Low Carb/High Protein Recipes

When I was training for my competition I found it much easier to plan my meals by using my crock pot - simple, easy and you can't burn it! After being 100% Vegan for 7 months I decided to add chicken and fish back into my diet. Chicken is so great because it's low fat, high protein and has virtually zero carbs! You can add so many great things to it to make oodles of different meals. Here is one of my favorites:

Simple Chicken and Salsa Serves 4
Fresh ground pepper

3 dried red chilies
1 pound boneless skinless chicken

1 cup salsa (I always use Trader Joe's Chipotle Salsa)

Morton's Light Salt to taste

Put all ingredients in slow cooker on low. It will be ready in less than 4 hours. I check on it every hour and cut up the chicken until it's shredded.

Great VEGAN Recipe!

My FAVORITE PASTA and what a find being lower in carbs and super high in protein! It's Black Bean Pasta - you can get it here: Explore Asian Authentic Black Bean Spaghetti.

Cook pasta according to directions then add the following:

You can do ANYTHING with this pasta - I add as many veggies as I can:

spinach

tomatoes

broccoli

kale

bok choy

garlic

onion

1 tsp curry power

fresh ground pepper

1/4 cup light coconut milk

Saute all veggies in pan using Coconut Oil Cooking Spray - I very very seldom cook with oil - that is one thing I've continued after following the Engine 2 Diet for 7 months - I've dropped the oil and picked up the Pam ;-p

I cook until tender - add curry powder and coconut milk, add to pasta and enjoy ;-)

Here is a nice semi-vegetarian recipe:

Salmon with Coconut Oil and Bananas

This could be my favorite salmon recipe. I serve this over steamed spinach.

Heat 1 T. coconut oil in a saute pan with 1 cut up banana until the banana caramelizes and gets thick. If you need additional oil in your pan use coconut oil cooking spray (you can get it at Whole Foods or order it online), add salmon and cook to your liking. I like to add sweet curry powder and brown rice.

Simple, easy and really tasty!

Total Body Bootcamp December Challenge

Don't wait for the new year to get into the best shape of your life. Get a head start on your new year's resolution now by joining our Total Body Bootcamp December Challenge!

The Details

All you have to do is record your weight and measurements (you don't even have to share that if you don't want to) and take a "before" picture of yourself now and email it to support@fitbytracey.com by Wednesday, December 7. Then just do 3 Total Body Bootcamp workouts a week from December 5 - 30. That's just 12 Total Body Bootcamp workouts in all! Be sure to post your workouts on the Fit by Tracey - Fit for Life Facebook page or as a comment here on the blog when you're finished. You can post each day or each week - your choice. When you've completed the challenge, take your "after" picture and email it to support@fitbytracey.com along with how much weight and how many inches you've lost. That's it!

Watch for weekly recipes and nutrition tips since (according to Tracey's trainer Tyler English) you can't out-train a bad diet.

We won't post your weight or measurements, but feel free to brag here or on Facebook if you like! And we won't post your pictures without your permission.

Winners

The person who loses the most weight during the challenge will win a spa gift basket.

The second place winner will receive a smaller, but equally wonderful spa gift basket.

Everyone who completes the Ultimate Challenge and logs your workouts on Facebook or this blog will receive a treat to help you relax and celebrate completing this month's challenge during this busy season.

We'll announce the winners on December 31 and tell how much weight each of the top 2 lost. Oh...and if you lose the most weight AND complete the Ultimate Challenge, you can win twice!

All set? Come on! What have you got to lose?

December Ultimate Challenge Rotation

***If you're reading this after December 2011, simply click the back arrow on the calendar and go to December to see the rotation.***

A lot of you said you were ready to train like Tracey, so here you go! Tracey has created a month-long rotation similar to what she used to get her body back after having two kids.

If you need more incentive, we'll be giving away prizes for completing this rotation. Not ready to commit quite yet? Okay, just send your "before" picture support@fitbytracey.com and complete 3 Total Body Bootcamp workouts of your choice each week in December. Then send us your "after" picture and tell us how much weight you lost. The top 2 will win some pretty cool prizes!

Oh..and if you're missing anything you need to complete this challenge, you can buy any in-stock Fit by Tracey DVD for $12.99 plus shipping all through December.

Ready to get started? Just click on the workout to display more. Good luck!

Black Friday Sale and a Giveaway

Facebook Giveaway

Join our giveaway on the Fit by Tracey - Fit for Life Facebook page! All you have to do is like our page and enter a comment for a chance to win a Total Body Bootcamp DVD set. We'll announce the winner Friday morning.

