Why I hired a personal trainer
Because I’m a total wimp, that’s why! ha!
Not really. See, I had a bad year. Not really that bad, all things considered in the grand scheme of things - - but very stressful and somewhat trying - and I let my diet/fitness slip completely! From the end of 2006 until now - - I’ve written a book, dealt with a VERY challenging teenaged son (the details I will not go into - but I damn near lost my mind!) and a business that was booming faster than I could keep up with (it still is, but I’m in a better place now).
Once the book was done, I vowed that I would do whatever it takes to get myself back into shape again. A year ago, I weighed in at 170 (that’s after successfully dieting and losing 30lbs .. down from a high 200!). I completely sabatoged myself and let myself go and gain almost all that weight back. I started dieting two weeks ago and am happy to report that I’ve lost 7lbs so far - - wtih a 6 inch loss overall, as well.
What am I doing? No real program to speak of at all. After trying Nutrisystem, Herbalife and Jenny Craig in the past - I decided that I’m smart enough to develop my own program of dieting and watching what I eat. I didn’t need to throw my money away at these programs that give you food that just isn’t so palatable - - at least not to my sensisitve palate, that is.
I have grabbed some nice low fat, high protein, low carb recipes from various books and I cook every day. I make my own breakfast, lunch and dinner — and snacks! It does require a lot of food prep time most often… but it’s worth it. I also am making sure that I’m using only fresh ingredients..and have gotten into the habit of shopping for organic foods, and definitley NOTHING pre-processed. Zero fast food… lots of water and a daily multivitamin.
One thing that I did add to my daily regime is the Alli Weight-Loss Aid. It was actually a recommendation of a close friend of mine, who also happens to be a physician. Alli contains 60mg of Orlistat, which is the only over the counter, FDA approved weight loss aid. It works by blocking about 25% of your fat intake from absorbing into your system. Combined with an already low fat diet and exercise program - - it helps you lose about 15% of the weight than you normally would on a regular diet. The idea is this: if Alli helps by removing 25% of the fat intake from your diet (it just doesn’t get absorbed).. then when you excercise, instead of burning the easy fat from your diet - your body burns it’s own body fat reserves..helping you lose a little more weight.
It’s not a supplement that curbs the appetite.. and it doesn’t increase metabolism - as it doesn’t contain any appetite suppresants or any metabolism boosting supplements like Hoodia. Orlistat is actually a prescription med that doctors have been prescribing to very overweight patients for years. Alli is a lower dose than the prescription strength, and as such, has been approved by the FDA to sell over the counter.
I’ve been taking it three times a day with meals (just one small capsule) for almost three weeks now. I have lost 7lbs total, so far - and just recently started combining my low fat diet and Alli capsules with a moderate exercise program this past week.
Which brings me to the title of this post: Why did I hire a personal trainer?
To motivate me and to get me into a program that works for me. I purchased only 15 hours of time with the personal trainer. She, Luanne - the trainer - told me that after 15 hours, if I felt I needed more time, I could purchase more. But that after 15 hours, I should have myself into a pretty decent routine that I can follow myself and only consult with her occassionaly if I have a question.
So far, I’ve had three sessions with her - combining cardio with strength training and I work out about 3-4 hours a week, at this point (that’s 1 - 1.5 hours on Monday, Wed and Friday). I also have been doing some low-impact walking on the days in between my workouts with Luanne. My goal here is to not only lose pounds and inches.. but to tone up, as well.
The gym has a great system where everything is computerized using a system called FitLinxx. When I get to the gym, I login to the FitLinxx system and it tracks and records my cardio and strength training workouts. When I get home, I can also login and view my progress and keep track of what I’m doing. Here’s an example of my workout for the week of October 1 (no laughing!! This was my first week!):
In the report columns from left to right, it tells me:
- My visit date
- My fit points (these are points you recieve when you work out.. the higher your points, the higher your status at the gym…if you’re into that kind of thing..I’m not, really.)
- Total weight lifted - this combines all weight stations and every rep you do
- How may reps completed for weight lifting
- How many sets of weight lifting you completed
- How many minutes of cardio you completed
- How many calories your cardio exercise burned off (it does not track the calories burned for weight lifting, though - which is kindof a bummer. But, according to my Calorie King software - 30 minutes of weight lifiting on circuit weight machines burns about 265 calories..and I’ve been doing about 30 mins each time I go)
It’s a nice way to keep track of things — and I can review my progress with my trainer who will make recommendations and suggestions for additional exercise of change out my program if it’s not working for me after a few weeks. Luanne is also a nutritionist, so she’s making lots of recommendations for my diet and things that I can do during my days to take away the hunger pangs while still staying within my daily caloric intake needs - including protein, fats and carbs.
Some may thing that a trainer is a needless expense - - but considering my past year - I need all the positive affirmations and reinforcement that I can get. So far, I’m extremely motivated and feeling really good about the program that I’m on. Since I started working out - I’ve been feeling like a million bucks! (ok, maybe minus that muscle ache and burn I’m feeling when I get up in the morning these days lol
October 15th, 2007 at Monday, October 15, 2007 - 1:41PM
My gym also has the fitlynx and your article has inspired me to give it a try!
October 16th, 2007 at Tuesday, October 16, 2007 - 12:03AM
Giselle - the FitLinxx has really been helping me a lot with my workout program. I hope you give it a try, too - - it’s nice to be able to track the progress…if for no other reason than to say “I did it!”