It's time for another challenge. This challenge can be done in conjunction with other training programs. It's designed so you can go through this protocol in a very calm and relaxed way. If you do this properly watch your pressing strength go up significantly in just 21 days!
Not everyone is designed to press a bell over head. If you can not lock your elbow and maintain a straight arm over head, chances are, pressing over your head may not be a safe option for you. The majority of my students who are unable to press heavy over head or press anything properly over head, switch to a very LIGHT Bottoms Up carry or Bottoms up press bell. Like with any challenge or new workout regimen make sure you check with your doctor first, proceed with caution and use good judgement. Then have a great time! Details below with video!
DIRECTIONS: Choose a pressing pattern and size bell that works well with your body and your current fitness level. You may use the same size bell each day or use a heavier bell as the reps become lower. For example Day 1 Press 4 times each side with a 12kg bells. Take a 30-120 second rest and use the 12kg bells for 3 times per side. Take a 30-120 second rest and use a 16kg bell for 2 per side and so on. Only go up if you KNOW you can safely get the bell over head WITHOUT a push press.
Rest suggestion: take a minute rest before moving to the next rep range. If you're using a heavier weight than normal take a 2 minute rest. If you need more rest that's ok too! Just get them done within the day!
Note - The 1 rep that is indicated is not meant for you to work with your 1 rep max, You should be able to do 2 consecutive reps with the bell you are using for 1 rep.
The suggest rep are indicated for EACH side.
Day 1 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Day 2 4, 4, 3, 2, 1 Day 3 4, 3, 3, 3, 2, 1 Day 4 3, 3, 2, 2, 2, 1 Day 5 2, 2, 2, 1, 1, 1 Day 6 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 Day 7 Rest Day 8 3, 3, 3, 3, 3
Day 9 3, 3, 2, 2, 2
Day 10 3, 2, 2, 2, 1
Day 11 3, 2, 2, 2, 1
Day 12 3, 2, 2, 1, 1
Day 13 3, 2, 1, 1, 1
Day 14 Rest
Day 15 2, 2, 2, 2, 2
Day 16 2, 2, 2, 2, 1, 1
Day 17 2, 2, 2, 1, 1, 1
Day 18 2, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1
Day 19 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1
Day 20 Rest
Day 21 Test your 1 REP MAX at the end 2, 1, 1 rep scheme Congratulations!
Discovering My True Strength (Through Kettlebells)
by Kim Marivoet from Belgium
I am sure you have people sending you thank you e-mails like these all the time, but I really wanted to tell you how grateful I am that you decided to share your no-nonsense approach to kettlebell training and nutrition with all of us the world over.
I started my kettlebell journey with Lauren's Ultimate Body Sculpt and Conditioning Volume 1 just after my 31st birthday this past Summer, and was hooked from the first suitcase deadlift!
Growing up, I stayed active the way most children do: through play. My bike and I were an inseparable duo and I was keen to spend as much time as I could outdoors. As the years passed and other interests took over, the only exercise I got came in the form of two dreaded hours of mandatory PE, the memories of which inspire nightmares to this very day. It would be unfair to say my family lived a sedentary lifestyle, but the fact was that engaging in formal exercise or sports simply didn't occur to us: if you were overweight, you dieted; cardio was meant for marathon runners and the like; and lifting weights was the privilege of bodybuilders.
It wasn't until my late 20's that I realized we are designed to move. Bearing witness to family and close friends battling illness and injuries taught me how lucky I was to have woken up healthy and able all these years, and inspired me to finally give my body - �nd mind - the care and attention it deserved. Around this time, my partner Rick was some way into his own fitness journey, and seeing the results he'd been rewarded with only served to motivate me further.
Like so many of us, I had brief flirtations with workout systems that promised the world ("Get the secret to Celebrity X's butt/abs/arms!"), focused solely on losing pounds and inches, and shied away from promoting strength for fear of "bulking". It wasn't long before I grew disillusioned with the amount of work I was putting in and having very little to show for it. It was then that I knew I had to shift my focus to becoming stronger, not smaller.
I successfully switched to an exercise routine based around traditional, tried-and-tested bodyweight exercises and got my first set of kettlebells about 6 months later. Given Lauren's excellent reputation and credentials in fitness and nutrition, I knew I wanted her to show me what these cannonball-shaped babies could do.