Black Friday Sale

Friday only! Get Total Body Bootcamp:Strength or Total Body Bootcamp: Metabolic Conditioning for only $10 each plus $2.50 flat rate US shipping and $6 flat rate International shipping!

We still have 3 pairs of the orange bands used in Total Body Bootcamp available for $12 a set with no additional shipping charge in the Fit by Tracey Shop. Once these are gone, we won't be restocking them. Check out this post to see where to purchase the other equipment Tracey and her crew used in Total Body Bootcamp.

Free Shipping

All the other DVDs in the Fit by Tracey Shop are regular price, but shipping is on us!

If you have any questions or run into any problems, just email support@fitbytracey.com. Don't worry, even if we can't respond until Saturday we will still honor the sale price.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. We're thankful for each of you!

Time for a Change

Change is in the air, and we have some exciting changes in store for you. Be watching for details in the coming days.

Happy Fall!

Labor Day Sale

Now through Monday, September 5, while supplies last, get the lowest prices we've ever offered on Fit by Tracey DVDs. All in-stock DVDs except Total Body Bootcamp are on sale for $5 or $10 each!

Flat rate shipping is $2.50 for customers in the US or Canada and $6 for International customers.

Happy Labor Day, and happy shopping!

Good News About Total Body Bootcamp!

Total Body Bootcamp is at the duplicators! Preorders should ship by September 1. We really appreciate your patience and have tried hard to make these DVDs worth the wait.



Even if you missed the presale, there's still time to order Total Body Bootcamp and receive the DVDs as soon as they're available. And check out the links in our Optional Equipment for Total Body Bootcamp post if you are interested in ordering the equipment Tracey and her crew use in these workouts. Of course, you can still get a good workout with just dumbbells, a resistance band, and a stability ball.

See you soon at bootcamp!

Optional Equipment for Total Body Bootcamp

All of the equipment used in Total Body Bootcamp can be purchased online from Perform Better. Click on the image to go to that product on the Perform Better Website.

TRX Suspension Training Pro Pack




TRX System Door Anchor




First Place Competition Kettlebells









Gliding Discs





Dynamax Med Ball




Sandbells













Resistance Bands (Click on "Band Pair Packages")

Bands for Total Body Bootcamp

Total Body Bootcamp will be shipping soon! A few of you have asked where to purchase the resistance bands and some of the other equipment Tracey and her team used in these workouts. We weren't able to find an affordable deal for the shipping cost, so the bands used in TBBC are now included in the Fit by Tracey store. You will be charged the same flat rate shipping fee as always - $4.95 for customers in the US or Canada and $8.95 for international customers. All orders placed this week will ship with the Total Body Bootcamp DVDs.

We will also be posting links for the other equipment used. Don't want to buy a lot of new equipment? No worries. These can be done with minimal equipment. Just in case you're in the market for some new kettlebells, med balls or a suspension trainer to spice up your workouts, we'll let you know where you can order them so you'll be all set to go.

Total Body Bootcamp Update

Hi everyone!

I wanted to update you on the status of the Total Body Bootcamp DVDs. My editor got busy on other projects and the DVDs didn't go to the duplicator as planned last Friday. The bad news is that this puts us a week or two behind. The good news is that it gives me one last opportunity to go over everything to make sure you are getting the best quality workout DVDs possible.

I'm sorry for the delay. I feel positive you are going to love the end result, though.

We will be sending you information about where to buy some of the optional equipment we used for the workouts and cheaper shipping for the bands we used, chapter menus, cover pictures and detailed descriptions from the back cover in the coming days as the excitement mounts for the release of Total Body Bootcamp before the middle of July.

Thanks for your patience. I know waiting is tough!

Tracey with Kara Sundlun from Better Connecticut.. Will air Monday, May 16th at 3 pm EST on WFSB Channel 3.

Watch online - Kara's Cures: Mommy Workout

Total Body Bootcamp Presale Ends Today

Happy Mothers Day to all you moms!

Today is the last day to order Total Body Bootcamp at the presale price and receive free shipping. Don't miss out! Order Total Body Bootcamp: Strength or Total Body Bootcamp: Metabolic Conditioning for just 16.99 each or order the Total Body Bootcamp: Set for 29.98. Tomorrow the price will be 19.99 each plus 4.95 US and Canada shipping or 8.95 International shipping.

Need help deciding? Watch preview clips on Fit by Tracey's YouTube channel.

