Replies to Comments about "Wasting My Breath" (finally done, lol!)

Fafa said...
Great points. No truer words ever spoken. Whether or not you believe it.... you are an inspiration to many.
November 17, 2008 7:16 AM

fafa,

I do believe I have been an inspiration to many, but the bottom line is that I can't believe in anyone more than they believe in themselves.

I know the possiblities, I live them everyday, and I never stop believing because now I know better. And once you know, you can't unknow. Even if I got fat again, I still know what works....but more importantly I know what doesn't work....and what doesn't work is the definition of "insanity", which is.....

"Doing the same things and expecting different results"

You have to change if you want change....you have to.

Jo said...
I read your story on your website in May '08, and haven't looked back since. Still swinging the bell and preparing my own food (I know its only been 6 months). You are not wasting your breath and know that you have made a difference in my life. Thanks, Tracy!
November 17, 2008 8:06 AM

Jo,

You are a shining example of putting inspiration into action! And now you have many followers yourself! I know that you haven't reached your goal weight quite yet, and I suspect I know why....you'll figure out! PS quit running and keep swinging, lol!

saremca said...
Last time I commented and you told me that if I exercise at all I was wasting my time if I wasn't swinging a kettlebell? I heard you. I've been a regular exerciser for 15 years and I'm still not satisfied with my shape. My weight is okay, but I want more definition, more tone, more muscle. I started swinging kettlebells and I am in love. I cannot believe I've been avoiding kettlebells because I thought they'd be too boring. I was so wrong.Thank you for the motivation.
November 17, 2008 8:06 AM

saremeca (beth),

You got me on a good day! On my good days I just say it like it is....and I've been having some good days lately, LOL! Someone once told me that if you're bored, then YOU'RE boring! Don't be a bore, take responsibility for your exciting life, and the luxury you have of being able to swing that bell!

La Saun R. Taylor said...
You're not wasting your breath!!!You got me swinging myself to death with that 12k bell. Your blog has been very helpful and encouraging to me. Plenty of people are swinging because of you, you just haven't met them all. I have lost more weight since we spoke on Friday, Yippeee!!! Thank you again.La Saun Taylor, RKC
November 17, 2008 10:44 AM

La Saun,

Amazing what can happen when you eat a little less than you "think" you're eating, huh? Food, what you eat and how much you eat will be the first thing that changes the size of your body.

I will be back to finish these replies, but once again....I'm off to yoga.....


I'm back.......

kettlebell g-ma said...
Tracy, Your point has gotten across to me. Since I started swinging a little over a year ago my body has transformed. I've always for the most part exercised but it was not until I read your blog and ordered a bell that I became aware of the changes in my body. I'm 46 and wished I would have found the bell 20 years ago. You are not wasting your breath. I don't depend on anyone to motivate me. Like you sometimes it's cold but, I do it because I like to feel good and I don't like the the alternative. So, yeah I hear you! I have many a friend who have ask for help and always quit. Not one left. I get tired of the same old I wish I could loose weight. I wish I looked more toned. I, blah, blah, blah! To heck with them. Good post and good food and always good info. I'm listening!!!kettlebell g-ma
November 17, 2008 11:04 AM

KB g-ma,

I often say I might never have gotten so fat and out of shape if I had known about KB's 10 years earlier! So I hear you on that! It was my brilliant husband that discovered and promoted this amazing, life and body transforming method of training to me!

sheryl said...
"Your post made me think about people and motivational speakers.…People need motivation – or rather like to hear it. They go and see the speaker; they get all pumped up feeling like they can conquer the world, leave feeling euphoric for a day or so then fall back into their old comfortable patterns. " "They just aren’t ready I guess. (Although I have taken it personally) You talk about people asking you the secret and I think that there IS and isn’t a secret… The logical side of course is easy but I imagine the emotional side battles that logical side quite often and I think in the case of most people it wins….

Sheryl,

Motivational speakers get paid to talk, so what do they really care if anyone actually applies it? On one hand I'm not bitching about not getting paid to share what I know because I haven't asked to get paid, so who's fault is that? But my time, knowledge and experience is more valuable than I've been giving it credit for and it's time for a change.

The "secret" is communicating in a way, translating the methods and techniques that I've discovered, in way that is understandable, applicable and motivating.....these are not just "theories", I believe the most important thing I offer as a trainer, coach, role model is that I haven't forgotten where I came from and I know the roadblocks and the potholes along the way. I was, and still am my own "experiment" (those are Mark's words). I did it and I'm living it.

I certainly could have lived the rest of my whole life without sharing any of my discoveries, and my frustration is, why did I? And what am I supposed to do now?

Jennifer said...
"Okay, maybe you don't feel like you make a dent in the world you can see, but please, you know you touch more people than you can shake a stick at. We appreciate what you do, and we do listen and take to heart. Thank you--for what it's worth. And honestly, I like that you really don't give a damn." "but the world wants a magic pill (nevermind the side effects)"
November 17, 2008 5:53 PM

Jennifer,

Your compliment is worth alot, a little credit and acknowledgement go a long way, so thank you. But if I really didn't give a damn I would've shut this blog down the same day I did the other, and that day seems imminent at this point. Not only does the world want a "magic pill", but they want you to take it for them too!

leslie said...
"You may never know how many seeds you've planted. It's taken me a solid year to buy and use a pressure cooker. I don't know why it took so long. But without your encouragement, both on the blog and in person at the cooking class and the fabulous kettlebell seminar, it may never have happened.

