This is not about football. Or hot tubs.
Walking home from work at Strong Gym Savannah this week (ask me how much I love love LOVE walking to work!!), I was happily inspired by a couple of seemingly mundane occurences.
Picture, if you will, Trainer Jane strolling southbound on one of the prettiest streets in the United States: Bull Street, Savannah, GA. (Get the street view on google maps, going south from 1321 Bull Street, the location of Strong Gym. Hint hint.) It's a sunny day, close to 90 degrees, but not humid for a very refreshing change.
Walking northbound on the opposite side of the street I see a young family. Man, woman, teenage girl, all in casual clothes, and three boys in football uniforms, complete with pads and carrying their helmets. (Oops, I lied, this is a little about football afterall.) The boys range from roughly 8 to 14 years old. They are laughing and talking on their way to Forsyth Park for football practice. I smile broadly and watch them for about a block. It's always terrific to me to see people walking from point A to point B. Especially when it's more than 20 steps.
Plenty of people walk around here because they can, there are sidewalks everywhere and the weather is pleasant 95 percent of the time. They have the option to drive but choose to live on their feet instead of inside a box with wheels. (I assume it is a choice. If they walk because they have to it remains a very beneficial thing to do.) It makes me smile that they have access to great recreation programs in walking distance. It makes me smile to see families enjoying their activities together, sharing time and experiences. It becomes apparent that I smile at the slightest thing, right?
Just as the northbound family across the street proceeds out of my peripheral vision, I see a young man approaching on my side of the street. A boy, really, a block away from me. He's about 11 or 12 years old, I guess. He's walking briskly. Then suddenly, he turns on the jets and starts sprinting toward and rapidly past me. It didn't look as though he was being chased or he was late or he was chasing anyone himself, he just looked focused on sprinting as fast as he could. And the first thing that popped into my head was, "What's he got to prove?"
Is he showing off his sprint for one of the football-kids across the street? Is he proving it to himself that he can launch that turbo charger on a dime and run faster than he felt like he did before? Is he wondering how winded he gets from sprinting the length of a city block? Is there a crowd cheering in his head for his performance as he crosses his imaginary finish line?
I must have looked like a grinning idiot to other folks on the street, but I just got so tickled for sprinter-boy. It's so fun to have the ability to turn on the jets whenever you feel like it and go flashing around under your own power! As you get older you have to work harder to maintain some percentage of that ability, but when you do the work the results feel almost as good as they did when you were a kid.
I hope football-family and sprinter-boy continue to have the good fortune that allows them the joy of movement, as well as reaping the benefits of movement itself. I also hope they inspire other parents and children by their examples.
Be Well!
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Ouchy. Yes, Trainers Get Injured Sometimes.
I would rather have, treat, and heal well from the injuries associated with my hyper-activity than face the chronic disease and pain which comes with a sedentary lifestyle.
Having said that, it stinks big-time that I can't run right now, smack in the middle of marathon training as one of the coaches of the C.R.E.W. program. I could run, but then I would be risking a much more traumatic injury, an achilles tendon tear or rupture, which would likely keep me from walking, working, and running for quite some time. Not worth the risk.
My local library is helping keep me sane, as I catch up on my long neglected reading list. Biking and pilates and lifting don't hurt, so meanwhile I can keep moving... but alas, it's just not the same.
I have had a slew of upper body, lower body, and back injuries in my career as a fitness professional. Ever tell you about the time I busted my tailbone taking snowboarding lessons? There's only so many times you can land on that same exact spot without breaking. Over time, though, I have gotten much, much better at taking my own advice in terms of listening to my body and incorporating appropriate rest periods into my work and my play. The support and treatment from some very open-minded, energetic, and talented doctors and health practitioners has been a tremendous benefit to healing and pacing myself. Let me thank Dr. Paul Lewandowski, Dr. Tim Maggs, Dr. Todd Titus, Dr. Mark Hyman, Sheila Fridholm LMT, Carl Braun LMT, and Georgia Decker ANP for their guidance.
When joint specific pain occurs, get to a doctor or a physical therapist and get it diagnosed. Period, end of story. When muscle pain lasts longer than a couple of days following vigorous activity, apply the P.R.I.C.E. treatment: Protection; Rest; Ice; Compression; and, Elevation. (In the presence of arthritis in a joint, ice usually feels awful and you may want to forgo it.) If P.R.I.C.E. doesn't work after a week or so, get to a doc or PT and get it diagnosed. If the symptoms are more like nerve pain than muscle pain, get to a doc or PT and get it diagnosed. How do you tell the difference between nerve pain and muscle pain? Nerve pain is usually more sharp, and may include tingling or numbness.
