Stridekick User Spotlight: Dish with Dee
Stridekick User Spotlight: Dish with Dee
Welcome to Stridekick’s User Spotlight, where we highlight users who go above and beyond within the Stridekick community to help others reach their fitness goals. Today we have the pleasure of interviewin
g Denise from Dish with Dee!
Hello Denise! 👋Please tell us who you are and a fun fact about you!
Hi, I am Denise aka Dish with Dee. I lost 114 pounds on the My WW Plan, formerly known as Weight Watchers, and at 53 years old, I am in the best shape of my life! I have embarked on a wellness journey, and I want to help others achieve their goal. If I can do this, I know that anyone can. All you need to do is believe in yourself and not put limits and unrealistic expectations on yourself. Turtles do win the race, and I am living proof.
What were your very first fitness goals?
I weighed in at 270 pounds, and I just wanted to be able to do things for myself and not always be out of breath. I just want to have more movement in my daily life and not expect people to do things for me that I should be doing for myself.
How were you able to accomplish those goals?
By losing weight, it enabled me to be more active and feel less sluggish and tired. The saying is true: “You are what you eat.”
What motivated you to take the first step?
I had severe sleep apnea, and when I was put on my CPAP machine, I was getting the rest I so desperately needed. Then, I was able to concentrate on losing weight, and then, I was able to be more active.
Who was a part of your support system?
My family, friends, coworkers were all supportive. My WW meeting friends and now my online community that I have created with Dish with Dee on YouTube and Instagram and Facebook. I have met so many wonderful supportive people online who have fast become my friends.
What would you tell yourself when you were having a particularly difficult day?
I would say look how far you have come. Just breath and know you are going to get there. Just take it one day at a time.
What inspired you to start an online fitness community?
I do a bi-weekly online weight loss meeting chat with my Dish with Dee community on YouTube. We talk about things going on with our weight loss journey and how we can better ourselves. People love to do things in groups and being we are all spread all over the globe (I chat with people in Canada, Au, and England just for starters), and with this online step challenge, we are working out as a group and chatting with each other. We are a very close community, and we share a lot. And now, we share our fitness, and we inspire each other to be better than yesterday and to keep moving even when we don’t feel like we can.
Is your content geared towards a particular audience?
Weight loss motivation, inspiration, and support.
Do you remember who your first follower or user was?
I do remember the first few, and they are still very active and very dear friends.
How do you engage the people in your community?
I go live twice a week, and I vlog almost every day. They have my email and we have a private Facebook group called Dish with Dee’s Waist Watchin’ Warriors.
What has been your favorite part of leading an online community?
This community gives me so much inspiration and keeps me accountable. They inspire me to be the best me I can be. They make me think outside the box. I try and create recipes to help us get through those rough patches when you just need a sweet treat.
What has been the hardest part of growing your community, and how are you working to overcome it?
It’s hard when you put so much of yourself out there and people think the worst of you and just delete you without any conversation. I always ask and don’t assume. It’s also hard to keep current and keep your content fresh and new especially for the ones that have been around since day one.
How have you used Stridekick in relation to your community?
We have a weekly step challenge. I always tell them there are no winners or losers. Your goal is to just keep moving.
What is your favorite healthy recipe?
I love taco chicken in the crock pot and any and all types of chili.
What is the best way for someone to join your community and/or follow you?
Here are links to join the Dish with Dee Community:
Would love to have you!
Any last words of encouragement, or anything else you’d like to share?
I have found a home being on social media, and I hope to inspire any and everyone I come in contact with to be the best they can be, so they can live their best life.
Does your online fitness community use Stridekick to help achieve fitness goals?
If so, we’d love to hear more about your journey! Contact us at help@stridekick.com for an opportunity to be featured in our blog.
For organizations
