Confessions of a Personal Trainer and Yogi

I sometimes get sarcastic comments from friends about being healthy and how hard it is or how they just can't do it like I can, etc.  So let me share some secrets with you....I can't always do it either.

Secret #1 - I've put on 5 lbs this year....

I like to think that most of it is muscle and that may very well be true.  But I know that I have also had a running injury that's prevented me from running for 3 weeks prior to a half marathon I just completed and I haven't exactly replaced that cardio with anything.  I've also changed birth control medications and that seems to always make everything swell up.

Secret #2 - I workout about 4 times a week, but sometimes it feels like I phone it in.

I like to be sore after a workout.  A day after, I want to gingerly squat to go potty because my quads and hamstrings are screaming at me.  That hasn't happened a whole lot lately (the screaming, not the potty part).  I also know that when it comes to workouts, I am by far a whole lot better at planning out my client's workouts than my own.  I get an attitude of "well, I know tons of exercises to do, I'm sure something will come to me."  And then end up doing something that doesn't push me enough or I don't move fast enough between workouts like I make my clients.

Secret #3 - I don't practice yoga everyday and I don't meditate.

I've tried.  I really have.  Meditation takes discipline and I always seem to pick the wrong time to do it - like 6 p.m. at night right when husband gets home and I need to "center" before a yoga class and the 5 year old is hungry and whining.  I get to a yoga class (that I don't teach) about once a week.  I get distracted in my own personal practice (which is a reason why people go to class) or I don't find time to do it because the best times to do it, I'm teaching or training.

Secret #4 - I don't always eat healthy.

I do eat healthy a lot, but I don't do it 100% of the time.  I really wish I did.  Not because I am "supposed to" but because I truly feel better when I do.  And I say this after a week of eating nothing but (or it seems like) potatoes, cream and alcohol in Ireland.  And scones.  MMMMMMM....scones.
Sure fatttening food tastes good.  It's supposed to.  It has fat in it.  But fat is supposed to be uesd sparingly as flavor, not as the main ingredient.

So, I am going to start fresh when I arrive back in the states.  It's fun to start fresh.  Even when you start fresh every week.  Or everyday.  I don't look at the above secrets as failures but as areas that I look forward to tackling.  To experimenting with.  I love variety in my workouts and researching new things (new to me or new to a client.  For instance, totally in love with kettlebells right now and TRX).  I'm starting it off with a juice and smoothie cleanse and planning all my workouts out during my week.  Putting the time ON THE CALENDER.  Adding yoga in 3x a week and a daily meditation.  And a daily practice of forgiveness for IF and WHEN....