Fitness...Taking it All in Stride!
Being maybe five or six,
I’d always see my dad using the stationary bike and free weights to exercise, so
I remember wanting to be like him and trying to follow suit (although I could
barely touch the tip of my toes on the pedals). That seed grew into becoming a
high school Freshman using the Elliptical for 30 minutes for sake of feeling
confident in my dance or cheer team uniforms, which turned into learning to use
free weights and equipment, taking group exercise classes and finding my
confidence around the gym. Friends began to see me as the go-to for workout and
healthy eating advice, and after moving from my hometown to the ‘big city’ of
Seattle as an ambitious 18-year old, I decided to continue paying it forward by
beginning to train and coach others.
Who is Kelsey? What is it about you that makes you unique?
I love this question;
it’s the kind we should all be able to answer in confidence – and one I’d
stumble around on for most of my teens and early twenties. I’m just someone
learning how to be the best me I can and trying to add value to as many lives
as possible along the way. Outside of being someone in the entertainment or
fitness space, I’m not much different than most people. I love and care deeply
for my friends and family, enjoy the simple things in life like meaningful
conversation, fun food- and a lot of it, sleeping in, making memories with
great company and challenging myself to do more of what I love. I’m also a wife
to a Jesus-loving police officer who was previously active duty in the Marine
Corps, and that has definitely shaped much of my life. I’ve been told numerous
times by ‘important industry folks’ to be less candid, less modest, less
faith-centered, less husband-centered. I have no interest in following any of
that advice, and know those are some of the reasons I’m unique from so much
that’s out there.
What inspires you to work out?
Personal
accountability to simply feel and function well at the things I do. The backbone
of #makefitmatter is about taking care of your temple and making fitness a
lifestyle component so you can operate better in whatever it is you do- and
that’s really good accountability for me to stay committed to squeezing a
workout in where I can and being in motion as often as possible.
What would you say to encourage someone who isn’t motivated
to exercise?
Face your why- the reason having a fit and able body
matters, and having an answer to the
question of what does it matter if you
don’t? Usually the honest answers boil down to reasons like overcoming
deeply rooted self-esteem issues, lost time feeling less than their best, or being
able to keep up with their kids or grandkids, who they are to their loved ones
–the things that matter most, and being fit and able can add so much value to
all of it.
We believe that everyone is uniquely fashioned, what are
some different ways someone can enjoy working out?
If it has to be a
gym, then definitely keep it fresh by avoiding the same exact exercises in the
same exact order every workout. Using a variety of free weights, machines and
cables (if available) can help steer clear of the mundane. I’m a big proponent of
utilizing bodyweight movements, even in a gym, so the more someone can
incorporate those, the better the odds are of enjoying their sweat sessions
rather than dreading some sort of repetitious routine on the same equipment. It’s
so important to remind others that a gym isn’t required to make fit matter, and
condition their body. We were designed to move, fashioned – really, to be
active, so that could be anything from gardening, brisk walks, hiking, cleaning
the house with a few bodyweight squats thrown in, riding a bike, horseback
riding, water sports, playing with the kids, parking further away and
incorporating more steps throughout the week, taking the stairs… I’m sure I
could keep going, but you get the gist!
You’re probably up and up and in the know about workout
trends – what are some of your favorite workout trends that you’ve found to be
effective?
Trend is such a funny
term, so I’ll say that anything promoting anything other than putting in consistent
work, staying in action and taking total ownership over the outcomes, is just
that – a trend, or something with enough hype to have people’s attention, but not
something that will teach someone how to obtain and sustain long term results.
Stay away from that stuff. I’m all for
anything that promotes working hard enough to reap some kind of benefit through
an elevated heart rate and a body in motion. I don’t know if I should
categorize it as a trend, but home workouts have really powered through to the
masses over the last 5-years, and what I love about that is more people can
experience a stronger, healthier and more conditioned mind and body without the
variables of gym memberships, commutes, time constraints and daunting crowds.
Your five favorite workout moves or exercises?
Pushups, Lunges,
Shoulder Press, Starfish Crunches (you’ll have to workout with my ab/core videos
to find out what that is), and Burpees (google ‘burpee’ – I think I’m still
somewhere towards the top with a tutorial video)!
You hear different things about how frequently someone
should work out or how long they should get their heart rate up on a daily
basis. What is the bottom line for these numbers?
There isn’t a
one-size-fits-all answer since we all respond differently to activity levels
and nutrition variables, but for general conditioning, 3-5 days of focused
exercise lasting anywhere from 30-60 minutes is a great and practical range.
That’s the frequency and duration I follow, but am also intentional to plug in
other ways to be active, doing things like riding, hiking and squeezing in
extras like taking the stairs and avoiding up-front parking.
Anyone who knows you, knows of your love for animals- what
is your spirit animal and why?
This is debatable
depending on who you ask, but I’d say it’s definitely… a cat. Let’s keep it
real- if I could be pet, fed, snuggled and allowed to sleep at my leisure, with
the occasional outbursts of unexplained energy, I’d take it! Not to mention,
cats are super agile, but sturdy – you know? They can ninja off rooftops
without breaking into pieces. That’s pretty aspirational.
So much, of all
sorts. I’m definitely not the rock hard body, the year-round spray tanned type
or the ultra-done-up sort of girl in push up bras and booty baring shorts that
rack up the most attention in the fitness space. I’ve been turned down for on
camera jobs for those reasons, and have been sent feedback from potential brand
partners or casting directors that I’m too modest, my photos or videos need to
be edited or manipulated to be more marketable, I’m not lean enough, even that
I talk too slow. It’s unbelievable that those are even ‘issues’, and I’d be a
liar if I said there haven’t been moments I almost convince myself to veer into
those categories until I realize there’s nothing of any real value to be gained
(by other people, or me) from doing so. It is insanity how much deceit and
self-idolatry plagues society, and I want to be accountable to not contribute
to it.
