Workout Workshop

A couple weeks ago I got text from my manager, "Call me asap." First thought, "What could I have possibly have done?" Turns out our club had been given a NCSF certification by corporate and I was chosen to receive it. In order to be a Master Trainer one must have three different certification so NCSF will be number two for me. Not going to lie when I was told about receiving the cert I inwardly groaned...it meant taking that BIG test again. The one that I struggled so much to pass just for my first cert. But here is how the day ended up going...

Bright and early, armed with textbook, workbook, and Starbucks; I headed down to our corporate office for day one of the workshop.  There I met up with these two...

Kat, who works in our Service department, and her husband Sal. It was great having friendly faces to chat with and be workout partners with. The first part of the day was spent at desks learning about nutrition, health constrictions, and assessments. After lunch we worked on IDing imbalances, how to correct them, and learning proper form for basic leg exercises. 

Sal doing a Bench Negative Leg Curl

Kat doing a Negative Glute Hamstring Raise

The last six months has been a huge learning curve so I'm now seeing the same material from the view of someone who has been in the industry. I know what it's like to have a client who has never step foot in the gym and to have a client who has been doing exercises wrong for years. Having clients who have a lot of weight to lose and with only a few pounds. All of which have different challenges. This class also covered some things that I felt weak in. Also NCSF looks at somethings, like assessments, slightly different than The Cooper Institute.

I'm just excited to be a trainer and continue to learn about my industry. And when it comes to the test I was surprised how much I was remembering. I plan on taking that sucker asap! Which will mean I will be a CPT 2. Tomorrow we go over Program RX, which I am going to be interested at how that present it.

Happy weekend!

Belle

Becoming a Finisher

On a wall in my parents' garage is a dozen or so Finisher medals and race bibs. We are talking several half and full marathons; Houston, Marine Corps, and White Rock. There is even a bright yellow bib from Sun Mart's Century Endurance Trail Run, a 100 miler through the woods of Huntsville State Park. All of them belonging to my 63, in Janurary, father. All of them highly impressive to the girl who has yet to compelte a 5K.

Dad and I after my first Cycle ride

My dad spent 20 years in the Marine Corp and being forced to run. So when he retired so did his running shoes. However, 11 years later at the age of 46, dad laced up his running shoes and hit the pavement. His marathon PR being in the four hour range, which for those who don't know is slow. Dad isn't built for speed, he is what is known in the running world as a "Plotter."

The thing that I admire about my dad's running career is that even though he maybe a Plotter, he is at least a Finisher...and he has the medal and the bibs to prove it. I, on the other hand, get discrouaged at the slightest bump in the training road. Whether my liagitament knee issues or my mental block with running, what I like to blame on my "Fat Girl Mentality"; I have yet to complete a race. 

My last attemept to join the running commuity came to a screetching hault 2 months ago. I was on attempt number three to run...

However, at a staff volleyball game I landed on my knee twice without any knee pads. I wound up with Platella Fasciitis, fancy term meaning the tendon from my knee to my femur was strained. I must admit I am not the best of Finisher...of anything. The refinishing of my dresser...in the parentals' garage half way sanded. Dozens of books halfway read. Learning spanish...sign langauge. The list goes on.

I don't know if it's stubberness or my inner runner crying to get out but I have the fever...for more running. I want at least one finisher medal and bib to hang some where. I want to say that I conquered my mental block of running. I'd like to be able to say, "Yea I ran three miles this morning." I want my Runner's Story...like how I pushed through the rain with a big toe bleeding while a dog chasing me to finish my run. I want a PR...even if it is really slow and my best time is just crossing that finish line. I want to say I am a runner.

So going on attempt number 385,0276,504 I will be training. Forget the Half Marathon...give me a simple 5K. I don't even have a 5K picked out, no goal date pressure. I just want to run. When I can run my favorite 3 mile loop then I'll look for a 5K to run. I also want to find a running group and since I will be in the city now it might be easier.

Maybe this Skinny Southern Belle will finally become the Running Skinny Southern Belle.

What have you never been a Finisher at? What has held you back from crossing the finish line?

Life after G.O.

So my last post was April 7...about a week prior to the gym I work at opening. When we have been open for 6 months now and life after Grand Opening (G.O.) is different than I had imagined.

My plan was that by now I would have moved out of the parental units to my favorite part of Houston, 20 minutes from my club. I would be blissfully be a full time Trainer. Doing adult things like saving for a new car,  decorating said apartment, and finally updating my wardrobe (which still has yet to recover from under-growing my clothes).

