Don't hide anything from your trainer...EVER!!!

I recently had a client "fess up" to me that he has been experiencing severe pain in his ankles and feet - sometimes to the point that he is unable to walk normally. Turns out he has been hiding this from me for over three weeks! All the while I have been pushing him to run, jump and do other strenuous exercises that have been exasperating the injury. Had I known, I could have treated the mild tendinitis, taken it easy on him for a week or two, and then he could have jumped back in. Instead, he has been struggling painfully through the workouts and now he is curbed from anything that would put even the slightest strain on his feet or ankles.

When someone is new to fitness they often feels aches and pains that they have never experienced before. Most times these are common muscle aches and fatigue associated with new exercises....but sometimes the pains need to be addressed with your trainer or other professional. How do you know? Well, lets see...if you are having trouble walking due to pain in your feet, ankles or knees then this needs to be addressed. If you feel the pain is in a joint rather than a muscle - this needs to be addressed. And don't think that a small injury is going to curb your progress for long - but if you try to ignore the pain and think "oh, it will just go away", then you are going to be on the sidelines for much longer! Don't try to hide it, you WILL pay for it!!!!

Open House at Badger Health Center this Saturday!!!

Hi Everyone...I will be teaching two free pilates classes at BHC in Waukesha this Saturday! Follow this link for more information! fft


http://www.facebook.com/pages/Waukesha-WI/Badger-Health-Center/233415311252?ref=search&v=wall

Go ahead...take that vacation - and enjoy it!

One of the worst feelings a person can have while trying to achieve a goal weight or body image is deprivation. And what is more depriving than not being able to take that romantic weekend away, family beach vacation or going to that destination wedding? You have to allow yourself breaks not only from your own life but also from your fitness goals. And I am here to tell you that taking that vacation does not have to mean a step backwards! By making some smarter food choices and trying to get at least a little exercise in each day you can maintain your weight throughout that vacation and not feel guilty about the molten cake or extra drinks you had the night before.

The key is to not throw your hands in the air and give up after binging for a couple of days while on vacation. Make your decisions consciously and commit to come back to the program when you return home. Now, go have that vacation and I will see you ready to work when you get home!!! fft

So...you HATE running, huh???

Are you secretly wanting to be one of those fit, trim people that "just LOVE" running? I used to spite those people and their little running shorts trotting up and down the sidewalk like they were the happiest people on earth. Well, turns out, they probably are!!:) and if you were like me, spending the first 30 years of life DREADING the treadmill or hitting the pavement then maybe you should try this - it worked for me and maybe it can work for you too!!

First things first...find a partner. A friend, trainer, co-worker, pet - anyone that can keep you on track and motivated to finish the run. My motivation came from a co-worker that asked me to do a 1/2 marathon with her. I had never run more than three miles straight in my life, but since I am unable to say NO to ANY fitness challenge my response was "Awesome! Of course! Can't wait!". Secretly, I was terrified:)...

Next, sign up for an event. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to train, and make the goals achievable. If you have never even finished a mile run then you probably should not expect to run a marathon in 12 weeks, but, you could to a 5 or 10k and feel pretty good about it!

Find an online training program that fits into your lifestyle. I recommend anything from Hal Higdon. He is realistic and allows days off from running. You do not have to run every single day to train for a race.

Last thing is setting your race goal. Mine was to FINISH..."just finish"..."doesn't matter what your time is"..."you can do this"...I kept telling myself over and over and over.

And guess what??? It worked! Imagine that, I was now one of those people trotting down the sidewalk thinking to myself, "I am such a bad-ass, I just ran a half marathon:)" fft

Medicine balls...so small yet so powerful

Easy to transport, easy to store and so versatile...these are just a few of the reasons I love medicine balls! They can really pack an extra punch to your workout and with the wide variety of weights available anyone can use them! Check out this link I found on youtube - this guy is awesome!!! Can't wait to torture my clients with some of these new exercises! fft

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwtaEAr8qI0

Think you need an expensive gym membership or fancy equipment to get fit???? THINK AGAIN!!

All you need is a little motivation, a lot of sweat, and your own body! Think of all the amazing things you can do with your own body weight - push ups, planks, jumping jacks, walking lunges, running, criss-cross...the list goes on! Try taking a couple of local pilates classes (like mine:)) to learn some basic moves you can do at home, no equipment required! Build on it from there - try incorporating a new exercise every day and soon you will be hooked!

No motivation you say??? Well, hire a personal trainer (again, like me:)) and watch your body transform into the one you have always wanted! Remember, you can save big bucks with me if you train in small groups - so get your friends together and lets get fit! fft

New website coming soon!

I am pleased to announce that with the help of my wonderful cousin, Meg, we are launching a new functional website soon! Keep visiting our blog at fitfoodtrainer.com to check for updates!!! Thanks Meg....couldn't have done it without you:)