In the few months I've been using her programs, I've graduated to "real" push-ups, carrying several heavy bags of groceries up the 48 steps to my apartment without having to give my arms and lungs even a second's rest, and noticed I have a much easier time keeping up with Rick (an avid runner and obstacle course athlete) during our hikes. To top it all off I'm seeing some promising changes in my body composition and I have never felt better!
Lauren's teachings on strength have also inspired me to start working towards performing unassisted chin-ups and pull-ups. If someone had told me a few years ago that I would ever even attempt this, I wouldn't have believed them for a second, but now I know I will get there, however long it takes.
It is an amazing feeling to know I am growing stronger and fitter every time I train, but what keeps me going most of all is the knowledge that getting serious about my health has made me a happier, more resilient person and allows me to be a better partner, daughter and friend to my loved ones.
I can't thank Lauren enough for sharing her no-nonsense approach to kettlebell training with all of us the world over, and I look forward to having her coach me in my living room for many years to come!
Congratulations on finally having your baby! I hope the birth went well and you�re beginning to recover. I know how shocking it is to come home with your baby in hand - yet still look six months pregnant. Trust me, I�ve been there, too!
It�s frustrating walking around looking and feeling pregnant after you�ve already had the baby, plus you�re more exhausted than you ever realized you could be. I remember days where I couldn�t even string words together to make a clear sentence. Taking care of two in diapers was no picnic. I can�t imagine what my friends who have four, or even six, kids dealt with. More power to them!
So, let�s discuss recovery and how the heck you can lose your baby weight!
Losing baby weight is no walk in the park. I�m not going to beat around the bush. Seldom will you find a mom who gives birth and the next day she looks as if she never had a baby � though I have seen it on occasion, and I will admit it was hard for me to not want to punch that mom in the face. All joking aside, most females will have a belly and carry extra weight. Losing that definitely takes work, but it's not as hard as you think.
Strengthening and tightening your core back to its original shape will take time. Exactly how long depends on whether you had a large baby or a C-section. If you had to undergo abdominal surgery, you�ll need to wait to begin ab activation until your doctor clears you. Regardless, everyone who has had a baby should add rehabilitation exercises to her recovery process. The core takes a beating during pregnancy and birth, and it needs extra love and care during the post-natal period.
Here are five core strengthening and rehab exercises that will reawaken your abs. Doing these will not get rid of the fat, but it will strengthen and tighten the core muscles, as well as your glutes. This approach will also help prevent back injury. If you did the Baby Bells: Fit Pregnancy videos during your pregnancy this will be a faster recovery process for you.
So many mothers end up with a bad back because they have a weak core following the birth of their baby � and then they carry their baby every where. The back takes the brunt of this work and misery sets in. Let�s combat this issue before it happens!
Mini Plank
High Plank or Plank Variations
Bird Dogs
Quad Rocks
Now that you have exercises to practice that will pinpoint and activate your abs again, we can discuss losing the baby weight so you can see those ab muscles!
Losing weight, especially after having a baby, can take determination and dedication. Being sleep deprived and caring for a newborn is not a recipe for weight loss. During this time, your body will want to hold on to the weight, so you will have to be smarter than your hormones. You will have to multi-task and be organized in order to really get a handle on achieving your goals.
If you�re nursing your baby, you may notice a severe increase in appetite. This appetite can be so voracious that some new moms actually gain weight. Then, there are a few new moms who drop gobs of weight due to the increase in their metabolism and just can�t eat enough. If you�re reading this, chances are you don�t fall in the category of dropping weight effortlessly. Don�t worry - neither did I
Stress can also be a killer during this time. The main stress escalates from loss of sleep and adjusting to your new schedule of caring for a newborn. The last thing you want to do is add more stress by worrying about your weight. I suggest you go about your weight-loss process in a calm and relaxed way. But you will need to focus and plan ahead. Here are some tips to get you started on losing your baby weight.
Nursing Snacks
Middle-of-the-night munchies during nursing are very real. I�ve heard of new moms finishing a whole pizza while nursing their hungry baby. Keep water next to your bed, or wherever you are nursing, at all times. Also keep a small cooler nearby and keep it stocked with things like grapes, seeds, and hardboiled eggs. Reaching for these foods during your starving time will keep your monstrous appetite at bay. This will also help you get the nutrients you need instead of filling up with empty carbs.
Walk
Walking every day with your baby is one of the best ways to lose weight. Not only can pushing a stroller be challenging, but walking also helps relieve stress. You will find yourself standing taller as your abs become stronger.
