Considering the amount of money I spent in 2010 on personal training sessions, and only seeing very poor results, you'd think I would never use a personal trainer again. $2000 = 5 kilos lost. My first personal trainer experience was a big FAIL.
But, that was my fault. Not theirs.
Nebulous goal + no changes to eating = FAIL
Here are four reasons why I am using a personal trainer again in 2011
Because I need help.
I have a specific goal, and I am not confident that I have enough will-power to get out of bed and do a meaningful high intensity workout for 45 minutes without someone there waiting for me to turn up. My excuses are legendary. And, I don't want to start out with the enthusiasm most projects start out with, only to see them fizzing very soon after.
The PT is there to make me do the workout even when I really, really, really, really couldn't give a damn that I am staving off diabetes, or wanting to fit into my valedictory dress, or when the devil on your shoulder tells you that "you've I've already done heaps, you deserve a break".
Because I have a goal
I have a clearly articulated SPECIFIC goal, that is measurable and time-limited. I want to achieve my goal - and so I will do whatever it takes to help me get there. And since I know myself pretty well now, I could easily chuck it all in when my depression hits, or if work becomes too tough, or ... well you get the picture.
I have a goal, and I am used to dissappointing myself by not meeting my goals. A personal trainer will be a constant reminder of my goal.
Because I am committed to healhty eating
I finally acknowledge that I ate myself into this size, every bite counted. I have also seen that just getting fitter does not help me get skinnier - and I am $2000 worse off for that timely piece of self-awareness. So, no matter how much I want that hot cocoa after dinner, I am committed to changing my eating habits. I am maintaining a food diary. I have committed to paleo eating for four weeks (and likely eight).
Because I am making those changes to diet, I expect my personal training sessions to provide me with weight-loss results.
A plan for life without PT
I can't see the point of my goal - to maintain a healthy BMI for the rest of my life - IF I have to have three (3) personal training sessions each week for the rest of my life to achieve it.
So, I have already put limits on how long I will go to a personal trainer. This allows me to have control over my goal and my INTENTIONS for exercise - fitness for life. I am using the personal training to achieve my first 8 week challenge. There are other ways for the remaining goals to be achieved - PT may or may not be part of the plan.
For example, in my first 5 week challenge (to 12 April) I intend to replace 2 weeks worth (6) of personal training sessions with 10 sessions of hot yoga - steamy sweaty 1 hour yoga sessions. This will give me a break from PT, will give me some insight into how my body responds to different types of exercise, and will help me determine whether I actually turn up to a group class after promising myself I would. It will also give my hip pocket a break - the hot yoga is local and has a 10 session introductory offer!
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