I know. This sounds like a load of hogwash.
But after dreaming huge, taking on unwinable battles and realizing that I am the only one that wants my dream, I stumbled upon six really big dudes. These six guys, have reminded me why I get out of bed every day and have been a catalyst for me to begin to love my job again.
And so I do. I love my job helping people reach their health and fitness goals.
I love the people that work their butts off each morning with me and I love those individuals that get up each nmorning to support and follow me into battle ( my instructors).
Their "loss" has become my gain.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Food for the spirit
Every day I educate my outdoor fitness participants about the importance of fueling their bodies with the proper nutrition. Today as I watched the womans gymastic competition that I TIVOed from last night, I remembered why the olympic competition is so important to our country and to me. I watched the faces of each young American athlete filled with determination, their nerves like steel and their bodies trained for perfection. And I thought about their paths to the Olympics. They are so young, yet they sacrifice all semblance of normal lives to reach those goals and live their dreams. Many of them don't go to regular school, or workout like regular people. Their training is their life. As an American, living my American dream, I understand that drive as many entrepreneurs do. And I am inspired by it. The dedication of these athletes and sheer will to win nourishes my spirit and reminds me to keep working hard . So today and for the rest of the month, I will watch the Olympics and take every bit of inspiration and fuel that my spirit can handle and I will put that in every thing I do. I challenge every American to do the same! Ladies and gents of the 2008 Olympic team, thanks for the inspiration!
Thursday, August 7, 2008
A taste of my own medicine
I wanted to recount an experience I had this morning at Chastain Park with each of you to remind you how awesome you are at what you do and how you constantly change peoples lives. Thank you for everything you do!
So this morning I got my butt kicked at Chastain Park, by a 23 year old instructor with a quiet demeanor and a mind like a serial killer. Oh, that’s Erin by the way – the Fuller’s Park lead instructor currently filling in at Chastain.
When I got to the park for my Thursday workout, I thought, “Oh, Fartlek – this should be fun (and in the back of my mind I also thought, fun and easy). Well I asked about what the span of the fast group was and she said the slowest was 7:15 for a mile. I thought…hmmm I might be right past that, but I’m a sprinter, I can hang…ha! That was my first mistake.
Then I say HER – my nemesis. She is a machine. I love her and hate her at the same time. She has three kids, can hold an ab bridge for 8 minutes and wins her age group (older than me) at triathlons. Amazing. Well anyway, I see her and think, “Today’s the day. I feel strong, I can beat her. (Or at least hang)”. HA! That was my second mistake.
So off we go. Erin at the front, Tiffany at the back. We did a normal warm-up down the hill and then an Indian run and then continued down the hill. Well that was the third error in my “easy fartlek” thought pattern. Guess what? Oh you know, you’re all torturing boot camp instructors. Yes, we had to Sprint back up the hill and then do some crazy frog hops and then back down for more fog hops. Shist. So I think. Ok, I got this and I take off, sprinting up the hill. Well this particular hill at Chastain is the VERY steep twisting U-turn hill that used to be pitch black, but now has lights – wonderful. (If you can’t sense the sarcasm, you should start to soon). Four repeats, pushups, squat turns and tucks jump later, I was toast. But that was only 20 minutes into the workout.
At that point I remembered how awesome support instructors can be. If it wasn’t for Tiffany, I would have gone home or sat down at least. But she was right there with me (and I wasn’t the only one – actually there were 1 or 2 dudes that took turns eating my dust –ha! At least someone did). So the next set of torture came in the form of suicides. Now I am bizarre - I hear that word and I think – I can do this. I LOVE to sprint. So off I go. Sprint 1 – I won! I beat HER! HA! Sprint 2 – She beat me down and we tied coming back. But unfortunately that is when I discovered why SHE participates in boot camp. Because she has 2X the endurance that I do. As an instructor this is where I normally stop and rest while the campers keep going. (Mental note in plan to beat HER – do one more than I want to next time). Then the pushups got harder and then next sprint got slower and then I couldn’t breathe. But that was when I heard the voice of an angel – Tiffany was right there encouraging me to keep going. And I did!
But that wasn’t it, folks, we also did more sprints, shuffles, dips, crossovers and even an Indian run on the way back. This is where I realized how awesome The AMERICAN Boot Camp Company is! Because as I was getting my butt handed to me on the way back up the hills for the final 10 minutes, my instructors wouldn’t let me quit. Oh I wanted to! But they didn’t and I didn’t and I feel Awesome today because of that. But the workout doesn’t end here. NO, remember I said Erin was a serial killer. So we get back to the lower field and that is where she destroyed me – bear crawl backwards up hill. My body wouldn’t do it. I saw stars and I actually had to stop and go forward. I officially had my butt kicked! AND I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT!
