Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Lifted


I've given myself - or am giving myself - an early holiday present. Or a very very very late one. Probably the latter.

Last Sunday was my first session with a personal trainer.

A present to myself. To my health. To my vanity.

I guess it is a little too little, it's a little too late. It would have probably been better for me to do this at 37 than 47, but hey, I'm doing it.

I've got two places in my head - one that knows I won't and can't have the body I desire, yet on the other, the smallest sliver that maybe, just maybe, I can. 47 seems too late to start that pipe dream, but I'm going for it anyways.

Yes, I've been working out diligently over the last two years, and I like to think I know what I'm doing, but in reality I don't. I lift, I pull, I tug, I sit up, I pull up, etc, and it all seems logical what I'm doing, but I don't know the physiology behind it all and that what I'm doing will help me obtain my goals.

Sunday was basically my evaluation. We ran through my current routines. Then we went over any physical stuff I have - the good and the bad. You know, bad backs, metal plates and pin in legs, stuff like that.

Chris (that's my trainer's name) and I then took 30 minutes to go over some other exercises I should be doing to not only to provide me greater strength, but to assist with exercise-induced growth hormones.

The EIGR will eventually help me lift differently and possibly more, but it will help develop the muscle for more definition, which is really what I'm looking for. Like I said: vanity.

And I should clarify on 'lift'. Pressing is more harmful then pulling or squeezing. It's not that I can't or shouldn't bench press, but it's probably not the best for me. I have been given alternative ways to work the same muscles. And Chris did give me a number of core exercises to do - new ones and tough ones. Lots and lots of squats.

My legs and abs are sore Sore SORE. Or as Denton childes, "soreness you paid for".

They were sore immediately after the workout and increasingly so since. But sore in a good way. Still, today's workout should prove to be interesting as I will be burning off calories by all the wincing I will be doing. I can barely walk.

I did not hire one of these yell-at-me-to-motivate-me kind of trainers. I don't respond to that. Well, I do, but my response is to shut-down, not to be inspired by. Chris is a nice guy who knows his stuff - and is a triathlete. While that's not what I'm going for, he seems to know how to connect.

And I have a few weeks before I really start with him. Chris is off for a few weeks due to having hernia surgery. He's already had one, so we commiserated on that, since I've had two as well. But I could go back to work earlier, since my job didn't require, well.....lifting weights.

So I'll get through the holidays before 10 weeks of personal training begins - or my first ten weeks, if I think I need/want more. But I've signed up - which is the biggest step and I've beat those pesky New Year's resolutioneers (I'm sure that's a word!) to the punch.


Song by: the Eurythmics

8 comments:

Jonny said...

Your weight trainer has had not one but two hernias? Oh..the iron-y. (pun intended!)

Cubby said...

This is great news and a really great idea. So many folks have personal trainers and I think many (most?) of them do so because they are looking for someone with a big stick to beat them into the gym regularly. You don't have that problem. You already have the personal disciple to go 4-5 times a week. All I can see is good things happening from this.

Are you familiar with Bo Dixon? He was in his 40s when he decided to be a bodybuilder and after a few years of intense gym training he turned himself into a middle-aged Adonis. If he can do it so can you. You really are driven when it comes to exercise.

You travel a lot and are forced to eat meals at restaurants. This is a major goal killer. What can you do/are you doing to avoid the fat and calories?

Birdie said...

I love Denton's point of view.

A Lewis said...

More vanity or more health ?? Hee hee. I've always admired you for your dedication to the gym. I used to be. And now, it's.....blah blah blah. And maybe you remember my bit about one of my personal trainers a while back:

http://spiritofsaintlewis.blogspot.com/2008/11/cody-and-spirit-collide.html

tornwordo said...

Good on you. And yes, squats promote full body growth. I thought after gaining all that weight that I'd never have my body, however puny compared to *real* bodybuilders, back again. But it's doable.

Serge begrudgingly told me that I looked good yesterday. If you knew him, you'd know what a compliment that was.

Anonymous said...

A personal trainer seems like a great idea. You have been pushing yourself and I think this will help you reach your real goals.

I think you should find a trainer with a sense of humor. Perhaps instead of saying he is having hernia surgery he could say he is giving Mr. Happy a face lift and a tummy tuck.

Anonymous said...

A personal trainer seems like a great idea. You have been pushing yourself and I think this will help you reach your real goals.

I think you should find a trainer with a sense of humor. Perhaps instead of saying he is having hernia surgery he could say he is giving Mr. Happy a face lift and a tummy tuck.

Ur-spo said...

I love my personal trainer - it is a very good investment. They keep you going/on your toes.
Very sensible of you to do this.