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Christin’s week in review 12/15-12/19

December 28, 2008 by ptpt Leave a Comment

OC Trainer in Training

Monday 12/15

Great but bad weekend. My eating was good, drank lots of water, worked very hard, and made lots of money. Im supposed to go to Vegas this week and want to look my best. The bad thing is, that the bar that I work at caught on fire and I don’t know if I have a job to come back to. If not, No Vegas for me. Extra stress I really don’t care for.

Total Calories: 1,180

Tuesday 12/16

Good stuff, the damage to my bar was minimal and I have a job to come back to. Loving life, my job, my boyfriend, and my body. I am overjoyed to be alive, I am accomplishing my goals and I am thankful for the supportive people around me who help and encourage me. I am going to Vegas with a new body and I cant wait to show it off.

Total Calories: 1,220

Total Weight 182

Wednesday 12/17

I love Vegas!!! So random and fun. Its snowing today, it hasn’t done this in 30 years, but my boyfriend and I get to see it. Nothing like snow on palm-trees!!! I went to a buffet today, good but bad. Good because I never cleared my plate bad because I never cleared my plate. I feel kinda bad, I took A LOT of food, but didn’t even finish a forth of it. Two things helped me do this, keeping in mind that I don’t want to wreak what I have accomplished, and I got full really fast.

Total calories: ???

Thursday 12/18

Walked the strip today, must have done six miles or so. Nothing like using your own two legs to get around. I love that I out-lasted my boyfriend, and made him keep-up with me, poor thing is so tired. Been good with my eating, for two reasons, one: I get full fast and unless we are at a buffet I don’t like to waste food, two: its cheeper to share food with my boyfriend. So shared a sandwich with him for lunch. The only thing I have been bad with is the drinking, haven’t gotten wasted (nor did I want to) but they are empty calories I don’t need, but wanted, and I know I have to work it off.

Total Calories:???

Friday 12/19

Home form Vegas, and so happy. Didn’t lose all my money (came back with some of it) and I didn’t wreck what I have accomplished so far, I did gain 4Lbs but that is mostly due to me drinking. I will hit the gym, eat right, and fix what I have done. I had a great time, but I didn’t let my vacation give me the excuse to do or eat whatever I felt like.

Total Calories: ???

Total weight:186

3 Steps To Help Prevent Childhood Obesity

December 25, 2008 by ptpt Leave a Comment

Obesity treatment programs for children and adolescents rarely have weight loss as a goal. Rather, the aim is to slow or halt weight gain so the child will grow into his or her body weight over a period of months to years.

Early and appropriate intervention is particularly valuable. There is considerable evidence that childhood eating and exercise habits are more easily modified than adult habits. Three forms of intervention include:

1. Physical Activity – Adopting a formal exercise program, or simply becoming more active, is valuable to burn fat, increase energy expenditure, and maintain lost weight.

2. Diet Management– Fasting or extreme caloric restriction is not advisable for children. Not only is this approach psychologically stressful, but it may adversely affect growth and the child’s perception of “normal” eating. Balanced diets with moderate caloric restriction, especially reduced dietary fat, have been used successfully in treating obesity. Nutrition education may be necessary.

3. Behavior Modification – Many behavioral strategies used with adults have been successfully applied to children and adolescents: self-monitoring and recording food intake and physical activity, slowing the rate of eating, limiting the time and place of eating, and using rewards and incentives for desirable behaviors.

Obesity is easier to prevent than to treat, and prevention focuses in large measure on parent education. In infancy, parent education should center on promotion of breastfeeding, recognition of signals of satiety, and delayed introduction of solid foods. In early childhood, education should include proper nutrition, selection of low-fat snacks, good exercise/activity habits, and monitoring of television viewing. In cases where preventive measures cannot totally overcome the influence of hereditary factors, parent education should focus on building self-esteem and address psychological issues.

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Orange County Gym has Pregnancy and Fitness Options for You

November 20, 2008 by ptpt Leave a Comment

All too often, expecting women feel that they have to stop their normal routine of working out just because they have become pregnant. This is entirely not the case. In fact, stopping what you have come so long to accomplish will actually put more stress on your body. Certain routines may need to be adjusted to accommodate the growing belly, but you should not stop or put aside your health & fitness goals just because you’re expecting. If you did not have a workout plan prior to becoming pregnant, now is the time to put one into place. It’s never too late for getting fit and being healthy.

