Personal Trainer Columbus Ohio Training - Debbie Reichert Fitness

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Sunday, July 29, 2012

It's not luck......

Let me preface before you read this.  Sometimes I go on a rant.  This may be one of those times.  I hope you don't mind and hopefully you even get something out of it and get to know more about me and my relationship with food and exercise.

I'm a pretty laid back person.  I know that most of you don't personally know me, but I hope that you can see a bit of my personality come through my Facebook page and this blog.  I'm pretty easy going, but super serious about the important things like work, my husband, my in-laws, my Mom and brother, my friends and keeping my kids alive, happy and well (that in itself is a very serious job when you are the mom of 2 little boys by the way). In most everything else I just try and have fun, hang out and chill, and make really bad ass food and work out like a champ ;)   But a few days ago someone said something to me that got me thinking, and even a little fired up.  She said that "I was very lucky to have such a fit body after having two kids."  Now, trust me, I do not think that in any way, shape or form that this person meant any ill will in that statement.  In fact, I think it was her way of complimenting me maybe.  So I just smiled and nodded and jumped in my uber-cool mini-van to head home.  Throughout the day, her words kept ringing in my ears and really got me thinking....and questioning.  Was I just lucky?  I mean, I've never really had a serious weight issue.  I certainly was thicker in college, and managed to maintain that thickness for the next 9 years or so, because I didn't work out as much as I should have, and I pretty much ate and drank whatever I wanted throughout my 20's.  Even then, at my highest weight I only reached 139 pounds on my 5 foot 3 inch frame, except when I was pregnant.  Even then, I gained an average amount of weight with both boys and lost it all quickly.  I started to really question my mission.  Am I really just lucky to have stumbled upon this healthy lifestyle and a 20 lb. weight loss??  I mean, to some people that is nothing.  Some people lose 100 pounds or more!!  I started to question if I could really inspire people to live a fit and healthier life since I never had the "ultimate struggle" with my weight and never dealt with those demons.  Would people listen to what I had to say??  Right at that moment, I looked at my forearms that were quite bruised from the previous days up/down planks. I felt my aching pulled hamstring muscle that has not had a chance to heal in over a month because I don't want to take a break from teaching my fitness classes.  At that point I quickly snapped back to reality...........Are you kidding me?  This is not a result of luck!  In no way will I chalk up my hard work, willpower, dedication, POOLS OF SWEAT and nausea from doing way to many burpees to LUCK.  

                       10 YEARS AGO                           TODAY AT 38 & 2 KIDS LATER




And here is what I also concluded:

Luck has nothing to do with me waking up every morning and fueling my body properly with the right foods so that I can give 100% to my workouts.  I have it down to a science.  I know exactly what amount of carbs and proteins I need depending on what workout I'll be doing that day.  But luck didn't do it....trial and error did it.  Trying different combinations of foods to come up with just the right balance so that I can work to my utmost potential.  Do you know what DIDN'T ever help me?  Fad diets.....they're stupid.  Don't do 'em.



Luck has nothing to do with me being able to lift my 42 pound, sleeping son into his top bunk when he falls asleep on the couch.  My strong shoulders and back allow me to do this without injuring myself.  I did not get my strong shoulders and back by luck, I got them from lifting heavy, working hard, being consistent and sweating so much that it's actually embarrassing at times.



Luck has nothing to do with me being able to hang tough with my two young children and run around the back yard with them playing soccer and frisbee and whatever else it is they think of.  My healthy heart and ability to keep up with them comes from busting my tail at kick boxing class, running outside and on the treadmill, spinning classes and doing ridiculous amounts of cardio circuits and HIIT training............not luck!



Luck has nothing to do with my high energy level and just all around feeling of wellness.  I chalk that up to true clean eating the past 7 months, eliminating processed foods and diet soda from my diet, eliminating most alcohol, while maintaining a clean eating lifestyle.......veggies, fruits, nuts, lean proteins, good fats and the like.  By the way, I eat meat, although not nearly as much as I used to.  I enjoy chicken, turkey and fish....a lot.  But I don't judge my vegan and paleo friends.  At the end of the day, everyone needs to do what is right for them.  These are just my choices and what make me feel the healthiest and happiest.



Luck had nothing to do with me ACING my exam and practical which certified me to become a group fitness instructor.  Luck has nothing to do with bringing my A-game to EVERY group fitness class I teach.  That comes from my dedication to my class participants.  I want to give them the best workout experience every time because I owe it to them.  They put their trust in me.....I must deliver.  But it has nothing to do with luck, and everything to do with how I prepare for every one of my classes with care and thoughtfulness.  I truly care about each and every one of the people that makes the effort to walk into my classroom.  I will only give them my best.  But it's not luck that keeps them coming back....it's my dedication to them that keeps them coming back and the results they are getting from my classes.