There are various combinations of stretching, stabilizing, and strengthening that can help treat and prevent injury. Athletic tape and kinesiotape can aid in keeping you moving and healing at the same time. Massage therapy, myofascial release, and trigger point therapy can reduce muscle tension, tissue inflammation, and pain. Then there's those good old over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications you know as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. Yes, they work. Should you rely on them long term? Talk to your doctor about it. I've read enough research about the liver and kidney problems associated with frequent, long term use of acetaminophen, aspirin, and ibuprofen that I would just as soon avoid them. But, gratefully, I don't live in pain every waking moment of every day.
Nor do I wish to. So I move as vigorously and as wisely as I can, with a liberal sprinkling of methodical, meditative activity. Because human bodies, inside and out, operate at their best when they are in motion most of the time. Not fidgeting or driving... but rather ambulating, pushing and pulling, dancing and reaching! See you on the roads before long, hopefully you'll recognize me, I'll be the one running.
Having said that, it stinks big-time that I can't run right now, smack in the middle of marathon training as one of the coaches of the C.R.E.W. program. I could run, but then I would be risking a much more traumatic injury, an achilles tendon tear or rupture, which would likely keep me from walking, working, and running for quite some time. Not worth the risk.
My local library is helping keep me sane, as I catch up on my long neglected reading list. Biking and pilates and lifting don't hurt, so meanwhile I can keep moving... but alas, it's just not the same.
I have had a slew of upper body, lower body, and back injuries in my career as a fitness professional. Ever tell you about the time I busted my tailbone taking snowboarding lessons? There's only so many times you can land on that same exact spot without breaking. Over time, though, I have gotten much, much better at taking my own advice in terms of listening to my body and incorporating appropriate rest periods into my work and my play. The support and treatment from some very open-minded, energetic, and talented doctors and health practitioners has been a tremendous benefit to healing and pacing myself. Let me thank Dr. Paul Lewandowski, Dr. Tim Maggs, Dr. Todd Titus, Dr. Mark Hyman, Sheila Fridholm LMT, Carl Braun LMT, and Georgia Decker ANP for their guidance.
When joint specific pain occurs, get to a doctor or a physical therapist and get it diagnosed. Period, end of story. When muscle pain lasts longer than a couple of days following vigorous activity, apply the P.R.I.C.E. treatment: Protection; Rest; Ice; Compression; and, Elevation. (In the presence of arthritis in a joint, ice usually feels awful and you may want to forgo it.) If P.R.I.C.E. doesn't work after a week or so, get to a doc or PT and get it diagnosed. If the symptoms are more like nerve pain than muscle pain, get to a doc or PT and get it diagnosed. How do you tell the difference between nerve pain and muscle pain? Nerve pain is usually more sharp, and may include tingling or numbness.
There are various combinations of stretching, stabilizing, and strengthening that can help treat and prevent injury. Athletic tape and kinesiotape can aid in keeping you moving and healing at the same time. Massage therapy, myofascial release, and trigger point therapy can reduce muscle tension, tissue inflammation, and pain. Then there's those good old over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications you know as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. Yes, they work. Should you rely on them long term? Talk to your doctor about it. I've read enough research about the liver and kidney problems associated with frequent, long term use of acetaminophen, aspirin, and ibuprofen that I would just as soon avoid them. But, gratefully, I don't live in pain every waking moment of every day.
Nor do I wish to. So I move as vigorously and as wisely as I can, with a liberal sprinkling of methodical, meditative activity. Because human bodies, inside and out, operate at their best when they are in motion most of the time. Not fidgeting or driving... but rather ambulating, pushing and pulling, dancing and reaching! See you on the roads before long, hopefully you'll recognize me, I'll be the one running.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Fit and Thin Are Not The Same
From all walks of life, from people of all ages, I hear the statement, the question, the judgement: That people who are large, or fat, or stout, or "zaftig" -- whatever the heck -- are unhealthy, unfit, worse still, unworthy in some intrinsic or even moral way.