Being fit can help you stay healthy during your pregnancy; it can reduce the likelihood of complications during labor and actually make labor shorter. One of the biggest benefits is that it makes losing weight after you have the baby easier.

The experienced trainers at Innovative Results, an Orange County Gym, is here to help you pave the path to wellness with nothing but love, happiness, and abundance for you and your little one. We understand that every body is different and so is every pregnancy. That is why we will work closely with you to come up with a plan that is perfect and especially made for you and baby in mind.

Put your health and your baby on top of the world by contacting us today. Certified personal trainers are standing by waiting for you.

For a free personal training session, please give us a call 866-243-4472

Or Simply Fill Out the Form Below and One of Our Coaches Will Follow Up to Schedule Your FREE Trial

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3 Simple Tips to A Healthy Lifestyle!

November 11, 2008 by ptpt 1 Comment

How many people do you know who are on prescribed medication? High cholesterol, blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, thyroid problems, obesity… With all of the new medical & pharmaceutical advancements, people are more aware of health & fitness than ever before, yet our own government statistics indicate record levels of health-related ailments.

Every quick fix book, cd, infomercial, TV show, wonder pill, cosmetic surgeons surgery, diet and DVD all claim to have the miracle answer. DON’T BELIEVE THE HYPE! Stick to the fundamentals and you’ll see results that last. An overall healthy lifestyle will have benefits that impact more than just your pant size.

Here are 3 simple tips to a healthy lifestyle…

Eat.

There are tons of special diets, but you don’t need a diet – you need to learn how to eat. Keep It Simple. The best way to eat correctly is to eat what nature provides: meats, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and water. The more cooked or processed food gets, the worse the food is for you, period. Too many diets include fast food, soda, chips, candies, or some type of ‘convenient’ food. This is why the average American has gained over 20 lbs., in the past 15 years, and the incidence of heart disease and cancer are at an all time high! Pack a little cooler with healthy alternatives such as fruit, protein shakes, organic bars, nuts or water, so that when you are hungry, you have something available. Also, take an evening and plan your meals for the week.

Move!

Get off the couch, out of your chair, out of the car and move. This is what most people call exercise, but you don’t have to put on tights and get on the Stairmaster. Go outside, play a sport, go skiing, take a hike, go for a swim, join a gym… It doesn’t matter, just move. No more ‘New years’ resolutions that last for a week. Make exercise a habit. Movement builds strength, cardiovascular health, increases flexibility, strengthens ligaments, increases energy and clears your mind.

Chill

People recharge in different ways. So you need to figure out what you truly enjoy. What do you like to do that allows your mind to relax? Try sports, the spa, time with family, a good book, a long walk, a bath, painting or any other activity that rejuvenates you. Too many people spend most of their time racing around, and they never really make time to recuperate. Everyone needs time to chill, including YOU. So think about it, schedule it, and make it a priority.

Final Notes:

Start with your calendar. Don’t just react each day to things that pop up. Exercise and health need to become a priority. Plan to workout 3 times per week. Everyone has 3 hours a week to do something physical. Next, plan some time to chill. Remember, this is for you to relax mentally! Find an activity that recharges you and offsets the week’s stress! Finally, plan your meals in advance. Learn how to shop and prepare for your week. Ask for help. Make time. Commit to basic changes. You will look better, feel better and become a healthier person!

Innovative Results has Personal Trainers in Orange County that can help you improve your life through fitness, nutrition and the right mindset. Please call today for more information or a free trial 1-866-243-4472

The Best Gym in Orange County Advises You to Do This When You Are Hiring A Personal Trainer!

November 8, 2008 by ptpt 1 Comment

Evaluate Several References From The Trainer:

Any established fitness trainer should be able to provide the names of several clients who can attest to his/her competence as a fitness professional. You should ask for the names of people who are about the same age and sex, and have similar fitness goals as yourself. This will ensure that you can accurately assess whether he/she is skilled in dealing with your particular needs.

When you call the references, do not hesitate to ask any questions that you feel are pertinent in respect to the trainer. During your consultation, a trainer will likely be on his best behavior. You often get a better insight into his aptitude by asking a client about such factors as temperament, knowledge, flexibility in scheduling, honest, etc.

Also, make sure to ask if the person is satisfied with the results they have achieved. You would be surprised at how many people continue to employ the same trainer simply because it is inconvenient to switch.

