“Thick Thighs Save Lives”: Meet BODi Coach Lita Lewis

Earlier than 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 dependancy to health surpassed her objective on the workplace.

Now dwelling 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 stable — no matter measurement, form, or health stage.

We caught up with Lewis to talk about her evolution as an influencer, her clothes line, and the stunning treats that discover their means into her food 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’d meet there, and everyone noticed my private bodily transformation and have been identical to, “I need to seem like you. I need legs such as you.”

My girlfriends advised their girlfriends, they advised their coworkers, and what began as a few pals quickly became 50 individuals exhibiting up for this boot camp. At the moment, I used to be doing it totally free.

How did you flip health into your enterprise?

I shared content material from my exercises within the park and these large group selfies on my Instagram. Individuals began calling from all around the nation, saying, “I need 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 payment, and folks would present up. It blew my thoughts. I had constructed a enterprise, and it began with social media.

Inform us about how your profession as a coach took off.

I used to be at some extent in life the place issues have been crashing down round me. Individuals have been posting their lattes and artwork [to Instagram], and the one factor I needed to publish 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, optimistic, 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 notice you have 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 now not felt comfy 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 some of the 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 have 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.

Someday you’re feeling down and out, and that night you possibly can look your self within the mirror and be like, “You understand what, this can be a stunning night time. I’m going to have a beautiful dinner. I’m value it. I’m gonna take up this area, and I’m gonna be unapologetic about it.”

It takes bravery to do this, and also you simply discover momentum. Make good selections and always inform your self optimistic affirmations.

I used to be writing post-its with optimistic affirmations and sticking them throughout my condominium. Have the inside energy to be like, “I’m going to indicate up simply as I’m and if I’m OK with this, the world goes to be OK with it.”

How did the creation of your clothes line come about?

Throughout my boot camps, I’d all the time scream out issues like, “Thick thighs save lives!” and “F thigh gaps!” Ladies would say, “Can you place that on a T-shirt? I need to put on that.” I began placing these phrases on tanks, t-shirts, and hoodies.

It was much more fashionable than I anticipated. It advanced into ensuring items that ladies can put on that intensify their curves — not cover them — to make them really feel assured once they’re shifting.

That’s how my attire line, Thick Athletics, happened. I’m actually pleased with how a easy message brings out the very best in a girl, particularly whereas she’s understanding.

Your life appears to be like fairly good on Instagram. What’s one thing individuals could be stunned to listen to about you?

I’ve by no means been too scared to be susceptible within the journey of combating despair. I notice 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 dwelling and cry myself to sleep.

I realized it’s OK to not be robust. I spotted that by sharing my vulnerability that I used to be robust. It takes braveness to do this, and I believe what individuals will discover about me is that I’m not afraid to indicate my true self.

Steadiness is vital in life. You gained’t all the time be up. There will likely be some down instances, however these down instances will make the great instances really feel like Heaven, and also you’ll recognize it extra whenever you’re there.

Should you might 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 surely’s tremendous shut with the deadlift, too. Something that works the decrease half is my favourite.

Now swap “do just one train” with “eat just one meals.”

I haven’t had it in a very long time, but when I might eat one kind 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 every day.

Do you stick with a particular food plan?

For me, it’s about steadiness. I’ll be fully sincere: I’m not consuming a super-clean food plan. It doesn’t work that means 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! These fries and that brownie look fairly good, too.