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DEL.ICIO.USIt’s beyond me
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
One of the greatest things about working out with a trainer is that you show up, you do what he or she says, you work hard, and then you go home.
I’m not trying to be glib, but I have been thankful for the fact that my trainer is the one who has studied about fitness, muscle-building, nutrition and the like. So I don’t have to. Believe me, I have enough on my plate as it is right now with learning new things at work, taking care of my family, being involved in church life, etc.
One reason I never really knew what to do with weights was that I didn’t have time to study it as closely as one needs to. Which muscle groups do I need to work, and which exercises work them? How often? How many reps? Etc., etc. It reminds me of how half the battle with eating right is the knowledge and planning part.
You have to know what you need to eat to support your efforts, you have to plan what you’re going to have, and you have to shop for those items in advance so you’ll have them when it’s time to eat! Would you agree that half the battle is just “getting ready” … educating yourself and getting your enviornment in good working order?
Anyway, back to my original point. Kelly (my trainer) has dozens of wonderful resistance exercises already planned out for me — what day I’m going to do what, how many reps, etc. He also goes with the flow, though, and if I am not working as hard as he’d planned — I guess he can tell by the grimaces and the groans(!) — he won’t hesitate to bump up the weight a little! I don’t have to think about any of it. Now if I were to ask him “What are we doing, and why?” he’d be more than happy to tell me. It’s not that all of this is a big “mystery.” It’s just that I’m thankful that, for now, it’s not something I have to really think about.
My progress is steady, and I can definitely see that I’m doing MORE with the weight training — I’m getting stronger! I’m doing cardio longer/harder than ever before as well. I’m very thankful for this opportunity, and I don’t plan on wasting it!
Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment | Categories: Jennifer
Comments
By Lorene Pilcher
March 21, 2007 2:15 PM | Link to this
Dear Jennifer,
Your comments were very helpful to me. I have always felt a little afraid of having a trainer. I was afraid I would embarrass myself because I am so out of shape. You have given me the courage to try it; and goodness knows, I need to. I didn’t know a trainer would help with your diet, too. I can’t wait to get started after reading your comments. Thank you very much.
Lorene
By Kristi
March 21, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this
Jennifer — thanks for the encouragement! I was just at the gym myself today, thankful that a trainer here at work had told me what arm exercises I should do — because otherwise, I would really have had no clue. I mean, everyone knows how to do a bicep curl, but I have a program now to target different areas, and I didn’t have to dream them up myself. However, I think people CAN learn if they don’t have the good fortune of a trainer… I do like doing it mindlessly, though — just like you! Keep up the GREAT work!!!
Kristi
By Gayle
March 22, 2007 10:39 AM | Link to this
Hi Jennifer, You are so right. I started with a trainer last summer but stopped before Thanksgiving because my schedule got so hectic. I realize now that my hectic schedule is an excuse and I need to get back on track with my trainer. Even though I tried to do some of the exercises on my own, I didn’t know what I was doing so I quickly quit trying. Also, I want to look and feel just as good as you will!!! I’m calling my trainer today!
By Laura Kay
March 23, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this
Jennifer, sounds like you and Kelly are a great team! Keep it up!