So it's the morning of...and would you believe I can't think of a single thing to write? What makes me laugh is that during my morning runs my head is swarming, I have a gazillion ideas, I'm swimming with inspiration, and then I sit down here, look at my computer, and nothing comes to me. I must be losing it.
It's not even 4:30 a.m. I get up at 4 a.m. every morning so I can have some quiet "me" time before the craziness of my day starts. Did you know that? That's when I update the recipe site. That's when I have my pre-cardio snack - which is usually an apple these days. I'll alternate between an apple and grapefruit. Today its a fuji apple - my favorite. Greg thinks I am absolutely crazy to get up so early, but I like the peacefulness of early mornings. It's important to me. Without it I feel like I am jumping into my day completely unprepared, and for me that is worse than being tired (which I usually am come 2 p.m.).
So maybe what I'll do is write about training...
Some of you may be trainers. Some might have trainers. Some may be considering hiring a trainer. I'm guessing all of you know trainers. Ever since I started going back to the gym 3 years ago, for the most part I have had a trainer (on and off). I remember the first day I "picked" my trainer. I've shared the story before. I literally PICKED LuAnn. I'd been eying her from the cardio room. She was female (check), confident (check), and she had buff arms (check). I felt like she must have known her stuff to look the way she did. So, I approached her specifically and asked her to train me.
Years before I'd gotten "stuck" with trainers. I was timid at the time and didn't dare ask questions. I usually got stuck with whomever was available - which meant someone barely out of school who really could care less about me. I was just more money in their pocket. I never felt a connection to my earlier trainers, and I really do feel that is so critical. When I'd finally made the decision to lose my weight once and for all, I knew I needed to have the "right" trainer. So, that's when I picked out LuAnn. I befriended her. She is the one who got me in to figure. She is the one who helped me believe in myself. She led by example, and most importantly, she cared, followed through, and became my friend.
Now let me tell you about another example.
I won't mention names.
I had another trainer once. This trainer was very well respected in the industry. I am a BIG believer on surrounding myself by those I admire and want to be like. Seek out the best.
Well, this person is one of the best, and many of my colleagues had used him, so I decided to.
Some of my friends who compete have amazing potential to go pro. Many of them want to. They work so hard developing their bodies that it's just a matter of time before they move on. Me? Not going to happen. Of course I would be silly to say I wouldn't want to. I would LOVE to, but I just don't have the right body "type" for it. I have a hard enough time putting on a small amount of muscle let alone have the right physique (meaning overall balance) for it. Regardless, if I am going to spend the money on a trainer, I am still going to seek out help from the best, even knowing I'm not one of the "typical" clients he's used to working with.
I knew he was tough. People had told me. He's rough around the edges. That's okay. I've dealt with that. I've worked with people in Marketing and Advertising for 18 years. I'm used to ALL types. I could handle him. But then not too long ago we had an exchange that I felt was completely inappropriate. Even I was hurt. I was stung. I never felt so inadequate. I won't share what was said, but I will tell you that I questioned why I was even in the sport of figure. I felt like a "poser". Like I was a pretender in the field. What was I doing? I wanted to give it all up and just go "pig out" somewhere. I mean it. I cried and cried. Did I mention this was all done via email?
I shared it with my husband. He was in disbelief. I shared it with a few close friends. They were in disbelief. I wanted someone to tell me that I read it wrong, but it was pretty cut and dry. He's just a very honest guy and he calls it as he sees it. It doesn't make it okay, but that's just the way he is.
So, I severed our partnership. As a woman and as a paying customer, I didn't feel like I should have to take it.
We have since mended our relationship. I shared my feelings - even though I thought when I did they would fall on deaf ears. Surprisingly they didn't. He "kind of" owned up to it and in his own way apologized. That was good enough for me, but the hurt feeling were still there. It will take me some time to get past that.
Why do I share this with you? It caused me to think about what kind of trainer do I want to be? I've thought about that a lot.
I may be a trainer that doesn't have near the experience that he does. That goes without saying. He has countless years of experience in the industry. He is proven time over. He has gotten amazing results. Me? I'm just starting out. My experience is me. I've been through it, I've learned a lot, and now I'm sharing that experience with others. Pretty shallow experience if you ask me. But, I will be the kind of trainer you can trust. Talk to. Vent to. Feel comfortable with. Bounce ideas off of. Ask questions. I might not have all the answers, but I at least want my friends, neighbors, family, and customers to ask. THAT'S the kind of trainer I'll be.
So, as you are at the gym working with your trainer or considering hiring one, be thinking about the type of trainer you want. Don't get stuck. You are paying good money. You deserve to have someone who cares about you, your progress, your enthusiasm, your desire to improve. Don't let the gym "stick" you with just anybody. And if you already have someone and are at all remotely dissatisfied, do something about it. Make a change. It's okay to do that. You don't owe anything to them. They are part of your success.
I've seen both sides. I've had great trainers and less than great trainers. I know what to expect. I know what I want, and I now know what kind of trainer and friend I want to be...
Good luck and Happy Training!!
jen.fit.training@gmail.com