Can obesity be unhealthy? Certainly, when obesity is associated with a lack of regular exercise. But not always so please, don't assume it -- research conducted by Steven Blair at the Cooper Institute for Aerobics, by Glenn Gaesser at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, and David Levitsky at Cornell University demonstrates that fitness is attained regardless of weight. I once hired a woman fitness instructor who was easily over 200 pounds to lead classes in my studio. Boy, was she fit for the job... she was an energetic and engaging teacher, her choreography was fun and flowing, she was more flexible than I could ever dream of, as she had been a gymnast in high school. And her classes were packed with people. Yes, people of all sizes.
Inactivity is the problem. Being overfat isn't a cause of disease if you are active. Being "normal-weight" and inactive, or underfat and inactive, is just as hazardous to your health as being overfat and inactive. "Oh, you're thin, you don't need to exercise." Rubbish. Everyone needs to exercise, because it's vital to your overall health.
It'd be nice to see people who are comfortable in their own skin, regardless of how much skin they're in, and for people to be more comfortable with each other about it. Yes, even on the beach at Tybee. It'd be nice to hear people talking about quality in and quality out, feeling better from the inside out with healthy food choices, healthy activity, and a healthy outlook on life, whatever size they are. Not hating their friends for being thinner than they are, as if thin = better person or thin = happiness. Have you found yourself feeling sorry for someone who's big... and feels good about it? Maybe it's not delusional to be big and happy.
That's my opinion, sorry if I'm getting preachy but hey, it's my blog and I'll preach if I want to --preach if I want to -- pre-e-e-e-eeach if I want to! :-D
On a lighter note, Red Hot Mama Sophie Tucker had her own reasons for being happy just the way she was... Enjoy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PwH3Ep8DVQ&feature=related
Can obesity be unhealthy? Certainly, when obesity is associated with a lack of regular exercise. But not always so please, don't assume it -- research conducted by Steven Blair at the Cooper Institute for Aerobics, by Glenn Gaesser at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, and David Levitsky at Cornell University demonstrates that fitness is attained regardless of weight. I once hired a woman fitness instructor who was easily over 200 pounds to lead classes in my studio. Boy, was she fit for the job... she was an energetic and engaging teacher, her choreography was fun and flowing, she was more flexible than I could ever dream of, as she had been a gymnast in high school. And her classes were packed with people. Yes, people of all sizes.
Inactivity is the problem. Being overfat isn't a cause of disease if you are active. Being "normal-weight" and inactive, or underfat and inactive, is just as hazardous to your health as being overfat and inactive. "Oh, you're thin, you don't need to exercise." Rubbish. Everyone needs to exercise, because it's vital to your overall health.
It'd be nice to see people who are comfortable in their own skin, regardless of how much skin they're in, and for people to be more comfortable with each other about it. Yes, even on the beach at Tybee. It'd be nice to hear people talking about quality in and quality out, feeling better from the inside out with healthy food choices, healthy activity, and a healthy outlook on life, whatever size they are. Not hating their friends for being thinner than they are, as if thin = better person or thin = happiness. Have you found yourself feeling sorry for someone who's big... and feels good about it? Maybe it's not delusional to be big and happy.
That's my opinion, sorry if I'm getting preachy but hey, it's my blog and I'll preach if I want to --preach if I want to -- pre-e-e-e-eeach if I want to! :-D
On a lighter note, Red Hot Mama Sophie Tucker had her own reasons for being happy just the way she was... Enjoy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PwH3Ep8DVQ&feature=related
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Snappy Answers to Common Questions from Long Distance Runners
You will need the following toolkit:
A voice.
A straight pin or safety pin.
A handful of cotton swabs.
Adhesive bandages.
A bottle of hydrogen peroxide that is less than 10 years old.
Q: What do I do about this blister on my (insert part of foot rubbing raw on sneaker) ?
A: Get your toolkit. Swab the blister with HP. Swab the pin with HP. Stick the blister with the pin and drain the fluid. Swab the former blister with HP. Cover with adhesive bandage.
Q: What do I do about this bruise under my toenail ?
A: Toolkit :-) Swab under the top of the nail with HP. Swab the pin with HP. Slowly, carefully slide the pin under the nail, between the nail and the bed. Press down on your angry nail to drain the fluid out from under it. Swab under top edge of the nail again with HP. I know, EEEEWWWWWW. But what you have is in effect a blister under your toenail, and if you leave it alone without draining it, it will hurt a lot and it will eventually cause your nail to lift away from the nailbed and fall off. Which isn't fatal or even horribly painful, but it is extremely unattractive.
