I am actually paying someone to cause me great pain and suffering. I never thought of myself as a masochist, until now. I hired a personal trainer. I have always scoffed when I have heard of people hiring a personal trainer, but after my first couple of sessions I understand why.
I’m certainly not incapable of going to the gym, hitting the weights and “feeling the burn.” After 11 years of marriage, 5 years of parenthood I had achieved the perfect state of physical coma. In January I started working out and a diet of sorts. I have shed 20 pounds and was feeling better physically after each workout. I found that I had plateaued on the weight loss. Last Monday I received a call from Jeannie at my gym asking to schedule a time to sit down and go over my goals. I agreed and set up the appointment. I figured if nothing else I can figure out what I could be doing better.
After doing a BMI we determined that I need to lose 11 pounds. Calculated my desired heart rate during cardio and discussed my current versus correct eating habits. The fun began after all that.
I am the first to admit that I have become a fat, lazy son of a bitch, but I had no idea just how bad I was until I started training with Jeannie. Had I just been going to the gym on my own I would never have pushed myself to the level that Jeannie does. Right now I feel an exquisite pain that will surely be doubled or tripled by Monday evening.
She worked muscle groups that have been in a vegetative state for years. I kept looking to the next station to give me a sign that I wasn’t in the awful shape I knew I was in. I was of course disappointed. I’m there watching men and women do reps with weights that I might be able to lift once. It was demoralizing with the exception of the fact that Jeannie kept me focused on the workout, not my surroundings and that allowed me to complete the workout. It seems simple; she keeps me talking, thinking about anything except how much I hurt and how pathetic the weights I’m lifting look in comparison to everyone else there.
I recommend the personal trainer if you really want to get fit, but aren’t sure how to get there. Joining a gym is a good start and you can get in better shape, but the personal trainer makes you keep your commitment to going to the gym (since you’re charged whether you go or not), designs a workout and tracks your progress for you, and keeps you focused on the goal. Jeannie rocks and I recommend her highly.
With that I need to go take my 800mg ibuprofen, ice my abs and eat a healthy lunch. I have already gone in and done my cardio for the day, so my next session in Monday, wish me luck!
-David Wagner is motivated by health, happiness and a small brunette that insults his flabbiness at every opportunity.