Strength Training
I know it�s a shocker to see this paragraph in this article. (That was supposed to be a joke, by the way.) Anyone who has ever read anything I�ve written or seen any of the videos I�ve created knows I'm a huge advocate for strength. Once you are cleared by your doctor to start exercising, embarking on a strength program is an absolute must.
Not only will strength training help you lose baby weight, but it will also help you become a strong mom. Being a mom is hard enough. If you are physically weak, it will only make motherhood that much more challenging. Having the strength to take care of your baby while he or she grows is a must. Between transporting the huge jogging strollers, lugging the car seats around, and wearing your baby as a backpack or frontpack, I don't know how moms survive without injury if they are not strength training for this continuous athletic event! Motherhood is like a 24/7 interval training obstacle course that presents both physical and mental challenges.
Getting started on a strength program can feel daunting and overwhelming, but you don�t have to start big. Begin with just a few exercises in a balanced way. Many of my pregnant moms use the Baby Bells videos I created for fit pregnant moms. Many are able to resume to these workouts at four weeks postpartum.
For those of you who are learning about this type of training for the first time, here is what I recommend: focusing on just basic exercises, in addition to the ones I discussed above, such as squats, deadlifts, push-ups and rows would be great place to begin.
Here�s a sample program to add to the �Ab Activation Exercises� exercises provided above. You can utilize these patterns after you are cleared by your care provider to begin strength training. Approach these sessions as practice and do them every other day. If your body begins to feel very strong you can move up to two day in a row with one day of rest.
Week 1
2 Sets
Deadlifts 8 reps
Push-ups 5 reps
Body Weight Squats 8 reps
Kettlebells Rows or Suspension Training Rows 8reps
Week 2
3 Sets
Deadlifts 10 reps
Push- ups 5 reps
Goblet Squats 5 reps
Rows 8 reps
Week 3
4 sets
Deadlifts (heavier than week before) 6-8 reps
Push-ups 5 reps
Goblet Squats 5 reps
Rows 8 reps
Once you feel stronger and confident with these exercises, I would suggest any of the popular more beginner DVDs I�ve released such as The Kettlebell Body and Ultimate Body Sculpt and Conditioning with Kettlebells. These DVDs and videos have both new and seasoned moms raving about getting stronger and looking and feeling better than even before childbirth. This was my experience as well with these type of programs. You will be amazed with the great effects of strength training.
If you're really serious about exercises the proper way, you can check out our ongoing online classes and programs, Lauren's Playground, you can stream. We've released online classes for all levels with a community you can be apart of that has many new moms losing weight and gaining strength they never knew they had.
Eat Real Food
I�m not going to lie. This could very well be the most challenging part of losing the baby weight. Eating real food sounds so simple, doesn�t it?
The truth is, there�s no magical program or one way to eat. I personally like to take a very balanced approach with the new moms I work with. Since they are dealing with a combination of sleep deprivation and adjusting to a new schedule, approaching nutrition in a realistic way is the most sustainable way to go.
To make this as simple and easy as possible, I�m going to list a sample day of eating.
Meal 1:
2 Eggs
Handful of spinach or arugula
Corn tortilla
Meal 2:
Grass Fed Whey Protein (FIT 365) shake with unsweetened almond milk, half of a banana, and 1 tsp of peanut or organic almond butter
OR
Organic sprouted grain toast with organic peanut butter on top
Meal 3:
Chicken salad made with mustard, Vital Salt, avocado, celery
Meal 4:
Large green Salad
Small amount of lean chicken, fish, or steak
Roasted potatoes or corn tortilla
Meal 5:
If still hungry - banana and 1 scoop of peanut butter
Stress Reducing Activities
Finding time to relax as a new mom may be difficult. However, with your baby sleeping most of the time in the beginning, surely you can find fifteen to twenty minutes once a day to dedicate to stress reduction. Taking the time to do it will pay off in how you feel overall.
Here are the best ways to reduce any tension or stress to allow you to be a calmer new mom.
Listening to Soulscapes music in a quiet room with your eyes closed.
Taking a warm shower (or bath once you�re cleared by your doctor).
Writing in your journal.