Total Body Bootcamp Presale is Here!

Now through next Sunday, May 8 order Total Body Bootcamp: Strength or Total Body Bootcamp : Metabolic Conditioning for 16.99 each (regular price will be 19.99) or buy both Total Body Bootcamp DVDs for 29.98 and save even more (regular price will be 39.98)! Plus, get FREE US and International shipping during the entire presale! DVDs are expected to ship mid June.

You'll get 3 full workouts plus a warm up and cool down on each DVD. These workouts will make you feel like you're in a live class. Visit Tracey's Shop for more details about each workout and the equipment used. To get a better idea of what to expect, watch these unedited clips from the shoot .



These 6 total body high-intensity workouts incinerate fat through challenging metabolic circuits and strength training exercises. In less than 45-minutes a day Tracey and her team will lead you through an active warm-up then they'll help you power through various extreme obstacle stations and finish with a 5 minute cool down.



To quote Tracey's trainer, Tyler English, "you can't out train a bad diet" so in order to stay successful and make this a complete lifestyle change, be watching Tracey's Fit Tips page and Facebook page to learn more about reading labels, grocery shopping and better nutrition, so that you will have every tool you need to get to where you want to be.

If you are putting your all into your workouts and are following a balanced diet, you can feel results in as little as one week and see your clothes growing larger within a few weeks. Tracey & Dustin motivate and support you through each workout giving you the stamina you require to take your body to the ultimate challenge.

Order Total Body Bootcamp today! Please email support@fitbytracey.com if you have any questions or run into any problems.

Before and After

Before

Tracey, 41 years old, 9 months pregnant with Rian

After

Tracey 2 and 1/2 months after starting Bootcamp, down 30 pounds!

How did I lose 30 pounds in 10 weeks? Bootcamp. Last Sunday I filmed my 20th fitness DVD and by far my best! TOTAL BODY BOOTCAMP - We filmed 6 Bootcamp workouts yesterday, 3 Metabolic Conditioning and 3 Strength.

This workout is like NO other workout you've seen; not even the really popular ones you see on TV. The Bootcamp I go to is SERIOUS. They take no prisoners, and you have to be invited into it. If they don't think you can do it, they don't want you.

After the birth of my son, I was 41 years old and struggling to lose the extra 30 pounds I still had after his birth. For 4 months nothing I tried worked. I didn't lose a pound. On January 4th, 2011, I joined Farmington Valley Fitness Bootcamp and after 5 minutes of getting my butt kicked, I knew this was the answer to my weight loss prayers!

Day after day I went to my Bootcamp class and put every ounce of energy I had into my workouts. "You get out of it what you put into it" "go hard or go home" "there is no tired" "you can be tired when you are done" - these and many other sayings were DRILLED into my head 6 days a week. After just 2 weeks of workouts, people started commenting on my weight loss, people I didn't even know. After a month not a class would go by that someone didn't say something to me about my progress. It brought me to tears. I had struggled for months to lose the weight and nothing worked and now all of my hard work was paying off. It felt great! Many people asked me if I was the same person who just had the baby - they didn't believe it!

Needless to say, I lost 30 pounds in less than 3 months. And for those people who say baby weight doesn't count, I BEG to differ, especially when you are over 40 and just had two babies back to back; it does a number on your body. I fell in love with the workouts and knew I had to share them with everyone who seriously wants to get fit for real. For 3 months I wrote down everything I ate and every workout I did and created my new Total Body Bootcamp. I even have 2 of my Bootcamp coaches in the DVD with me. One of them, Dustin Linden, is coaching 3 of the workouts - if you guys like Josef, wait until you meet Dustin! You're going to like him just as much. Dustin is also an MMA Fighter and just the most gifted motivational coach I've ever met. On days where I physically could not do one more rep Dustin made me do it and made me stronger and leaner and more fit than ever. Every person in these workouts with me is from my Bootcamp classes. They are REAL people. I wanted to make a series of workouts that are unlike anything you've ever seen.

Stay tuned for clips of the workouts and for presale information...

And the Winner Is

Thanks to everyone who participated!

The winner of the Fit by Tracey DVD of her choice and a Versa Loop is...
Gibbee who posted this on the forum:

"I learned that it is best to vary your intervals when doing HIIT training. Sometimes HIIT is promoted as a certain formula of X and Y intervals but to maximize your results, you should vary your intervals during your HITT training sessions. I also learned that Tabata training can work in as few as 4 minutes!"

