Frustrations: How do you Handle them?

We all become frustrated by things in life, some small, others monstrous. Currently unemployment is a huge frustration for me. That is something a large number of people are dealing with and it's not easy by any means. It is a situation that obviously effects me, but also other people around me. When you are faced with tough times, how do you handle them? I try and stay positive, and active. Networking, interacting with people and doing things that keep you happy are constructive ways to channel the pent up anxiety. Exercise is the key for me and I realize when I'm not getting as much of that as I should it makes me edgy. I was back in weight lifting class for the first time in weeks last night, because of an injury, and found that I felt so much better after. There are those that retreat and lash out when faced with difficult situations and that is so unhelpful. It makes the person mean, hurtful, and most unpleasant to be around. Resentment is not going to help the situation. Supporting and comforting one another is how to handle frustrations and tough times. So remember as difficult as life can be, things will get better and you will work through hard situations. Stay positive, do things that keep you active and happy and be nice to one another.

I Passed!

It took almost six weeks to find out, but I received my personal trainer certification in the mail from AFAA yesterday. I was so excited. I was almost afraid to open the envelope. Do you remember those days, like when you received acceptance letters from colleges, or potential employers, that you took the envelope inside and stared at it until you couldn't stand it anymore? If someone had been here I would have given to them to open for me. Fortunately I opened and it was good news! Next step, what do I do with the certification? I'm hoping that I'll be able to work with another trainer, learn the ropes and start training soon. For now, I'm going to just be excited about this accomplishment! Remember you can do anything you put your mind to!

Where do You Work Out and Why There?

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Will you be sticking with your clean eating today with a green smoothie or going for the tall Guinness? For me, Guinness all the way and add it to a meal of meat and potatoes?, you bet!! I can work it off tomorrow.

With new people joining the gym lately and asking me why I chose the YMCA in DC, got me thinking about why I did choose this gym and where others like to work out. I've mentioned before that when the weather is warm from mid-spring to mid-fall, I really prefer to hike, bike, run and swim outdoors, but during the months or days that it's uncomfortable (cold, wet, or both) I will take it indoors. So why the Y? Well, it all starts so many years ago... I grew up with the YMCA. I took swimming lessons there, until I had to learn to backwards dive and then I said enough (I'm still scared to try that). I took gymnastics there, my mom taught pre-school there, I went to the over-night summer camp and then became a CIT at the day camp. It was a large part of my childhood. I never really went back as an adult, then one visit to my home city of Augusta, Maine, I drove by and saw the building I'd spent so much time in all boarded up as the city had built a new facility elsewhere in town. I've never been there, btw.

As an adult I had joined a gym after college and it had all the usual amenities, weights, machines, classes, etc.. Nothing special.

When I moved to DC I hadn't thought much about joining a gym, but the place I worked had a corporate membership plan and happened to be just around the corner from the YMCA. Imagine that. I took the tour and was amazed at all it had to offer, pool, weight room, machines on more than one floor, basketball court (although I don't play), and a running track. Nothing fancy, but all functional. Now I've since toured and used trial memberships at some expensive and fancy places. You know the ones with the nice locker rooms with tall wooden lockers, attendants right there to help with anything (like disposable razors), showers that are huge with places to sit and have all the shampoo, conditioner, and bath gel you could ever want. Make up tables with individual mirrors, cotton balls, cotton swabs and the like. Weight rooms with the newest, shiniest dumbbells and machines and studios with springy floors. Those are all great things, but when you look at the bottom line of why you join a gym, is it for all that, or is it because you want to get fit and not pay a ton of money doing it? A 15Lb dumbbell is a 15LB dumbbell regardless if it's shiny, neoprene, or dull. Still gets the same job done. As nice as a locker room such as I described might be, all I really want to do after working out is take a shower, change and be on my way.

So why the Y, well besides the proximity to my current home, I like all that it has to offer as well as the knowledgeable and courteous staff and the sense of community. I also feel that for what I spend, I know that some of that money goes back to the community and that is important to me. Is the place perfect, no, are there things it can improve on, absolutely, but for now, it's the right place for me to workout. Now, I'm certainly not dissing the other facilities out there (I enjoyed my trial memberships so much that I took advantage every chance I got). You need to enjoy where you workout because that will keep you motivated and continuing to exercise on a regular basis no matter where that is, (fancy gym, less fancy gym, or outside) that is the absolute bottom line.

Now off to enjoy myself a Guinness!

