Please visit my brand new website, Kettlebells and Weight Loss Tips! We’ve linked to plenty of articles and products, and you can shop in our Kettlebell store, The Courage Corner.
Mine is named Magda, and Brian’s are Antonin and… uh, I forget the other’s name. Who cares. What is important is that we have got to talk to you about Kettlebells, a pretty new workout growing in our country, as well as others. Sales pitch? You bet. Let me lay it out for ya.
I have never been an athlete. In fact I hated all sports, and I dreaded kickball days in elementary school. I never considered myself strong or particularly fit. The good thing was that I didn’t have to worry much about it because I was skinny! In junior high a friend referred to me as “Twiggy.” So maybe I wasn’t that skinny but I sure didn’t have to worry about what I ate.
Fast forward ten years. While hibernating in Alaska, I gained fifteen pounds. Not too bad. I lost it for the most part when we got home to Portland before getting pregnant with Grace. While pregnant I didn’t workout a lick. I did Pilates a few times and walked…. a few times… and that was it.
After having Grace, about six months later, I found myself sitting on the couch saying over and over again, “I really should workout.” I felt like I was in bad shape. It hurt to get off of the couch. I was taking care of an infant by myself and was hungry all the time. I had no energy. No sleep. No motivation. I credit my mother-in-law for saying one day that she felt the same way a time ago and finally had just had it. She started exercising and didn’t look back or make excuses. That’s what I decided to do.
Brian was in Iraq at the time, so I emailed him and wish I could have seen his face when I asked him if he minded if I purchased a kettlebell… and what weight should I get, by the way? I had watched him use kettlebells for um… maybe two years? That was from the couch. I couldn’t wait to get started so I worked out first with a 20 lb. handweight and practiced the movements I knew something about. When my kettlebell finally arrived, I went to it, hard.
May 18, 2005 was my first kettlebell workout (with the handweight). I took my measurements, weighed myself, and measured my body fat percentage (which was sad). My first workout looked like this:
TWO sets:
10 swings
5 deck squats
5 pushups
Brian was in Iraq, and I had nothing to lose. I wanted to look so good when he got home! I also got my cholesterol taken around this time. When I discovered it was high, I realized I had another reason – besides vanity and disgust at my laziness – for exercise. I wanted to get fit for my daughter – to set a good example and to be around for a very long time.
So, that is how it all started for me. It has been about a year for me. I weigh approximately twelve pounds less than I weighed back then… I weigh less than I did when I got pregnant with Grace. But that’s not what’s important. I have not given up! This is the longest I have EVER lasted in an exercise program, and I’ve tried the Total Gym, running, Pilates, going to the gym, walking, Tai Bo, Ballet, Jazzercise, miscellaneous video tapes, you name it. I won’t lie – It is not always fun. Kettlebells are HARD work. Very hard. But they eliminate all of my excuses.
Excuse #1: I don’t have time.
Well you know what? That first workout I did way back then… it must have taken me about ten minutes (looking at it, I bet it was less!). Kettlebells are effective even if you start out working out for ten minutes a day. As you grow to love what you are doing and the results you are achieving, you will want to workout for longer. Now – a year later – my average workout is 45 minutes.
Excuse # 2: I hate to exercise.
Yup. I sure do. But I have found something I can definitely tolerate. I don’t always love it, but I do like it. It is hard, but I 
would rather workout with my kettlebell any day of the week than put on running shoes.
Excuse # 3: I can’t afford it.
Mmmm-hmmm. This is a good one too. Kettlebells can be expensive at first glance. But let me put it in perspective. How much money have you spent on the elliptical that is sitting in your garage or the treadmill that is buried under clothing in your bedroom? How much money do you spend on your gym membership? Buy a kettlebell and a video and you will be set. You can design your own workouts, and you never have to set foot in a gym if you don’t want to… ever again.
Excuse # 4: It’s so much work. I can’t weight-lift *and* do aerobics.
Well you don’t need to. My workouts are only with my kettlebell. Sometimes I do some Pilates to give my abs an extra workout here and there. Generally though, I use my kettlebell only. You are heaving a weight around but you are using all of the muscles in your body, your core, your stabilizing muscles. My heart rate routinely gets up to 160 during my workouts. So guess what? No aerobics for me! Woo hoo!!!!
Have I covered all of your excuses yet? If not, let me know what they are, and I bet I can solve them for ya. Seriously… the best thing about this is how much healthier I am, how much stronger, and how great I feel about myself. When I first tried to do a deck squat, I could barely get off the floor. Now they are not a big deal. This exercise routine has helped me in every area of my life, and I needed help. Now I can hold a toddler in one arm and hold three other things in my hand while simultaneously picking up another item from the floor. Can your legs handle that? Mine couldn’t before!
This is by far the best change I have made in myself in the last year. It is not easy. But it is SO worth it. If you want to read about Brian’s experience with Kettlebells, you can click here.
If you ever have questions, please ask. We have provided a lot of links here for you to get started.
If you are just starting out, here are some recommendations:
Women’s Quick-Start Kit: Frum Russian With Tough Love book, DVD, and 18 lb. Kettlebell – there is a lighter Kettlebell for women at 9 lbs and a newer one at 13 lbs., but you may find they are too light. Much of the exercises involve swinging and using your hips to raise the Kettlebell. Rarely is it lifted with the strength of your arms or biceps. My Kettlebell is 18 lbs and is the perfect weight for me. In fact, I am ready to graduate to a heavier Kettlebell for some of the exercises.
From Russia with Tough Love, Pavel Tsatsouline – Book and DVD – more information on the book.
“For the woman who wants it all – look way younger than your age, have a lean, graceful, athletic-looking body, feel amazing, feel vigorous, feel beautiful, have more energy and more strength to get more done in your day.”
As I mentioned, you can design your own workouts with your Kettlebell. I did so for almost a year. Right now, however I am LOVING these new DVDs. Check them out if your budget allows. If you are a beginner, volume 1 would be challenging for you and a great buy.
Kettlebells the IronCore Way, Volumes 1 and 2, Sarah Lurie – I currently try to do Volume 2 twice a week and Volume 1 once a week.
Volume 1 only – For my detailed review of Volume 1, click here!
Volume 2 only – For my detailed review of Volume 2, click here!
Dragondoor.com – articles, kettlebells, forums, and answers to many of your questions.
I also highly recommend the following book and used it early on. It offers detailed instructions for many exercises including ones not covered in the Tough Love book. There is also a section for pregnant or postpartum women!
Get in the Best Shape of Your Life, Lisa Shaffer
Finally, remember to visit my website, Fitness and Kettlebells for Women. You can also find all of these products at our new Kettlebell store, The Courage Corner.