Congratulations, Nancy! Yoga Solutions and a Versa Loop are on their way to you.

Time for a Fit by Tracey Giveaway!

First, if you missed Tracey on the Nate Berkus Show yesterday, you can still watch the video.



Now, how would you like a chance to win a Fit by Tracey DVD of your choice (excludes Results Boost Your Metabolism) plus a Versa Loop? Hint: you're going to be needing that Versa Loop soon. ;-)

To enter go to Tracey's Fit Tips page. You can read about a good weight loss plateau breaker there. Then post a comment here or on the Fit Forum telling something you read - whether it was new information or something you already knew. The contest begins now and ends April 15 at midnight Eastern Time. We will notify the winner via email and post here. Good luck!

Last Day for the Customer Appreciation Sale

Don't miss the lowest prices this year on Fit by Tracey DVDs! All DVDs are 9.99 with 2.50 flat rate US shipping and 8.95 flat rate international shipping for one more day. Tomorrow, April 1, everything will go back to the regular price - 19.99 per DVD with 4.95 flat rate US shipping and 8.95 flat rate international shipping.

Just a Reminder

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Thank you to everyone who has taken advantage of our customer appreciation sale! We hope you're enjoying your new workouts! We just wanted to remind you that the sale will continue for 2 more weeks before it ends on March 31. Right now you can buy any DVD from the Fit by Tracey Store for 9.99 plus 2.50 flat rate shipping for US orders and 8.95 flat rate shipping for International orders. Beginning April 1, everything will go back to the regular price of 19.99 per DVD with 4.95 flat rate shipping for US orders and 8.95 for International orders.

If you need help deciding which workout to try, just go to the Fit by Tracey DVDs page and click on any cover to view a preview. Happy shopping! If you have any questions or run into any problems with your order, please email support@fitbytracey.com.

Customer Appreciation Month

First, one more quick post about a favorite workout I rediscovered last week. One of Tracey's customers emailed about how much she likes Steady State Step. She reminded me of how much fun I thought it was when I first received it. So, I had to try it again. It's still fun! (Thanks for the reminder!)

I don't normally love step, but Steady State Step has no dread factor! The music is lighthearted like the workout. Tracey starts shaking her hips as soon as the warm up begins, so it feels a lot like a dance party on the step. The choreography is interesting. Tracey does do a lot of turns, and as I mentioned, I'm directionally challenged. But she always either points in the direction we're going or says which foot to start the move on. The entire workout is just plain enjoyable, and it might even make you smile for a while after you've finished working out!

**Sale**
March is customer appreciation month at Fit by Tracey. For the entire month of March, every DVD in the Fit by Tracey online store is 9.99 with 2.50 flat rate shipping for US customers and 8.95 shipping for International customers. So it's time to stock up and keep getting in shape for spring. Order all you want; we'll ship them for one low price. Just go to the Tracey's DVDs page, click the DVD cover if you'd like to preview the workout, and click the "Buy" button to purchase. No coupon code necessary. This is our way of saying thanks for being the best customers around!

*Downloads and Results: Boost Your Metabolism are not included.

Kickboxing with Tracey and Josef = Fun!

Tracey and Josef make a great team! Strike Zone and Cardio Kickbox Challenge are two of my favorite workouts. Choosing a favorite would be like choosing a favorite child. One is my favorite because she is my firstborn. One is my favorite because he is my only son. And one is my favorite because she's my baby. And these workouts are both my favorites too.

Strike Zone first introduced us to the Tracey and Josef team. I love the rapport between them. The teasing and the friendly competition ("If you touch down, I'm touching down.") make me smile.

Although Strike Zone doesn't have official premixes, I love how simple it is to pick and choose which Strike to do. The titles that appear briefly on the screen before each one actually help with that. Want to have fun? Strike 5 - Quick Cardio is good. Want to work hard? Strike 6 - Josef's revenge is good with those jump kicks. You don't have to do them, but if they jump, I jump! Need to work out a little frustration? Strike 8 - Angry Housewives will help. "Grab the hair! And hammer!" Want to feel empowered? Try Strike 11 - Final Fight. Josef gets tough in this one! If I just need to skip one, it's Strike 9 - Spider Webs. Why? Well, the upper body and core work are amazing, but I'm directionally challenged. I think which ever way I'm facing is north! I never end up facing the same way as Barbie and Jill when we do those spider webs. My husband can do them. No problem. My 10 year old daughter can do them! But I just can't. I must say, though, that I get the benefit from the work...even if I don't quite feel graceful. One Strike I never skip is the cool down. Love the slow blocks and long stretches!

