Fitness is a Journey

Thursday, April 24th, 2008

Personal trainer Brian Atterbury from Oklahoma has written a great article about fitness being about the journey, not just the destination. Below is a excerpt from the article at NewsOK.com:

Scheduling workouts is important, too. You must schedule times for weights, cardio and classes to make it happen. You should not decide to go if you “feel like it.” Realistically, not very many people feel like it as much as they actually do it. Many times I could have justified not doing my workouts because of various excuses, but I know the consequences, and being out of shape is worse to me than the exercise session I am wanting to skip. You must look past the process and focus on the outcome.

Personal training is another tool for success. Personal trainers offer accountability, knowledge and motivation. Many people get frustrated because they are not progressing but refuse to hire a trainer because they have been working out for many years and supposedly know a lot. That is even more a reason to hire a trainer. People sometimes can be their own worst enemy because they do not think outside of the box. Qualified personal trainers can offer a vast amount to clients from beginner to the more advanced. Make sure you check their credentials.

You must establish realistic goals. Set goals not only for the ultimate outcome but for how you are going to get there. For example, set up workout times for weights. Establish the mode, duration and frequency of the cardiovascular training. Establish your heart rate level on the cardio you choose. You need to set up calorie levels that are appropriate for your age, sex and activity level, then write down your food to see whether you are staying within those perimeters.

Staying motivated is an ongoing process. I have been working out for 20 years and it is a challenge. Nonetheless, I still have my bad weeks even as a personal trainer. I just remind myself and my other personal trainers that, “fat trainers don’t make good money.” Stay on track and keep pushing ahead. Fitness is a journey, not a destination. Good luck.

Click here for the complete article at NewsOK.com…

Benefits of a Personal Trainer

Wednesday, April 16th, 2008

ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine) has published a brochure with information on how to choose a personal trainer. Here are some interesting comments they make about the benefits of a personal trainer:

A qualified and properly trained personal trainer can help you safely start and maintain an effective exercise program. A personal trainer will understand your “fitness goals” and help you achieve them. A personal trainer can be a great source of motivation and encouragement, as well as a resource for the latest objective health and fitness information. He or she can also help you fit exercise into your busy schedule and teach you how to make the most out of your time in the gym.

But beware! The title “personal trainer” does not guarantee that a person is qualified to do the job. Currently, there is no national standard or minimum requirement for carrying this job title. Working with an under-qualified trainer could actually threaten your safety. This brochure will arm you with the knowledge of what to look for when seeking a personal trainer that is educated, qualified, and most-importantly, right for you!

Please realize that not all personal trainers are equal. I have posted my certifications and qualifications and I will be happy to answer any other questions you might have. If you are located in the Shreveport or Bossier area I will be happy to meet with you and further discuss your fitness and wellness goals.

Here is the rest of the brochure.

10 Reasons You Need a Personal Trainer

Sunday, March 30th, 2008

Paige wrote a great article here detailing reasons you might need a personal trainer. You can view the original article here.

Top 10 Reasons to Hire a Personal Trainer
From Paige Waehner,
Your Guide to Exercise.

We all need a little help with exercise sometimes, whether we’re just starting out or we’ve been at it for a long time. Still, there are people who shy away from training, unsure of what they’ll get out of the experience or whether it’s worth the money. