Riser of the Month: Emily Simmers

In her late 20s, Emily Simmers, along with her now husband, loved long runs along Chicago’s lakefront. While they made exercise a regular part of their routines, once their kids were born, it became more difficult to incorporate.

Missing the daily movement, once her kids were a little older, Emily knew she wanted to get back into a regular routine. “By that time we were living in Glen Ellyn and I had heard about Rise through some friends,” says Emily. “I tried a few classes and really enjoyed how accommodating they were.  As I was getting back into fitness, I was still building my stamina back up. So, I really appreciated how each of the instructors gave modifications to the exercises so that everything was challenging, but approachable. And as I get stronger, they push and encourage me to try new and harder moves and to increase weights.”

Today Emily keeps coming back for the variety and energy in every class, loving that no two workouts are ever the same. “It keeps things fresh and interesting,” she says. “The instructors do a great job of encouraging us while also pushing to challenge ourselves, so I always leave feeling stronger and accomplished.”

Emily, your dedication is evident! We love to see how strong you’ve gotten and can’t wait to see you continue. Congratulations on being named Riser of the Month!

What is your overall wellness mantra?

I've adopted the phrase that I learned during the Rise Challenges, 'progress not perfection'. It reminds me that wellness is a journey, not a finish line. Some days might be tough but that doesn't take away from the steps I've already made or the direction I'm heading. It also helps me focus on consistency over comparison. 

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

Short term I try to stay as consistent as possible with showing up to classes so that it's almost automatic. And I try to push myself a little more each class where I can, so that long term I can keep moving and feel good in my body. 

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

I love the boxing classes that are occasionally offered. They're especially great when I need to work out any frustrations during a tough work week!  

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

I'm not naturally an early riser, but the 6am classes work best with my schedule overall. So just waking up and getting to class is the biggest challenge! So I get as much ready to go as I can the night before so that I can sleep as long as possible that morning. And when I'm contemplating not going, I remind myself how good I feel after class and for the rest of the day. 

How do you integrate nutrition into your life each day?

I try to incorporate veggies and protein in most meals. It works best for my family if I plan out the meals for the week each weekend. That way we have a plan for each day based on our schedules. When we have the ingredients on hand, we're much less likely to opt for takeout when things get busy.  

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

I try to remind myself that nutrition and fitness are tools that fuel my energy and strength, not restrictions. This way I can stay consistent with healthy habits and still make space for fun, whether it's a favorite meal, a night out or rest when my body needs it.