Cardio Kickbox Challenge is correctly named. It is a challenge. I do like to have fun, but sometimes I just need to kick up the intensity a few notches. (Tracey has been kicking the intensity of her personal workouts up quite a few notches, and her results are inspiring!) With Cardio Kickbox Challenge, I don't have to choose between having fun and working hard.

Even at my age, I still love to jump. So the jump kicks and tuck jumps are great! And of course, they are optional. What makes these jumps so much fun is that they are just a part of the workout. Tracey, Josef, and Jericho are super creative. They've included some jumps, but they've also included a lot of intense moves that allow you to stay on the ground.

Cardio Kickbox Challenge does have premixes. Good thing because I'd have a hard time choosing my favorite combinations in this one! You can choose a 20 minute workout, a 30 minute workout, a 40 minute workout, or choose to focus on upper or lower body.

Your cardio endurance will definitely be challenged, but Cardio Kickbox Challenge is also a good total body workout. Josef even adds some agility drills to complete the package.

You can preview either of these workouts on the Fit by Tracey DVDs page by scrolling down a bit and clicking on the cover of the one you want to preview. Or you can order Strike Zone or Cardio Kickbox Challenge for 9.99 from now through the weekend.

Don't forget to check back. Beginning in March, all of Tracey's DVDs that are available in the Fit by Tracey online store will be on sale!

Core Blast - Want Those Abs?

Before I started working for Tracey, I asked her how she got those abs! Well, this is how. Core Blast has a little of everything. You'll work your abs from every angle. Standing, supine, prone, and with a variety of equipment. Each 15 minute section of Core Blast is divided into 5 minute chapters. The options are limitless.

If you're brave and want a long core workout, you could do it all. I never have. ;-) I often use one of the standing abs sections to warm up before a run. I especially love the med ball section, but then I always feel my obliques the day after doing the standing section with no equipment. And it has some innovative moves that make it fun. I've used the step section when I wanted a little extra ab work after a step aerobics video.
There is a traditional section with crunches too. Lately I've been all about Pilates, planks, and standing ab work (I know...I already mentioned that, but I really like standing ab work!). That's in Core Blast too! The Pilates section is more Pilates inspired and not pure Pilates...which I appreciate because I like to avoid doing the 100. With Core Blast, I get to work my transverse abdominal muscles without that. Tracey shows a variety of plank positions in that section. Maybe I'm crazy, but I love planks. They work! And for functional core work, you can choose the Bosu or Stability Ball sections.

Just a heads up - we are planning a customer appreciation sale in March, and everything in the Fit by Tracey online store will be discounted. But if you'd like to get a jump start on getting abs like Tracey's, you can get Core Blast for 9.99 this week. Just click the link to purchase or go to the DVD page and scroll down to Core Blast and click the cover to see a preview clip.

Cardio Sweatfest - the Best of Both Worlds and 9.99 This Week!

I bought Cardio Sweatfest before I started working for Tracey. I got it for the kickboxing workout because I love drill-based kickboxing and because when my arms look their best, a lot of kickboxing is always part of the mix. Lately, though, with the Zumba® obsession, I've really been into dance cardio. And the hi-lo portion of Cardio Sweatfest is a dance party with some athletic intervals thrown in. The music is energetic, and of course the workout is fun! And all in only 30 minutes. If you're tighter on time, there is an even shorter option. Donna shows you how to jump high if you have extra energy, and Barb keeps it low impact. So there's something for everyone. I think the choreography was fun but not too complicated. I don't usually do the turns...pivots, yes, turns, not always. I'm on carpet and I know they're a lot of fun, but I hear they don't burn more calories, so I don't do all of them, and I still manage to enjoy the dance party. In case you need a little practice, each combo has its own chapter and you can find them easily from the menu. Tracey seems to be having a lot of fun, and I have a lot of fun dancing along with her.

Then there's an hour of kickboxing. Or you can always do the shorter premixes. I love premixes! These are just straightforward, no nonsense kickboxing combinations. Jessica, the martial artist, demos good form in a separate chapter. And sweet, smiling Barbie is there too...smiling as usual. As I said, kickboxing does great things for my upper body. Lower body too, for that matter. I'm sure it helps that Tracey does a bazillion punches and kicks in Cardio Sweatfest. Oh...she may say 16 or 32, but I'm thinking she actually leads you through a bazillion. And that's a good thing if you really want to work your muscles!