Changing Your Fitness Routine

Hit the exercise plateau? Not feeling the same soreness and burn? I know the feeling. For several weeks I have kept the same workout routine, for the most part. Same classes, same times. Decided this week that it was time to change things up so I have taken different classes at different times. My muscles are a little unhappy, (sore calves to be precise) but it will be good for them. It's like saying wake up! Muscles will get used to doing the same movements with the same weight over and over so they actually need to be shocked. On average muscles adapt to routines within six to eight weeks. Besides avoiding hitting a plateau, changing your exercise routine will also help keep you from getting bored or making working out feel like a chore. With the warmer weather on its way I'll be taking more of my workouts outside with running and cycling and with summer even swimming. Spice it up once in a while. You should feel like you've worked hard, without pain that is. Exercise should be fun and rewarding. You may be sore for a couple of days after a change, but know that you'll be challenged and your muscles will soon adapt.

Happy Exercising!

Personal Training Exams and relaxation in SW Florida

I survived! Last weekend I finally took the AFAA (Aerobics and Fitness Association of America) Personal Training workshop and exams. This was an amazing experience. Two and a half days of workshops reviewing all the information in the textbook, with practices in taking fitness assessments, meeting and teaching clients. Very helpful for getting ready for the written and practical exams taken the second half of day three. I was such a wreck by the end of the second day I didn't sleep well, but with the gym practical on day 3 I was more confident for the practical exam. I highly recommend AFAA if you are considering becoming a PT. If hands-on studying works better for you, I suggest the workshops.

I now wait for 4-6 weeks for my results. Obviously I hope to have passed both exams and receive my personal training certification. If I didn't pass one or both I'll have to re-take, however I will now know what is expected and should certainly pass a second go-round. I haven't wanted to speculate on how I did, because I'll become too obsessive about it. Next step is to create a business plan and decide if I want to work for someone or venture out on my own. I like things about both ideas. For now, I'll gather advice from others and wait. Waiting is about as hard as studying. Wait, wait, wait...

After practically living at the gym for the last weekend, it was nice to get away and relax a few days in the warmth and sunshine of Southwest Florida. Visiting family, kayaking, swimming, and lounging at the beach was all I could handle. It was a really nice time and I managed to snap a few photos of wildlife while relaxing. I've posted to my Flickr account. Please check those and my other photos out. http://www.flickr.com/photos/wildlife2011/

Always take my camera with me everywhere I go. I figure there will be a great photo out there.

If you have advice for working in a gym or on my own or have a photo site you want to share, please feel free to send to me.

Will let you know when I have my certification, can't wait to get started helping people make and reach their fitness goals!

Food Blogs and Websites.

I follow a few blogs and e-newsletters. Topics include fitness, the environment, travel and food. I like it when I come across interesting tips or advice. Most recently food has been a topic of conversation. I like to cook and keep meals interesting. I could keep things simple and not feel like changing things up so often, but I get a little bored. I really enjoy finding new recipes. However, I want to eat a healthy as possible, although a cheat meal is okay now and again, and prefer meals that are not complicated or take too long to prepare. You might think that is a tall order, but there are some really great foodies out there with good sites. I was just introduced to Hungry Girl which is informative and has some great ideas like Chicken la Fea (look it up, it's really yummy looking). Annie's Eats I've just heard about and at quick glance looks like tasty treats. Having had an authentic Moroccan meal a few nights ago, I was sent this one;http://moroccanfood.about.com/?nl=1. All sorts of traditional recipes that I look forward to trying.

I still continue to rip pages out of magazines, some of my fitness ones have good clean ones and also grab the cookbook every so often. Two of my favs are Clean Eating by Tosca Reno and one on Chinese stir fry. Eating clean, vegetarian and vegan is becoming easier and is so healthy for you.

What types of things catches your eye when looking for food blogs and sites?

Simple, fun and easy are for me.

Happy cooking and if you find some good sites, pass them along, I'm always looking for something new!

Personal Training Certification 3-Day Workshop in 2 Weeks

I'm getting excited and nervous. The first weekend of March I will be taking a 3-day personal training workshop from Aerobics and Fitness Association of America. I'm hoping to gain a lot of knowledge and pass the certification exam so I can get started in helping others enjoy working out and changing their lives. This will be a very intensive 3 days. I'm excited about what I hope to learn, but nervous about the exam. I've never been very good at testing. I received the study guide and text book a few months ago and have read it cover to cover once, now in the process of re-reading. I'm afraid I'll forget it all. I'm hoping that the hands on workshops will help reinforce the information and thus make it easier to retain.

If someone had suggested I become a trainer a couple of years ago, I would have thought them crazy. I've enjoyed going to the gym or exercising outside for several years now, but wouldn't have thought of helping others, not professionally. Then I was laid off and spending a lot of time at the gym, cycling and swimming and really realized how much I love working out and that it might be fun to help other people with their fitness goals. Exercising has been something along with dance class that helps ease stress, especially the stress of not working.

I don't know what this will all lead to, but I'm looking forward to starting something new. It's scary to make a big change, but can also be very rewarding. If you have something in your life that you want to change; your health, job, home, don't be afraid, embrace it. The roads in life are full of side roads and can lead you to some beautiful places. You have to be willing to take them.

I'm still nervous, but am confident I'll do well and so will you!