Studying – yawn!
31 Jan 2012 Leave a Comment
in My Training Updates Tags: ACSM, Active IQ, Level 2, Level 3 Personal Trainer, studying
Finally received my Level 2 assessment and Level 3 PT course work and after a lot of procrastination I have made a start. Had a couple
of practice papers included which I took cold without any revision and thankfully all my ACSM CPT knowledge is still in there cos I passed them first tine! Yay! Lets just hope that is replicated when I take the theory test in a few weeks time, gulp!
Think I am going to work my way through the book as a revision guide but concentrate on the areas that either didn’t stick with ACSM (all the stuff about the mechanics of the heart just wont stay in my head!) or are new for the assessment piece – there is loads more about safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in this and that didn’t really feature in the ACSM.
I cannot believe I am back at the books again – I swore after passing in November that I wouldn’t pick up a book for at least six months – hmmm obviously my brain needs a bit more stimulation than I thought. Either that or I am just a glutton for punishment!
Anyway I have about 8 weeks to cram both exams, work full-time, train hard, look after my children, see my family and friends. Oh and yes ENJOY IT!
Remind me of that in a couple of weeks…………….!
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What makes a good Personal Trainer?
30 Jan 2012 3 Comments
in My Training Updates Tags: exercise, fitness, Health, Personal trainer, Personal Training, personaltrainer, weight loss
I have been toying with the idea of this blog for a couple of weeks now
and I think I am finally ready to commit something to print!
It seems to me – and I am speaking at the moment purely as a client – a personal trainer has to be so many things to so many people. We go to the gym on the first day all scared and intimidated, generally overweight and unfit and hope to find a trainer who wont laugh, judge and who will give us the tools and above all, the motivation to get going and to carry on going.
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My first injury…..
29 Jan 2012 2 Comments
in My Training Updates Tags: fitness, injury, Kieran O'Leary, knee, lunge, Push Up, TRX
Yesterday (Saturday) I got my first gym injury – not bad really been training for nearly a year, a few minor niggles but this was enough to 
stop me in my tracks!
Went in for training as usual, did my programme for an hour and got ready for PT. Started well with 5 sets of Pendulum Lunges, Weighted Step Ups, TRX Squat and pull and finished up with Push Ups. All done without rest, tough but ok. Then as I got up off the floor from the Push Up my knee felt a bit funny, by the time I had walked across the studio I had a lump the size of half an egg on the side of my knee. No idea what I did or how I did it – I was only getting up off the floor not exactly a tough exercise!
Kieran put an ice pack on it and both he and Richard checked for mobility, tenderness etc and weirdly although it looked really strange it wasnt sore and I could move my knee/leg in all the usual ways. Managed to get home with no problems (thank goodness I drive an automatic!) and into a hot bath. It was definitely a bit stiff but seemed ok.
This morning its a bit tender and a little bit sore but at least it looks as though the swelling as gone down a bit – no more egg-shaped lump more a bit swollen! Off to get some more ice and think today will be spent with my knee propped up, an ice pack and my study books – thank goodness its a rest day and fingers crossed it doesn’t hamper my training this week!
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Putting it all into perspective!
28 Jan 2012 2 Comments
in My Training Updates Tags: daughter, fitness, Health, Kieran, motivation, Uni, weight loss
So today is Saturday and its been a long week. It’s really busy at work and with client appointments I have spent far too much time driving, feel mentally very tired today and I am so grateful I don’t have my usual early Saturday morning gym session scheduled – it feels really good being a bit lazy!
Yesterday was my rest day (albeit seeing clients and masses of driving but at least no actual workouts) but the best bit about yesterday was that I got to see my daughter at Uni; its lovely seeing her on her home ground, her room is lovely and despite boyfriend troubles its fabulous seeing what a strong, confident, capable woman she is.
It made me really proud and reminded me that I did a pretty good job – I know yesterday was about her but it gave me just the boost I 
needed. We went for dinner and went girly shopping and she pushed me into getting a couple of dresses that I would never have looked at before I lost weight – its amazing how different you can look when you just step outside of your comfort zone and try something new!