As a trainer myself, I would like to point out that there are many incompetent trainers out there. I say this because I have been to a dozen gyms and have only met a handful of trainers that I would even think about investing my money in. The best trainers are the ones who can deliver results in the least amount of time as possible.

You just have to read a bit or even ask friends. That’s how I got to where I am today and I continue to strive to improve my knowledge on a daily basis. One can never know too much in life.

Wanna learn more about choosing the right trainer? Click here!

Train hard, train smart, invest wisely!

Innovative Results has been voted the best Gym in Orange County by the OC HOTLIST for 2 years in a row. Our staff of highly qualified trainers can help you meet you fitness and health goals. Call today for a free trial 1-866-243-4472

Is Your Personal Trainer Certified or Qualified? Orange County Personal Trainers Wants to Know!

November 8, 2008 by ptpt 1 Comment

Unforunately, being a personal trainer, nationally certified or not, means absolutely nothing.

In 49 out of 50 states all you need is a heart beat to call yourself a personal trainer. In 50 out of 50 states you can become a “nationally certified” personal trainer for less than $400 and one weekend class.

Only 2 of the 500+ certification bodies require a college degree to take their exam and the degree doesn’t even need to be in a related field.

At the same time, it takes over 1500 supervised hours, a state board exam, and a state license to cut someone’s hair in California. Electricians must complete 1600 supervised internship hours, a state board exam, and a state license in order to legally wire an electric socket in my house. But, someone responsible for another person’s health and fitness doesn’t even need a high school diploma!

Most certifications don’t even test their graduates on personal training skills. The majority of large certifications are done entirely on the internet or in test taking centers. These trainers get a piece of paper stating they are certified, yet they may have never trained one single person. Hiring a personal trainer has become like playing Russian roulette with your fitness.

Ok, enough with the trainer bashing… how do you find a good, qualified trainer? First of all, if you decide to hire a trainer, please keep in mind that the best they can ever do is guide you, and help you find your own internal motivation. Secondly, you only want to work with someone who will educate, empower and set you free.

You Might Like These Other Tips:

10 Reasons to Hire a Good Personal Trainer

5 Things to Consider When Hiring a Personal Trainer

Innovative Results has Orange County Personal Trainers that are Certified and more than Qualified to give you the best results from training and the nutrition you need to perform at your best. Call today for a free trial 1-866-243-4472.

Fitness Center in Costa Mesa Reveals 5 Things to Consider When Hiring a Personal Trainer

November 4, 2008 by ptpt 2 Comments

So if you have read the other posts, you may have come to realize that you are frustrated with your current exercise routine or just your overall appearance and state of health. Maybe you have realized you need some help; but hiring a personal trainer might seem a little confusing.

More and more people are beginning to regard an orange county personal trainer not as a luxury but as a necessity. They are realizing that, without proper guidance and support it is very difficult to initiate an exercise program. Unfortunately, virtually anyone can hang a sign on their door and call themselves a fitness professional. There now are more trainers than ever, substantially increasing your chances of making a bad choice. And there are no state laws requiring any kind of license. In fact you have to go through thousands of hours of cutting hair before you ever get a license but zero zip nada NO hours or license require to take someones health in your hands.

Honestly, any Joe blow on the street can say he is a personal trainer, and poof, he is one. I say this not to scare you, but to help you realize that you have a very important decision to make and will want all the facts. So how do you find the right trainer? There is not only a financial commitment on the line but also and more importantly your time, effort, and health. To make this decision easier, I have provided 5 steps to choosing the right personal trainer.

1. Check and assess the credentials

Although not mandatory, the majority of competent trainers decide to become certified as fitness professionals, which requires passing a detailed written examination and usually a practical exam. There are several organizations that certify personal trainers; they teach the same biological stuff because the human body is universal. However, many of them will have different training philosophies and program design. I highly reccomend NCEP, NASM, and ACE.

That being said, you must realize that simply because a person is certified does not mean he is an expert in the field of fitness. Any corporate gym will send a new trainer to a weekend course and have them working in the gym the next Monday. Certified implies that a trainer displays a basic knowledge of exercise, stretching and nutrition, but does not take into account many factors that ultimately determine a trainer’s competence. For example, would you rather take tennis lessons from Frank because he is certified and works at the local YMCA or from Andre Agassi who has proven results.

This is the difference between being certified and qualified. Check #4 to make sure your orange county personal trainer is qualified.