So this morning I got my butt kicked at Chastain Park, by a 23 year old instructor with a quiet demeanor and a mind like a serial killer. Oh, that’s Erin by the way – the Fuller’s Park lead instructor currently filling in at Chastain.
When I got to the park for my Thursday workout, I thought, “Oh, Fartlek – this should be fun (and in the back of my mind I also thought, fun and easy). Well I asked about what the span of the fast group was and she said the slowest was 7:15 for a mile. I thought…hmmm I might be right past that, but I’m a sprinter, I can hang…ha! That was my first mistake.
Then I say HER – my nemesis. She is a machine. I love her and hate her at the same time. She has three kids, can hold an ab bridge for 8 minutes and wins her age group (older than me) at triathlons. Amazing. Well anyway, I see her and think, “Today’s the day. I feel strong, I can beat her. (Or at least hang)”. HA! That was my second mistake.
So off we go. Erin at the front, Tiffany at the back. We did a normal warm-up down the hill and then an Indian run and then continued down the hill. Well that was the third error in my “easy fartlek” thought pattern. Guess what? Oh you know, you’re all torturing boot camp instructors. Yes, we had to Sprint back up the hill and then do some crazy frog hops and then back down for more fog hops. Shist. So I think. Ok, I got this and I take off, sprinting up the hill. Well this particular hill at Chastain is the VERY steep twisting U-turn hill that used to be pitch black, but now has lights – wonderful. (If you can’t sense the sarcasm, you should start to soon). Four repeats, pushups, squat turns and tucks jump later, I was toast. But that was only 20 minutes into the workout.
At that point I remembered how awesome support instructors can be. If it wasn’t for Tiffany, I would have gone home or sat down at least. But she was right there with me (and I wasn’t the only one – actually there were 1 or 2 dudes that took turns eating my dust –ha! At least someone did). So the next set of torture came in the form of suicides. Now I am bizarre - I hear that word and I think – I can do this. I LOVE to sprint. So off I go. Sprint 1 – I won! I beat HER! HA! Sprint 2 – She beat me down and we tied coming back. But unfortunately that is when I discovered why SHE participates in boot camp. Because she has 2X the endurance that I do. As an instructor this is where I normally stop and rest while the campers keep going. (Mental note in plan to beat HER – do one more than I want to next time). Then the pushups got harder and then next sprint got slower and then I couldn’t breathe. But that was when I heard the voice of an angel – Tiffany was right there encouraging me to keep going. And I did!
But that wasn’t it, folks, we also did more sprints, shuffles, dips, crossovers and even an Indian run on the way back. This is where I realized how awesome The AMERICAN Boot Camp Company is! Because as I was getting my butt handed to me on the way back up the hills for the final 10 minutes, my instructors wouldn’t let me quit. Oh I wanted to! But they didn’t and I didn’t and I feel Awesome today because of that. But the workout doesn’t end here. NO, remember I said Erin was a serial killer. So we get back to the lower field and that is where she destroyed me – bear crawl backwards up hill. My body wouldn’t do it. I saw stars and I actually had to stop and go forward. I officially had my butt kicked! AND I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT!
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Reality Check - Why Can't I lose weight
Every day, I see clients that are successful at reducing and maintaning perminant weight loss. And every day, I have a few clients that look at the success of others and say, "Why can't I lose the weight? What are they doing different than me?" These clients appear to be on the same program, following the same path. However when I look closely, there are several things that seperate the successful from the unsuccessful. If you are struggling with your weight loss goals, ask yourself these questions:
1. Are you being honest with yourself? Weight loss is actually a simple concept. To lose weight you have to eat less and move more. Being honest with yourself is the first step with weight loss. In my boot camp program, I make all new participants start logging their food several days before camp begins - even though many of them choose not to follow the food plan until camp begins. This is because it starts them on a habit of being honest.
2. Are you moving more? Do you exercise 5-7 days a week with an increased heart rate. Not only will this help you burn more calories, but it will help you have more energy to do other fun things. Exercise doesn't have to be boring! Going to the gym and stepping on a treadmill is not always the best solution. Try a group fitness class, such as kickboxing or a results based fitness program. Whatever you do, get moving!
3. Are you making excuses? I often hear from my clients that they don't feel well, or they have to help a friend, or they just couldn't get out of bed, or they didn't get a good nights sleep. All of these are excuses and often it take the tough love of a regimented program such as boot camp to help people move past their excuses. Many of these excuses are directly related to the LACK of regular exercise!
