My next guest blogger is Tracy. Her story is awesome, she's awesome. I don't know how I found her blog but I did. She's a Kettlebelling queen! I find inspiration both for workouts and cooking on her blog. When I get done reading her blog I'm swinging a KB and cooking veggies! Thanks so much Tracy, you've really influenced my workouts and eating. Enjoy her post! You can find her blog link in my list to the Right.


Health and Fitness...It's a Lifestyle

"Are you doing "low carbs?". That sentence started a conversation I recently overheard at work. The conversation was between two overweight co-workers starting a diet (one of them about 50 lbs. and the other at least 100 lbs. overweight), comparing notes. There I sat, literally 10 ft away from them, and instead of asking me my opinion, there they were giving each other advice!

Now, you might wonder why I would think my opinion could make a difference? Because not only have I lost over 120 lbs in less than a year, without drugs or surgery, but I've maintained the weight loss AND continued to improve my fitness level for 2 years after the fact.. My level of conditioning and fitness is higher than most women my age and younger AND have never had to lose over 100lbs.


But it was this particular conversation that I realized the answer to the question, "How do you lose weight, maintain a healthy weight, and stay "fit"?". (because "fitness" is part of health) the answer is....you have to discover a way to make it your lifestyle. And what I mean is, that you have to eat in a way that becomes how you eat everyday....for the rest of your life! You have to find a way to move your body....progressively looking for improvement....for the rest of your life! You HAVE to, if you don't move forward, toward health and fitness, you move backwards. Diet and "working out" isn't a 12 week program, it's a lifetime program!


I found my answers, this is how I did it,

I cook and prepare 99% of all of the food I consume. I use fresh ingredients, natural and organic when possible.

I exercise. I started out by walking....alot. My husband Mark introduced me to Russian Kettlebells and I developed a style of training that produced an amazing effect of fat loss and conditioning, like nothing else I had ever experienced. I added yoga for flexibility and balance.


These things, the way I eat, and the way I train, are my life...my lifestyle....everyday! You need to find out what works for you. You know what you need to change. But the changes have to be maintainable.


I could go on and on and on, (that's why I have my own blog!), but since I'm writing this specifically for Jen's Gym, I'll focus on my Kettlebell training. My food is #1 responsible for my health and weight, and I have to eat, we all have to...but, my style of kettlebell training is #1 responsible for the composition of my body, truly transformative, and my level of conditioning. Kettlebells have given me a neverending variety of workout possiblities, combining strength training and cario all at the same time. My kettlebell training is the most important part of my physical lifestyle....I will never, never choose to skip a kettlebell workout....never. I like being fit, I like looking fit....it's a priority.

My style of kettlebell training combined with my obsessive personality, produces workouts with consistent, progressive intensity. I'm always looking for improvement, and I expect to improve. I look to see what other athletes are doing, men and women, for ideas to base my workouts, without limitations. Kettlebells have "trained" me to be fit in a way that gives me the confidence to be able to, walk / jog / run / hike / lift / jump / swim / stretch / bike / or try any other physical activities, if I want to. And all this after being so overweight for so long is nothing short of amazing.


I realized that this has to be a permanent part of my life, I got my RKC (Russian Kettlebell Certification) to teach and train others how reach their athletic potential, like I feel I have. And although I don't have to work for a living, I chosen to make this part of my lifestyle. I want to be around health and fitness as much as possible. I teach cooking classes, I also talk with people, sort of as a "diet coach" and I've even considered getting certified to teach yoga. This is my life.

Health and fitness....there is no magic pill, no magic surgery, no shortcuts, no secrets, and you can't buy it. You don't think about it, you do it, you live it....it's a lifestyle.

~Tracy Reifkind~