So, there you have it. An action plan on how to lose the weight after having your baby. You will not only lose the weight with this approach, but you will discover muscles you never knew you had. Don�t be surprised if you end up stronger and in better shape than you did before your pregnancy. It�s not uncommon, in fact it�s very common with the ladies that stumble upon my efficient programs or the moms I get to work with personally. If you feel you need extra help I'm available for distant coaching consultations or you can look in to our online classes at Lauren's Playground. I can help you with both nutrition and training programs. Email me at kbellqueen@me.com.
Revitalize and awaken your body from head to toe with Kettlebell Revelation. Lauren proudly brings you into her gym to experience the innovative program she has designed for both men and women. This program consists of highly-effective strength and fat burning workouts she uses with her intermediate to advanced kettlebell students. These workouts will truly rejuvenate you. The Kettlebell Revelation DVD includes exercises that are not on any of Lauren's other DVDs. Prepare to be blown away by all the workouts and especially the bonus abs of steel section.
PURCHASE YOUR COPY HERE OR YOU CAN DOWNLOAD/STREAM YOUR COPY HERE
Lauren teaches you a variety of exercises that will take your training to the next level! Just to name a few she includes:
Tall Kneeling Press
Bottoms Up Clean
Bottoms Up Press
Pistols (Single Leg Squat)
Double Front Squat
Plank Rows
Side Lunge
Single Leg Dead lift
DVD FEATURES:
Over 12 demonstrations
Warm Up/Cool Down Section
4 follow along workouts
Revelation Strength 1 30 minutes
Revelation Strength 2 27 minutes
Fat Burning 12 minutes
Bonus: Abs of Steel featuring SkateCore� 7 minutes
DVD Running Time 96 minutes
PURCHASE YOUR COPY HERE Or Download or Stream you copy here DVDs are here and shipping out!
Fresh starts can be very purifying. Today I'm celebrating a new phase with my website/business. As the collection in educational material grows, it's time to take my site platform to the next level. I still have several projects in the works but we are ready to celebrate this upgrade. We are GIVING a KETTLEBELL away. One person will WIN our most popular new Metrixx Elite� Precision E-Coat Kettlebell. People are raving about how smooth this one is and enjoying the size of the handle.
WE ARE CELEBRATING AN UPGRADED NEW WEBSITE LAUNCH. On The Edge Fitness website has taken it to the next level. We have redesigned the entire site and are now offering the highest technology when it comes to streaming our popular follow along workouts and education material. You can still order our tried and true hard copy DVDs and books as well. Look out for our newest addition about to join us as well in weeks to come. For a limited time take $10 off our hard copy DVD's Code: 10offdvd
Second place wins our brand new soon to be released Kettlebell Revelation� DVD
For my loyal friends and followers who have been with me for years, you can also enter to win even if you receive my newsletters. So much more to come! I thank you for all your support and I look forward to releasing more educational training materials! Second place winner will win a copy of our brand new DVD Kettlebell Revelation�, which has not yet been released! Sign up below. Please share if you feel someone can benefit from these programs. THANK YOU!
This is the absolute BEST exercise to practice to help you with the Kettlebell Swing. Practice this after the hip hinge and Dead Lift exercise. Watch your Kettlebell Swing improve dramatically with this exercise. Let me know how you do!
Practice your swing in some of our most popular DVD's and look out for our upcoming DVD Kettlebell Revelation�.
Here's a super simple tutorial of how to sweep your leg through ending in the proper position. You will find this exercise utilized in the popular Be SLAM program, Ultimate Body Sculpt and Conditioning part 2 and the new Kettlebell Body DVD.
Are you struggling with your push ups? I have to admit most people who come to see me for a session, including men, do not perform their push-ups correctly. In fact many people are causing more damage with the way they are currently doing push-ups. May as well avoid them altogether if you're not doing them correctly.
Common mistakes:
Hands are too wide
Lower back sags
Elbows flare out way to far
Zero lat engagement throughout
Neck and shoulders take over
Incorrect head positioning
abs completely shut off and not functioning
Leading with the head and neck
Here is a quick video I put together on what a proper push-up is suppose to look like along with an easy progression. Even if you know what one looks like, you may be incapable to perform a solid push-up on the floor until you increase your core activation, trunk stability, and overall core strength. For the ladies who have had kids, C-sections, suffered from diastasis recti or any sort of abdominal surger, will need to retrain your brain on how to hold a plank properly. Once you can hold a solid plank, you can then work on the moving planks (which I cover in the video) on a higher surface. Once you can perform 6-10 on the surface you are practicing on, you can then move to a slightly lower surface. If you have a sloppy push-up on the floor all you'll do is injure yourself. Humble yourself and begin your push-ups higher up until you can eventually go lower and lower over time. Be patient, there is no rush!
