Finding the Breakthrough Moment

by Casey Rowley

élite Magazine got a chance to talk to Rachel Cosgrove about her life, her new book and her undivided dedication to fitness.  As co-founder of Results Fitness and now author, Rachel Cosgrove has changed the lives of many with her fitness programs and inspiring outlook.
Q: What inspired you to write the book?
A:  Honestly, my husband, Alwyn Cosgrove wrote a book with another male author, Lou Schuler, the title was The New Rules of Lifting for Women.  I had so many women email me with questions about the book, some even thought I had written it!  That’s when I realized that there was no resource out there giving women real advice from a woman on how to change her body.  My husband’s book is really great, full of good information but it was written by a man.  Women want to hear it from a woman.
From there I put together my proposal and as I started to write, I realized how much I had to share including my own personal story of my struggles with my weight and body image, including an eating disorder (this book is the first time I share everything).  I also feature stories from clients whose lives have been changed just by following the principles laid out in the book. It is full of inspiring stories together with before and after pictures.  My clients inspire me and in fact while writing the book I was in the gym training a group of women to give me further inspiration.
My niece who I dedicated the book to also inspired me.  My niece was born with cerebral palsy.  This never gets in her way of accomplishing what she wants and as she grows up I want to inspire her to be a fit female and overcome any challenges that come her way.  She reminds me that none of us have an excuse.
Q: Can you describe your book and what readers can expect?
A: Along with numerous real life stories to inspire women, I also have real world advice of exactly what we have used in our gym over and over to get results. Included in the book:
A 16-week exercise program including strength workouts and metabolic workouts along with complete exercise descriptions and pictures.
A 16-week nutrition plan including a grocery list and detailed advice to go from the basic nutrition rules to dialing it in for an event.
Mindset strategies to keep women focused including every trigger I have used with clients giving them the tools they need to be successful.
As I started to write the book I decided to share everything. I hope my story, a client’s story or something in the book resonates with as many women as possible to finally give them answers to what works to have long lasting changes with their body.  Every trick I have used with my clients is covered.  I even talk about “that time of the month” and how to make the most of it.
Q: Do you have a message for your readers?
A:  Yes, women for so long have approached exercise with an attitude of what they “can’t” do.  “I can’t do a push up, I’ll do girl push ups.  I can’t do chin ups, I’m a girl. I can’t lift too heavy of weights, I might hurt myself.”  Can’t, can’t, can’t….we have been conditioned in our subconscious our entire lives to think about what we can’t do instead of “What we can do?” I hope this book inspires women to start to approach their workouts with an attitude of – what can I do?  And also helps to end the negative dialogue so many women have in their heads daily.  I want to give women what they need to finally feel good about themselves, feel confident and ready to conquer anything including a new pair of seven’s two sizes smaller…
Q: How did you get into fitness?
A: I grew up going to dance class and started to go to the gym with my dad in an effort to try to get a “dancers body.”  I never had a dancer’s body—my legs are short, I tend to carry more muscle and had a dance teacher tell me I am a great dancer but I need to get more of a dancer’s body.  I began my quest to become what I describe as a fit female in my book.  It has taken me a lifetime to figure it out but since then I have been working out, trying different crazy diets, reading books and magazines.  I started with aerobics, even taught aerobics for a while.  Then I found strength training.  I have also trained for endurance events including an Ironman.  I have always been active and I have to thank my dad for introducing me to the gym at a young age.
Q: What is your favorite part of your job?
A: Seeing one of my clients have what I call a “breakthrough moment.”  It is that moment when a woman realizes she can do anything she sets her mind to and that she is capable of becoming the fit, confident women she wants to be.  I have seen this breakthrough moment when a client does an exercise they couldn’t do before, maybe their first push up or chin up.  I have also seen this moment when a client can fasten their jeans that they couldn’t even get over their hips 12 weeks earlier, and I have seen this breakthrough moment when a client receives a compliment from someone on their body or how they look and it gives them that boost. Watching a client start on their journey and then accomplish the goal they set out to accomplish is why I do what I do.  These breakthrough moments are what I live for.
Q: What is the importance of staying healthy and in shape?
A: Staying healthy and in shape allows you to live every day to the fullest and enjoy every experience.  Life is too short to not look and feel your absolute best everyday.  Why go through life feeling frumpy and down on yourself?  In addition to the confidence and having the energy and vitality to enjoy life being healthy and in shape also decreases your risk of many diseases including osteoporosis, heart disease and even some types of cancer have been shown to have a reduced risk in those who exercise.  Not only that but being fit will reduce your risk of getting injured and enable you to function better in life, feeling strong and able to do your daily activities with ease.
Q: Any other questions or comments you would like to add?
A: I hope the book inspires many women to take action and become confident fit females.  One little secret that all of the clients in my book had was that they had a coach to keep them accountable.  When you pick up your copy of the book go to www.thefemalebodybreakthrough.com to get free video coaching with me to have your own coach.  I have three months worth of video coaching to get you started on your journey to become a fit female completely free.  In addition, if you are not the type to follow through on your own please take advantage of the resources we have.  Our gym, Results Fitness is located on Walnut Street in Newhall and is the fit female laboratory.  We offer a trial membership for 21 days for only $49, visit www.results-fitness.com.  See you in the gym!