Now, all of that said..........kind of makes me sound like a fitness fanatic.  Yeah, I guess I am.....and I'm proud of it.  This is who I am.  This is what makes me happy.  This, however, is not always looked at by some people as a good thing.  Not everyone understands the change in my lifestyle......not everyone understands why I drink almost a gallon of water everyday, why I eat 5 meals throughout the day for the sole purpose of keeping my metabolism running strong, and why I workout at least 6 times/week.  Not everyone understands why I've chosen this lifestyle and I even have some friends and family members that don't even talk to me about it. I would be lying if I said it didn't bother me.  I'm proud of the changes I've made and I do enjoy sharing my passion with others.  I feel better now than I did 10 years ago, I breathe better, I rest better, my skin is looking amazing and my hair has never been healthier.  I have muscle tone that I never thought was possible.  I truly feel as if I've found the fountain of youth.  I have to laugh because I think that some people think if they talk to me about my "lifestyle" I'll go all FREAKY on them and make them change THEIR lifestyle through mental telepathy or something.  Ha!!!  And by the way......it's NOT a diet.......it truly is a lifestyle change.  Insert a little funny here.........



I'm okay with it, however, because I'm sure it can be overwhelming to some people that may not understand why I've chosen this path.  It's taken me YEARS to get to this point, and I'm just now comfortable enough to go public with my changes for anyone that WANTS to hear about it.  I DO NOT however, judge anyone for living a different lifestyle than my own.  All I ask is that they not judge me in return.  My health is so terribly important to me, especially now that I'm a Mother and now that I've seen so many people close to me fall ill.  I want, need, WILL do everything in my power to live a fit and healthy lifestyle not only for myself but for the people that I love with all my heart.


 I've been working towards this lifestyle for a good 7 years, beginning when I started making my son's baby food.  I was feeding him the BEST foods possible, and yet I was not always feeding myself as well.  I just made little changes here and there with my diet and exercise and basically just re-molded myself from the inside out.  But it's really only been in the past YEAR that I started making serious changes.....changes that will change my life forever.  For many years I've worked out, but the more I read and researched and slowly started changing my diet, THAT is when my life changed dramatically.  I started feeling so good, so healthy and strong.  My workouts got insanely better simply due to the food I was eating and the crap I stopped eating.  When I began looking at food as yummy fuel, then I was running LONGER, lifting MORE and seeing some serious results.  It was CRAZY!  In my heart I felt I needed to reach people that were struggling with diet and exercise and help them if I could.  I did this all alone, 7 years of trial and error to find my "sweet spot."  I just knew I could help others by discussing what I had learned.  So I got my group fitness certification and decided to turn this "thing" that was working so well for me into a part time job, and then I started Fit and Healthy with Debbie Reichert shortly after that.  I signed up with Twitter and Pinterest to reach even more people.  Now I'm working towards my PT certification and couldn't be more excited.  This is my path and God's plan for me...period!  I WILL change the world one bicep curl at a time, and if I cannot, I plan on leaving a legacy with my children, and hope that they will continue in my path.



Now, all that said..........here is something else you will see and hear from me often.  I like hamburgers, cheesecake and wine.  I will, for the rest of my life eat and drink those things, along with any other "indulgence" that I want.  The difference between now and 7 years ago, is I've learned moderation.  I've learned that these are things I cannot have every day and still continue to feel healthy and strong.  Over indulging now makes me feel........ummmm....crappy.  My body rejects too much of anything processed, fried or just plain bad. So, if I do a small amount here and there or one cheat meal a week I'm usually pretty good to go and quite frankly I enjoy those indulgences soooo much more.  Side note.......I found a sweet recipe for home made strawberry shortcake let me tell ya!!  Dude, life's short.....eat the damn cake, just eat less of it and move more. 


So that's it.  That's what I'm about in a nutshell.  I can tell you wholeheartedly that LUCK didn't bring me here.  Hardwork, dedication, willpower, strength, courage, and a lot of sweat and bruises got me here.  I'm not going anywhere and I'm thankful to have you all following my blog and facebook because I truly believe there is strength in numbers.  I would like to reach out, motivate and inspire as many people as I possibly can.  Thanks for hanging with me.  Now let's all grab our water and make a toast to my 38th birthday!!!  

In Good Health,
Debbie


                       




23 comments:

  1. Happy birthday Debbie!You are an inspiration to me and I look forward to your posts daily! I too am considering getting my group fitness instructor certification then my personal trainer certification. Thank you for all of your inspiration! Have a blessed birthday!