I will be releasing many more tutorials that will enhance your overall training, including kettlebell training, now that I've found a pretty cool editor for my little videos. ;)
Note: If you are unable to move properly through an elevated push-up, please start with this Mini Plank video instead here
I filmed this push-up video on my youngest daughters 5th birthday. Here is how I looked exactly 5 years ago to remind all of you. I know, I looked so enthusiastic at 9 months pregnant! :)
Photo 1: Ready to pop with baby #2 Photo 2&3: Filmed UBSC Vol. 2 DVD 6 months after Chloe was born, via C-section. (still nursing)
You can go to my main youtube channel to subscribe and get the updates for the next videos to come here.
p.s. To workout with me on a regular basis check out my new online classes designed for all levels. I even have a beginner section. Learn more about Lauren's Playground here
I'm always so touched when I get these beautiful emails! Here are some snippets. "Hi Lauren,
I discovered your first DVD about three or four years ago now and have been following you ever since. While I haven't consistently worked out all of this time, I learned that I LOVE kettlebells. I want to thank you for sharing your passion with the world. You are an inspiration. I have all but three of your DVD's (KB Body is my new fav!), your app, your book, and today I just ordered Be SLAM! Long overdue since I don't always want to fire up the DVD player.
You have been a reminder to me that I can improve my life by taking good care of myself. That I should do what excites me and that I need to enjoy the process of what I am doing, not just the results! Most importantly, you speak to the fact that we all have different bodies and we need to appreciate the one we are in no matter our age, size, or abilities. A thousand times thank you.
Well, I downloaded Be SLAM and immediately got to work organizing my schedule (a compulsion) which included setting up an excel spreadsheet so that I can upload it to my google calendar. You are so generous with your time and expertise, even for those of us who are remote that I wanted to give you something back.
My personal results so far? I am down from 267 lbs and not being able to do a burpee to 240 lbs and squat thrusts being one of my favorite exercises! This since getting serious this past spring (maybe April). I still have (approximately) 90 lbs to go. I can't wait to see the strength and conditioning gains I experience from Be SLAM. I'll keep you posted. Have a blessed holiday season, and again, thank you for all that you do and who you are in the world, it is a better place because of you.
Real Raw Reasons of Why You Should Train to Lift Heavy Things Why lift heavy things? Why focus on getting stronger? I asked this question to a diverse group of people of all ages. Some of their answers were obvious while others offered up not so recognizable reasons of why one should focus on lifting heavy and getting stronger. This applies to EVERYONE! Strength is truly a personal decision that one embraces. If you are able bodied and have chosen to not work towards being a stronger YOU than you've made your choice. It's never too late to start. First accept the fact that you are worth it. As we age, we realize fitness and training is no longer about just looking good. We've had a major paradigm shift about what it is to look and be healthy and sexy. I find it truly liberating. Trying to be very skinny is no longer sought after. It's about being strong, powerful and carrying an aura of vigor that the world will feel and see from you.
1.Haul two 42 pounders of Costco kitty litter to my car.
- Inna Zozulyzak
2. I can do what I set out to do. My confidence in myself and my abilities has grown exponentially in just a few short months!
- Melissa Szurovy
3. I can now easily carry all 6 grocery bags into the house at once!
- Maia Molina-Schaefer
4. Can easily pick up and carry boxes of novels and textbooks around campus!
- Robin Duncan
5. Preventative maitenance...I work as a nurse, and see the elderly who are 30-50 years older than myself, and how some of them break a hip from losing their balance, are too inflexible to squat or get back up again, or cannot even go from rolling to the side and sitting in bed. Use it or lose it, I say.
- Tina Bragdon
6. It helps when moving. I could easily help lift the tv stand, move dressers, the tv, heavy boxes AND held up a car for a friend while they changed the tire.
- Christina Bower
7. I can carry my 35 lb child up the big hill from Beacons, along with two beach chairs & a heavy beach bag. KB's has also given me a new confidence in my strength, I used to feel that I could never try anything new that required much physical strength (mud runs, rock wall climbing, etc) I felt too weak, or that I just wasn't that girl. But now, I feel more like, why not? I can be that girl.
