I Threw Away My Scales! Now I'm In Great Shape

Having struggled with her body after becoming a parent, Kate Ivey’s now helping others maintain health and wellness through her business Kate Ivey fitness and its online platform dedikate, which sees the 35-yearold stream workouts from her high-country sheep station in the Idyllic Mackenzie region

- Leena Tailor

Sport was a huge part of my upbringing and gave me a feeling of self-efficacy that was part of my identity, but I lost that when I had children. Exercise became more about weight loss than healthy living. Getting active in a healthier way again meant getting my sense of self back.

That active nature was instilled in me growing up on a farm with two younger sisters in Cheviot, near Christchurch. I loved going out on the motorbikes or getting on the back of the truck feeding animals, and I loved sports – athletics, swimming, volleyball, tennis, netball, basketball. You name it!

In Year 9, I was off to boarding school and experienced the same body-image issues most teens have. I didn’t feel that confident, but sport helped. But at university, my body started to change.

I did a Bachelor of Physical Education and Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Otago University, and wasn’t looking after myself – drinking lots of beer and eating anything!

After graduating, I worked as a mobile personal trainer, then for the Heart Foundation helping with exercise/nutrition programmes in early childhood centres and schools.