There are many trainers who possess book smarts and can pass a certification exam, but often are not able to communicate their knowledge to others in a clear, concise fashion. I have seen this all too many times. Certification is valuable as an initial screening tool but it has limited usage.

2. Find A Personal Trainer With A Physique That You Admire

A personal trainer should serve as a fitness role model. If you are inspired by the physique of your trainer, it can serve to motivate you to stay on a proper course. The ability to work with someone who has achieved an enviable physique through fitness can be a terrific source of inspiration and can keep you focused on your fitness goals. This is a true example of leadership by doing.

While it is true that someone with a great body is not always a capable trainer, one should look very skeptically at a trainer who is overweight or unfit. Some trainers are “Do as I say but not as I do”. It honestly blows my
mind how many fat personal trainers there are. This does not make
sense. A trainer who is out of shape dos not serve as a positive fitness role model. If the trainer is fat, you need to seriously question their knowledge of exercise and nutrition and their overall level of dedication that they will have for you. If they cannot achieve it on their own, then you can not expect to get results from them.

3. Find A Trainer With A Great Personality

A good Orange County personal trainer must possess more than just knowledge. This trainer has to relate to the needs of each individual trainee. Everyone is different and a good personal trainer must be like a chameleon. The trainer needs to be able to adapt to his client. He is not going to encourage Maxine the 85 year old grandma the same way he motivates Jack the 30 year guitarist for some crazy band.

While some people respond to a hard-driving, militaristic style of training(our buddy Jack), others need to be gently prodded and coaxed for maximum results(sweet and loving Maxine). Spend some time talking to the trainer and get a feel for his ability to communicate with you. If the encounter is anything but comfortable and encouraging, then choose someone else.

If you are not comfortable with the personal trainer’s persona, then next the 3 to 6 months are going to be pure hell and something you loathe doing. Your training sessions should be fun, exciting, and challenging; they should not be a chore and test of your ability to not snap and kill someone. Besides, you want to ultimately become friends with your personal trainer. If you could not see yourself hanging out with that person EVER, then why hang out with them 2 to 3 times a week.

4. Look For Several References and Success Stories

Any established and quality trainer will be able to provide you with references that you want. I think this is the most important aspect when looking for the right personal trainer. It is very easy to get these references and most orange county personal trainers will have a website with testimonials or success stories.

Check their website first and look for several testimonials. If someone only has a couple testimonials, they either are not getting results or are too lazy to track the progress of their clients; either way this is not the personal trainer for you.

Also check to see that their is a variety of success stories. Unless you are looking for someone that specializes in just one particular area, it is best to have a well rounded trainer. For example, you may want to lose weight right now but that does not mean you need a trainer that ONLY works with fat loss clients. This confuses many people.

Heres why…if the trainer is good (which if you follow these criteria he will be) then you will eventually hit your weight loss goal. Then what? Well then maybe you want to get better at tennis so you can smoke little miss whoever down at the club that seems to beat everyone. Well now you can stick with the same trainer IF he has experience training athletes. This will have several advantages but the biggest is that you will already have that working relationship. The trainer will already know where you came from and know all your weaknesses. And you have already had proven success with this trainer.

So again, look for success stories and DEMAND to see them. I think this is the most important aspect to look for when searching for a qualified personal trainer.

5. Evaluate The Fee Structure Of The Personal Trainer

Fees can vary greatly when it comes to personal training, ranging from as little as about $20 per session and going as high as $200 per session or more. Don’t think that a low-priced trainer is a bargain or that a high-priced trainer has some magical formula for success.

There are many things that will determine the fee structure including competition, location, reputation, etc. Be sure to ask what the price includes and whether it is by the session or monthly. I think personal trainers with monthly rates are more organized and more inclined to get results. If you buy a package of sessions, the personal trainer can slack off for the entire package until there are a few left and then turn on the burners with charm, knowledge, care, and consistency in order to get you to resign with them. Most trainers that charge monthly are way more consistent in their level of service.

Also look for trainers with guarantees. Any trainer that will put a guarantee on his training service is fully confident in his ability and has no doubt that you will get results. Either way, be sure to find something that fits your budget. That being said, also remember that you will save tremendous amounts of money by being healthy: no sick days off work, no doctor visits, no medication or prescriptions, lower insurance, no emergency hospital visits, etc..

