How René Transformed His Life With Runtastic Results

My name is René Giretzlehner, I am one of four founders of Runtastic and I am really proud to say, honestly and wholeheartedly, that the Runtastic Results app changed my life. At the beginning of 2015, we started working on this concept for a new bodyweight training app and the first draft was rolled out to the entire company for internal testing. My initial thought was that I just wanted to take the chance and try to change my body using the Results training plan. I wanted to see if this product we were going to launch actually worked and I wanted to see how far I could come.

I wasn’t really what you would describe as “fat,” but I was definitely out of shape and had some extra pounds on my belly, hips and chest. I worked a lot, I still work a lot, but with Results I found the time and made the time to completely transform my mindset and my body.

Of course, I was really motivated at the beginning of the 12 weeks, we all were, but it became really apparent that I was going to have to figure out ways to get rid of excuses and form some solid habits that would keep me going strong for 3 months. One of the things that helped me the most was working out in a group with my colleagues and my friends. When you have extra people around you encouraging you and getting through the same type of workout, it makes a huge difference. I took it upon myself to organize groups and to get others together so that I wouldn’t have any excuse not to get out of bed to do my workout. I created my own accountability and pressure because I really wanted to succeed.

Another thing I did was create “new” free time by waking up 2 hours earlier in the morning to do my workouts. Instead of waking up at 7:00 or 7:30, I would wake up, and still do, at 5:00 or 5:30 to create time. This worked out really well and was a great start into my day. Yes, there were mornings when it was cold and dark outside and all I wanted to do was stay in bed – but I didn’t.

“I knew that if I stopped my routine and my habits, it would be really hard to get back at it.”

The workouts were really intense. They pushed me to my limits but they aren’t very long. The best part was when I started to see changes in my body. My weight went down, I had much more endurance, I started to see some muscle definition and that made me really motivated and really happy. In addition, my girlfriend (now my wife) started to notice changes in my body and so did my friends and family!

“The great thing about seeing and feeling results is that it motivates you to do more.”

Although I had been biking to work for years, I now started running more in addition to my training – I felt incredible. I also changed my eating habits a little bit. Nothing crazy: more fruits, vegetables and protein, less fat, fewer processed foods and considerably fewer sweets!
After the 12-week plan was over, I didn’t even think about stopping my training. I started with the Standalone Workouts and completed every single one of them. Here are some other things I am really proud of accomplishing as well:

• • • I signed up for the Red Bull 400, a 400 meter sprint up a ski jumping hill, three months before the race and placed in the top 30%!! I joined the Runtastic Running Team, an internal group with a running trainer, and improved my running technique so I started to enjoy running.

• • • • I did the Linz Business Run (a 5.4km race) at a pace of 3:59 min/km, which was my best pace ever! Honestly, my goal was to beat my other co-founders and that I did. 🙂
      • In March 2015 my resting heart rate was 55 bpm and in September 2015 my resting heart rate dropped to 39 bpm.
      • I can run 8-10 km at a 4:40 pace on a route that includes uphill!

Now, when I look in the mirror, I see a person who achieved something I never could have expected. I see tons of hard work and self-discipline. I see someone who did not, and will not, give up. I fit into “normal” clothes now and I don’t have to worry about the material of the shirt being too thin because of my big belly and chest. I can see some abs coming through and some muscles in my shoulders and arms which is really cool. My body fat percentage is still going down little by little and that also makes me really happy. I feel in shape and I feel strong! Working out, especially in the morning, changed my whole life. I have learned to live a balanced lifestyle by making time for regular workouts, eating healthy and also enjoying some not-so-healthy treats in between.

Since I started working out, words like headache or backache are a thing of the past. My biggest advice to anyone reading this is that you really can achieve things you never expected if you stick with it and work hard! If I did it, you can too.

Sincerely,
René

Runtastic Results. Time for a transformation!
#Runtastic #RuntasticResults

Want to see how bodyweight training works for yourself? Download the free app now.

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