makes you feel good on the inside and out, and what brings you joy. Eventually you will find your sweet spot in all of it; and as always personal trainers are there to help you find that balance in regards to your health and fitness. Your health is always a priceless investment that will forever pay off immensely!

Swimsuit provided by MegLiz Swimwear.

Sunglasses provided by TopFoxx.

In Health-Demi

Inside Demi’s Gym Bag

As a Personal Trainer, especially in the hot and humid climate of Charleston, South Carolina…there is definitely a bag that I bring with me every day to the gym that help me tremendously.

Besides what I’m wearing to the gym, I always bring extra supplies just in case something gets too sweaty or dirty, and of course when I get hungry…which happens often!  The gym I train out of, Exemplar Fitness, has bathrooms with every personal cleaning amenity that you can imagine…so I don’t pack soap, shampoo, body wash or any of that (thank God!).

I always wear my favorite crosstrainers by Brooks…the women’s PureFlow 6 shoes, they are currently my absolute fave for everyday training, not only other people but for myself as well. On days when I want to get my cardio in on the spin bike-I always carry my Bontrager Cycling clip in shoes to help me sweat and be super comfy at the same time.

Of course water and snacks are important! I ALWAYS bring a Lenny & Larry’s cookie with me (Peanut butter is A MUST!), sweet and packed with protein…it makes for a great snack! Also I prefer to drink alkaline water-our neighborhood Earthfare…great store with tons of healthy choices, including some good quality H2O.

When I need a SERIOUS pick me up, I love to make a protein shake combining Dr. Schulze’s Super Food Plus (blasts your bloodstream with a rich supply of vitamins and nutrients that increase energy, vitality and strength) with some Bone Broth with Collagen powder (I love the chocolate flavor, great for overall gut health, muscle recovery, and skin!). Throw in some water or almond milk, ice, and some stevia…delicious and SO good for you!

As far clothing-I always bring an extra sports bra, and I love Fabletics!  They have great leggings and sports bras that are super flattering. I’m a BIG fan of ANYTHING by Under Armour, NIKE of course, and Champion Apparel is just awesome.

All in all-I always bring a long sleeve top in case the AC is blasting in the gym on any given day, extra leggings, sports bra, extra socks, cycling shoes, snacks, water, lip gloss, and protein shake ingredients that I can mix at the gym in between clients.

It’s all about being prepared! Looking and feeling good about yourself are crucial in all areas of life. As my drill instructor from Marine Corps bootcamp always said, “If you look good, you’ll feel good, and then you will perform your best.”

As always feel free to ask me anything!

In Health-Demi

Best Of Charleston Reflection/Results

The Best Of Charleston has come and gone for 2017-and I am happy to tell you I came in as the 1st Runner up for Best Trainer in Charleston!

Of course I would have loved to win, but I am exceptionally pleased with where I placed! The competition was strong and fearless, and I was among some of the best trainers that Charleston has to offer.

As an added bonus I was invited to the official “Best of Party” held by the City Paper at the BEAUTIFUL Gaillard Center and it definitely did not disappoint! My boyfriend Chris AKA DJ Rehab provided amazing music as always, and multiple vendors provided delicious drinks and fantastic food. The theme was “Fairytales” as you can see in the picture. 🙂 As a sweet bonus; Chris also took home 1st Runner up for Best Club DJ.

I was also able to network with other incredible business owners in Charleston and it truly inspired me to just keep doing my best in everything I do.

My passion is truly helping others live healthier lives and just to show anyone that YES, you can be the best version of yourself in every way possible. I feel extremely honored and humbled that the Charleston community saw that and supported me in this journey!

From the bottom of my heart-THANK YOU.

Demi

Supplement or nah?

Definition of supplement

1. 1a:something that completes or makes an addition

   Some Synonyms: additive, addendum, addition, appendix, compliment, extra, option

Now that the definition is out of the way, I think you have a pretty good idea what a SUPPLEMENT IS. In what I’m specifically talking about today is naturally; dietary supplements to enhance your performance and/or natural well being and overall  health.

These include but are not limited to:

Protein bars, shakes, etc

Fish oil

Amino Acids

BCAAS

Pre-workout

Fat burners

The list goes on and on…

There is a REASON why I prefaced all of this with the definition of what a SUPPLEMENT is, which is what all of the above fall under. This is why:

TO ADD SUPPLEMENTS TO YOUR LIFESTYLE MEANS THAT YOU HAVE VERY SPECIFIC GOALS AND YOU HAVE A PLAN. TO ADD SUPPLEMENTS TO YOUR PLAN MEANS THAT YOU ARE ALREADY ON A HEALTH AND FITNESS PLAN AND LIVE THIS LIFESTYLE OR YOU ARE BUILDING NEW HABITS, AND AGAIN YOU HAVE A PLAN.

If it sounds like I’m yelling, I am.

Supplements are NOT for anyone who thinks they can take a pill, patch, shake etc *NO MATTER WHAT IS PROMISED TO YOU THROUGH FAKE MARKETING* and just continue on with your sedentary lifestyle eating whatever and thinking you will have any positive results!!!

If any supplements tells you, “All you have to do is drink this every day and you will lose weight without changing your lifestyle! or All you do is take this pill in the morning, and wear this patch and BAM a bikini ready bod is on the way!”

RUN FAR FAR AWAY WHEN YOU HEAR OR SEE THESE CLAIMS! Because that is all complete BS and they are just stealing your money. #FACTS

Now! On the flipside: there are some GREAT supplements out there, and I recommend certain ones to my clients all the time. There is even a shake I recommend to my clients and it’s the ONLY one I endorse because it helped me feel super healthy and supplemented my own weight loss journey where I  lost 60 lbs 3 times in my life.  Again: this shake didn’t make me lose the weight. It HELPED me and made me feel good in my fitness journey. Check it out here or not; it’s all good. Remember; supplements are to ADD and enhance your healthy lifestyle. Think of them like the cherry on top of your icecream (probably not the best analogy for a health and fitness blog but you get my point), supplements just make everything a little bit better and more enjoyable for you when used the right way.

I do recommend Shakeology to everyone if they are looking for a protein and super food drink to SUPPLEMENT their healthy lifestyle. Depending on the client in front of me, I will also recommend other products depending on their specific goals. It’s all very subjective and all of this is another reason why having a  personal trainer is so important.  It’s not just about your workout, but everything else you consume during the day that can make or break your results. All of this being said-there are a ton of clients who choose no supplements whatsoever-and that is completely ok as well.

**Remember-supplements are to ENHANCE your journey to a healthier and fitter you…they are NOT a quick fix, they are NOT just a pill you can pop and magically lose weight.  No weight loss patch will curb your appetite and therefore help you lose weight. It’s NOT going to happen. If there was a quick fix that worked-wouldn’t everyone on planet earth be fit and healthy?**

Truth is: you gotta work. You have to put in the TIME, blood, sweat, and tears. You have to be PATIENT, you have to be CONSISTENT. There will be ups and downs. You have to roll with it. That’s why it is called a JOURNEY. You will have set backs. You will mess up. It’s in these moments that define your character and how bad you want to live a healthier lifestyle. You simply just have to keep going. There is no magic ANYTHING…stay hungry, stay focused, do the work and you will see the results that you’ve always wanted.

As always, I am always here for your questions or concerns-if you’d like to meet up for a free consult in the Charleston area-just send me a msg via my contact tab.

In  Health-Demi