- Leilani Carducci
8.Lug my big maya 55 lbs and lil sis kiana 35 lbs around and run with them in the joggerthe heavy reps with kbs feel sooo good
- Hilary Girvin
9. Heavy lifting has had the obvious physical effects most noticeably during my running, golf, swimming and cycling. But more importantly, heavy lifting has provided significant mental toughness and focus and allows for me to accomplish all of the challenges that life throws at me with confidence and poise.
- David Sacks
10. Heavy lifting makes me feel stronger and stand taller. The physical benefits are obvious and can be seen by all. The mental benefits of accomplishing goals, finding focus, feeling strong and standing tall are for me to personally enjoy.
- Andrea Suarez
11. No need to ask men for help moving furniture
- Lindsey Dunn
12. I like being strong enough to carry my daughter around when she needs me to.
- Meghan Collins
13.To use the muscles God has given me, and honoring Him with my body, to use it and not let it go! I chose to have my children after I was 30, I want to be there physically for them, and exercise also helps with the mentally part too. To enjoy the life I have been given, and to be blessed and bless others.
- Amy Mahar
14. I love having a surplus of energy for my every day activities. Strength allows me to roll with the punches effortlessly.
- Husna Lapidus
15. I like that I can do push ups! I like that I'm setting a good example for my kids. I'm amazed and proud at what my body can do, and have grown to love it instead of hate it. Stretch marks and all.
- Cyndi Gangi
16. Serious answer - when I became a mom I swore I'd do what it takes to keep my children safe. A few years ago they started topping 100+ pounds and I realized I needed to step up my game in order to carry them to safety. Even though they're now teenagers I still feel this need to be able to fireman carry them out of a burning building at a moment's notice. And yes, test this theory out on occasion.
- Jill Singer
17. Maybe this isn't a direct correlation to strength, but at 51 years old, being able to move my body as a whole; to have gained functional strength as well as conditioning using kettlebells has been amazing. I used to do a lot of yoga but I never got into half pigeon until I did kettlebells, my flexibility has greatly improved. I think the strength gained physically manifests in emotional and spiritual strength as well. Thank you Lauren, for all that you do for us Slamers!
- Jane Miller
18. I can handle my own! I don't need to depend on someone to do the work that needs done. And I also think that Muscle strength gives you mental strength... Aka confidence.
- Rachel Mac
19. Being in an obese family, I like that my 4 year old daughter asks me to do squats and push ups... oh and she was the only kid at the park who could do pull ups and go all the way across the monkey bars. She is seeing that it's "normal" to be healthy and that girls can be strong too.
- Melinda Yvonne
20. Over 50 and still in the game and feel as fit as the younger crowd! I love keeping in shape, inspiring others (found one of my kettlebells in my 17 year old son's room) and getting strong with planned out goals. Cardio, running,yoga, walking and classes at the gym cannot compare to the results from the kettlebells! I had back surgery 3 years ago and haven't looked back.
- Susan Romano
21. I could write a novel about this. One unique reason: Being strong allowed me to be a Human Ski Lift in the mountains to ease my little ones plus their friend, in to the new world of skiing. Hiking up a snowy mountain holding a child fully loaded with skis and then walking down to catch them over and over and over again was truly amazing. Couldn't have done it if I didn't make the choice to be a super strong powerful woman/mom!
- Lauren Brooks (Me) :D
22. I like being strong enough to handle things that others think a woman would have trouble with...I have loaded six 40lb bags of water softner salt, have moved 5 yards of topsoil by wheelbarrow by myself, and other such stuff.
- Tina Bragdon
23. Heavy KB Lifting most enabled me to have a PR (Personal Record) the 10K (55:15) followed by a time of 2:04 in the Half Marathon the following day (PR is 2:01), WITHOUT DOING DISTANCE RUNS.Thanks Lauren for all of your encouragement, blogs and training!
- Melissa Szurovy
24. Being strong shifts the focus to what your body can do instead of what it looks like and that is like a breath of fresh air.
Leanne Lane
25. My 13 year old granddaughter has cerebral palsy. She is a wheelchair user but is learning to walk with the aid of a frame after an operation. I would hate to be in a position where I was not strong enough to help her get around.
- Christine Hand
26. We live on an acreage and out back of our house we feed the deer this apple flavored deer corn. Hauling the 40 pound bags of deer corn doesn't sound like a lot of work but it IS!
