Candice's Story

March 22, 2024

Our Wellness Coaching members have many stories to share on why they started and what keeps them going. Candice is one of our awesome members who works hard and has had an amazing journey in her health and wellness. We are very proud of all the work she has put in and love the energy she brings to class! Keep up the great work Candice at being your best in all areas of your life!
- Coach MJ


My Story by Candice Force


I had begun my weight loss and health journey in December 2022 and genuinely started working on it in early April 2023. I had changed my eating habits; switching to organic produce, pasture-raised meats and trying to limit processed foods and sugar. I had also took up distance and speed walking. 

In late August 2023 I realized that come fall and winter, I would have to look at changing my routine. I wanted to incorporate some weight and strength training. I checked for what was available in the area and Degree Fitness was listed. I perused the website and was quite interested in what they offered. Originally I was looking at booking the No Sweat Intro in October. My dog Jewel had other plans. 

On a walk one morning in early September, we were passing Degree Fitness on Jarvis St. The garage door was open and Jewel decided to take a peek inside. I said, "Good morning" to Kelly and MJ. I also said, "I'm looking to come see you soon." Kelly asks if I wanted to pop in, look around and chat a bit; I was welcome to bring Jewel in. 

We talked a bit about what I was looking for and exchanged contact info. It wasn't long after that that I booked the No Sweat Intro. 

At the No Sweat Intro we talked about my past issues with ankle injuries, what I was doing nutritionally, my fitness routine at the time, and my plan going forward. Everyone was so tremendously kind, patient, and gave me a fair and honest assessment. From the get-go, I felt a huge sense of having people in my corner. They provided a safe space to be open and honest about what difficulties I had had, along with setting realistic expectations for myself. 

The Wellness Coaching class was what they recommended. They explained the class and how it worked. It seemed to be a good fit. I did the intake sessions with Kelly in mid to late September, signed up for the free Wellness class on Oct 19th and the Halloween 5K. Shortly after I booked in for the October and November classes.

I was trying to think of my first bright spot - it's hard to pick from so many. One that strongly stands out in my mind is when I brought my Dad to a PT session. He got to see me do a burpee. Sharing my accomplishment with him was amazing. Less than a year prior, I was having difficulty climbing a set of stairs. Now I was able to spring up off the floor.

The best advice I could give anyone contemplating either joining Wellness Coaching or any program at Degree Fitness would be, don't be afraid and don't hesitate. The atmosphere provided by the staff and other members is supportive and fun. Class is always a bright spot to my week. It has helped immeasurably in my journey to change my life.


Looking to get your own health and fitness journey started? Email info@degreefitnessseaforth.com or CLICK HERE to book your FREE No Sweat Intro!

What It Means to Be Fit

June 4, 2025
Written By: Coach Sienna The media portrays fitness as looking a certain way and creating this picture of a “perfect person” who eats clean and works out everyday and does everything right and never messes up. When you're always being shown this version of fitness it’s easy to start to think, is this what being fit is? ..... And suddenly you find yourself comparing yourself to unrealistic standards. Fitness is much more than the shape of our body! It's about what your body can do for you and how it can support your daily life and how movement makes you feel strong, accomplished, proud, empowered! Here is how we can overcome the negative impact that some Media has on us, and fitness in general: Redefine Fitness Fitness is more than your body, it's strength, endurance, mobility, energy and how you feel. It's not supposed to be perfect or linear, your body will change and life will happen. What matters most is showing up for yourself and moving your body. Even a little bit can go a long way! Positive Self Talk You don't have to be perfect to love yourself. Be kind to your mind and speak to yourself with kindness. Remind yourself of what your body can do for you, remember you are WORTHY! :) Focusing On The Little Wins We often have such a heavy focus on how we look but what if it was never about how we looked but more about how we felt. Do you notice after you get in a workout or a session you always tend to have a lift in your mood and a shift in perspective. Movement has the power to make us feel strong and happy and more like ourselves! Do Movements You Enjoy Fitness should be fun and functional. You are more likely to stick to it if you enjoy it! Find movements that excite you. Like lifting, walking, running, dancing, gymnastics etc. When you focus on what your body can do and not what it looks like, you can start to see how strong and capable you really are! Set Goals Related To Movement-Mood-Function Movement - touching your toes or doing your first push-up Mood - Having more energy during the day and feeling less anxious Function - Carrying groceries, running around with your kids, etc. Remember - you are already enough! You don't need to look a certain way to be fit. You just need to move your body in a way you enjoy, take care of yourself and celebrate what your body does for you everyday! If you've been feeling stuck, or wanting to start working out with a Coach, or in an environment that is inclusive, inviting, safe, honours all body shapes and sizes, we can help! CLICK HERE to book a free meeting with one of our Coaches to learn how you can get started at Degree or, email info@degreefitnessseaforth.com .

10 Minute at Home Cardio Workout

May 25, 2025
Written By: Coach Sienna We know Cardio is good for your heart health but it is also good for our respiratory systems which help bring oxygen to fuel our muscles to do what they gotta do! By doing cardio we strengthen all of these components which help us live a happier healthy lifestyle! Your body is built to move and releases happy chemicals called endorphins from having an increased heart rate which can improve your mood. This can happen in just 10 minutes! We all know Cardio is an important part of our health but most of us just don’t have a lot of time due to kids, work, life etc. Just remember any movement is a good movement! No matter how long or short it may be. The little things add up (: Use this 10 minute at home cardio workout (no equipment needed!) to get your heart rate up and feeling your best even on the busiest days. 2 Rounds of 1 minute of Jumping Jacks 1 minute of High Knees 1 minute Air Squats or Jump Squat 1 minute of Burpees 1 minute of Mountain Climbers *Rest as needed but try to keep it 30s or less between movements! We understand life gets in the way and schedules can be tough - we are here to help! Let us know how it went! Email info@degreefitnessseaforth.com , or, visit www.degreefitnessseaforth.com/get-started to book your FREE No Sweat Intro to learn more!

What You Need to Know About Iron!

May 22, 2025
Written By: Mairead, Registered Dietitian You've probably heard of iron and know it's important. Maybe you've even had your levels checked through bloodwork! Iron is an important mineral in our diet. It is part of the blood cells that carry oxygen around our body, and plays roles in growth and the production of some hormones. The amount of iron you need varies. Men need less, while women need more due to blood loss during menstruation. This puts women at higher risk for low iron. The symptoms of low iron include feeling sluggish and fatigued, pale skin, and even hair loss! Women under 50 years old need 18mg of iron a day, while women over 50 and all men only need 8mg of iron daily. Many people can get enough iron through a varied and balanced diet. Iron is found in meat, poultry, fish, legumes, eggs, soy, and many grains and vegetables. Our bodies are better able to absorb iron from animal sources - this type of iron is referred to as "heme iron". Non-heme iron is found in plant sources and is harder for your body to absorb. If you rely on plant-based sources of iron, you may need to eat a lot more of it. Pairing iron sources with sources of vitamin C can also help increase absorption. If you suspect your iron levels are low, ask your doctor to check your levels through a blood test. If your iron level is low and you're already consuming enough through diet, you may need a supplement to increase your levels. Always check if you actually need an iron supplement before starting one! Iron plays some key roles in our bodies, and is important for overall health! Make sure you include a variety of sources daily to meet your body's needs! Looking for more personalized nutrition advice? Let's chat! Email mairead@degreefitnessseaforth.com for more information about our Nutrition Programs, or click HERE to book your FREE Bite-Sized Nutrition Chat!
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