Ewing resident inspires locals to start 2025 on a healthier path
For Courtney Gaines, health and fitness weren’t always a priority. Growing up, she didn’t have the healthiest eating habits, often relying on frozen dinners and hot dogs. Exercise wasn’t a big part of her life either, but that all changed during high school when Gaines began taking steps toward a healthier lifestyle. Now, after earning certifications in exercise science and nutrition, Gaines is helping Mercer County residents—and beyond—take control of their health with natural, sustainable lifestyle changes.
Growing up as a larger girl, Gaines didn’t pay much attention to her weight until she reached high school. “As a teenage girl, you notice friends getting more attention,” she recalls. That’s when she decided to make a change, limiting processed foods and incorporating more movement into her daily routine. Her transformation continued in high school gym class, where she took aerobics and began seeing results. “It was a phenomenal feeling. I wanted other people to feel that way too,” Gaines said.
After graduating from Towson University in Maryland with a degree in Exercise Science, Gaines worked as a personal trainer for high-risk clients and taught fitness classes for seniors. In 2019, she moved to Ewing, NJ, with her family and began teaching fitness classes at a local library, despite not knowing anyone in the area. She quickly fell in love with Ewing’s diversity and family-friendly atmosphere. “It’s a welcoming place with so much to offer,” she says of her new home.
Gaines has continued to expand her expertise, recently earning certifications in nutrition coaching and pre-and postnatal fitness. She’s now training clients both in person and virtually, using her own experiences to motivate others who may feel frustrated with their progress. “A lot of people come to me feeling stuck. I give them that extra push,” she explains.
While Gaines’ career has flourished, she acknowledges that health and fitness are an ongoing journey. “I’m not perfect,” she says, especially after the birth of her daughter. But she believes that starting children on a healthy path early can set them up for long-term success. “If you start young, they’ll make better decisions as they get older.”
In addition to her work as a trainer, Gaines is looking into starting a meal prep business and offers tips for locals looking to live healthier without breaking the bank in 2025:
- Do your research: Take the time to find affordable grocery stores that offer healthy options. Gaines recommends Trader Joe’s for quality products at great prices.
- Shop for kitchen staples: Stick to basics like bread, beans, and vegetables—things that provide long-term value and nutrition over sugary snacks and expensive condiments.
- Grow your own food: Gaines is planning to start a garden this summer, and encourages others to grow their own produce to save money and enjoy fresh, healthy ingredients.
As the health and wellness trend continues to grow, Gaines is committed to helping her community take the natural route to a healthier lifestyle. “I’m all about natural ways. The women I work with share that same value—they’re willing to put in the work,” she says.
To learn more about Courtney Gaines and her mission to inspire healthier living, visit her website at www.justgaines.com.