In Closing

As a personal trainer myself, I need to point out that a lot of personal trainers out there are incompetent. I have worked in homes, corporate gyms, and private gyms and they are everywhere. The worst are usually in corporate gyms because any trainer that is worth his salt and has LOYAL clients, will work for himself. However, realize that there are uneducated, lazy, fat, careless trainers working all over. There are very few that I would actually invest my time and money with and you should be just as picky.

When looking for an Orange County personal trainer, remember these 5 criteria: credentials and certifications, a physique to admire, great personality, testimonials and success stories, fees and charges. Be sure to call your potential trainer and set up a FREE appointment with them before agreeing to any commitments.

Like what you read? Leave us a comment….

Innovative Result is a Fitness Center in Costa Mesa that Personal Training has been voted #1 Orange County Personal Trainer
for ’08 and ’09 by FOX LA’s Hotspot.

If you would like to learn more or schedule a tree trial, please call 1-866-243-4472

Top 10 Reasons Why to Hire a GOOD Personal Trainer in Orange County

November 4, 2008 by ptpt 2 Comments

Not too long ago, hiring an Personal Trainer was like putting a chauffeur, butler or masseuse on the payroll, an indulgence for the rich and spoiled. But the idea that fitness coaches are only for Hollywood stars and professional athletes is as outdated as Jane Fonda’s leg warmers.

Having a trainer makes sense for people who join gyms but are intimidated by the maze of machines and free weights. Or those who work out at home and need someone to rev up your routine. Think you can go to the gym, workout, and eat right with enough motivation? Sure you can! However, what makes you think that someone who specializes in exercise and weight loss/ weight gain can’t help increase your results and keep you motivated and consistent?

When people think of a personal trainer they picture some huge guy that looks like Hulk Hogan standing over them yelling out orders like a drill Sargent.

The reality of our occupation is just the opposite. We aren’t there to be little you, yell at you, and make you puke (because you’ve worked out so much). We are there to be a “professional tool” to guide you in the right direction so you can be successful throughout your journey to a better, healthier body.

Most gym members watch personal trainers throughout their training sessions and try to get a good idea of what a trainer “really” does. This is often a good question to ask when watching some trainers that work in corporate gyms, but more on that issue in a future blog. However, even the average client doesn’t really know what is fully going on. Much more thought and effort goes into planning workout routines then just marching out onto the workout floor and pointing to machines. Not only is the trainer tailoring your workout towards your overall goal, but they are also changing your routine on a consistent basis so you don’t hit plateaus and get discouraged. Sometimes this means changing the weight, reps, tempo, modality, rest, plane of motion, or even changing the whole routine all together! So I am going to give you some hints on “what a trainer really does” so that you can decide whether paying for personal training is really worth it…..

Here are the top ten reasons to hire an Orange County Personal Trainer

1. You are not seeing results

If you’ve been exercising consistently for several weeks or months and aren’t seeing the changes you’d like, hiring a trainer may be a good choice. A trainer can look at your current program and eating habits and help you see where you could make changes to create more effective
workouts. A trainer can also help you determine if the goals you’ve set are realistic for you.

2. You do not know where to start

Knowing how to set up a balanced schedule that includes all the activities you need to do can be confusing. The great thing about a trainer is that he can help you maximize your time while helping you stay within your own limits so you don’t overdo it. He can also help you set goals and map out a specific schedule so you know when, how and where you’ll fit in your workouts.

3. You are bored with your old workouts

If you’re an experienced exerciser, maybe you haven’t considered working with a trainer. But it can be a great choice if you need some variety in your workouts. A trainer can bring a fresh perspecitve and new ideas to challenge both your body and your mind. Even if you just do a few sessions or meet every few weeks, you’ll find it refreshing to have new workouts and new exercise toys to play with.

4. You need to be challenged and pushed to your limits

If you’re like me, you tend to slack off on your workouts sometimes, especially when things get tough. A trainer can motivate you to push past those self-imposed limits, encouraging you to lift heavier, go longer and challenge yourself more than you would on your own. You’ll find it’s very hard to slack off with a trainer standing over you, telling you to do just…one…more…rep!

5. You need accountability and motivation

Trainers come with built-in motivation. Not only are you investing money into your exercise program…you’re investing time as well. There’s nothing like a standing appointment to get your butt in gear for a workout. Not only that, a trainer provides some accountability so, even when you don’t have a session, you know your trainer will be asking if you did your planned workouts. Just knowing that may make it harder to skip your workouts. This is also a great reason for all those people who know how to exercise and do it correctly but still just don’t.

