The fitness industry is very elitist, and can be pretty intimidating. Those trainers and experts with chiseled abs and zero body fat seem to feel like they know more than the average bear, and their body is walking proof.
This can backfire, however, as no one wants to listen to someone that intimidates, dismisses and criticizes them, however unintentional it may be. No one wants to listen to someone who is going to tell them getting in shape is easy, and to just look at their six pack as an example. “I work out 2 hours a day, why can’t you?” Spare me your self righteous crap.
But here’s a secret: Being able to obsessively work out and eat only leafy greens and protein shakes does not a fitness expert make.
To be a real role model you have to admit your own faults and be a relatable human being. The goal is not to be perfect, the goal is to set realistic goals, and to make more right decisions than wrong. So here are my, an A.C.E Certified Personal Trainer and Health and Fitness Writer’s, fitness confessions.
I hate cardio. I really do. I last about 10 minutes on a treadmill or elliptical, won’t go near a bike unless I’m reading a really good book and don’t want to get motion sick, and won’t run for the life of me. Why? It’s SO BORING. I strap on my iPod, grab my magazines and turn on the TV and still can’t think of anything except for how horribly bored I am. Same with running. Walking is OK, I like to take my dog for walks, and love hiking, but traditional cardio is brutal. So what do I do? I strap on a heart rate monitor, and hit the weights. I work out hard and quick enough that my heart rate stays in my cardio zone and I lift, which is my favorite thing in the world. Win, win.
I always have dessert. Always. I have to. I love ice cream. I make sure I eat all my fruits and veggies and healthy stuff, but then it’s a nice bowl of ice cream before bed- and no fretting over portions or calories.
Sometimes I let other things take priority. I am infamous for looking at the clock on my lap top while I’m working and saying, “OK, at 1:30pm I will stop and go to the gym. OK, 2:00pm, I’ll shut it down. Alright, 2:30 pm, for real this time.” I generally always make it sometime that day, but not always.
I don’t always like my body. I’m a girl, I have my hang ups. I have an athlete-range body fat, everyone gushes about my size and muscle tone, but I still have insecurities. My thighs are softer than I would like and I have cellulite. Most people would tell me to shut the hell up, but the truth is everyone has their insecurities and I am just as entitled to mine. I like to think I have a healthy outlook, though, and use it as motivation to work on those spots instead of wallow in them.
I never have a plan. I enter the gym, and ask myself what do I feel like doing today? Sometimes it’s lifting the same muscle groups a few times in a row. Sometimes it’s just doing stretching and abs. Yes, this leads to imbalances and yes, it sometimes leads to getting less bang for my buck results-wise because I haven’t had time to rest, but I enjoy it and it’s what keeps me going back- if it’s not fun, you won’t do it.
So there you have it. Nothing earth shattering, but they are things that as a professional I either know better, or counsel others on how to avoid, but, hey, no body’s perfect.