My hope is that you will continue with this blog, as your passion comes through loud and clear here, and so many benefit from your writing. I know how much time it takes to consistently blog, and with all the pictures and recipes you include? Well, that takes time and energy and creativity, which you have in abundance. But if at any point this blog becomes inconsistent with what you see as your primary purpose, then it's time to move forward to something new. (But I really hope this blog remains consistent with your purpose, because I really do love what you write!)
November 17, 2008 8:53 PM

Leslie,

My promotion of using a pressure cooker is one of the main reasons why I kept "Food and Thought" going....I didn't want to leave anyone "out in the cold". As you know from meeting me in person, I'm passionate about preaching the importance of learning to feed ourselves. And I'm not talking about just putting food in our mouths, I'm talking about respecting our physical bodies as nature intended us to eat. There is nothing more important than feeding ourselves.....we can't live without food. Food is not the problem.....how we eat (or don't eat) and how we feel about eating! And that's where the "Thought" comes in.

I'm not sure what my "primary purpose" is, and that is where I'm at right now, I'm wanting to move forward, but I don't have a clear direction. It turned into feeling like I was lost without a compass, thinking and feeling like I was moving forward, but going in circles.

I want to thank you for always consistently commenting on my blog posts, and your blog continues to be on my "favorites!"

Beth said...
"Wasted breath, never. Even a whisper is not wasted if someone heard it, deep inside. Thank you for your honesty in sharing your trials and successes.You are making a difference."
November 17, 2008 9:17 PM

Beth,

I truly don't believe I've wasted anything.....I know, personally, that I've made a difference, in many ways, to many people. "Wasting my Breath" was a starting point to write about the frustration of not being appreciated....I guess.....

Jen said...
Tracy, I'm with everyone else.. YOU ROCK. Everything that you give is so much and you probably don't see all of the fruits of the gifts that you give to everyone.. You have given to me so generously and I am forever grateful to you as is my very happy (and well fed) husband... this week alone I made carnitas, chili and corn chowder in my PC! YUM! Because of your inspiration from your home visit which we truly enjoyed.Please don't feel that your KB and Yoga instruction was a waste either. My RKC dreams are alive and well thanks to you. Just a bit of a shoulder injury sidetracking me...will be resolved soon!Sending you big hugs and hope to see you soon. You do inspire by doing your Tracy thing!xoxo Jen
November 17, 2008 11:45 PM

Jen,

When you so graciously invited me to stay with you in Santa Barbara I talked with you about what it was I could do with what I've made happen in my life....I still don't know the answer. I wish I could personally spend a few days with alot of people and give hands on teaching and coaching, but that just isn't possible. Bottom line is I can't do it for anyone.

And since I'm laying things on the line lately, I really wish you could see, and identify that althlete inside of you (she's still there)...not the guitar player, lol! Jen....we only have so much time, you, better than most know that....who are you? Who do you want to be? You have so many other moving bodyparts, besides your shoulder. Keep breathing, keep moving, your body will catch you, I promise.....

Diana said...
I first picked up a kb in June of 2007. I knew the minute I slipped my hand through it's handle, I would become good friends with this crazy looking object. I haven't put it down since. BONUS: Where I live, I get to play with mine in the snow! I can relate to your frozen toes-big time! Gym?? Who the hell needs a gym, when you've got grass to be cut and a kb? Perfect combo for a great workout! LOL!Enjoy the great day!
November 18, 2008 4:43 AM

Diana,

As you well know, you can't "out-snatch a donut!" (I think Sr RKC Dave Whitely first said that) You also know that the important thing is to keep showing for you workouts, so when that "donut" bites us in the ass, we can bite back!

Renee Yorkievitz, RKC said...
Tracy, Tracy, Tracy,
"Oh how I can feel your pain & frustration first hand. For 3 years, 2 of my best friends have bitched about needing to lose weight. Both are "gym rats" & both have had personal trainers (yes a couple EACH) for almost 2 years. Unfortunately look almost identical to how they did 2 years ago. They continue to bitch about their bodies." "Ditto for me that you were (are still) my inspiration to begin kb's. I was on the DD forum researching kb's initially. There was a post that struck me "This woman swings KB for 1000 reps...Wow!" I checked out your video and thought..."Holy crap, I need to learn this! The rest is history!You are a wealth of knowledge & know how. But people have to be at the point where they want it, are open to it & it is the right time for them. They need to realize the right time is now!Love ya girl! :)KEEP POSTING!"
November 18, 2008 6:25 PM

Renee,

The bottom line is it's hard work. And I do believe people want it, but they don't want to do what it takes to get it. As Mark has always said, you can't buy it, you can't fake it, you can't cheat it, you have to earn it, that's the great thing about it! And coming from where I've been, so overweight and unhealthy, I'm proof....no one waved a magic wand. (PS thanks for the love, lol!)