4. Do late afternoon meetings and dinner meetings inhibit your ability to stick to a routine? Try working out before the day begins. And try making an appointment to do so. Whether you sign up for an accountability based program such as boot camp, or you make an appointment to meet your best buddy at the gym, having someone to hold you accountable will help motivate you to get your workout in before the day gets away from you.
To be successfuly at long term weight loss, you have to make the decision to change your habits. You need to commit to yourself and then find a program that works for you. If you can do it on your own, you will need to eat a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein sources and combine this with a regular exercise routine. Finally, if you know you need help, ask for it! There are countless personal trainers and companys like my own that specialize in motivation. And although you might pay more for their services, it will be worth every penny in the long run. You are worth it, aren't you?
For more information on Mari Garner or The American Boot Camp Company go to www.TheBootCampCompany.com.
1. Are you being honest with yourself? Weight loss is actually a simple concept. To lose weight you have to eat less and move more. Being honest with yourself is the first step with weight loss. In my boot camp program, I make all new participants start logging their food several days before camp begins - even though many of them choose not to follow the food plan until camp begins. This is because it starts them on a habit of being honest.
2. Are you moving more? Do you exercise 5-7 days a week with an increased heart rate. Not only will this help you burn more calories, but it will help you have more energy to do other fun things. Exercise doesn't have to be boring! Going to the gym and stepping on a treadmill is not always the best solution. Try a group fitness class, such as kickboxing or a results based fitness program. Whatever you do, get moving!
3. Are you making excuses? I often hear from my clients that they don't feel well, or they have to help a friend, or they just couldn't get out of bed, or they didn't get a good nights sleep. All of these are excuses and often it take the tough love of a regimented program such as boot camp to help people move past their excuses. Many of these excuses are directly related to the LACK of regular exercise!
4. Do late afternoon meetings and dinner meetings inhibit your ability to stick to a routine? Try working out before the day begins. And try making an appointment to do so. Whether you sign up for an accountability based program such as boot camp, or you make an appointment to meet your best buddy at the gym, having someone to hold you accountable will help motivate you to get your workout in before the day gets away from you.
To be successfuly at long term weight loss, you have to make the decision to change your habits. You need to commit to yourself and then find a program that works for you. If you can do it on your own, you will need to eat a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein sources and combine this with a regular exercise routine. Finally, if you know you need help, ask for it! There are countless personal trainers and companys like my own that specialize in motivation. And although you might pay more for their services, it will be worth every penny in the long run. You are worth it, aren't you?
For more information on Mari Garner or The American Boot Camp Company go to www.TheBootCampCompany.com.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Me Trainer. You Client. Part 1 of 3 in a series of posts on finding a quality trainer in todays fitness craze
Me Trainer. You Client.
In today's growing fitness market, people will do almost anything to get into shape. The pressures have moved from purely looking good to feeling good to. Historically magazines and media protray perfect looking people as happy and successful and often create a distorted image of what happens in real life. If we see it on TV or read about it in a magazine, it must be true and correct, right? And people would do anything, including subject themselves to hours in a gym, painful surgery and even poor treatment by a drill instructor to look like the happy people on TV.
While the main reason for working out today is still looking good, we are finding more and more people beginning a fitness routine because of increasingly poor health stats from their doctors. With more people than ever in the overweight and obese catergory, more people than ever are joining the quest to get those people fit and healthy.
Unfortunately, the fitness industry is not set up for this. Doctors, nurses and dietitions go to school for many years, obtaining a 4 year degree then medical school, nursuing school and grueling internships. They have a tried and true training system in place that weeds out those that are not serious and does a fairly good job at creating knowlegable professional capable of living up to their high salaries. People put their lives in their hands, so this should be how it is done.
But what I am seeing every day more and more is that people are putting their lives in the hands of fitness trainers every day as preventative and prescriptive measures to lose weight, get healthy and stay healthy. So why don't ALL trainers have to go through the same type of certification and training that doctors and other health care providers do?
We see trainers with certifications that they got on the internet and many trainers with no certifications. The number of clients that I see that realy stories about how their trainers caused them to have perminant injuries is unacceptable. As a Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Group Instructor and trainer for other fitness professionals in the outdoor fitness arena, I see many trainers with a passion for helping others that know and understand the need to continually educate themselves. But I also see many trainers with little experience, poor customer service skills and little to no knowlege of the body, giving advice to people on nutrition and fitness.
So how do you make sure you have a certified trainer?