If you want to try Cardio Sweatfest for yourself, you can get it for only $9.99 this week! To see a preview, go to Tracey's DVD page and scroll down almost to the bottom then click on the cover.

Hi/Lo Med Ball

As promised, here is more information about my favorite Fit by Tracey workouts that have been a part of my routine lately.

Okay, I admit I pre-ordered Hi/Lo Med Ball because I really wanted a med ball cardio workout. I guess I didn't read the description. ;-0 I wasn't working for Tracey when she filmed it, but I did write the back cover copy for it before it was released. So I had to preview the workout to know what to say. It took me a little while to get over my disappointment that it wasn't all med ball cardio. Actually, it took until I tried it the first time!

Why do I love it? It has a little bit of dance mixed in with a little bit of athletic cardio. I can feel the dance influence in the athletic parts, and I can feel the athletic influence in the dancier parts. The music drives the workout. It's just plain fun! Tracey and crew look like they're having fun; that probably helps. There's a little impact, but not so much that it just wears me out jumping around.

Then, there are the 2 med ball sections. I love a good standing core workout, and the first med ball section fits the bill. In fact, the entire workout works your core pretty well. To be honest, I usually move the final section to the end, after the cool down. But it's chaptered...so I can do that. ;-)

The cool down is fun. But, Tracey, seriously? Where did you develop that balance?? I have to tell you, I don't "shake it" while I'm standing on one foot, but if you can balance like Tracey, I guess that might be fun too.

I like to do that entire workout, but if I'm short on time, I can choose to do the dance premix or the athletic premix. More good options!

So, if you haven't tried Hi/Lo Med Ball, you can click on the links in this post and order it for 9.99 + shipping from now through Sunday, January 23. If you'd like to preview it first, just go to Tracey's DVD page, scroll down to Hi/Lo Med Ball, and click the cover.

Enjoy!

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

Hi there! Rhonda here. If you've emailed Fit by Tracey customer service or tech support, you've probably "met" me. I'm "fit" on Tracey's forum, and I post here on occasion. I want to share some of my recent fitness journey with you.

I've always been fairly active. I love anything outdoors...running, cycling, hiking, climbing... So that's how I stayed fit and had fun. That and some strength training. I didn't know anything about exercise rotations or what I should be doing. At 43 I was a size 4 and had all the energy I needed to keep up with my 2 year old. But I only had one VHS that I bought at Wal-Mart, and I was getting a little bored. So I searched the internet and found a whole world of workouts available. I gained a little knowledge...enough to be dangerous. ;-) I discovered some new workouts that I loved (Pilates, yoga, dance, kickboxing, and functional fitness), and without really trying, I went from a size 4 to a 2. Then I read that I would need more to maintain bone density and muscle mass as I aged. And something different to keep from reaching a plateau. You know what I mean, right?

Then I discovered Tracey. I loved her workout philosophy! She was all about making fitness fun. That's exactly what I wanted. I tried High Intensity Kickbox Challenge first, then Sculpt Sweatfest, Cardio Sweatfest, and Step Sweatfest. I was hooked! A little kickboxing, a little dancing, a little functional fitness, and a lot of fun - perfect. I was one of the first people to preorder her Body Master Challenge series. I eventually started to work as Tracey's assistant.

Soon life became more challenging, and I stress ate my way up the scale. As much as I liked the idea of exercise being fun, I bought the press that I needed more than that to take the weight back off. I tried a few popular exercise systems. I got stronger, but I also got stiffer and learned to dread exercise. My wake-up call came when I saw a picture of myself near the end of a rotation (near the end...not at the end, because I could never quite finish one!) that promised great results. I stuck with this one longer than any other. And here were the results.

Clearly what I was doing was not working. Could I really exercise just for fun and get back to the size I had been? But you know what? Tracey doesn't just say she wants to make exercise fun; she says she wants to make fitness fun. It is possible to have fun while getting fit. So over the past few months I've gotten back to my old way of exercising and eating. I don't dread exercise, I've lost almost 20 pounds, and I'm on my way back to my old size.

Tracey's workouts have played a part in my rekindled love for fitness. In the coming weeks, I'll be sharing some of my favorite Fit by Tracey workouts and telling you why I love them. We'll even offer my favorite things at a discount so you can see if they might become some of your favorites too. So join me here every Monday for the next few weeks, or in your inbox on Tuesday, and hear some of the ways I've rediscovered that fitness really can be fun.