24 March, 2011

Delusions

5 min warm up
Stretch
60 min consistent cardio at a moderate to fast pace
2x 25 V sit twists
2x 25 neg. crunches
2x 10 ab presses
5 min cool down
Stretch

Yesterday I had a conversation with one of my clients that left me laughing. The gentleman, unhealthily hard on himself over some recent lack of motivation and deplorable eating habits, was all but ready to give up. He looked at me and said with starstruck wonder and admiration "I am so impressed with you and the way that you can always stay healthy, avoiding temptations and making the right health choices all of the time." I smiled, not altogether sure whether he was being serious or not. This man has only recently started working with me and clearly doesn't know me very well at all. For example, yesterdays lunch for me consisted of a hot dog from a street vendor that I threw down with a latte (whole milk) in about 30 seconds between appointments. It was the first time I had eaten for the day and it would be another 8 hours before I would eat again. Now don't get the wrong idea here, I do my best most days to eat clean, regular meals throughout the day and break at least a few sweats as well. But like most of the rest of you, I am human and sometimes it just doesn't work out.

This is true of most people in my profession. I was mind blown when I began as a trainer to find out that none of my contemporaries ever came to work without a hangover. At the time this was great news, as I was still drinking heavily and was lucky to make it to work sober. In one of the CE classes I sat in on recently the instructor stated that in a study it was discovered that 80 percent of fitness professionals suffered from an eating disorder and severe body dis-morphia. One look at "Trainer Barbie" who could use a sandwich or some jackass meat head with biceps whose diameter are larger than my waist, and I would have to say that I agree. It's a little disturbing to say the least. My best recommendation for anyone who feels like they are struggling to get it together physically is to keep trying and cut yourself a little slack when you misstep. We all get off track, even the damn guru's like Jillian Michaels. There was a period of about a year and a half that I couldn't bring myself to workout. I simply didn't care and getting back in the habit was hard. At some point along the way my self abuse over being a complete hypocrite was more painful than the idea of working out again and I got back on track. Remember that the next time you see a personal trainer that "must walk on water and avoid any and all temptation". It is only in your own delusion that anyone is more qualified or dedicated than you are capable of being and it probably isn't the random guy in the gym!

Have a Great Day!!!

J

2 comments:

  1. I've been looking at these for a while, but today's the first day I jumped in. Thanks so much for spending the time to do this! Derby love to you!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Here's to taking the first step! Glad I could be of some, albeit little help. Keep up the good work!

    ReplyDelete