To prevent toenail bruising, wear thinner socks or larger shoes or shoes with a larger toebox to minimize toe friction. Also, take note as to whether you are digging or clawing your toes down during your stride. Wiggle them loose from time to time. They get tense when you're working hard on those miles, after all.
Q: What do I do about the bee sting I got in the car on my way home from the long run ?
A: Time to employ your voice tool. Yell, "OW!" really loud, because I don't care who you are, bee stings hurt a real whole lot. Scrape the stinger out sideways ASAP. Smush the bee and put it out of its misery, it's dying without its stinger anyway. Since you were driving to Starbucks on the way home, pull in and use your voice again to ask the nice person at the counter for a couple of ice cubes (before or after you order your coffee, up to you) because you just got stung by a bee. This will distract him or her from commenting on what a sweaty, rancid-smelling mess you are after having run a dozen or so miles in the nearly-90 degree Savannah morning heat. See, LD runners have quite enough unattractiveness going, thank you. Put the ice on your rapidly swelling, just stung body part to provide a cooling analgesic effect and reduce the swelling. If you are allergic, forget everything in this paragraph after, "Scrape the stinger..." and get an epi-pen stuck in you ASAP.
Nope, I do not know when the bee got in.
A voice.
A straight pin or safety pin.
A handful of cotton swabs.
Adhesive bandages.
A bottle of hydrogen peroxide that is less than 10 years old.
Q: What do I do about this blister on my (insert part of foot rubbing raw on sneaker) ?
A: Get your toolkit. Swab the blister with HP. Swab the pin with HP. Stick the blister with the pin and drain the fluid. Swab the former blister with HP. Cover with adhesive bandage.
Q: What do I do about this bruise under my toenail ?
A: Toolkit :-) Swab under the top of the nail with HP. Swab the pin with HP. Slowly, carefully slide the pin under the nail, between the nail and the bed. Press down on your angry nail to drain the fluid out from under it. Swab under top edge of the nail again with HP. I know, EEEEWWWWWW. But what you have is in effect a blister under your toenail, and if you leave it alone without draining it, it will hurt a lot and it will eventually cause your nail to lift away from the nailbed and fall off. Which isn't fatal or even horribly painful, but it is extremely unattractive.
To prevent toenail bruising, wear thinner socks or larger shoes or shoes with a larger toebox to minimize toe friction. Also, take note as to whether you are digging or clawing your toes down during your stride. Wiggle them loose from time to time. They get tense when you're working hard on those miles, after all.
Q: What do I do about the bee sting I got in the car on my way home from the long run ?
A: Time to employ your voice tool. Yell, "OW!" really loud, because I don't care who you are, bee stings hurt a real whole lot. Scrape the stinger out sideways ASAP. Smush the bee and put it out of its misery, it's dying without its stinger anyway. Since you were driving to Starbucks on the way home, pull in and use your voice again to ask the nice person at the counter for a couple of ice cubes (before or after you order your coffee, up to you) because you just got stung by a bee. This will distract him or her from commenting on what a sweaty, rancid-smelling mess you are after having run a dozen or so miles in the nearly-90 degree Savannah morning heat. See, LD runners have quite enough unattractiveness going, thank you. Put the ice on your rapidly swelling, just stung body part to provide a cooling analgesic effect and reduce the swelling. If you are allergic, forget everything in this paragraph after, "Scrape the stinger..." and get an epi-pen stuck in you ASAP.
Nope, I do not know when the bee got in.
Summer Training for Kids
This is reprinted from a reprinted blog (redundancy intended) by Mike Boyle, a phenomenal hockey coach, athletic trainer, and training facility owner in New England, who spends a lot of time sharing his expertise and perspective with personal trainers and athletic trainers alike. LOVE THIS GUY! Here he is:
Question - I need to put together a summer plan for my 9 yr
old hockey team. Obviously I don’t want to look like a crazy
person, but it would be something that I think could be good
for my own kids as well. Is it too young?
My first reaction was to say “are you crazy”? Instead, slightly
tongue-in-cheek I developed the plan below.
