Forever Fit

No one can accuse Tosca Reno of going Hollywood. Although the busy mom of five is known globally as a bestselling author, fitness model and columnist for Oxygen magazine, she remains grounded through family and by remembering her start on the pathway to success.

“My day-to-day life was a struggle,” says Reno, about being her heaviest weight about 10 years ago. “I was 203 pounds and not even pregnant at the time. Even walking up the stairs was a hassle. I felt much older than my actual age.”

But Reno ended up relieving more than her problems with weight. In 2000, life had gotten fairly complicated, she remembers.

“I was recently divorced with three children to support and no income of my own,” says Reno, about making the hard decision to leave her first husband of 17 years. She has two stepchildren with her now husband, publisher Robert Kennedy.

From then on, Reno continued making life changes — big and small — that would affect her life in a positive way. She reached for all of these accomplishments after turning 40.

After the separation, Reno returned to school as a mature student at the University of Toronto to earn her teaching degree.  She also holds a bachelor’s degree in science from Queen’s University in Kingston. However, the transformation was still incomplete. Reno decided then it was time to discard the extra weight she’d been carrying and she purchased a gym membership. When she stepped on the scale a few months later, the former stay-at-home mom couldn’t believe her eyes. The numbers showed Reno was 70 pounds lighter.

The results proved to be beneficial both physically and mentally. Reno will never forget visiting her family doctor for her yearly checkup after slimming down, and bringing up her life-altering decision to get out of her first marriage.

“Let me write you a prescription for anti-depressants, Tosca,” the doctor said. “Most women going through what you’re going through need something to help them.”

Reno recorded this moment in her first book, The Eat Clean Diet, which also includes her own weight loss story.

Today, years later, she stands by her initial reaction.

“I didn’t accept depression medication from my doctor because I knew it wouldn’t solve anything. It may have masked my problems, but they would still be there,” says Reno. “I used the gym as an outlet for stress relief and the endorphins I got from intense cardio sessions made me feel a million times better. I knew that if I was strong enough to run on the treadmill for an hour, I was strong enough to do anything I set my mind to.”

Following the checkup, she entered her first physique contest at 42 and placed fifth in her class, unintimidated by her younger competitors. Apart from hard work and all of her training, she credits her current husband for his support. Nevertheless, while Reno was much slimmer, she says she was only a skinnier version of her former self. Her body-mind makeover was just getting underway, beginning with Reno learning the valuable lesson of eating well.

CLEAN EATING
Before adapting her more healthful lifestyle, Reno says her weight constantly fluctuated.

“I yo-yo dieted in my twenties and thirties, always losing and gaining the same weight,” says Reno. So, when she authored her first nutritional guide, in what would become the start of her Eating Clean series, she comments on how important it is to know that eating clean isn’t another fad diet.

Readers are actually encouraged to eat more foods, but balance is key. Emphasis is placed on complex carbs, lean protein and healthy fats. In other words, it is eating as nature intended, says Reno.

“Eating clean has changed my life; I feel (and look) better now than when I was in my twenties,” says Reno. “I feel like I’m in control of the way I look and feel, and trust me, if I can do it, so can anyone.”

The book and Reno’s personal journey hooked many readers and soon after its publication, The Eat Clean Diet sold more than a million copies. Today, it has turned into a 10-part series.

Reno agrees that changing one’s lifestyle can be difficult, but even slight progress is a lot of motivation to continue.

“I would tell anyone to Eat Clean for a few months and see if they notice a difference — in their energy levels, the way their skin looks, how bright their eyes are, and, of course, how loose their pants have become.”
A typical day on Reno’s eating plan, for example, might begin with a warm bowl of oatmeal, or toast and egg whites with fruit on the side; a chicken wrap and chopped vegetables for lunch; and a lean cut of steak with salad for dinner. Two snacks a day are also allowed.

“Once you have the basic principles down you can throw together quick meals in no time at all. Healthy eating is second nature to me now,” says Reno.

EXERCISE AND STRENGTH TRAINING
Many of Reno’s fans are surprised to learn the fitnessista doesn’t spend hours upon hours in a gym, she says.
“The truth is, I’m a busy woman — like many other adults out there. I have a demanding job, a husband, children, pets, an aging parent… the list goes on,” says Reno. “I make sure to make every second of my gym time count. I’m in and out in under 45 minutes so I can get on with the rest of my day.”

Her current workout schedule consists of weight-lifting three to six days a week, depending on how she chooses to split her routine. At the moment, Reno says, she’s training for a half marathon, so the need to fit in longer cardio workouts is essential.

Whenever she makes an appearance at her home gym, some of her favourite strength training moves include exercises that work the butt and thighs, like squats, lunges and cable kickbacks. “Exercises that target these large muscles are very effective for fat burning,” she says.

On days where she isn’t her best or may find it challenging to continue (just like everyone else), Reno reminds herself she’s never regretted a workout.

“There are times when I’m busy or just don’t feel like getting in the gym, but I tell myself it will be worth it when I’m finished,” says Reno. “I usually work out first thing in the morning — that way I don’t have a chance to talk myself out of anything later on in the day.”

GETTING FAMILY MEMBERS ON BOARD
Family always comes first, says Reno. As a mother, she can relate to other moms who may experience difficulties with picky eaters but want to instill the values of Clean Eating in their families.

“My family resisted at first, but after they saw and felt the changes it made in their bodies, they were hooked,” says Reno. “Family members can be hesitant to jump on board if they feel they are going to be deprived of foods they are used to or their favourite treats. I explained to my kids that changes were about to occur but I got them involved.”

To help with the transition, Reno adds she takes her children shopping and lets them assist her in picking out new, exciting foods: “I asked for input when it came to choosing a dinner vegetable.” And don’t forget you can take your family’s favourites and make healthier versions, says Reno.

“If your husband likes steak and potatoes, make them but follow the portion guidelines. If your kids want muffins or cookies, bake them up but use Clean ingredients. My family knew that I wanted to become a better person and they’ve always been supportive of my new lifestyle,” says Reno.

AGE AND FITNESS
To Reno, you are as young as you feel. Over her career, she says she’s found that most age barriers people face are psychological.

“I know now that it’s never too late to make healthy changes and change the way your body looks,” says Reno. “If you are in your thirties, fourties, fifties, sixties… even your eighties or nineties, you can improve your life.”


Yes, You Can!
Tosca’s Top Five Strength Training Motivations

1) You’ll feel stronger (and you’ll actually be stronger!). Strength training and confidence go hand in hand.

2) Muscle burns fat! This means the more muscle you have, the more calories you burn, which means that you can enjoy more of the foods you like (within reason) without worrying about your waistline.

3) Weight training brings results you can actually see. After you spend a few months hitting the gym regularly, you’ll start to see definition in your arms, abs and legs. That’s definite motivation to keep going!

4) Challenge yourself! Women often put limits on the amount of weight they lift because they think if they lift heavy they’ll end up looking like Arnold Schwarzenegger. Believe me, this is not the case! With very few exceptions, women have a hard time building muscle. Going heavy in the weight room will just give you those shapely, defined muscles you’re looking for. Besides, doesn’t it feel great to shock the guys with how strong you are?

5) Make time stand still. Weight training not only makes you stronger, it also helps you stay youthful and mobile as you get older. Strength training increases bone mass, which decreases the possibility of
osteoporosis. •