At Goondiwindi Cotton, we love featuring rural women we admire, and this month is no different. This month's Woman in Style feature piece is about Kate Ivey, Founder and CEO of Kate Ivey Fitness.
Kate, tell us a little about yourself?
I'm the owner, founder and trainer at DediKate. I am also a mother of 3 and a farmer's wife. We live on a sheep, beef and deer farm in the middle of the South Island of New Zealand. DediKate is the online fitness community for rural women, Mum's and those that don't have time for the gym - everyone is welcome. I have a huge passion for rural women's health and encourage a balanced and realistic approach to exercise. We launched DediKate into Australia (founded in NZ) in 2021 to help more rural women to look after themselves with short and effective workouts and our relatable down-to-earth approach. I have a love affair with rural Australia and red dirt, and feel so lucky to be helping so many women on both sides of the Tasman.
What is your advice to busy rural women who struggle to prioritise their personal health and fitness?
Oh, I have so much advice that I don't know where to start but I will give it a shot! The first thing is to let go of exercise being only for weight loss or something we do in spare time. Exercise is so important for our all round health and wellbeing including our mental health and should be a priority in our lives. This doesn't mean we need to slog it out for hours - short and effective 20-30 minute workouts will make you feel great, improve your strength and fitness, improve your brain function and your overall wellness. Secondly, focus on creating habits, the most common mistake people make is they go too hard out at the start and then they can't maintain it. Exercise then becomes a negative experience and they get down on themselves. If you find it hard to create habits and be consistent then lower your threshold of what is good enough and build from there.
How would you describe your style?
I absolutely love fashion but had a google so I could be more accurate. I LOVE athleisure (surprise surprise) as well as Parisian which as per my research is "effortlessly cool, classic, light-hearted aesthetic that gives off subtle hints of sophistication". Nailing that look is probably the hardest part, but I at least try.