I, however, am not full time. I had to even get a second job, my old receptionist job from when I was in college. I ended up finding a great apartment 5 minutes from the gym. Which turned out to be nice for early morning clients. The biggie...I'm transferring clubs. There are several us at my current club...who are still trying to load up their schedules to become full time. I love this club; it's staff, my clients, and it's facilities. But a girl has to do what a girl has to do. So I'll be making the move November 1st.

Alright what do ya'll want to read about? What questions are you dying to ask?

The Runaway Belle

Ok so according to my run race schedule I'm about ready to run my 10K. However...yup a however...I haven't run in about 6 weeks. So here is the story... 

If I had planned my runs right I would have been ready to run my first 5K. My 5K was to be run the Saturday after returning from my ski trip. That week was also the week in the C25K that I was to run 25 minutes continuously. I think I used the ski trip as my reasoning as to why my running plan got debunked. Let's face the facts the REAL reason is I think that I can't run for 25 minutes continuously. Which doesn't really make sense since at one point I was able to run 6 miles. What can I say I have a mental block with running. 

The thing is that I really began to enjoy running. I just need a running buddy to be there when I want to quit, push me to go faster, and for workout accountability. Sounds great right? I am currently take applications if you wish to apply. Ok so not really...ok sort of for real. There are running clubs. I see some of them meet at my favorite park. Some of them are pretty funny...they run then gather around a tailgate to drink beer. I may look into finding a club that could work with my work schedule. 

Vlog: Belle's Gym Bag

Happy Sunday! How has your day been? Mine started off by going to church and having the cutest rugrat running into my arms for a hug! More about that later but until enjoy my first VLOG! 

Return of the Southern Belle

So upon request of several people I'm back. Apparently people like the blog! Today's post will be an update on what has been going on in my life!

Ok last ya'll heard I was studying to take my certification test again. Well I took it February 12 and PASSED! That is right! I am a Cooper Institute Certified Personal Trainer! That same day I applied to several gyms. By the end of February I was hired by a brand new 24 Hour Gym being built in the Katy area that was not due to open until April 23.

The idea of wait till April 23 to start making real money was a bite scary but I had the nanny job till then...or so I thought. Turns out that my job with the little blurs wouldn't work with my training schedule.

It was a bitter sweet goodbye to the boys. The family was such a blessing. They encouraged me to continue when most told me it was time to move on.

Well I am learning everything 24 Hour Fitness and getting to know everyone. There are 21 trainers and 9 Membership Counselors. It's sort of like being at camp. Which is great because if I had just gone into an already established gym it would have been hard for this shy Belle to get to know people. Also our gym's opening has been moved up a week! We are opening April 16th!

So let me know what you want see on the blog. I def have some ideas for postings. But what are you struggling with? What can I help you with?

Belle

Learning to Fight

Phew! Can I just say I don’t think I’ve squealed or jumped up and down as much as I did Sunday? Saturday after my test I called all friends who knew I was taking my certification test. However, because I kept the test on the down low there was about an additional 12 or so people from church that I had to tell that not only had I taken it but had passed. The common response was a scream followed by a huge hug and followed by jumping. I was wearing ballet flats that were a bit too big which made not looking awkward while jumping challenging.

I am so BLESSED by my church family. My mother had paid for my certification program. However, after failing with that particular program several times several church members paid to send me to the Cooper Institute in Dallas where I could have a week of in class teaching. They believed in me even when I did…when I was wondering if I had discerned God’s will for my life correctly. They told me it was all about God’s timing. I had come to a point where the mere thought of studying and taking that test again made me want to cry. Turns out they were right…more than they probably realize.

I’m not a stick with type of person. I don’t get stubburn and dig in my heals. My extra curricular activities consist of a verity of abandoned activities; softball, running, choir, theatre, volleyball. Even my school work…I’d settle with Cs because it was expected of me because I wasn’t school smart. Even when I didn’t want to study or take the stupid test again, deep down I wanted to be a personal trainer so bad. I had a rare drive for me. Along with my lack of stick-to-it-ness I’m an impatient person. I want something…I want it NOW.

I thing those were the lessons I was to learn. Growing up in the church you learn about God’s time, not your own…and you believe it. I guess when push come to shove I was wanting to be a personal trainer NOW. If I didn’t get it the first time…or first few times around then I wasn’t going to be persistent. For whatever reason the Lord wanted me to learn to fight for this…and to be patient. He had me learn to trust that I will discern correctly…and discern to continue the fight for His will. If that is what I had to go through to learn that then praise God. Maybe next time I will remember these lessons learned and trust sooner and full heartily.