Before she was an Instagram sensation, Lita Lewis moved from Australia to New York with sufficient cash to outlive for 21 days. She landed a job with two days to spare however quickly realized her habit to health surpassed her goal on the workplace.
Now residing in Los Angeles, Lewis travels the world spreading her body-positive health philosophy, and her newest cease is a four-week BODi unique program.
Members can burn via 10 exercises that mix resistance, cardio, and HIIT coaching to get robust, sculpted, and strong — no matter dimension, form, or health degree.
We caught up with Lewis to speak about her evolution as an influencer, her clothes line, and the shocking treats that discover their manner into her weight-reduction plan.
BODi: How did you begin sharing health with others?
I began by coaching a few my girlfriends in my native park in downtown Brooklyn. We would meet there, and all people noticed my private bodily transformation and had been similar to, “I want to look like you. I want legs like you.”
My girlfriends instructed their girlfriends, they instructed their coworkers, and what began as a few pals quickly become 50 individuals exhibiting up for this boot camp. At that point, I used to be doing it without spending a dime.
How did you flip health into your corporation?
I shared content material from my exercises within the park and these huge group selfies on my Instagram. People began calling from all around the nation, saying, “I want to work out with you.” “Come to Dallas.” “Come to San Fran.” “Come to Atlanta.”
I’d discover a native park and do a pop-up session. I’d cost a small price, and folks would present up. It blew my thoughts. I had constructed a enterprise, and it began with social media.
Tell us about how your profession as a coach took off.
I used to be at a degree in life the place issues had been crashing down round me. People had been posting their lattes and artwork [to Instagram], and the one factor I needed to submit was my exercises.
That’s what I used to be doing to attempt to decide myself up once more and get in a greater bodily and psychological state of well being.
A number of months glided by, and I’m simply sharing content material that was reflective, constructive, and speaking about gratitude. I’d work with somebody with one arm or one leg, present them killing it, and speak about how blessed we’re to have our bodies that may transfer.
I blinked my eyes, and I had 10,000 followers.
When did you understand you had been an influencer?
I acquired a message from a single mom of 4. She defined that she had simply gone via a divorce, fallen right into a despair, and misplaced the motivation to cook dinner.
Her youngest daughter had gained 20 kilos and not felt snug in her soccer uniform. She determined she didn’t need to play sports activities anymore, withdrew from her lessons, and her grades dropped.
She mentioned the challenges in her life sparked negativity, and it was affecting her daughter. What I used to be sharing on social media helped her decide herself up once more.
She mentioned she realized that if I can do it, she will be able to do it not only for herself but in addition for her daughter. If I can contact an ideal stranger’s life by sharing what I like on an app, I’m actually probably the most blessed individuals on this planet.
Acceptance of 1’s physique is less complicated mentioned than achieved. How would you advise somebody who struggles with physique points to even start appreciating theirs?
It takes braveness to take a look at your self within the mirror and discover one thing that adjustments your thought course of. You’re just one resolution away from being OK. You actually are.
One day you’re feeling down and out, and that night you’ll be able to look your self within the mirror and be like, “You know what, this is a beautiful night. I’m going to have a wonderful dinner. I’m worth it. I’m gonna take up this space, and I’m gonna be unapologetic about it.”
It takes bravery to try this, and also you simply discover momentum. Make good choices and continually inform your self constructive affirmations.
I used to be writing post-its with constructive affirmations and sticking them throughout my condominium. Have the internal power to be like, “I’m going to show up just as I am and if I’m OK with this, the world is going to be OK with it.”
How did the creation of your clothes line come about?
During my boot camps, I’d all the time scream out issues like, “Thick thighs save lives!” and “F thigh gaps!” Women would say, “Can you put that on a T-shirt? I want to wear that.” I began placing these phrases on tanks, t-shirts, and hoodies.
It was much more fashionable than I anticipated. It developed into guaranteeing items that ladies can put on that intensify their curves — not conceal them — to make them really feel assured once they’re shifting.
That’s how my attire line, Thick Athletics, took place. I’m actually pleased with how a easy message brings out the perfect in a lady, particularly whereas she’s figuring out.
Your life appears fairly good on Instagram. What’s one thing individuals can be stunned to listen to about you?
I’ve by no means been too scared to be weak within the journey of combating despair. I understand that I can’t all the time be that robust lady. I constructed this robust physique, these robust shoulders, and legs, however I’d nonetheless go house and cry myself to sleep.
I realized it’s OK to not be robust. I noticed that by sharing my vulnerability that I used to be robust. It takes braveness to try this, and I feel what individuals will discover about me is that I’m not afraid to point out my true self.
Balance is vital in life. You received’t all the time be up. There will probably be some down instances, however these down instances will make the great instances really feel like Heaven, and also you’ll admire it extra once you’re there.
If you would do just one train for the remainder of your life, which wouldn’t it be?
I can’t get away from the traditional squat. But it’s tremendous shut with the deadlift, too. Anything that works the decrease half is my favourite.
Now swap “do only one exercise” with “eat only one food.”
I haven’t had it in a very long time, but when I might eat one sort of meals for the remainder of my life, I’d return to my grandpa’s chop suey (sapa sui). It’s a typical Samoan dish. I miss it each day.
Do you follow a particular weight-reduction plan?
For me, it’s about stability. I’ll be fully trustworthy: I’m not consuming a super-clean weight-reduction plan. It doesn’t work that manner when you could have 4 boys that need pizza on Friday nights.
I like to think about it because the 80-20 rule: 80% of the time, I’m maintaining a healthy diet, then 20% of the time, it’s that pizza! Those fries and that brownie look fairly good, too.