
After a wake-up call from her doctor, iFIT member Tiffanie Kessler chose to make her health a priority. Beginning her fitness journey with iFIT, she discovered a new love for running and a “don’t get dead” spirit that has changed her life. Here is Tiffanie’s story!

Sometimes, we think we're living life, but we're only living a version that we've lied to ourselves about and claim that it is living. About a year ago, my health was declining. I had high blood pressure, severe type 2 diabetes, and was taking insulin and other medications. My diabetes was very scary and out of hand. Going to the doctor that February was a wake-up call for me. I was 35 and very overweight. I have two children, and I became scared that I was going to die young. I had to make a lifestyle change or face the fact that my habits were slowly and surely killing me.
I changed my eating habits, and then I bought the NordicTrack 2950 treadmill. My husband didn't want to, and, to be honest, I wasn't sure I would even use it. We bought it, and it came with a year of iFIT. I tried out the treadmill, and it had a cool track feature, which was fun. I had no idea that my whole world and how I viewed fitness was about to be revolutionized.
iFIT changed my life. I love working out, and I feel free running. I love the challenge, the burn in my legs, and the feeling of accomplishment at the end of a workout.
Once I activated my iFIT membership, I searched for beginner workouts. I found iFIT Trainer Tommy Rivs Puzey's Iberian Beginner Running Series. Before this, if you asked me if I exercised, I would have asked you if you were crazy. I had never run a day in my life, and if you did happen to see me running, you should drop whatever you’re doing and run, too, because something would have been chasing me.
Someone once said you’ll never realize how long a minute is until you run for a minute. My goodness—they were correct! When I first started the workout series, running for 30 seconds was so hard. I was out of breath and hurting for that minute or so of walking between running intervals. Over the next month, I put in work with Tommy. I completed many of his interval running workouts back to back. I also picked up iFIT Trainer Ashley Paulson and finished some of her hiking workout series. I spent a long time repeating the same workouts because I knew my body wasn't ready for longer periods.

Then, one day, it was like a light went off. I was ready. I pushed to the next interval. Each time I succeeded, it was like running through the winner's ribbon at a race. I kept going and going. When I first started Tommy's series, I thought he was crazy to say that I would be able to run straight for 30 minutes. I said, “No way, not me, but hey...I'll do what I can.” Slowly, my mindset changed because of iFIT. I made it through his series, and I could run for longer than 30 minutes. I eventually became brave enough to run in the gyms of hotels we visited in front of people! I ran in our neighborhood and on the trails around where we live. It became part of my everyday life.
I love Tommy's workout series, and I've continued through the Swiss Alps Summit Series, the Costa Rica 5K Training Series, the 10K Training Series Part 1, and now I'm on the 10K Training Series Part 2. I've seen my running and fitness levels change! I can run up inclines and now have growth goals of doing it faster and increasing my speed. I've completed my first 5K races and even finished a variety of 10Ks. I hike almost every weekend now because of Tommy and Ashley. Heck, I even made my husband do yoga workouts with me!
I literally sit here with tears in my eyes because I don't know if this would have happened without iFIT. I can't believe what I CAN DO. Any time I see my friends or others online talking about fitness and looking for recommendations, I'm always first to jump in and tell them about iFIT. I always suggest the Iberian Beginner Running Series and share my journey to a healthier me. I'm continuing with my journey, and I look forward to it because my family is alongside me. We hike together, sweat together, and love fiercely. We explore our area whenever we can. We're happier and healthier.

I am happy to say that I don't worry about dying young. My doctor was so surprised by the major improvements in my blood sugar. There is no more insulin, once-a-week shots, or metformin. Thanks to Tommy, the number one rule is “don't get dead” and to treat others with kindness. Mindset is everything, and thanks to iFIT and its incredible trainers, my life has been transformed!
Tommy Rivs Puzey.
Iberian Beginner Running Series with iFIT Trainer Tommy Rivs Puzey.
I joined iFIT in June 2020 with the NordicTrack 2950 treadmill.
The motto that I’ve come to acknowledge is, “I can and I will!” If I’m not being challenged, I’m not changing anything. I’ve taken these philosophies from iFIT Trainers and applied them in everyday life, especially when working with my school’s running club and encouraging students to run for longer distances!
Disclaimer: This blog post is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional. The above information should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Please consult your doctor before making any changes to your diet, sleep methods, daily activity, or fitness routine. iFIT assumes no responsibility for any personal injury or damage sustained by any recommendations, opinions, or advice given in this article. Always follow the safety precautions included in the owner’s manual of your fitness equipment.
Opinions of iFIT members are not necessarily the opinions of iFIT.
We’ve reached the final stretch in iFIT’s Finish Strong journey, a three-month commitment to staying active, motivated, and focused through the end of the year. You’ve built your consistency, and now it’s time for the grand finale: the Dash to the Finish Challenge.This month is all about pushing to the finish line while celebrating how far you’ve come. Embrace the season, whether you’re walking through the holiday markets in Germany or feeling the Jingle Bell Burn in the iFIT Studio.It’s time to finish strong!Complete the workouts from your selected Challenge level by December 31, 2025 and you’ll earn this digital reward for your Trophy Case. Here are this month’s Challenges:Treadmill and elliptical workoutsWalking and Running: Finish strong this month with walks and runs! You’ll explore the famous holiday markets in Germany with Casey Gilbert, complete holiday-themed walks and runs in the iFIT Studio with Ashley Paulson, John Peel, Richard Biglia, Jesse Corbin, Pearl Fu, and Jonnie Gale, walk across a glacier in Argentina with John Peel, and wrap things up in Nepal with Ang Tshering Lama.Join the Dash to the Finish Challenge: Walk & RunCycling WorkoutsCycling: Cycle to the finish line this month! iFIT Trainer John Wessling will lead you through an interval ride and an endurance ride alongside a dog sled team in Alaska. Then, you’ll head to Colorado with iFIT Trainer Keith Gabel to explore the Devil’s Thumb Resort. Finally, iFIT Trainer Ashley McIvor will join you in Norway for a HIIT ride and strength ride that is sure to get you in the holiday spirit.Join the Dash to the Finish Challenge: CyclingRower WorkoutsRowing: iFIT Trainers Alex Gregory and Susan Francia will take you on an epic adventure this month! Join Alex in Wales for endurance and speed rowing workouts, then head to Canada for quick but effective training with Susan, focused on HIIT, power, and endurance.Join the Dash to the Finish Challenge: RowingStrength workoutsStrength: Build strength in the iFIT Studio and in Iceland this month! Catch the incredible dynamic duos of Hannah Eden and Paulo Barreto, John Peel and Ashley Paulson, and Hannah and Ashley, and a solo workout with Shannon Cooper for fun, holiday-themed workouts. iFIT Trainer Jonnie Gale will round things out with two strength-focused workouts in the stunning backdrop of Iceland.Join the Dash to the Finish Challenge: StrengthDisclaimer: The primary purpose of this blog post is to inform and entertain. Nothing on the post constitutes or is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Reliance on any information provided on the blog is solely at your own risk. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, and please consult your doctor or other health care provider before making any changes to your diet, sleep methods, daily activity, or fitness routine. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of information available on this blog. iFIT assumes no responsibility for any personal injury or damage sustained by any recommendations, opinions, or advice given in this article. Always follow the safety precautions included in the owner’s manual of your fitness equipment.
December 1, 2025