Step 1- play another sport. Lacrosse is highly recommended as
it has similar skills to hockey although baseball is fine. This
does not mean another sport in addition to hockey. Summer is the
off season.
Step 2- Cancel all hockey camp registrations except 1 week.
Pick your favorite that has the largest number of y our friends
attending and go to that one. Ideally look for a camp that only
has you on the ice once a day. No need to get blisters. You won’t
get better in a week anyway.
Step 3- Cancel any summer hockey leagues you are scheduled for.
The best players in the world never play summer hockey and, they
never have. The only conceivable exception would be a weekly skill
session lasting one hour. Another exception would be “play”. If
ice is available and the kids can play, let them. Please remember
play means NO COACHES or COACHING.
Step 4- Reread steps 1-3. Acknowledge that the key problem in
youth sports is applying adult values to children’s activities.
Step 5- Go to the nearest bike shop. Get nice bikes for everyone
in the family
Step 6- Ride the bikes, not in a race. For fun. Maybe put a few
hockey cards in the spokes to make noise.
Step 7- Head to Walmart and buy fishing rods.
Step 8- Take the fishing rods to the nearest lake and fish.
Now That is an off-season plan for any nine year old.
Step 9- repeat steps 5-8 while continually rereading steps 1-3
Question - I need to put together a summer plan for my 9 yr
old hockey team. Obviously I don’t want to look like a crazy
person, but it would be something that I think could be good
for my own kids as well. Is it too young?
My first reaction was to say “are you crazy”? Instead, slightly
tongue-in-cheek I developed the plan below.
Step 1- play another sport. Lacrosse is highly recommended as
it has similar skills to hockey although baseball is fine. This
does not mean another sport in addition to hockey. Summer is the
off season.
Step 2- Cancel all hockey camp registrations except 1 week.
Pick your favorite that has the largest number of y our friends
attending and go to that one. Ideally look for a camp that only
has you on the ice once a day. No need to get blisters. You won’t
get better in a week anyway.
Step 3- Cancel any summer hockey leagues you are scheduled for.
The best players in the world never play summer hockey and, they
never have. The only conceivable exception would be a weekly skill
session lasting one hour. Another exception would be “play”. If
ice is available and the kids can play, let them. Please remember
play means NO COACHES or COACHING.
Step 4- Reread steps 1-3. Acknowledge that the key problem in
youth sports is applying adult values to children’s activities.
Step 5- Go to the nearest bike shop. Get nice bikes for everyone
in the family
Step 6- Ride the bikes, not in a race. For fun. Maybe put a few
hockey cards in the spokes to make noise.
Step 7- Head to Walmart and buy fishing rods.
Step 8- Take the fishing rods to the nearest lake and fish.
Now That is an off-season plan for any nine year old.
Step 9- repeat steps 5-8 while continually rereading steps 1-3
Friday, June 17, 2011
C.R.E.W. is Going to Do 26.2!
26.2 miles, that is. The Savannah Rock-N-Roll Marathon debuts this November 5th!
Hard to believe marathon training time is here again already. I thought I was really enjoying my "just-for-the-fun-of-it" runs. By staying on a regular schedule, and ensuring that schedule included a 10-ish mile run about once a week, I felt confident about being comfortable and less vulnerable to injury when training started again. Usually I count back 12 to 15 weeks before the chosen race day and attack a three-day-a-week plan which rotates from a speedwork day, a tempo day, and a long (but not really easy pace) run day. Running on consecutive days has never felt good to me, so I like the plan even though it demands a more intense effort than most marathon training plans.
You're looking at the calendar and you're saying to yourself, "Self? It's only June. Why, that seems a lot longer than 12 to 15 weeks before November 5th!" You are so right, dear reader! Because I have joined the coaching team at C.R.E.W., a division of Fleet Feet Sports in Savannah, I am helping about 2 dozen people to train for the completion of their very first marathon. Cool, yes?
First timers are going to benefit a great deal from having all this extra time, 23 weeks total, to get into the swing of this marathoning thing. CA and Trainer Jane are together coaching the morning marathon group. We meet Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 6:00 a.m., and gather with the evening marathon group and the half marathon training groups for a long run on Saturday mornings at 6:30 a.m. Is this going to put the kabosh on my Friday night singing career? You betcha! Unless I can get some of those happy hour gigs. But what the heck, there's always Saturday night gigs... after a disco nap.