- Carrie Kiene
27. When my mom had brain cancer I helped take care of her. I was the only one in a fam. of six who could lift her and when my dad broke his cervical collar, who do think could help move him? Couldn't do it without strong muscles. I couldn't stand it if I wasn't able to help aging or sick family members. A somewhat odd reason (maybe?) is that I am super impatient when it comes to getting things done. I hate waiting for someone to help me lift, push, or pull something!
- Ann Rizzo
28. I like being able to walk for 10 minutes with 3 heavy shopping bags (plus a cross body bag) from the bus home & not feel like I'm going to die.
- Charmaine Hanshaw
29. I want to maintain my independence into old age and part of that is to build and maintain a foundation of strength.
- Charmaine Hanshaw
30. As someone who is over 40 with 5 kids, with the youngest being just 8, I want to be able to keep up with my kids as they grow. I want them to see that I do take care of myself, and that even if you have an area of weakness (I've never been strong) you can do something about it. And I don't want to grow old with grace; I want to grow old with strength.
- Kim Rafalski
31. Because being a mom,who is also single, almost 40, independent and STRONG makes me feel like a complete and sexy woman. Women like you Lauren Brooks, inspire me! Thank you!
- Susy Presedo
32. Being physically strong makes me feel emotionally strong. That combination will get you through anything life throws at you!
- Regina Blood Now a few words from my friends and colleagues whom I've personally worked with, laughed with and we continue to share our reasons of why. We invigorate one another and continue to inspire this strength movement each in a unique fashion. I asked them each to share a simple not so obvious maybe even funny reason. Here is what these ladies have shared.
33. As I am living my life with my two beauties, I've come to realize that they ARE my strength. Before I had babies, I underestimated my strengths, I didn't appreciate my body, or the result of my hard work. I really took a lot for granted (including a full-night's sleep!). Life with them is slow & fast at the same time. Seeing life through them, is like a new life every day. Guiding and molding them is my opportunity to make the world better, brighter & stronger. The best I can do now is be a steady & strong example for them. I am a firm believer in the long-lasting benefits of nursing, baby-wearing & most to all things "granola." Which, usually makes things a little more taxing on my part. But that is when I have the opportunity to learn, grow, & become stronger...all of which I am grateful for &I appreciate that I have the ability to continue to do.
- Sara Cheatham - Master Z-Health Trainer, Founder of Red Star Athletics
34. The obvious reasons were not the initial attraction for me. Lose fat, increased bone density, look good naked and so on. It was the undeniable confidence of executing the lifts themselves. Something about owning a lift you've worked so hard to complete is so empowering and joyful, the rest of it just falls into place naturally. So, I lift because it brings me joy.
- Gabby Eborall SFG II and owner of North Beach Kettlebell
35.I lift heavy things because... NOT doing it just seems kind of stupid. And boring.
- Nikki Shlosser SFG Senior super duper strong chic
36.I lift heavy things because I like how it makes me look. Really if it didn't make me feel as if I looked good I wouldn't do it. I spent a large (no pun intended) portion of my life, over 40 years, living in a body that was way below my potential and it was not fun, in fact it felt very painful, but I didn't know I had any other option. I started lifting/moving heavy things in hopes of looking nicer. I have many people tell me how much they admire my "discipline" to my reply is that I'm not disciplined, I'm greedy. I'm not going back to how things were before, I'm not giving any of this back, ever. And of course I'm also referring to the confidence and freedom I feel when I live a strong, capable, healthy and fit life, not just feeling like I look good. Lifting/moving heavy things is a win, win, win, win, win situation.
- Tracy Reifkind - SFG, Queen of Kettlebell Swings and Author of "The Swing"
37. I lift heavy things because I want to age well and never be frail. But let's face it, at 51 with 9 year old twins, it reminds them that I am stronger than the other moms even though I'm older. I don't want them to think they are missing anything. I have more wrinkles but I have more muscles!!
- Candas Jones SFG II 38. I lift heavy because the benefits and results for doing it makes me a physical and mental healthy person. - Yoana Teran SFG Team Leader
39. I lift heavy because I care deeply about my health and want to stay as strong and independent as possible my whole life long. Also, it just feels good.
Melody Schoenfeld - Owner of Flawless Fitness, SFG 2 Tiniest vegan package of strength and power.
40.I lift heavy because I am constantly working to better myself, in hopes of becoming more than I've ever been. I feel that strength is the ultimate physical manifestation of one's dedication, commitment, passion, and drive to be not only self-sufficient, but to be a force to be reckoned with in all fronts of life. I lift heavy so that I can work hard for others, play long with loved ones, and live a strong, empowered life.
