Over the last year-plus that I've belonged to my present gym, I've been surreptitiously "interviewing" personal trainers. I think I've found my man.
The other night, I was watching a guy I hadn't seen before, and I thought he'd be a good match for me. I am rather well self-educated and opinionated about my personal fitness regimen. I'd really like the owner of the gym to be my trainer, but he's too busy with a full-time day job, owning and managing the gym, and training for and fighting his own fights. (He's one of those crazy ultimate fighters.) He clearly doesn't have time to take up fitness training as well. I was at the place where I thought maybe I'd have to either forgo a trainer (really, I'm not positive I need one) or merely settle for one -- one that would serve the limited purpose of getting me in there on a more regular basis just to keep the appointment.
I've had a problem all my life with having teachers I thought were "not as smart" as I. It's a personality flaw, and I admit it. I also have a problem taking fitness advice from a woman who does not inspire confidence in me because she herself does not look the way I feel a very fit and accomplished woman should look. I have a hard time taking advice from a guy who looks a bit "soft" or not physically balanced himself, and/or someone who doesn't seem to really know his stuff. I know that teachers and coaches do not necessarily have to be doers, but still.
There is a female trainer there who I was feeling that I could maybe work with, but I had some misgivings, so I did not schedule any sessions with her. It's a rather big investment in money and time, and I'm a loyal type, so I could just see it -- even if I weren't all that happy or inspired with her work, I'd end up sticking with her (while still complaining about it when not there) if I initiated a relationship with her. I am quite sure I would have fun with her, and she is very good to look at and clearly extremely fit herself. She is the person who, when I was leaving the gym one day, asked me, "Do you have a background in exercise physiology or physical therapy?"
"No."
"Because we've been watching you. You know exactly what to do when you get in here. You're putting on a lot of strength and definition."
Well, then. So the question remains: Do I really need a trainer?
I think I would like one, to help keep me motivated and maybe help me focus on things that I don't know. I don't know everything, despite what I may believe and what I may try to make YOU believe, (she says, with feigned humility. hahahaha) I have some fitness goals I'd like to attain, namely I want to lose 10 pounds, gain core and back strength, and work on keeping my shoulders "open" -- my work and my knitting conspire to make the shoulders cave in upon the clavicle and cause severe pain and muscle spasms. I want pain control and, well, all the other health benefits that come with exercise that we all know by now, so I do not need to list them.
I guess it doesn't hurt to have some help and extra focus.
Anyhoo, the new guy. I come home and I say to David, who knows all the gossip about this gym, "I was watching this guy tonight. I haven't seen him in there before, and I don't know who he is. I think I might want to hire him as a trainer."
"He looks kind of ex-military," is the only description I could give. (Grey's Anatomy watchers, picture the new surgeon character and you have a not unreasonable idea.)
Yup, he knew exactly who I was referring to. He said, "He used to be a strength trainer for an NFL team. I've read all kinds of articles about him."
Well, do I know 'em when I sees 'em or what? Although I do wonder: will he know the difference between a woman's exercise physiology and limits (or not) and a professional football player's? It remains to be seen, I guess, but he seems like a good resource I could put to use.
By my 50th birthday next summer, I could be a lean(er), mean(er) fighting machine.
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For those not interested in the testosterone surge in my life, how about a bit of knitting news?
I bet you had forgotten about Marta, huh? I almost had. But after finishing Abigail's hat, my hands -- though they and my arms and elbows and shoulders were in pain -- felt horribly lonely without knitting in them. I did let my good sense rule and took a day and a half off knitting, I had a massage, got extra sleep, and drank gallons of water. And then yesterday I pulled Marta out of the bag and before I knew it, I had finished the back and then the right front. (Only the tops of those remained to be done -- this sweater is knit from the bottom up, all in one piece, and divided at the armholes.) I must admit I have given some serious thought to leaving this as a vest. But I'd have limited use for a vest, so I've cast on for a sleeve. I'll probably have a new sweater before Christmas!
The yarn is Green Mt. Spinnery Mountain Mohair in Spice, which is a fabulous caramel color with flecks of purple. Love it!
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