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Half Way There - Stage 1 Complete - Phew!

So it’s happened, after 7 months of planning and over 25 years of not studying, I have passed the first stage of my new life. I am now officially a Qualified Level 2 Gym Instructor! So if any of you kind folks out there know of any gyms that are looking for a gym instructor please let me know!

It wasn’t without a little pain, well, when I say pain, a little bit of work, a lot of feeling exhausted and getting wrist ache (from writing I may add)! I have really enjoyed being back in the class room and learning again. I have learnt new things about training, understand that I may have picked up one or two bad habits over the years and reconfirmed to myself why I have made this change. I am looking for a complete lifestyle change not just a quick win fad diet and exercise program that never seem to stick. I’m not quite a ‘Monica’ when it comes to getting back into the class room, it’s not like I was asking for home work or tests each day! That said, when we have done exams I have been reminded of that satisfying feeling you get when you a) know the answer and b) get your results back and you have passed!

Stage 2 has already started; Level 3 Personal Trainer study is underway. In this course we require more in depth knowledge of Anatomy and Physiology, a small amount of Nutrition is thrown into the mix and there is a LOT of practical. From fitness tests to advanced methods of training. The joy of this course is we get to play, and we play a lot in the gym and outdoors. I am picking up some new methods of training that I am looking forward to sharing with my clients in the months ahead.

For my own fitness regime my life has become a little easier as my place of study allows me to work out as well. My day starts with a cardio session before class starts. Having spent the last few months either beasting myself on the running machine or rowing machine I have changed my routine slightly after picking up a handy hint on my course. I needed to push myself a little more and push my body in a different way. So now, for my cardio session, instead of one machine for an hour I use four. 15 minutes on each of the Cross Trainer, Running Machine, Exercise Bike and Rowing Machine. I aim for at least 2KM on both the Cross Trainer and Running Machine (with a short warm up and cool down), 6KM on the bike and 2KM on the rowing machine and the remainder of the 15 minutes to cool down. I promise you it gets the blood pumping, body sweating and you get a full body hit.

Post cardio session I settle down to class for the day which is a mixture of classroom based theory work and practical work. This coming week I believe is going to be much more practical based, outside…great time of year for that as I’m sat in my cosy house listening to the rain, sleet and snow outside!

After the study has finished for the day I head to the gym again for a weights based session, choosing either upper or lower body and always core work in that session. It’s a tough life spending all that time in the gym but someone has to do it! I also drag a few victims in with me to practice on!

For food I prepare my week day meals each Sunday. My current meals of choice are Chilli and Bolognese, both made in the slow cooker using Turkey mince. It’s not exciting but it’s simple, easy to make and quick to heat up twice a day! Oh and great for freezing. If anyone wants the recipe message me and I’ll send it to you. Add a bit of rice/spaghetti to each meal and you have a healthy, filling meal with little preparation time. Great for busy people who have little time during their evenings.

Weekends are always harder to be strict with yourself. We all like to relax at the weekend, go out, enjoy a glass of wine or 3 and a bit of extra nice food. I am no different, well except for the drink. I still try to get to the gym on each day. When the weather gets better then I will be getting out onto my bike, but for now the gym is still my first port of call each day. I try for a session that incorporates both cardio and weight based training for a full workout. Food has and always will be a love of mine so I am trying not to deprive myself. I am, however, trying to watch what I eat, choose healthier options off the menu and make sure I don’t miss a training session, either on the day or the following day. It will always make me feel better regardless of how bad my choice may have been!

Level 3 will be completed by the end of the month, assuming I pass of course. From then I will be looking to build up my client base, continue my lifestyle change and build on this blog. That is the point I will start to share my exercise regime, food intake and weight management on here, for everyone to see (not scary at all!) It will be a way to focus my efforts and hopefully promote myself as the Personal Trainer you are looking for. You may want to just get a little healthier, you may want to start on your journey or you may have a target you wish to hit like a 10K run that you want help getting ready for. I want to be the person you think of and contact to help you fulfil your goals. I can’t promise you it will be easy but I can promise to try and make it fun for you and to help you in any way I can.

Next update will be at the end of the month when I am fully qualified…fingers crossed!

The photo, by the way, shows what I was able to leg press on Day 3 of the Level 3 Course. We were trying for our Maximum 1 Repetition weight, for me it was 527KG...hence the face! It won't happen if you don't believe!

Lou x

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