Ask. Before giving anyone your money, ask to see a copy of the certification. Ask them where they are certified through and if they are personal trainers, how many hours of actual experience they have training clients with you. Ask for referrals and contact them. If you are joing a group program such as a boot camp, make sure you instructors have a group fitness instructor certification. If the clients begin to hold the trainers to a higher standard, the trainers will be forced to continue to educate themselves.
How do you know which certification is better?
The National Commission for Certifying Agencies or NCCA accredits programs that meet certian standards. Choose a trainer with a certification from a certifying body on this list. The following are the most popular certifications that you will see: NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine), NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association), ACE (American Council on Exercise), ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine). If your trainer doesn't have one of these, make sure to take extra precaution when interviewing them. Don't just believe that because they call themselves a trainer, that they can help you! More on this in Part 2.
Remember that you often get what you pay for. If you are using a trainer that gives you a "free" session at a big box gym, they are not getting paid very much and therefore may not be of the same quality as a trainer that has ventured out on their own.
Finally, look at how your trainer is running their business. If they are using illegal road signs, negative adversiting or are operating without permits, business licenses or insurance they may not be the type of person you want to rely on for your long term health needs.
In today's growing fitness market, people will do almost anything to get into shape. The pressures have moved from purely looking good to feeling good to. Historically magazines and media protray perfect looking people as happy and successful and often create a distorted image of what happens in real life. If we see it on TV or read about it in a magazine, it must be true and correct, right? And people would do anything, including subject themselves to hours in a gym, painful surgery and even poor treatment by a drill instructor to look like the happy people on TV.
While the main reason for working out today is still looking good, we are finding more and more people beginning a fitness routine because of increasingly poor health stats from their doctors. With more people than ever in the overweight and obese catergory, more people than ever are joining the quest to get those people fit and healthy.
Unfortunately, the fitness industry is not set up for this. Doctors, nurses and dietitions go to school for many years, obtaining a 4 year degree then medical school, nursuing school and grueling internships. They have a tried and true training system in place that weeds out those that are not serious and does a fairly good job at creating knowlegable professional capable of living up to their high salaries. People put their lives in their hands, so this should be how it is done.
But what I am seeing every day more and more is that people are putting their lives in the hands of fitness trainers every day as preventative and prescriptive measures to lose weight, get healthy and stay healthy. So why don't ALL trainers have to go through the same type of certification and training that doctors and other health care providers do?
We see trainers with certifications that they got on the internet and many trainers with no certifications. The number of clients that I see that realy stories about how their trainers caused them to have perminant injuries is unacceptable. As a Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Group Instructor and trainer for other fitness professionals in the outdoor fitness arena, I see many trainers with a passion for helping others that know and understand the need to continually educate themselves. But I also see many trainers with little experience, poor customer service skills and little to no knowlege of the body, giving advice to people on nutrition and fitness.
So how do you make sure you have a certified trainer?
Ask. Before giving anyone your money, ask to see a copy of the certification. Ask them where they are certified through and if they are personal trainers, how many hours of actual experience they have training clients with you. Ask for referrals and contact them. If you are joing a group program such as a boot camp, make sure you instructors have a group fitness instructor certification. If the clients begin to hold the trainers to a higher standard, the trainers will be forced to continue to educate themselves.
How do you know which certification is better?
The National Commission for Certifying Agencies or NCCA accredits programs that meet certian standards. Choose a trainer with a certification from a certifying body on this list. The following are the most popular certifications that you will see: NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine), NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association), ACE (American Council on Exercise), ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine). If your trainer doesn't have one of these, make sure to take extra precaution when interviewing them. Don't just believe that because they call themselves a trainer, that they can help you! More on this in Part 2.
Remember that you often get what you pay for. If you are using a trainer that gives you a "free" session at a big box gym, they are not getting paid very much and therefore may not be of the same quality as a trainer that has ventured out on their own.
Finally, look at how your trainer is running their business. If they are using illegal road signs, negative adversiting or are operating without permits, business licenses or insurance they may not be the type of person you want to rely on for your long term health needs.
The "boot camp" girls next door
The American Boot Camp Company is made up of an amazing group of men and women. Those that are leaders and followers. Instructors and clients. Everyday, I am amazed that the ability of so many people to stay positive, achieve their goals and make amazing self discovery. So when I tell them that "I believe in them", it is more than just words, it is the truth.
Every now and then a couple of people really make a mark and do more than just remind me why I get out of bed every day - their actions and choices help me to get out of bed. So this post is for them - the boot camp girls next door!
Thanks girls!
For being such great role models For showing that you can do it ALL and still get in a run.