Sure enough, we are following the three-day-a-week plan I've used successfully for either three or four marathons now. Yes, I am losing track. I've followed so many different training plans, from 55 miles in 5-days-a-week to Galloway's run/walk method, and I believe I have generally suffered the least during training with this three day approach.
Now, doesn't that sound encouraging, "suffered the least?" Even Trainer Jane finds marathon training arduous. The race, on the other hand, is SO GREAT. Few people have an easy time completing a marathon. Rising to the challenge of the mythic marathon distance is compelling, and it's a rewarding accomplishment! With a smart training program, it's attainable, but it's still a tremendous effort. Training with a group is making the effort so much more enjoyable, and it's only week three! This particular group of first-timers -- eager and anxious, hopeful to make a good showing and hungry for answers to their many questions -- I know this group is going to do Savannah proud. Perhaps they will inspire their fellow Savannians to get moving and get healthier. I look forward to each session a little more, and I love sharing my resources in such a positive way.
Wait until you see all the shapes and sizes and ages and styles represented in this group of runners! Hint -- a photo post is upcoming. I can't wait for you to see "what a marathoner looks like!"
It's not too late to join the C.R.E.W. half- or full-marathon training program. Check out www.fleetfeetsavannah.com for more information. Lovin' me some Rock-N-Roll training!
Be Well!
Hard to believe marathon training time is here again already. I thought I was really enjoying my "just-for-the-fun-of-it" runs. By staying on a regular schedule, and ensuring that schedule included a 10-ish mile run about once a week, I felt confident about being comfortable and less vulnerable to injury when training started again. Usually I count back 12 to 15 weeks before the chosen race day and attack a three-day-a-week plan which rotates from a speedwork day, a tempo day, and a long (but not really easy pace) run day. Running on consecutive days has never felt good to me, so I like the plan even though it demands a more intense effort than most marathon training plans.
You're looking at the calendar and you're saying to yourself, "Self? It's only June. Why, that seems a lot longer than 12 to 15 weeks before November 5th!" You are so right, dear reader! Because I have joined the coaching team at C.R.E.W., a division of Fleet Feet Sports in Savannah, I am helping about 2 dozen people to train for the completion of their very first marathon. Cool, yes?
First timers are going to benefit a great deal from having all this extra time, 23 weeks total, to get into the swing of this marathoning thing. CA and Trainer Jane are together coaching the morning marathon group. We meet Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 6:00 a.m., and gather with the evening marathon group and the half marathon training groups for a long run on Saturday mornings at 6:30 a.m. Is this going to put the kabosh on my Friday night singing career? You betcha! Unless I can get some of those happy hour gigs. But what the heck, there's always Saturday night gigs... after a disco nap.
Sure enough, we are following the three-day-a-week plan I've used successfully for either three or four marathons now. Yes, I am losing track. I've followed so many different training plans, from 55 miles in 5-days-a-week to Galloway's run/walk method, and I believe I have generally suffered the least during training with this three day approach.
Now, doesn't that sound encouraging, "suffered the least?" Even Trainer Jane finds marathon training arduous. The race, on the other hand, is SO GREAT. Few people have an easy time completing a marathon. Rising to the challenge of the mythic marathon distance is compelling, and it's a rewarding accomplishment! With a smart training program, it's attainable, but it's still a tremendous effort. Training with a group is making the effort so much more enjoyable, and it's only week three! This particular group of first-timers -- eager and anxious, hopeful to make a good showing and hungry for answers to their many questions -- I know this group is going to do Savannah proud. Perhaps they will inspire their fellow Savannians to get moving and get healthier. I look forward to each session a little more, and I love sharing my resources in such a positive way.
Wait until you see all the shapes and sizes and ages and styles represented in this group of runners! Hint -- a photo post is upcoming. I can't wait for you to see "what a marathoner looks like!"
It's not too late to join the C.R.E.W. half- or full-marathon training program. Check out www.fleetfeetsavannah.com for more information. Lovin' me some Rock-N-Roll training!
Be Well!
Friday, June 3, 2011
What Would a Smart Exerciser Do?
Every personal trainer, heck, probably every one in every industry and field of endeavor has a memorable encounter with a customer or client, a favorite question they've been asked. I recently watched a Pecha Kucha Night presentation entitled, "My Worst Client Ever." I honestly didn't think it was that bad... I mean, the guy got paid, so hopefully for him that really IS the worst ever. But I'm not talking about the worst ever, I'm referring to a moment that gives you pause and makes you think. Perhaps chuckle a little.