- Laura Nepodal SFG awesome strong chic
41. I lift heavy things because I don't want to depend on someone else to do every day tasks for me. When I worked a corporate job I hated when changing the water at the cooler, a girl would say "Get a guy to do it." I strive to be as self sufficient as possible and being strong plays a big part in that.
- Delaine Ross SFG Senior and owner of Condition Kettlebell Gym
42. Learning how to be strong physically in ways that have gone far beyond the typical gym-rat mentality and deep into the principals of true strength is one of the reasons lifting heavy is so rewarding. Heavy has brought me so much more than just the physicality if being strong - it has informed my motherhood, how I am in the world, how I see myself - strong has given me back to myself, and there is no richer reward.
- Andrea U-Shi Chang SFG Senior and owner of Kettlebility
43. I have always been a small boned petite girl with long legs and long arms... Mighty Mouse" was my nickname in school. Strength was important to me and came as a by product of my years of formal dance training to be honest. But it was this overall strength that kept me injury free and able to do many fun things in and out of highschool, college, motherhood,etc! But now more than ever I have come to appreciate my own strength gains through the years of training because it empowered me for, well, LIFE!! In my opinion, training for strength is more than just physical training , it builds mental toughness, stamina, the drive to be self disciplined, self motivated, emotional stability, and builds a can do attitude that when in contact with others is infectious. When you are strong you learn to deal with crisis better! I learned firsthand on November 15 when I was the victim(sort of:-)) of an attempted mugging. Instinctively, I fought the perpetrator and won. They say you either choose fight or flight in moments like that. I chose fight and won. Had I not been strong in mind and body I don't think I would have had the same result of my mugging. I am grateful for my abilities and opportunities to train for strength. WE ALLl have the opportunity to do so. And it will make us better for ourselves and those we come in contact with too! We will be able to help others in need as well however that may be.... Just my humble opinion. BTW it is cool to be small and lift HEAVY! Some are shocked and amazed!!
Betsy Collie SFG Senior and owner of Rapid Results Fitness
44.I lift heavy to be a strong yet feminine example for my daughter. I want her to grow to be a strong confident young lady who inspires others.Another reason I lift heavy is because I enjoy what it does for my body. I want to show women that age doesn't matter, it is possible to look and feel better at 40 then at 20.
- Karen McDowell Smith SFG Master and Owner of Kettlebell Elite
45. There is nothing I love more than working out. It's the only thing I have that no one else can take from me. It's a release and my best friend. I can honestly say that it's changed my life at the same time that it has saved my life. It's not a work out, or a program for me, it's a life style I can't live without.
- Katie Dawers SFG and Coach at On The Edge Fitness
46.I lift heavy because of the positive benefits it has on me physically and emotionally. Through the journey of learning how to lift heavy I have gained self esteem and confidence that I never knew I had. All of these benefits I have been able to transfer into a happier and healthier life.
- Mira Kwon SFG and Nike Performance Network Manager
47. It's the basis of me running fast on the football field. So the relationship is not necessarily direct, but rather a component of the speed I need to still play flag football at a decent level. To be honest, I find lifting SUPER boring. I am too ADD for it but it is like flossing my teeth. I do it for my health because I know the value in it. And it allows me to do other things safely. Plus it is fun running a 40 at the same speed as a man almost 1/2 your age. WINK!
- Carmen Bott Performance and Conditioning Specialist at Fortius Centre and Instructor at Kinesiology at Langara College
48. We have become accustomed to comfort and convenience, and the market responds to our demand to make everything easier. We forget that we are wired for survival in harsh conditions, that it wasn't so long ago (in evolutionary terms) that we lived in a brutal state of nature. Strength was required to live, not just look fit during Spring Break at the beach. I'm running a strength program at the gym right now that includes the powerlifts. Many of the women in the program had never deadlifted with a barbell until they took this class. They are exhilarated by the move, which taps into some sort of primitive natural impulse to be strong. Lifting heavy things connects us deeply to our genetic inheritance to survive and thrive through strength and the mental fortitude that comes with it.
- Keira Newton Master RKC - Owner of DKB Fitness THANK YOU for reading. Please share with us why YOU have chosen to lift heavy things of why you are considering it. I encourage you to leave a comment if any of these reasons speak to you. Thanks again! To Yours in Strength,