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    1. Thank you very much! If you do decide to take the leap and get your certifications then I wish you the best of luck in YOUR journey! Spread the fitness love and keep me posted on how you're doing!!!

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  2. I found your blog from a friend on Facebook. I am so glad I did! What a well written post. Thanks for being so real and honest. You are truly an inspiration! I identify with pretty much everything you wrote. I love your comment "Eat the damn cake, just eat less of it and move more." Happy Birthday and here's to many more healthy and happy ones!

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    1. Thank you Laura! I appreciate the kind words. Thank you for following me and I hope I can continue to inspire and motivate! Have a GREAT day!!! In Good Health....Debbie

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  3. I'd love to hear more about your diet. What you've eliminated (processed food wise). I find it a little confusing when I'm at the store & looking at all the ingredients. Also, what is your fat, carb, protein ratio. Do you track it on an app? Ideas on meals? A future blog on this would be great:)

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    1. Stacy, I have tracked all of these on Myfitnesspal in the past to make sure I was getting what I needed in my diet to make sure I was fueling properly. I recommend that app. My "typical" carb, fat, protein ratio that seems to work for me is 50%/25%/25%. Everyone is different according to the amount of calories they take in daily, etc. I don't really track it that much anymore and just try and make sure that I eat 5 small meals/day, getting a lean protein with every meal and try to get the majority of carbs from good foods such as oatmeal, whole grains, brown rice, quinoa, beans, veggies, etc. I also look towards "good fats" for my fat percentage, such as avocado, extra virgin olive oil and nuts. I'd love to do a more in depth blog on this in the future. Stay tuned........Thank you Stacy!!

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  4. Such an awesome blog post!!! i am with ya 110% on all of it! I wish you were local so I could come and sweat it out with you in one of your classes!!!

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    1. Hey girl! We would be CRAZY together for sure!!! LOL! Keep up all of your good work. You inspire me daily!

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  5. Never in a million years would I say what you have is luck! You work your ass off. I'm in constant admiration. Good to see another great blogger out there. (Anna)

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  6. Thanks Anna for all your support!!!

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  7. This is a GREAT post! I have people say to me, 'Must be nice to be so thin'. I want to scream...it just doesn't happen magically. I work my A$$ off. Literally. Actually I worked my abs off this morning for the Ab-tastic challenge. Thanks for the inspiration. : )
    Cindy W.

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    1. Right! Ha! Good to hear from you! Keep up your awesomeness and your abtastic challenge!

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  8. I've been following you on Facebook for a while now and love your posts. Just read your blog and loved it! Agree 100% with everything! I look just like your before pic. I don't feel I have a weight problem but I'm not happy in my skin yet. I've been cleaning up my eating for a few years now but really need to be more consistent! My workouts too! You are soo right! Hard work and dedication is what is going to take me where I want to go! Thanks for the kick in the ass I needed this morning! Looking forward to your future posts!

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    1. Thank you for the message Esther! With determination, willpower and the desire to succeed, you will get there. There is no doubt in my mind. Good luck in your continued journey!

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  9. Just discovering you. You say you have learned exactly where your protien, carbs, fat...etc should be. Do you have a daily routine or goal? Particularly, with fat burning/muscle building. I'm at goal weight but still a "skinny fat girl" as I like to call myself. Trying to find the right place with my diet to see the changes and start rocking some muscles like yours.

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  10. Amazing! I'm so inspired to continue my pursuit of eating well more consistently and exercising more. It's so wonderful to hear about other people's passion and to see them living it. You have inspired me to do more than help people eat well, but to actively seek out various places that will allow me to teach others how to eat healthier (without deprivation) and make better food choices. I absolutely love being a registered dietitian! My mission in life is to empower people to become active participants in managing their health. Thanks for sharing your story. Sincerely, Shiseida Hughes

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    1. Best of luck to you in your goals to help people as well!!! You are doing great. We need more people out there preaching about health and wellness so keep it up!

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  11. So maybe a personal question but how is your hubby with all this? lifestyle change? I battle with my husband as he wants more time with me and for me to relax on the healthy food front. I like to excersise and be active, he likes the couch, I like to eat healthy he likes his sweets etc...
    I am struggling to feed kids healthy and keep hubby happy...

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    1. My husband has actually very recently come to terms with all of this. It took time but he's on board now (about 85% anyway). My kids don't really know any different as this is how they grew up. Just don't give in. Do what is important to you and they will follow. Good luck!

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  12. I Love this! I agree whole heartedly with every piece of your philosophy! I'm still doing trial and error myself but I'm on my way to where you ate and I'm so glad I found you online! Keep it up. You rock!

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