(If Pecha Kucha Night is a mystery to you, google it, get to one or get one started, it's truly a happening.)
Here's Trainer Jane's favorite question from the month of May 2011, which I have shared repeatedly with clients and friends:
Q: "Do you think I'm smart enough to do this exercise routine?"
A: "OF COURSE you're smart enough, everybody is smart enough to do this. I'm not sure, however, that smarts have anything to do with whether or not you WILL do it."
So think it over. You can't remember the exercises? Maybe you receive a written explanation, a chart, a series of illustrations to show you. Travelling frequently over the next several weeks and lacking gym access? Here's your tubing of various resistance levels, your TRX suspension trainer, your door strap attachment, your packable water-filled weights, your portable Stick for myofascial release, your stretch strap, your DVD. We practice with the new tools before you leave, and...
...there you have it. All bases covered, you've got the goods, now get moving. Keep with your planned frequency. You're good enough, you're smart enough, and darn it, people like you. (Thanks, Stuart Smalley.)
Trainer Jane texts/calls/emails you: Q: "How's it going?" A: Um, ok. I haven't done anything since we got together.
Q: So when shall we get together again? A: Do you think we should?
Well, let me see. Have you progressed since last we met? Nope. Do you need positive reinforcement of the value of the exercises we have chose? Yep. Do we need to work together to simplify or amplify or in some way make it more likely that you will take up these exercises on your own and benefit from your investment? Yep. The chips are stacked high on the side of getting together.
Personal trainers exist because people know what to do but yet don't do it. You need more than information. It's the focus, the support, the guidance, the recognition of progressions and regressions and what to do about them, the accountability which makes a trainer valuable. I can't tell you how many times I toss aside my training plan for a client's session after s/he walks in with COMPLETELY different issues and movement patterns than s/he carried around previously. "We are going to work with the body you brought in with you today," I say.
Even trainers use trainers, sometimes for new ideas to push beyond plateaus, or for specialized training in disciplines outside their usual expertise.
Q: Alright, I can see you Wednesday.
A: Now that's smart talking. How's about 10 o'clock?
:-)
Be Well!
(If Pecha Kucha Night is a mystery to you, google it, get to one or get one started, it's truly a happening.)
Here's Trainer Jane's favorite question from the month of May 2011, which I have shared repeatedly with clients and friends:
Q: "Do you think I'm smart enough to do this exercise routine?"
A: "OF COURSE you're smart enough, everybody is smart enough to do this. I'm not sure, however, that smarts have anything to do with whether or not you WILL do it."
So think it over. You can't remember the exercises? Maybe you receive a written explanation, a chart, a series of illustrations to show you. Travelling frequently over the next several weeks and lacking gym access? Here's your tubing of various resistance levels, your TRX suspension trainer, your door strap attachment, your packable water-filled weights, your portable Stick for myofascial release, your stretch strap, your DVD. We practice with the new tools before you leave, and...
...there you have it. All bases covered, you've got the goods, now get moving. Keep with your planned frequency. You're good enough, you're smart enough, and darn it, people like you. (Thanks, Stuart Smalley.)
Trainer Jane texts/calls/emails you: Q: "How's it going?" A: Um, ok. I haven't done anything since we got together.
Q: So when shall we get together again? A: Do you think we should?
Well, let me see. Have you progressed since last we met? Nope. Do you need positive reinforcement of the value of the exercises we have chose? Yep. Do we need to work together to simplify or amplify or in some way make it more likely that you will take up these exercises on your own and benefit from your investment? Yep. The chips are stacked high on the side of getting together.
Personal trainers exist because people know what to do but yet don't do it. You need more than information. It's the focus, the support, the guidance, the recognition of progressions and regressions and what to do about them, the accountability which makes a trainer valuable. I can't tell you how many times I toss aside my training plan for a client's session after s/he walks in with COMPLETELY different issues and movement patterns than s/he carried around previously. "We are going to work with the body you brought in with you today," I say.
Even trainers use trainers, sometimes for new ideas to push beyond plateaus, or for specialized training in disciplines outside their usual expertise.
Q: Alright, I can see you Wednesday.
A: Now that's smart talking. How's about 10 o'clock?
:-)
Be Well!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)