Riser of the Month: Kristin Livermore

Kristin Livermore found Rise in 2014 when it first opened, joining in one of the first classes taught at Rise, which was located in Sunshine Dance studio's classroom on Crescent Blvd at the time. Kristin was leading a busy life with 2- and 4-year-old girls, a daily commute into the city and the beginnings of mom friends in town and a community for her family.  “I didn’t realize it at the time, but Rise became a community for me to connect with, and it has been very impactful in my life throughout these 11 years,” she says. “A lot has happened in that time period! I'm so thankful I've had the Rise and the Glen Ellyn community through all of it.”

Today, Kristin keeps coming to Rise for the community as well as the variety of classes offered, specifically, MetCon, Strength & Endurance and Strength Intervals. “I think it's the right mix of both the strength and cardio that I need right now at my age,” she says. “Although, more importantly, the instructors, classmates and knowing how good I’ll feel after are what motivate me to show up.”

Kristin, we’re so happy you have stuck with the Rise community all these years and that Rise classes are part of your everyday wellness routine! We love to see your strength and drive in class. You contribute so much to our community just by being you! Congrats on being named Riser of the Month! Read on to learn more about Kristin and the ‘why’ behind her commitment to wellness!

What is your overall wellness mantra?

Take care of myself, so I can take care of other people. If I'm not healthy (both mentally and physically), then I'm not my best self for the people I love the most.

What is your fitness background?

I was a runner in high school. I ran both track and cross country, so I guess that's where my fitness background started. In college, running and working out was a stress reliever for me, but probably more social than anything. While living in Chicago after college and working at a desk all day, I found an outlet for stress and energy with high-impact workout classes or long runs in the early morning or late evenings.  Around that time, I also started to recognize my body needed a balance, a quiet place where I could slow down and reflect on everything going on around me. That's when I found yoga too. Although, when I think of fitness, I can’t help but think about nutrition. I'm a big believer that what you put in your body is just as important as how you move it, so nutrition has always been on the forefront of my fitness regime too.

What are your short and long-term workout/wellness goals?

Short-term is to move my body every day with people I love and that support me. If I didn't have the friends and community around me, it wouldn't be as much fun. I enjoy my workout routine (or nonroutine). I integrate a lot of activities, but most importantly I do it to be a positive influence on my two girls. Long-term is to keep finding things I enjoy doing with people I love, and the rest will fall into place.

What Rise class gets you feeling the most mentally and physically amped?

Lauren's Met-Con class!

What’s your biggest challenge in getting to class, and how do you combat that challenge?

Right now, I would say it's the cold weather. I combat the challenge by reminding myself how great I feel the rest of the day once I've made it to class in the morning.

How do you integrate nutrition into your life each day?

I just try to eat a fruit or vegetable with every meal and drink water throughout the day. I try to look at food as fuel and nourishment for my body – it can determine how well I feel during a workout, the mood I’m in or how well I can focus.

What’s your best tip to find balance between nutrition, fitness and life’s fun?

Make all three of them part of your lifestyle, so they're just part of your daily routine and it becomes the way you live.