Again: about trainers

So my first rant (yes, months ago) was about "bad personal trainers, & people who think they are trainers but are not" or something like that. This is not too far off from that same subject - been thinking….of some "trainers" or "instructors" better yet, "coaches" who may want to re-think their titles.

So here it is, Anorexic personl trainers, Health Coaches, Aerobic Instructors, etc …and yes, Jillian Michales. We'll get to her in a minute, but for now I'm gonna sink my teeth into the first part of that sentence.

A person seeking some help or direction in the world of fitness, usually is wanting to make some improvements in their personal lives. Be it, lose fat, gain muscle, become more flexible, or get rid of back pain….the list goes on, but it very often has the "make me look better naked" component. I'd say however that MANY people seeking guidance are also looking for more than just the "apperance" of health. Lots of people truly want to feel better, be happier; so they come & seek it through the avenue of fitness. I LOVE this part about my job, since I don't just "think" certain things about being fit; I read, put into practice the SCIENCE of how it all works…& then share with my clients: Helping them along their own paths to a fuller, happier life. (or at least closer to their goal!)

This being said, I have issue with people in the fitness world who A) Do not live by an "eat clean" or "train hard" motto. (how can you teach something you do not personally do?) And B) have major eating disorders & yet give false or harmful diet plans - or unrealistic expectations to their clients!!!!!!!!!

Ok, so if you are calling yourself a Health Coach, yet your own health- i.e. body fat % & eating habits rival those of anorexic girls in hospitals….how helpful are you really? This is actually a sad situation, but what is scary, I see women using their own (undernourished, unhealthy body weight, & unhealthy eating habits) as marketing ploys! WHAT? Are you kidding me? I just do not have any respect for that. Maybe they are finding out about health on their own path along the way……I shouldn't be too hard on them. However if they are "selling" some exercise or diet plan that is pretty much a starvation diet - that needs to be called out. You know who you are. (Tracy Anderson - Jillian Michaels) Tracy Anderson gives the spot on advice (this is bleeding with sarcasm if you're not sure) that women "should never ever lift more than 3 lbs to shape their arms, otherwise they will get bulky". Oh- My - God. I'm not even sure I can respond to that without a cuss word….but how about I target that one in another post? Gladly!

Oh about Jillian, (I knew you are all dying to know) I went to Jillian Michaels website and was looking VERY HARD to find her credentials….not her TV shows or endorsements - under her Bio. Couldn't find a thing….where did she go to school? What are her certifications? Don't know, couldn't find them on her BIO! And now she's selling all sorts of "detox in a box" crap in Rite Aid. Sell out Liar? She tells people to "pour hot candle Wax on their food when they are at a restaurant" or "open the top of a salt shaker and pour it all over the other half of your un-eaten dinner"….so you won't be tempted. What the ? Yes, that sounds very reasonable and a good way to make peace with your eating disorder. Good god, if my trainer said to do that I'd kick them to the curb so fast….. How about a doggie bag? For heavens sake, you could give the food to a homeless person if you don't want to be tempted- but really?

I like how Jillian also likes to JUMP onto Peoples backs and scream and berate them - humiliate them into subjection. (I had the displeasure of watching this horror on TV once) What a schmuck. You do that to any of my clients, you'll have one upset trainer to deal with- me! She is nothing more than an actress who likes $$ a lot, but doesn't really care too much about people. Go Biggest Loser lady! I totally think you are a loser.

So the bottom line (if there ever can be one) is practice what you preach….but preach some science & then some Practice. If you are naturally "thin" or can eat whatever you want - that is great - but at least put forth the effort to learn more about diet & exercise so you can actually help your clients achieve their own goals. Be honest up front, get to know what works for your CLIENT - not what works for you. They are not you, they need your help. And if you do have an eating disorder….seek some therapy, but please don't falsly lead your clients down that scary & dangerous road. You can always refer them to me~

peace.