6. You have a specific illness, injury or condition

If you have any specific issues like arthritis, heart disease, old injuries, diabetes etc., working with an experienced trainer (who works with your doctor, of course) can help you find a program to help heal injuries and avoid any further problems. It’s also a great idea to work with a trainer if you’re pregnant and want a safe, effective workout to keep you healthy and fit. Just make sure your trainer has experience with your issues!

7. You are training for a sport or event

If you’re training for a marathon, a golf tournament or some other type of sport or event, an experienced trainer can help you figure out what you need to do to stay strong without taking away from your other training. She can also help create a training program and map out a plan for the coming event. Just make sure she’s experienced in the sport you’re training for since not all trainers do sport-specific training.

8. You want to target specific parts of your body

Trainers have a vast supply of exercises so they can help target areas of your body that you don’t know how to work. Different exercises helps you to challenge parts of your body in so many different ways that you are assured to get results. So whether you want big guns for the beach or hot sexy legs for that new skirt, a trainer will be able to get you specific results directly related to your own personal goal.

9. You need advice on the right, safe supplements for you and your goal

The supplement industry spends billions of dollars each year on advertising their products, but just because they spent so much on promotion doesn’t mean that they spent it on research! In fact this industry is not even regulated by the FDA and do not have to practice good manufacturing practices. That’s where the trainer comes in, they study supplements and tell you which ones are worth buying.

10. They keep you on track with your meal plans(MOST IMPORTANT)

No one likes to be restricted, but somehow when someone is watching over you, it’s much easier to eat the right foods then just doing it on your own. Just knowing that you have to tell your trainer what you ate will help you make better decision let alone if you are writing it down and showing him. Every GOOD trainer will be very well educated in nutrition because that will determine 80% of your results. Make sure you know if you are eating to “lose weight” or for “optimal health”. There is a huge difference and it is a leading factor why 90% of our food budget is spent on processed “diet food” like lean cuisines and the cancer rates are growing like crazy.

A logical choice…

Look over this list of things that trainers do…… now think about your busy life, your family, your job, your social life. Now, tell me if you think you have time to change your workouts, follow your meal plan, keep yourself motivated, and spend long nights researching new workout routines and supplements. Not many of us do…. but we know we can make money and save money. Most sick days at work can be attributed to being overweight and eating junk. All the money spent at the doctors office and on prescriptions is unnecessary. This money can be invested in your well being with preventative medicine by choosing an Orange County personal trainer that’s well educated who can help you on your way to a better you!

Innovative Results has a team of personal trainers in Orange County that can help you find the right exercise and nutrition plan to help you achieve your fitness and health goals. Call today for a free trial 1-866-243-4472

Good vs Great: Finding a Personal Trainer in Orange County

November 1, 2008 by ptpt Leave a Comment

We really want people to understand the difference between bad trainers, good trainers and GREAT trainers. You don’t want to waste valuable time and money on a bad (or even a good) trainer. So, how do you identify a GREAT TRAINER?

We’ve compiled a list of what to look for and questions to ask when you interview a personal trainer or meet with them during your initial session:

Attitude

Trainers are coaches that should inspire. Is the trainer high-energy, upbeat and ‘on their game.” Do people seem to genuinely like this person? Are they positive and do they make their clients feel good? How does the trainer motivate their clients to do more than they would on their own? The majority of people hire a personal trainer because they won’t exercise or work hard enough on their own. Is the trainer consistently encouraging and educating them? If the trainer is texting or talking to other trainers about their weekend while the clients huff and puff, then move on.

Education

Don’t be afraid to ask the specifics of your trainer’s education. There are almost as many paths to becoming a trainer as there are trainers. The trainer should readily offer a resume that includes the name of the school or program they’ve completed, degrees and credentials they’ve earned, school accreditation and years of study.

Is their background in kinesiology and biology or is it more sports-oriented?
Are they familiar with how the body works, how injury happens and heals, muscle interaction and psychology?
Are they certified in CPR?

Experience

Education is a vital component that will help to ensure safety and results, but so is experience. Ask how long they have been training. Ask where they have worked as a personal trainer. Many professional and successful amateur athletes become personal trainers with a great wealth of knowledge and been mentored by great coaches. This counts too. Ask if they themselves work out with a trainer. Ask them how and why they became a personal trainer.

