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iFIT Member Highlight: Kayla Nickels

After running the Grand Canyon Rim-to-River Trek with iFIT Trainer Tommy Rivs Puzey a few months ago, iFIT member Kayla Nickels was inspired to add the Grand Canyon to her bucket list. She recently checked it off her list when she made a detour to Arizona from Vegas. She was ecstatic to log more than seven miles at such a beautiful place!

We love it when members get to travel virtually with us, but we love it even more when they get to experience destinations for themselves in real life. We reached out to Kayla to get more details about her trip to the majestic Grand Canyon!

How long have you been an iFIT member?

I’ve been a member for almost nine months.

Who is your favorite iFIT Trainer?

Tommy Rivs Puzey was the first trainer I discovered, and he’s been my go-to ever since. I also love John Peel, Ashley Paulson, and Gideon Akande as well!

What’s your favorite series?

I loved the Grand Canyon Rim-to-River Trek and the Boston Marathon Series. I’ve completed both several times. I also love the monthly Challenges and look forward to completing them every month!

Which machine do you own?

I own the NordicTrack Commercial X22i Treadmill, the NordicTrack Commercial S22i Studio Cycle, the NordicTrack RW900 Rowing Machine, and the NordicTrack Fusion CST.

I’ve gone from running an 11-minute mile to running a 7:30-minute mile. I’m in the best shape of my life right now because of iFIT!

Did you get to hike any trails at the Grand Canyon?

Yes, we hiked the Rim Trail, Kaibab/Tim Trailhead, Scenic Trail, and the Hermit’s Rest Route. Next time, I want to hike the entire trail into the canyon.

Have you ever been to the Grand Canyon before?

This was my first time, but I’m already planning my next trip in 2021!

What was your favorite part about the trip?

The views! They were absolutely breathtaking. We also got to see a lot of wildlife up close as the sun started to go down.

What made you want to make the detour and visit the Grand Canyon?

After doing the Grand Canyon Rim-to-River Trek with Tommy a few months ago, I knew I had to visit someday. I ended up in Las Vegas for a family member’s wedding, and our group had a rental car. We had a few free days with no plans, so we made the eight-hour, round trip drive. It was so worth it. I’ve never seen anything so beautiful.

What do you like most about iFIT?

iFIT gives me the opportunity to explore new places every day without having to leave my house. The trainers are so positive, motivating, and informative that it almost makes me forget I’m working out. It also inspires me to add new places to my travel bucket list!

How do you stay motivated when you don’t want to work out?

I’ve made working out a daily habit since I got my machines. It’s something I love doing, so it doesn’t feel like a chore. I work out for my health and my sanity. I have two jobs, and both are in customer service, so my nightly workouts help me unwind and burn off the frustrations from my 12–14-hour workdays.

Where are you on your fitness journey?

I’ve lost over 20 pounds and gained so much endurance since I joined iFIT back in January. I’ve gone from running an 11-minute mile to running a 7:30-minute mile. I’m in the best shape of my life right now because of iFIT!

What’s something unique about you?

I graduated high school, having never missed a single day of school. It was a goal I set for myself on my first day of kindergarten, and it just goes to show that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to do. I’m also trying to run a marathon in every state, and I’m about halfway there!

Disclaimer: This blog post is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional. The above information should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Please consult your doctor before making any changes to your diet, sleep methods, daily activity, or fitness routine. iFIT assumes no responsibility for any personal injury or damage sustained by any recommendations, opinions, or advice given in this article. Always follow the safety precautions included in the owner’s manual of your fitness equipment.

Opinions of iFIT members are not necessarily the opinions of iFIT.

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People Need People: The Positive Effects of Socializing

As human beings, we are social creatures by nature. Instinctively, we don’t like feeling alone, and our bodies and brains actually function better when we are surrounded by others. We are basically wired to be social. If you were to google “why humans need humans” or anything along those lines, you’ll find a plethora of articles explaining why social connections and friendships are vital to our health and well-being. Outside of our family units, when we have friends we can lean on, laugh with, cry with, and talk to, we are nourishing ourselves physically, mentally, and emotionally. We need that connectivity not only to survive, like this article suggests, but to thrive. Whether you’re someone who prefers to have just a few really close pals, or you’re a social butterfly with a lot of friends, at the end of the day, we need those relationships. Here are the top three reasons we need friendships in our lives! Friendships improve our health Research has shown that having strong social connections is vital to our health. For starters, it can reduce stress levels, ward off depression and suicide, lower the risk of dementia, heart disease, and cancer, as well as boost our immune system...and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. It’s also easier to exercise and live a healthier lifestyle when you have the support of friends and family. Friends extend our life expectancy Aside from improving our overall health, maintaining friendships can also add years to our lives—just like regular exercise, healthy eating habits, and not smoking. Multiple studies have found that people who have positive relationships with their family, friends, and community are happier and tend to live longer. Some studies have even gone as far to conclude that social belongingness is just as important as physical survival needs, such as food and shelter. Friends make life more fun This might not be a mind-blowing revelation, but friends bring an abundant amount of happiness to our lives. While I’m sure you can find enjoyment doing certain things solo, I’d argue that most things are more fun when you do it with someone else. There’s an unexplainable joy that comes from sharing experiences with people we care about. Studies have shown, including this one conducted back in 2011, that having meaningful social relationships affects our neurobiological endogenous opioid system (think endorphins), triggering the part of the brain that makes us feel good. Simply put, connecting and interacting with our friends gives us happy feelings. Ever caught up with an old friend, then felt really good afterwards? Those are your endorphins kicking in, telling you that what you just did is healthy for your emotional and physical health! So, no matter what stage of life you’re in, make it a priority to get out and do things with your friends. Whether it’s a quick phone call or grabbing lunch, keep your friends close and remember to have fun!