No Sun Intended Bronzing Powder

No Sun Intended Bronzing Powder

1st rant

So here it is. Bad personal trainers and people who want to be personal trainers but are not. Ever meet this person? They have no official training & yet talk like they are an MD when it comes to exercise. Not one anatomy or physiology class, never even had any bodywork {massage, myofascial release, cranio sacral therapy /or bodywork training} and yet they try to explain the body to others. {how it works} Let's leave that to the people who study how the body works…

Hmmm..it's a tricky place to be….what makes someone an expert? Losing 100lbs, running a marathon, competing in a figure competition? Not exactly, however they at least DO have the experience of what they've gone through and can most likely give some helpful tips. It's just scary when I see people put themselves in a place of expert - who are not - and try to help others….it's the blind leading the blind. HOWEVER - their experience can be extremely motivating for tons of people. It can truly help someone get off their butt and get into action….just careful with the advice kay? {big pet peeve is someone showing another person where a muscle is located….not only to be wrong…but to have no idea the NAME of the actual muscle or what it's true action is…}

This brings me to my next point. There are such little standards for Personal Trainers period. I had the honor of working with an ATC (certified Athletic Trainer), CSCS - Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist. . the list goes on - not to mention studying extensively anatomy & physiology in my bodywork years, as well as present…(lots of massage, myo-fascial release seminars etc). I had the pleasure of working with Chiropractors, Physical Therapists, & some of the most genius Athletic trainers in our country - for a good 10 years. I was blessed with good training, a thirst for knowledge and hands on mentoring/apprentice-ship. Not all personal trainers out there are even certified to teach!! (I have been hearing some horror stories lately) If you do not know what happens to a joint in a certain position, or what happens to the discs in your spine under load and moved into a flexed position (let's say, a straight legged dead lift) they why the hell are you allowed to give a person heavy weights and set them up for a blown disc!

Again, this is such a tricky place to be since there is so much information out there on diet & exercise that with enough personal study, it seems as if almost anyone could be the "expert". College training (some type of degree) is best but not always a surefire way to know if you have a great trainer or not. And that being said….

A good trainer is someone who has YOUR best interest at mind.

They should be able to explain what & why they are asking you to do something - should you inquire. If they cannot, you may want to look elsewhere. Some people (this applies to those seeking trainers) don't really care at all about their joints, they just want to look good. Just go for the burn. Hmmm…….Ok, well you can always do that yourself, get outside, find the steepest hill you can find and run up the thing as fast as your legs will take you…you'll get a burn alright. All for FREE too! Don't work harder, work smarter. Find someone who is educated to teach you how.

So I guess I'm saying I don't want to just throw a bunch of exercises out at you, or yell at you to work harder… I'd rather Teach you how to move right. If you know how to move correctly, you will be able to enjoy your new found exercise routine much much longer, most likely, injury free. :)

So what is the layperson to do? You want a personal trainer. You want to look good and feel better. Ask for their credentials. It's as simple as that. Then research them (and the credentials) And figure out what you want out of the sessions….let them know. Do you have back pain? Do you want to lose fat? Although those 2 workout sessions could look very different - there is no reason a good trainer could not teach you how to get both of those outcomes. :) How the trainer looks is not your best bet for a good teacher. They of course should at least be a healthy weight (not over or underweight) but can they demonstrate what they are asking you to do? Yet another good clue. :)

It's late and I'm starting to drift….more later. oooh….maybe I'll call my next blog,

Motivate & Inspire…not humiliate & degrade. . . yeah? nay?

here goes. .

At the coaching of a friend, I've decided to put my thoughts out there. If anyone knows me at all, they will know my thoughts, as I never keep them inside anyway, but at least this is a forum for organized thought. It may turn into rants and raves (this will be fun to see) and very likely tips and tricks - but I like the idea of a journal to share. Who knows….maybe there is a soul out there who will be mildly amused with this "blog" & share it with a friend or 2.

My real goal here is - I'm not really sure. I know I'd like to keep my favorite sites, books, articles & movies in one place - esp to share with friends and clients along the way. Facebook is great, but I feel sometimes that putting everything out there is not exactly what all my friends care about. Ok - so here goes. . . will be posting more later, as I'm actually on vacation! Sleep is calling & my eyelids are heavy. nighty night . . .