Method and Variety

Is the workout innovative?
Is the workout proposed by the trainer the same for every client or is it highly personalized for an individual’s goals and ability?
Do the workouts progress and are they challenging from week to week?
Is it the same for men, women and people of all ages?

If it is, buy a DVD and move on!

Communication

Does this trainer clearly communicate what they want their clients to do and why?
Do they communicate their expectations clearly?
Do they interact with each client?
Do they seem comfortable communicating with people whose age, race, language or culture varies from their own?
Do they demonstrate proper technique or just sit around and tell people what to do.

Professionalism and Accountability

Is the trainer on time and expecting you when you arrive?
Is the trainer dressed in an appropriate manner?
Does the trainer do what they say they will do?

Because this industry lacks consistent regulation and licensing is not required, personal trainers have earned a bad reputation for being “flaky.” Not every trainer is, of course. One way to find out is to ask the gym manager and other clients. Or you can learn the hard way. If your trainer does not show up or consistently starts late- move on!

On the contrary, to find a personal trainer, ask yourself if the trainer is a role model.

Do they look like they work out?
Do they stick to a healthful diet and live a healthy and inspirational lifestyle?
Do they put out positive energy?
Do they have a personal success story that led them to this career choice? Are they intimidating or welcoming?
Do they seem genuinely interested in their client’s well-being?
Do they respect others? Do they smile — or only when they look in the mirror?
Are they inspiring people to come back through their consistency, goals, performance or results?
Are they helping others in positive ways outside of the gym by volunteering, working with charities or coaching children’s sports?

Don’t be afraid to ask trainers what they do when they are not in the gym – if they can’t answer, or say “I’m always in the gym,” don’t be impressed, move on.

Physical Environment

Do you want to work out in a gym, outdoors, indoors or in your home? These questions will determine who you hire to train you, but won’t really affect whether or not your trainer is a great trainer. Great trainers can train on the moon. They don’t need a fancy gym. Regardless, if you are considering a gym workout ask yourself if the gym environment is safe and supportive; is it clean; are the machines working; is the equipment in good condition; is the lighting good? If the gym is more like a social club then you might want to move on. One more important point: complaining is toxic and detrimental to your goals—if the trainer or the other people in the gym are complainers – move on.

Intangibles

When you’ve determined that you have found a good trainer, you must now ask yourself if this trainer is a good match for you. People hire trainers to help them reach a goal and get results, but not everyone is motivated the same way. A trainer-client relationship is a very personal one and even the best trainer might not necessarily be the best trainer for YOU.

Do you complement one another?
Do you think you could spend an hour a day with this person and give them your all?
Can you be honest with them?
Will they be honest with you?
Do they know how to get YOU to your goals?
Does the trainer seem to have insight into what makes you tick?

A good coach will modify their style to fit the individual and maximize results.

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How to Eat Right on a Budget

October 27, 2008 by ptpt 1 Comment

One of my main concerns when I started to eat right, was that I was going to have to dish out more cash to eat foods that probably didn’t even taste good. I thought my budget wouldn’t be able to provide for the eating I wanted.

Wrong!

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One of the first things I learned was that everyone has a number of nutrient levels our body wants and needs to fufill everytime we eat.

Not eating right or “eating a well-balanced meal” (I’m sure you’ve heard that phrase before) causes our bodies to say “Hey! were missing x and y-factor, etc.. keep eating something.. anything… until we get it!”

That’s where sugar cravings come from.

Too much sugar and the body gets thrown off balance.

The chemicals in processed foods has the same effect on your body.

Yuck!!

One of the first things I noticed when I learned to eat right, was I was able to eat more often (5-6 times a day) but I was eating A LOT less than before.

All my cravings we gone and I no longer spent money on food I didn’t need (such as ice cream, gronola bars, etc.), nor did I feel like going out to eat (when I did it was only to socialize and I normally ordered something very light).

This densely nutritious food was doing my body right, and it was shrinking my total budget for health.

Now after almost an entire year of living this way, I have not been sick once.

I was so happy to find myself not spending my budget on doctor visits, antibiotics, and cough medicine.

So the price of how to eat right on a budget is: changing some lifestyle habits, adjusting your budget toward healthy food choices, learning more about eating healthy for your body, and throwing out all the garbage in your cabinets.

The return on that investments is: looking better, feeling better, and moving better without breaking the bank or budget.

(Whether your eating right or eating wrong…imagine what you will look like, feel like, and move like in twenty years…that is great motivation!)

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