Lovely talking things through and talking about what’s going on in both of our lives; puts it all a bit into perspective and I find myself realising (shhh don’t tell Kieran I said this!!) that just possibly Kieran was right and that I might just have gotten my perspective a bit wrong!
Anyway, I’m looking forward to getting back into the gym later; have my programme for an hour followed by a hard work PT session. I so know I am going to feel totally wiped out by this evening but despite everything, my agonising over stuff etc its actually been a good week. I now realise that I can feel off track, confidence dented etc but if I stick with it, train hard and above all, talk to people I can come out the other side quicker than before and that, in the overall scheme of things I can still have a fantastic week.
Overall I guess we’re at a 4.5!
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Out damn scales,out!
27 Jan 2012 2 Comments
in My Training Updates Tags: Health, ideal weight, light bulb moment, scales, weight loss
I have discovered that no matter what I say or think I think I have an unhealthy obsession with the numbers on the scales!
I have told myself for many months that I’m really not that bothered by what they say and I’m ok with it and, to be honest, that’s what I believed but the focus I have placed on the numbers and on the BFP in the last couple of weeks suggests,or rather screams, that that really isnt true.
I AM bothered by what the scales tell me; not in an OMG that ruins my day kind of way but it bothers me enough for me to be talking about it and to be making this post which sort of suggests I have been fooling myself!
Talking it through with Kieran yesterday and trying to understand why, he asked me some interesting questions. What is it about the number I want to weigh, why is that number important, what are the feelings associated with why I want to get to a specific weight. I had never really thought about it in that way before and all us have an ideal weight in our heads but how many of us really know and understand what the emotional connections are to that weight?
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Training hard is good!
26 Jan 2012 Leave a Comment
in My Training Updates Tags: Bodypump, fitness, Kieran O'Leary, Rachel Cosgrove, training, weight loss
OK, so its week two of the new programme and, despite feeling exhausted post workout, I LOVE IT!
Was supposed to go to Bodypump on Tuesday but work and home commitments meant I couldn’t so chose to go into the gym and do one of my programmes instead. To be honest I’ve been really tired this week (not sure why) whether that’s down to being busier at work, the new training plan or just hormones, I don’t know. Now if I had been following Rachel Cosgrove’s advice I would know!
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How to Take More Action: 9 Powerful Tips
25 Jan 2012 Leave a Comment
Today’s Inspiration: Positivityblog.com
“Nothing replaces action. We can read and think about things as much as we can but this not guarantee any succes and improvement in real life. Of course it helps a lot to gain knowledge and understanding about something and sometimes this can really open your eyes to something new. However, often taking action can be the hardest part and this article can help you with that.
10 Pitfalls to Weight Loss
25 Jan 2012 2 Comments
in Blogs from other people, Information Tags: Charles Poliquin, fitness, Health, weight loss
OMG, what a great piece and he is so right – my new guru I think!
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The Female Body Breakthrough – Rachel Cosgrove
24 Jan 2012 2 Comments
in Information Tags: fitness, Rachel Cosgrove, The Female Body Breakthrough, weight loss, women's fitness, women's weight training
This week I purchased a copy of The Female Body Breakthrough by Rachel Cosgrove.
Any woman considering losing weight, getting fit or making a lifestyle change - go get a copy, it will inspire you, motivate you and is like reading a book written by your best friend.
I cannot tell you how amazingly inspiring it is to read a book on strength training for women and written by a woman who has been there and got the T-Shirt. Rachel Cosgrove is truly an inspiration.
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TRX Body Transformation Plan
23 Jan 2012 Leave a Comment
in Information Tags: Alwyn Cosgrove, body transformation, Rachel Cosgrove, Results Fitness, Suspension training, TRX
A great article and a great training plan from the inspirational Rachel and Alwyn Cosgrove
http://www.trxtraining.com/connect/blog/2012/01/11/body-transformation-plan-female-edition/
