"Rebuilding Resilience: Catherine’s Goodnick Path to Toned Muscles and more Energy"

Catherine, a 68-year-old retiree living in Spain, transformed her physical strength and confidence through Goodnick, moving from sluggishness and weakening muscles to toned arms, stronger legs, and a renewed zest for life. Her story highlights how Goodnick’s flexible, at-home workouts empowered her to enhance her balance, stamina, and muscle tone, enabling her to keep up with active holidays and grandchildren while embracing a positive outlook on aging.

Before joining Goodnick, Catherine felt her health declining. “I felt a bit sluggish. I felt a bit like my legs were getting weaker and my arms. Arms and shoulders have always been a bit on the weak side, even when I was younger. I couldn’t do press ups or anything like that,” she shared. “I needed to do some exercise, I was walking but that was it really.”

Her biggest fear about aging was clear: “I just want to stay as fit and active as long as I can, as long as I’ve got health. I’ve got several friends who have been very ill and sadly have gone now. I just want to try and ensure that my body is as fit and healthy as it can be and hopefully stave off illness.” Reflecting on her mother’s experience, she added, “Her muscles, they just wasted away and I just don’t want to go that way.”

Past attempts at fitness were inconsistent. “In the past I’ve been to gyms, occasionally and then tailed off. I’ve been to Pilates classes. I did that for quite a while,” Catherine said. She also tried Curves, a circuit-based gym, “and I did that for quite a long time until it closed down.” But Goodnick’s online format was a first. “I haven’t ever done anything online before.”

Goodnick’s 20-minute, four-times-a-week workouts fit seamlessly into her life. “It does, but I don’t do it religiously Monday, Wednesday, Friday. It depends on my week really, because they vary so much. But yes, it fits in really well, really well,” she explained. Setup was simple: “Easy. I already had a set of one kilo dumbbells which I’d never used. And then we started and then I sent for a set of bands. And now I’ve got two kilo and three kilo weights.”

The convenience of at-home workouts was key. “I’d rather not do it with lots of other people in the room. It’s not time constrained. I can do it whenever I want,” Catherine said. Early on, she noticed a difference. “Soon after I started, I thought, I can do this 20 minutes, three times a week, plus the stretches. It’s making me feel better.” She felt Emma’s presence: “Feels like Emma’s there in the room.”

Catherine saw physical changes. “I feel my arms are more toned” she said. A chiropractor confirmed, “She can see my muscle tone, especially in my legs.” Everyday tasks improved: “Just generally moving around and being out in the garden, I feel stronger. And also if I’m down on the floor, it’s much easier to get up. My legs are much stronger.”

Sticking with Goodnick brought pride. “I think physical change and it’s kept my weight the way I want to be as well. I’m at the lowest I have been for quite a few years,” she said. It also shifted her mindset: “I suppose I can see that I’ve got the potential, I’ve got the opportunity to stay much fitter into my 70s than I thought.” Her Garmin watch estimating her physical age at 64.5 boosted her confidence.

To doubters, Catherine says, “Never too late to stop. Just take it slowly.” She values the community: “I like when, if I haven’t done it for a while, I get an email saying, we missed you. You feel as though you matter.” Goodnick’s impact is clear: “It’s given me positivity for the future, for myself, for my fitness.”

Catherine’s story

I’m 68 years old and have lived in Spain for 5 years.

I have always enjoyed walking and gentle hiking but I was starting to realise that my balance and muscle strength, in particular were not as good as they used to be and would continue to deteriorate as I go into my 70s and, hopefully, beyond.  I have tried various gyms and exercise classes in the past but never managed to stick with them.  When I saw an advert for GoodNick in June 2023 I thought it was worth a try and since then I haven’t looked back.

I am now in my third year and my strength, balance, coordination, flexibility and stamina (and also general physical and mental well-being) have all improved so much.  In May, my husband and I went to Peru for two weeks.  It was a very busy and active holiday involving many activities, including trekking through the Amazon rainforest, walking and climbing at Machu Pichu, surviving altitude sickness and very early mornings.

This summer we have had our children with partners and 6 grandchildren (aged from 1 – 8yrs) to stay. 4 adults and 4 of the grandchildren stayed together for several nights.  This was wonderful but very tiring but I had the energy and stamina to keep up with them all.

In September my husband and I will be going to New York for a week and I know we will be exploring and walking everywhere.

Another advantage of GoodNick is that it is very flexible.  When I am at home I try to do the sessions first thing in the morning and while they were here, two of my grandsons joined in with me (see photo).  If I am away it’s still sometimes possible to do them but if not, I catch up when I get home.

When I first started I looked on the sessions as something I just had to get done but now I look forward to them and would really miss them if they weren’t there.  Emma is so inspiring and I really feel like she and I are the only ones in the room!

Best wishes,