The Value of a Personal Trainer vs Doing it Yourself

Never before have I realised how important it is to have someone there, by your side motivating you and ensuring that your technique is right with every exercise you do.

For the last week I have been travelling and with that comes hotel gyms and the odd walk in the park.

Whilst I put off going to the gym the first couple of days, a voice in the back of my head (Angela's) told me that if you miss a week, next week is going to be harder to take or even worse, you will start finding excuses as to why not to come to the gym.

To put you straight, I have loved the one-on-one sessions at body4u with the personal trainer. At first I found it hard, but then I came to really enjoy the interaction, movtivation and importantly guidance on how to do exercises correctly.

What a personal trainer does is it allows you to concentrate on what you are doing, whilst they concentrate on ensuring that you are doing the right exercises to get you fit, lose weight and NOT injure yourself.

I am like most people and that is a novice with technique. I have improved dramatically over the last few months, but I still need that person standing beside me and ensuring that I am doing it right and effectively.

On top of this, the first thing my personal trainer at Cleveland does is ask me what I have been doing for the week. If I say I have been eating well and have gone for walks or a class or two, they are pleased. If I say I have been eating junk food, put on a couple of kilos and haven't had time to do anything, they remind me of the reason why I am there in the first place.

Personal Trainers are also really good for confidence. When you arrive tired because you didn't sleep well the night before (or worse - have a hangover), they steer you through a session with encouragement.

They show you what you can look like if you were to take it seriously. If your personal trainer is fat - sack them now! Mine is fit, healthy and an inspiration to us all.

Thanks to body4u, I am losing weight, gaining muscle and my confidence in putting on that slinky black party dress has gone through the roof.

I don't mind wearing a bikini at the beach or a pair of shorts to a bbq at a friends place.

The confidence that getting fit has given me has allowed me to be me. Not to be that girl with thunder thighs and a tyre hanging over her jeans.

If I could only spend $50 per week on one thing - it would be personal training. It gives me more than any other expenditure I have. I feel better after a session than when I do buying a new dress. The reward is there for you to see in the mirror each and every day.

www.body4u.com.au

Celebrating a New Fit You

On Friday, I went into body4u in Cleveland for a training session and weigh in. I have to say, it was one of the highlights of this year to date.

Not only had I lost weight, I had gained muscle and was overall in much better shape then when I started 2 months ago.

My metabolic age is now 19 (does this mean I can date men that are 19 and above????), my body fat is 24, my weight 53.9kgs, my muscle mass is 38.8 and my hydration is 52.5. I have increased muscle, decreased fat and overall I am in pretty good shape for a 35 year old woman.

The training has paid off.

I often make new years resolutions and keep them except when it comes to eating well and getting fit.

I can't believe that I have not only kept it, but I am also no the road to a fitter and healthier lifestyle that will take me through 2009.

I couldn't help myself. I wanted to scream it from the ceiling. I am a new me. I am fitter, healthier and my mind is much clearer.

In fact, I am happier. That is the reality. Getting fit has made me a happier person and people are commenting about how relaxed I look compared to last year.

On top of that, I want more. Getting fit is addictive. I felt so proud of myself that I asked Angela about what I could do next. I am ready for the next level. Maybe a triathlon (or maybe I am just getting ahead of myself). I can do. Or at least at that moment I feel like I can do it.

All I need is a bike. Does anyone know what a good brand is for a bike?

It's all up from here and I am so ready for a bit of competition and a bit more pushing of my boundaries.

You never know what is around the corner, but I do know that thanks to body4u, I am on the road to achieving my new years resolutions and good health.

www.body4u.com.au

New Year, New You

Well this week I have been a bit of slack. I have had to travel for work interstate and have missed a couple of sessions. What I have realised with missing a training session is that if you do do it continuously, its hard to get back on the bike.

I still have the same determination I had at the beginning of the year, but I know if I miss any more than it will be harder to get back into it.

This morning I was in Southbank having breakfast and the Premier of Queensland Anna Bligh jogged past and then came back to have her breakfast at the same place where I was having mine.

Here you have one of the busiest woman in the country I would imagine. She runs Queensland, have hundreds of public events that she needs to attend each year and still she finds time to have a jog and keep fit.

I have to say, she is probably the best looking Politician I have ever seen. No makeup, in her running attire and a tad sweaty - and yet, she looked fabulous and healthy.

Now our illustrious Premier is a bit older than I am. I am not sure what her age is but I am 35 years older and I think she is probably in her 40's or perhaps early 50's (probably not the ladder - but you never know with women these days that are turning back the clock).

In any case, she is an inspiration for all those women (and men for that matter) who say they can't find time to go to the gym or look after their bodies.

I have used every excuse in the book this week - travel (it's hard to travel and keep fit at the same time), my suitcase is too small (to fit gym gear in my carry on) and I have meetings and events that I must attend every day and night.

Reality - if I was Premier Bligh, these things really don't matter.

At the same time as seeing Premier Bligh sit across from me, I read the Courier Mail and there was a snippet about how she had been in Cairns this week and took her running shoes and ran 9 km's one morning.

If she can do, so can I.

So, here I am at body4u ready to get back into it. My session with Ang was full-on, hard work and my muscles have somewhat forgotten what it is like to do a training session.

I finish, exhausted but feeling great for having done it.

Then all of a sudden there is a bit of commotion at the gym. They had a competition where two people who want to lose some weight won the opportunity to work with Angela for 8 weeks and lose some serious weight.

How awesome! It's like the Biggest Loser Television Show.

But better. These people can have a life too!

I will take a photo on my blackberry to show you the before... and hopefully a slimmer after.