Thanks for being a super smilely, whistlin', single gal on the prowl with a super cool day job and still finding time for your friends and making time to help folks get in shape before dawn each day.
Thanks for being a beautiful bride to be that choses her words wisely and never stops smiling all the while managing a career, one of the most eligible bachelors in Atlanta, being the new girl in town and a new love for the crazy sport of running. Thanks for running because you can!
Ladies, you reminded me why I do what I do, but more importantly you were there for me when I needed the same support and belief that I give my clients every day.
So Thanks!
Every now and then a couple of people really make a mark and do more than just remind me why I get out of bed every day - their actions and choices help me to get out of bed. So this post is for them - the boot camp girls next door!
Thanks girls!
For being such great role models For showing that you can do it ALL and still get in a run.
Thanks for being a super smilely, whistlin', single gal on the prowl with a super cool day job and still finding time for your friends and making time to help folks get in shape before dawn each day.
Thanks for being a beautiful bride to be that choses her words wisely and never stops smiling all the while managing a career, one of the most eligible bachelors in Atlanta, being the new girl in town and a new love for the crazy sport of running. Thanks for running because you can!
Ladies, you reminded me why I do what I do, but more importantly you were there for me when I needed the same support and belief that I give my clients every day.
So Thanks!
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Is your boot camp legit?
Earlier this year I heard about a news cast where the Atlanta City Council was going to vote on reducing the programs offered in Piedmont Park because the fields were becoming degraded from overuse. Immediately I felt the need to write to the council people and explain to them NOT to cut the programs, but to begin to regulate the use of the fields in off hours. That means, regulating Boot Camp.The regulation of Boot Camp, or outdoor fitness, is a cause near and dear to my heart. As a pioneer in the outdoor fitness boot camp arena, my company was one of the first to obtain permission to use the public parks through obtaining permits and paying fees to the counties. Yes, that’s right; we have to pay fees to use the parks as a “for-profit” company. No, this doesn’t upset me. It actually seems very logical.As a business owner, I need to obtain a business license, file for a tax ID and pay rent for the space where I run my business. Just because my business is run in a remote location, doesn’t mean that “rent” isn’t necessary. When I use the park four days a week to run my boot camp, I should be helping to pay for the general maintenance of the facility I use. Although my customers are local residents and their tax dollars go toward park upkeep, so should some of the profits that I make while running my business on that land.Additionally, as a business owner, I have to think about how to keep the space where I run my business it tip top shape. So I try to use a different field every day, not running down the same space with 100’s of jumping jacks in the same 10’x10’ space. By doing this, I save on wear and tear on the field and I provide a safe place for my clients to workout. Overused fields are the number two cause of injury (dehydration is number one) in an outdoor workout because participants can easily turn an ankle in a field with holes. When we come across such a field we immediately report it to the parks department and then we don’t use the field. Because we pay fees and have relationships with our parks departments, we can do this.When companies squat on park land and don’t obtain permits or pay fees where necessary (not all counties are the same), they can’t call the county and complain or report the holes, thus creating an unsafe environment for their participants. The lack of permitting in public parks also poses another threat – serious injury with no insurance. Because many of the companies running boot camps in public parks are just personal trainers, they don’t have liability insurance. Some don’t even have business licenses. Furthermore, some personal trainers don’t even have a simple certification on the basic principles of training and human physiology. Without regulation, you won’t know who you are dealing with until you are injured. God forbid should some become seriously injured – who would be held accountable? The trainer with no insurance? He doesn’t have any money. So you sue the county. Now all of your fellow participants have to pay through higher taxes and programs like mine that follow the rules also suffer because then the parks become more stringent. So how do you tell if your boot camp is really legitimate?Ask to see their business license. If they have a physical location, all you have to do is look for the county permit on the wall.Make sure your trainer(s) are certified in group fitness and have experience. The best trainers will have multiple certifications. Our trainers go through a nationally approved certification for Outdoor Fitness. Look for NASM, ACE, AFAA, NSCA, and ACSM. If you don’t see one of these initials next to your trainer’s name, make sure they have coaching experience or a long list of references.Make sure the company you choose for your boot camp follows the rules. Do they have permits? If they don’t, you could be fined for being at the park/facility when you are not supposed to be. If the boot camp program has a food plan, which most outdoor programs should provide some guidance due to the rigorous nature of the workouts; do they follow the USDA guidelines? Unless your trainers are also dietitians (not nutritionists), you should be getting a lot of education, but not specific meal plans to follow. Check out myfoodpyramid.com to see the limits of the USDA plan.
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