Yesterday, I was not in a good place. I was frustrated from my lack of exercise (due to an ongoing respiratory illness, which unfortunately turned into pleurisy, lasting 6-8 weeks). Once I stopped purposefully exercising, I began eating more, then not caring what I looked like, then not even wanting to go for evening strolls with my husband and son (which I used to LOVE to do!) because I was tired and wanted ice cream! I began seeing my entire personality change: I was irritable, grumpy, blaming others for my weight gain, exhausted, low energy and just plain miserable.
So, last night, during one of my nightly "pouting sessions", I decided that I needed help. I called my local YMCA that I just recently joined and made an appointment for SIX AM this morning to meet with a personal trainer. The cost through a community-type fitness facility is typically cheaper than the large-chain gyms (it only cost $90 for 4 sessions with a personal trainer, compared to $90 for one session at a large gym!).
I am not looking for miracles, just someone else to hold me accountable to exercising until exercising becomes a natural habit and part of my regular lifestyle.
So, I went to bed very early last night, and woke up before even the sun was up this morning. I actually felt good at 6am when I arrived for my appointment (truthfully---I felt downright self-righteous, as though I was up before any other human being... ha ha).
I've got to tell you---this was the best $90 I've spent!
At 6am, I met with Dawn, who was wonderful. She was not too-perky at 6am, not dressed in all-cute matching teeny-weeny workout clothes. She was nice, approachable, and knowledgeable. I got "lucky" being paired with her, but this trainer-exerciser relationship is so important, it might be good to do some prior research and ask about the trainer profiles to find a good match.
We started with an equipment orientation, which I (ignorantly) said I did not need, as I "know how the machines work". Well, the equipment orientation was more than that---we went through a 30-minute circuit with the top 9 machines I should use with limited time to exercise and hit all the major muscle groups. We wrote down the machine numbers, how many "reps" and "sets" I need to do, as well as the starting weight on each machine. Next time I go, I will be able to go right to the machine, know the weight and settings, and not have to "think" about much more than getting through my 30 minutes.
Dawn then went over a few handouts with me, in order to learn more about my barriers to exercise, how to overcome those barriers, and what my ultimate goals are. I was able to talk about what my setbacks have been (both internal and external), and she actually cared about my previous attempts at working out, my current hectic life, and "brainstormed" with me on how to fit physical activity into my routine. It was wonderful to think out loud about how I can actually be successful in maintaining a new workout program.
We discussed my barriers that included: little/no time (external barrier), no motivation (internal barrier), lack of energy, and my not enjoying exercise in general. I further explained that if I workout in the evening (when I have more time), then I easily talk myself out of working out, and am exhausted from my day of chasing a toddler (why doesn't that count as exercise?!).
Our collective solution to try for 3 weeks: workout twice/week in the morning (6 am class, no less!), and then once on the weekend whenever I wake up. Dawn will be there Tuesday and Thursday mornings, so I am to say "hi" to her on my way to class, as a easy way to stay accountable to someone else. What a great idea! Then, on my Saturday workout, I can just come in for 30 minutes and go through my pre-determined machine workout. Additional evening walks I get in during the week with my hubby and son are bonus!
My motivation for working out in the wee hours are: my workout clothes are already set out from the night before, and are easier to put on then "real" clothes. I can't talk myself out of working out as easily at 6am, because I'm not alert enough to do any significant self-talking or re-negotiating with myself!. Hopefully, the rest of the day I will most likely eat better, be happier that I did something for myself...and eventually, will gain more energy. Dawn was helpful in telling me it will be difficult at first, but to stick with it and I will see these rewards. Those are very motivating factors for me, as well as the possibility of losing some extra pounds/inches!
So, I workout for the next 3 weeks (9 times total, sounds doable) on my own, and then check in with Dawn during week 4 for a second appointment. The accountability each day with her, as well as knowing I have another appointment to track my progress and tweak areas that need improvement, are the exact tools I need to help me on the path to wellness.
I'll keep you posted on my progress! Thanks for listening!
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Diane--since you are a member of the Y, the program I signed up for is called "12 Weeks to Fitness" which is actually free for members (and you meet with a personal trainer who will show you machines, discuss your personal fitness assessment, more of the "brainstorming" and problem-solving stuff and not a workout buddy).
I also paid for a personal trainer to go over my personal fitness assessments, and help me really get started. However, the 12 Weeks to Fitness may be right up your alley!
Tina---thanks for the kind words! I was already becoming unmotivated, and it is helpful to re-read my "cheery" post and your motivating words! :-) The personal trainer was not big into keeping journals, but at the Y, I have a folder with my workout schedule (planned and actual), which is where I write a summary of my exercise for that day that I achieved. The personal trainer checks it and will give me a call if I don't show up for a week! So, I guess I'm paying someone to harass me? ha ha!
oh--I didn't even think about telling her of my illness; I went to the doctor to make sure it was cleared, and I was deemed "OK" by him.
September 28, 2008 - 7:00pmThis Comment
Alison, I loved reading your post. I have been wondering what a personal training session would be like, and I too am a member of our YMCA, where they offer such sessions. I did not know that you could do one session, work out on your own for three weeks or a month, and then have another session; the people I know who have "personal trainers" seem to use them every time they go, as sort of a workout buddy (which is frightening to me -- I don't want someone watching me every second!) Your experience might help me get up the courage to call my own Y and check into it. Thank you!!
P.S. I also really appreciated your writing about the changes in your personality since you stopped exercising. Isn't it amazing what it does for us when we don't even realize it? I need to remember that.
September 24, 2008 - 9:15amThis Comment
Not a lot seems to slow you down Alison. Despite not feeling so hot, you still had the motivation to see a personal trainer, write down your experiences and plan an exercise schedule. Awesome ... I have a few questions -- do you need to do anything differently after having a respiratory illness or pleurisy? Was that addressed in your meeting with the trainer?
Which classes are you taking at 6 a.m. (I'm dying to know what's motivating you to get up that early:)
And finally, is she requiring you to write down anything in a journal or keep track of your routine?
I know you'll meet all of your goals with flying colors -- and hope this is just the change you need to re-energize. Keep us updated on your progress.
September 23, 2008 - 8:01pmThis Comment