iFIT Member Highlight: Emily Otter

Meet iFIT member Emily Otter!

Between the challenges of being a healthcare professional during the pandemic and managing personal mental barriers, Emily was ready to make a change in 2020. She biked her way to better health with iFIT Trainers over the next year. Emily was kind enough to share her story with us, chalking up her success to iFIT and her supportive husband!

Emily’s Story

I became an iFIT member in May 2020. I had just turned 28 and was at my heaviest weight. I was navigating work as a nurse practitioner during the global pandemic while also feeling absolutely miserable with myself. I had my eye on the NordicTrack S15i and iFIT for at least six months, and in April 2020, my sweet husband gave it to me for my birthday.

My first ride was with iFIT Trainer Nicole Meline in Moab, Utah. I read on The Official iFIT Member Facebook page that this was a great cycling workout program to start with as a beginner. Well, beginner ride or not, it was a humbling experience. I didn’t realize how out of shape I was physically and mentally until I started that program. I had to pause the video every few minutes to catch my breath. Her encouraging words helped me push through the rest of the series and I was already starting to notice improvements in my stamina by the end of the workout program.

Meanwhile, I saw discussions about the May 2020 monthly Challenge, which was the Switzerland KOM Series with iFIT Trainer Tommy Rivs Puzey. I was on such a high after completing my first series that I decided to take on the challenge as a true beginner. I had 20 rides to complete with about 20 days left in the month. At the end of May, I successfully completed what, in my opinion, is one of the most intensive bike workout series iFIT offers. My cadence may have been less than he asked for most of the time, but I didn’t pause and didn’t modify the workouts as I made my way through all 20 rides. This cycling program was not only a physical test but a mental one as well. At the end, I felt like I had finally started tapping away at some of the mental barriers that have been in place for years.

Finishing that program confirmed that THIS is what I needed to do for me and me only. I noticed such an improvement in my mood, better management of stress, and I found myself making better food choices. The weight that I gradually put on over the previous several years was finally starting to disappear as well. The Switzerland KOM Series is what I associate with my turning point because after I completed that series, there was no going back (it was ALL UPHILL)! Fast forward to 2021, and my S15i bike and iFIT have completely changed my life. I’ve become so much healthier physically and mentally. I’ve also started integrating strength training. I am currently halfway through iFIT Trainer John Peel’s Next-Level Strength Training Series.

iFIT has become such an integral part of my lifestyle, and I will forever be thankful for the spark it lit in me. I now spend a good 60–90 minutes with my iFIT "friends" almost every day, and it has been therapeutic in helping me navigate the choppy waters of the past year. My husband deserves all the credit in the world for helping me get on the path to a healthier me, even if he didn’t realize how impactful it would be at the time. He’s my biggest cheerleader!

Who is your favorite iFIT Trainer?

Ashley Paulson.

What has been your favorite iFIT series that you've completed?

Switzerland KOM Series with iFIT Trainer Tommy Rivs Puzey.

How long have you been an iFIT member?

May 2 is the anniversary of my first iFIT ride. The bike was a gift for my birthday on May 1, 2020, and I cannot believe it's been a full year already! 

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.