From an Inconsistent Routine to Working Out Every Week: Rithika's SHINE Story
- Jess Takimoto
- Nov 25
- 4 min read
“I used to think consistency wasn’t possible for me. Now I have twelve months of stickers proving otherwise.”- Rithika
Watch the full story: https://youtu.be/gfs4X7ffqC8?si=ZX4d7JU2lUc7SI1p
Summary
Introduction
Rithika didn’t grow up thinking of herself as an athlete. She danced as a kid, but once adulthood hit, fitness slowly slipped out of her life. For five or six years, her routine looked like this:
➡️ Walking around the city
➡️ The occasional random workout class
➡️ A half-hearted gym attempt that never stuck
Nothing felt consistent. Nothing felt enjoyable. Nothing felt like her.
But last October, around her birthday, something shifted.
“I remember thinking… something needs to be different this year.”
She didn’t want a hardcore program. She wasn’t trying to “get fit fast.” She just wanted movement to feel good again — and to actually stick with it.
A quick Google search for dance fitness near me changed everything.
What Was Rithika's Relationship With Fitness Before SHINE?
Rithika grew up dancing — the kind of movement that feels effortless and joyful.
But once she went to college, that rhythm disappeared.
For years, her fitness routine was:
❌ Inconsistent
❌ Unmotivating
❌ Mostly walking
❌ Filled with “I should…” but not much follow-through
“I didn’t have a bad relationship with exercise… just an uncomfortable one. I didn’t feel confident. I didn’t feel excited. I didn’t feel like myself.”
Treadmills made her exhausted. Gym workouts gave her headaches. Group classes never quite clicked.
And the biggest challenge?
Finding something she could stick with long enough to see real change.
The Turning Point: Finding SHINE
In October 2024, a week after her birthday, she looked up:
👉 “Dance fitness Toronto”
SHINE FIT popped up. Close to home. Dance-based. Good reviews. Not intimidating.
She signed up for a free class… then started to doubt herself.
But then Jess called to check in.
“She already called me. I have to show up now!”
She came. She had fun. She felt comfortable. And for the first time in years, something felt right.
First: the free class.
Then: the 2-Week Intro Offer.
Then: the 6-Week Challenge.
And then?
She never looked back
Building Consistency
Rithika didn’t start with unrealistic goals.
She picked a number she could actually sustain:
⭐ 2 classes a week, minimum.
.
“I knew I’d quit if I tried to force 4–5 classes a week. Two felt achievable, not overwhelming.”
And it worked.
She found the SHINE routines she loved (dance cardio), the ones that scared her (HIIT), and the ones she eventually grew into (yes, her birthday class was a HIIT class!).
But her most biggest motivator?
A sticker chart.
When the studio ran its Fall Challenge and handed out sticker boards, she loved the visual accountability. Once the challenge ended, she bought her own board, mapped out months, and started adding stickers after every class.
Twelve months later, she has a full year of proof that small steps add up.
“It’s crazy. I’ve never been consistent like this in my life.”
The First Moment It “Clicked”
Rithika didn’t notice her progress right away. But one winter day, she went skiing — something she’d only done once before, very unsuccessfully.
This time?
She made it down the hill easier. With balance. With confidence. And she wondered… what changed?
Then it hit her.
“It was SHINE. I was getting stronger without realizing it.”
This is the magic of consistency:
➡️ You don’t always see it
➡️ You don’t always feel it
➡️ But one day, you notice you can do something you couldn’t before
Movement becomes part of your identity, not just something you “try.”
From “I’ll Only Do Cardio” → “I Survived a HIIT Class!
When she started SHINE, HIIT classes felt impossible.
“I was like… absolutely not. Too tiring. Not for me.”
Months later?
She threw a HIIT class for her birthday.
Even on days she modifies, even on days she feels tired, she shows up and notices she can do things she never dreamed of a year ago.
Burpees.
Strength tracks.
Full classes without stopping.
“I don’t count reps. I don’t count modifications. I focus on the fact that I finished the class, something I couldn’t do a year ago.”
Rithika's Advice for Anyone Starting (or Restarting)
If you’re new to SHINE, or you’ve fallen out of routine, or you’re scared you “won’t stick with it,” here’s her advice:
💙 Start small. Two classes a week is enough to change your life.
💙 Be realistic. Know your limits — and honour them.
💙 Let go of perfection. Some weeks you’ll crush it. Some will be quiet. It all counts.
💙 Choose joy. If you hate your workouts, you won’t keep going. Find something fun.
💙 Find community. The right people make everything easier.
💙 Take the long view. Growth happens in months and years, not days.
“You don’t realize how much you’re changing until one day you just… can do things you couldn’t do before.”
READY TO START YOUR OWN SHINE STORY?
Feeling inspired by Rithika's story? Listen to the full episode of SHINE Stories on Spotify or Apple now! If you’re ready to start your own journey and experience the power of community, book a free intro session today and let’s chat about how SHINE can help you transform your relationship with fitness.
Ready to start your transformation? Click here to book your free intro session today!
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