You generate a very positive image that goes beyond just
being skin deep. Anything you’d like to say to those who make that their sole
focus?
Just going back to
what we just talked about in overcoming pressures, you really have to get real
with yourself and ask if what you’re doing, what you’re focused on and what you
prioritize, actually adds real value to the world. If we keep it simple, we’ll
be less likely to scoot around and start making justifications for behaviors
that just mimic the most meaningless parts of society.
Some of your health and fitness role models and why?
Since the era of
Mariah Carey, Shania Twain and Britney Spears, I haven’t had any mainstream
sort of role models in any industry. I admire a lot of great people, but as far
as a health and fitness role model I’m just inspired by humble people who are
committed to taking care of themselves for no reason other than being better at
whatever it is they do. My heart really lights up when I see older folks being
active or making good food choices, or someone with significant weight to lose
taking action to become healthier- I love that so much. Those are the people
who really inspire me.
What causes you to wake up every morning?
This might come off a
little cheesy-cheese, which I usually am, but God's grace. The fact I get
another chance to make the most out of another day, no matter how awesome or
terrible I’d been the day before, always fires me up enough to get out of bed
and get moving.
What are you most passionate about?
God, my marriage, my
role in other people’s lives, the welfare of those hurting or forgotten.
A time in your life when you remember being incredibly
discouraged – how did you get over that?
Well, there have been
many, and although there have been times or even seasons of fighting gut-wrenching
heartache or discouragement, I always consider what I’ve experienced in the
past that I’d been convinced was the end of all hope, yet came out stronger for
it. We’ve all walked through ugly terrain, self-induced and circumstantial, but
we’re still here, and that says a lot. We always have the choice to respond in
ways that move us forward in directions we want to go, even if there were
moments of reaction or pain that felt like they’d wipe us out.
Advice you would give someone who is having a difficult time
sticking to a workout program.
You and the people
you impact are worth you being strong, confident and able. Just keep moving
forward. This isn’t do or die.
The biggest factors in being fit? Toning? Losing weight?
Maintaining?
Time and consistency.
If you’re doing things right, fueling your body with enough good food and nutrition,
staying active, sleeping 6-8 hours each night and saying no to more of the
things that don’t move you toward your goals, the results you’re after will
come, unless you give up or always ‘start over’. Don’t self-sabbatoge the
progress you make. Celebrate the seemingly small successes, over and over,
because they compound to create the big ones.
What is the key in remaining focused on goal setting and
getting results?
Remembering (and
realizing) you are the variable in your level of success. I hear people complain
about their situations- all the time. Rarely do I see people doing what it
takes to change them, or at least not for the long haul. It’s easy to get
impatient, or create unrealistic deadlines, so being transparent enough with
ourselves to recognize we are human, life happens, and things take time help to
avoid self-sabbatoge.
Knowing I’m here for
purposes bigger than just myself. Being adopted from South Korea, and having
been planted in my hometown of Kennewick, Washington into a family who loves me
unconditionally and getting to pursue and do what I love here in Orange County,
California is serious accountability to do more of what matters most. There
have been plenty of pitstops and lessons learned, but praise the Lord for mercy
and grace.
What is it you love most about what you do?
Being able to help
develop or strengthen a person’s confidence and ability to just feel and
function better. And if I can encourage someone to just keep moving forward and
become the person they’re designed to be, I’m grateful and encouraged to keep
doing what I do.
Sushi or tacos?
Why not both? I could
live off either.
Frozen yogurt or ice cream?
Frozen yogurt,
because I’m all about that soft serve with fun toppings like cookie dough balls
or strawberry mochi.
TOP beauty essentials you can’t go a day without on your
mark, get set go!
Facial moisturizer
and mascara, for sure. I’ve been loving Tarte mascara and bb cream for a few
years now; I’m a sensitive skin sort of gal, so I’m particular on what goes on
this face. I’m also all about that
coconut oil life for adding a little sleek and shine to hair.
Is there anything you have been afraid of but went after it
anyways?
Everything.
Seriously, fear can be one of those monsters that sneaks up on me at the most
ridiculous times, but, choosing fear is like telling your victories you don’t
really want them, and I want them.
Best day of your life?
I think this is a
toss-up between getting baptized in youth group and our wedding.
Favorite songs on workout playlist?
All things TobyMac.
Where do you think your fashion sense comes from?
I always get a good
laugh when someone says they like my ‘style’, because for as long as I
remember, my fashion sense has been non-existent. Maybe that’s why some people
appreciate it, or maybe they’re just being nice. Comfort and function are
really the only things I’m interested in, so throwing things together like
mis-matched patterns, awkward socks and bold shoes totally works for me.
Top three fashion must haves?
Loose fitting tops, comfortable
leggings, and headbands.
There are some really cute work out lines, which are your
favorites to wear?
My current favorites
all come from Iron Lily, since it each piece is so performance based – there’s
just something about really high quality clothing you can move and sweat in.
You can also use my code, “KELSEY20” for twenty percent off.
Final words of wisdom?
Do more of what
matters most, and less of the things that don’t. Time is life, so spend it
well.
To read more inspirational articles, check us out on fashionedmagazine.com or read other issues at issue.com/fashionedmagazine
Remember, you are amazing, so be good to you...because you ARE worth it!
With love!
Fashioned Magazine
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