This week our Stronger U Member Spotlight is shining down on Katie Trojacek, who has been working with Coach Bonnie Klauber. Great work, Katie!
What’s your name? (First and last names, pretty please)
Katie Trojacek
Who was your Coach?
Bonnie Klauber
If there was one thing you could say to your Coach, what would it be?
Thank you for creating a judgment-free & encouraging place for me to share my concerns and celebrate my victories!
Tell us a little about you. Where are you from? Are you a parent? What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I’m from Austin, TX and am a mom to the 2 sweetest boys (Eli, 5 & Sloan, almost 2) and wife to fellow Stronger-U’er, Justin. I’m a project manager for a large technology company but in my free time, I love going to OrangeTheory & spending time with my family. I love, love, LOVE to travel & love everything Disney (World/Land/Cruises…you name it!).
What was the moment that made you decide to join Stronger U?
I was about 5 weeks post-partum with my 2nd baby. I had gained 65 pounds with this pregnancy & the weight wasn’t coming off as fast as my first. A friend from college posted her Stronger U results on Facebook & I immediately messaged her & was signed up later that day.
Is there anyone from the SU community you would like to shout out?
#1 would be my husband, Justin. Thank you for jumping into this thing with me, always supporting me & cheering me on and for all the meal prep you do 🙂 And also to my friends that have joined, Lauren, Rachel, LeeAnn, Christine, Lizzie, Amanda — This is such a huge part of who I am now & I’m thankful to have my people that “get it” & cheer each other on!
What dieting experience did you have previous to Stronger U?
Prior to Stronger U, I wasn’t a huge “dieter.” I thought I ate pretty healthy and did try a few cleanses here & there (you know, the kind where you can ONLY eat tomatoes one day, and ONLY eat fruit the next day…). I just chalked up my weight struggle to my genetics/body type.
What were your eating habits like before joining Stronger U? Did you prep your meals? Did you eat out regularly? Did you think you were already eating healthy and in moderation?
Prior to Stronger U, I was a fairly healthy eater but now I know that my portions were WAY off. I also thought I could eat healthy during the week and then go nuts on the weekend… or eat unhealthy because I did a work out that day. There’s now way I was getting enough protein in my diet and definitely ate too much fat. We also went out to eat way more than we do now.
Why do you think Stronger U worked so well for you compared to other programs or diets?
Stronger U works for me because I don’t have to deprive myself of anything. Being able to have whatever I want in moderation takes the mental struggle out of eating for me. I don’t know who said it but I love the quote “You don’t have to count your macros, but your body does.” It keeps me mindful of what I’m putting into my body but at the end of the day know that if I’m hitting my macros, I’m doing okay! I also love the positivity and support of the Stronger U community and of course my awesome coach, Bonnie! Lastly, this is truly a lifestyle change and with all that I’ve learned while on Stronger U. I could never go back to eating the way I used to.
What was the biggest challenge or change when you first started with Stronger U?
My biggest challenge was eating anywhere other than home when I first started. The thought of not being able to know the exact macros and/or weight of something I was eating caused me so much anxiety.
What was something you regularly ate while on Stronger U that people wouldn’t expect you to eat on a diet?
Bread! These days I feel like we get it beat into us that carbs are bad, bread is bad, etc. I eat a sandwich almost every day for lunch with not one, but TWO pieces of bread that I program into my day.
What does your typical week of eating look like? How many days a week do you meal prep? Do you have certain meals you make most often?
We typically meal prep one day on the weekend and make 2-3 meals that will last us through the week. I’m super lucky because my Stronger U husband also counts macros AND does most of the cooking in our house. Our 2 favorites are both Mason’s recipes: buffalo chicken chili & instant pot sloppy joes.
If you exercise or train for a sport, did Stronger U have any impact on your training? Or did Stronger U have an impact on your decision to start exercising or training for a sport?
I go to OrangeTheory or Regymen Fitness (similar type of gym) 3-4 times per week. When it’s not blazing hot out I also try and get in a run or 2 during the week. My activity level hasn’t really increased since starting Stronger U but holy moly has my performance and endurance increased.
How much weight did you lose with Stronger U?
I lost 60 pounds with Stronger U. Which includes an extra 12 pounds past my pre-pregnancy weight with my first kiddo!
How did your waist measurements change with Stronger U?
12 inches
What were 3 major non-scale victories you experienced with Stronger U?
- Increasing my base pace at OTF from 5 to 6.5 (and still wanting to go higher)
- I dropped about 4 clothing sizes and wear the size I wore in high school
- I have way more confidence and feel so comfortable in my own skin now
Outside of the scale, inches, and previously mentioned NSV’s, how has your life improved thanks to your time with Stronger U?
While I still love food, I no longer see it as a reward, I see it as fuel for my body. I still allow myself to have “treats” now & then but they are just programmed as a normal part of my day.
What are 3 tips, based on your experience, that you’d give to new members of Stronger U to help them see success early on?
- Enter everything you eat BEFORE you put it in your mouth – you can’t un-eat something
- Ask questions in the group/to your coach – everyone is so willing to throw out ideas & help
- Meal prep for the week & keep it simple. It’s okay to eat the same thing several days in a row
If someone is thinking about joining Stronger U, what advice would you give them before beginning their journey?
DO IT! The only regret I have about Stronger U is not finding it sooner. I wish I would have known about it during my pregnancies. Heck, I wish I would’ve known about it after graduating college so I could’ve set up my healthy lifestyle long before kids entered the pictures and complicated things. With that being said, Stronger U really is sustainable for people in all walks of life, you just have to make the commitment to better yourself FOR yourself.
