Thursday, October 30, 2014

I Am Still On My Journey

Where has the time gone?

As 2014 nears it's end, I am now thinking, "it's been a full year of training" at a gym.  At the beginning of this year, I met with my Personal Trainer and we discussed our plan of action for this year. We didn't consider the whole year, but just six months at a time.  It makes it much less ominous to take baby steps to get results.  Well, I'm afraid I have disappointed my Trainer as he suggested where I should be by June, and here it is November and I am still no further along. 
No, I am not blaming my Trainer.  He's been nothing but kind and patient.  The frustration lies with me.  As patient as I am as a Realtor, I have little patience for myself.  So, what do I do...I drive my body harder when I'm working out on my own to the point where it's not my mind that tells me to stop, but actually my body stops. 

When I started a year and a half ago, the purpose of this process was to lose weight (like everyone else) and to get physically fit (like everyone else).  I have learned much along the way.  The biggest lesson was 'commitment'.  I became motivated when I found the trainer that would help me.  He has forced me to maintain a positive mindset over my plateaus (of which there have been many and this last one I haven't been able to get past yet).  He adjusts my routines to keep me motivated and to build momentum.  That was the key.  Someone was there to make sure that I am motivated  at every step of the way.  I have stopped getting frazzeled over things that I cannot control.  I have learned that it's not a matter of time "IF" I screw up, but when.  I'm not perfect.  I have never claimed to be.  I have a lot of bad weeks (even more bad days).  It's how I have overcome some of those 'bad' issues.  I have a long way to go.  It's all those years of trying to be perfect and not succeeding that I have to overcome.  The idea is to not give up.  Understand that we will stumble, to get up...dust yourself off and focus on what we did right and continue on.

I remember the first day I walked through those doors at Life Time Athletic in Mississauga and was faced with a facility that truly believes in physical fitness for the WHOLE family.  I know the look on the faces of those who are lost in the weight training areas and then moving around the club and watching what others are doing (some know what they're doing; others are just winging it).  It's the look of fear because they don't know who to ask, what questions to ask, and then at the same time wondering if anyone else is feeling the same.  My biggest hurdle was mental, not so much physical.  Yes, there are "watchers" in this gym too.  Those who want to watch and learn while training is being done to someone and not sign up to learn and get a lesson on their own.  It is their loss because there is nothing like getting a few lessons to make sure that you are not going to hurt yourself.

I used every excuse: I felt I needed to get into shape before I started with a Personal Trainer because I didn't want to be judged; I had failed in the past and why was this going to be any different; I didn't enjoy working out; I might as well do it on my own.  All of these were EXCUSES.  I found out you have to connect with the trainer that you can get along with.  Not one that will let you get away with nonsense.  If you start out with someone and you don't get some results that you are looking for, for heavens sakes...change trainers.  There are plenty to go around.  It took me a while before I found one on my own.  I assessed him for months to see how he worked, watched his attitude, and what kind of results was he getting.  I was too new at the gym to ask anyone because we were all new and we didn't know any better.

My biggest lesson - I can't do it on my own.  I needed someone to teach me the proper techniques for the machines and the weights.  Also, there are plenty of machines that are there to fill space to make things easy.  If it's really that easy, why do you not see trainers using them with their clients?  Makes you think.

Since the last time I shared my journey, there hasn't been much change except to my attitude.  I stopped 'discussing/negotiating' what exercise I will, or will not, try.  Well, not so much anyway!  There are still exercises that I, stubbornly, will not do.  My Trainer has been professional enough and has worked with me long enough to know when not to push me.  He doesn't give up and he doesn't let me give up either.  I would like to add to the administrative staff at Life Time Athletic in Mississauga...you are very fortunate to have a Personal Trainer such as Alwin Mascoll on your staff and I feel privileged to have found someone that truly does care on the success of each and every one of his clients.

Where do I go from here?  Well, I think I just keep working at what I'm doing trying to perfect what I set out to do on Day 1 a year and a half ago.  I think it will be time for a pow-wow with my Personal Trainer, Alwin (I think I've known him long enough and you have probably heard me speak of him often) to get his thoughts (possibly in the New Year to start the year out fresh).  We discuss a lot of things while I'm training and he is constantly throwing something new into the mix so that I don't get into a rut. 

If you see me at Life Time Athletics, feel free to say "Hi"!  If I'm working out, I will apologize in advance for not stopping.  I will nod and give you a smile.  You will have to be patient and wait until I'm done what I'm doing.  I would love to hear your story and how you are doing.  I have seen a few that have started working with a trainer and I have noticed some fantastic results.  Keep up the good work.  It's so great to see success.  Thank you to those Trainers who actually do care about their clients.

I continue to wish all of you luck with your journey.  It certainly has not been as easy as everyone thinks it is.  But, if I can persevere, so can you!!!  DON'T GIVE UP!!!!  No more excuses!!!  If you truly want to change how you look and how you feel, then do something...anything.  Don't take on more than you can as this can sabotage what you are trying to achieve...hire a Professional Trainer...this is what they do!  It doesn't matter what other people think how you look, get past it!!!  You will be smiling and enjoying yourself before you know it!  I still try to blend into the woodwork and not stand out in the crowd.  But this is MY choice.

Again, this is just for something different.  I'm not just a Realtor, but I do enjoy life outside my job.

Until next time...

Betty
416 427 1875