I'm Addicted

Not only am I addicted to writing this blog, I am also equally addicted to body4u fitness centre. I love it. Fortunately I have luxury of going in the middle of the day. It's quite and allows me to get down to business - that is the business of being fit and healthy.

I have been to the gym a couple times since I last wrote in my blog and I feel great. Actually, better than great - fantastic.

Everytime I walk into the gym, everyone knows your name, they greet you, make sure you are alright (sometimes I need this reassurance), and help you get started on reaching your fitness goals.

I did get a little wrap over the knuckles for my dietary habits - a packet of tim tams a day, four bottles of Nutrient Water (the best!) and a myriad of bad foods with fat and sugar.

To be honest, I have cut back. I am better than I used to be and when they remind me how bad these things are for my body, it does make me think twice.

On Friday I was ready for my gym session. Very eager. Roaring to go.

I was Angela's last session of the day as she had an early mark. The gym is doing a promotion to help two people get fit and healthy called New Year New You and she is spending the day working on that program. The people they have selected have lived unhealthy lives and Angela is going to show them how to not only lose weight, but make a difference to their lives. I was always a fan of the show 'Biggest Loser' so I am imagining it is this style but a little less hard core.

Anyway, back to my favourite topic - me. The first bit of the session was good. I felt confident. But... there's always a but. She made me do push-ups and they just don't agree with me. I am useless at them. I did do more than the last time she made me do them, but gosh they are hard work. It reminds me how weak my arms are and how much more work they need.

Angela commented that my legs were looking fitter (yeah!!!).

After 30 minutes of working out, sweat dripping off me because lets face it - its the middle of summer in Queensland, I was ready to shower and head home.

I felt so good when I got home I decided to go for a walk with my dog. My energy levels have improved ten-fold. I feel like I am fitting so much more into my day than ever before.

Saturday: I go back to the gym and do a work-out by myself. I much prefer doing one with Angela as I feel like I am achieving more and it makes me do things that I sometimes don't like doing. It also helps as my technique is sometimes a little off.

I am a bit slack but at least I am here and I do have a golf lesson next.

At golf, my coach comments on my new found muscles on my arms that are starting to develop. They aren't exactly popping out, but there is a little hint from all the hard work I have been doing.

Today, I eat well. Yesterday was a reminder that I don't always eat as good as I should.

I also go down to the beach for a swim. It's such a great way to finish off the day.

This fitness things is changing the way I look at everything and I am feeling better, fitter and more mentally stronger every day.

Can't wait to see where this goes.

Feeling on top of the world

It's amazing what a little work out can do for you. I really do feel like I am on top of the world. My body is feeling more toned, my fitness is improving and I can fit into those shorts I bought 2 years ago, but never have worn because they made my thighs look so big.

Ang at the gym is ruthless but she is determined for me to love fitness and being healthy as much as she does. She is a hard act to follow. She runs her own business, has 2 kids and competes in various fitness related competitions (not the body building style that makes me just want to gag). I think she does triathlons and things like that.

She motivates me to do a bit more and although it can be hard to get my mindset in the right place on any given day, she certainly helps me along and pushes me when needed.

It's only 30 minutes - so let's face it - I shouldn't be a big sook. I can't believe that after years of occasionally having personal trainers who demand an hour each time, that I am able to achieve so much in just 30 minutes.

I have been more motivated to do the other things she has recommended that I do in between training times like weight sessions (hell, I like the view) or walks. I have even been motivated to do step ups on my stairs. What has come over me?

I never thought I would say this but I am now looking at my body each day trying to catch a glimpse of any changes. I am sure I imagine some but when I try on clothes, they fit alot better and my confidence has improved dramatically.

My muscles still ache - which is a good thing. To me it means its working (not sure that is right technically).

My drive into Cleveland is peaceful and I no longer think about the embarrassment of going to the gym and being unco-ordinated. Thankfully having a personal trainer fixing every wrong posture is a blessing.

Now off to body4u to get my next fix!

The week after my first fitness session at body4u

What they do for you at body4u is give you a training schedule and some tips on what to eat.

We all have goals for our bodies - realistic or unrealistic - but to achieve them ultimately it is good to have a plan.

Even though body4u won me over when they said that after reviewing body fat, muscle etc, I had a body of someone 10 years younger (exactly what I like to hear), I knew that there were still alot of places to improve and let's face it, I am extremely unfit.

I puff walking up stairs and much prefer to drive to the shops only a block away then walk.

My thighs are of the 'thunder-ish' variety and may be likened to jelly on a good day.

Anyway, back to the training schedule. With my new found determination and pictures all over my bathroom mirror of women that I aspire to look like, I stick to it.

My muscles are sore for the first two days after my initial training session to the point that I a walking like I have a stick up my bottom. Squats, walks, runs, light weights ... is all part of it.

For the first week I feel sore.

I try to eat the right food, but sneak in a packet of Tim Tams (surely no-one will notice) and maybe half a dozen glasses of vino.

After day 8 I hop on the scales and to my amazement I have lost 3 kilos.

On my frame, that is alot. You can notice the difference. Friends start commenting on the fact that I have lost weight.

I feel elated that my hard work and packet of Tim Tams have paid off.

I go back to Angela and she talks me through the changes my body will be making over the next few weeks and months.

I feel comfortable I am on the right track and enjoy the fact that I am back for training session 3. I actually snuck another in a couple of days ago. Feeling sore must mean that it is working, so it is well worth it. Besides that, the view from body4u (outside and in) is amazing. On a beautiful day when their is not a cloud in the sky, its great to work out overlooking the water.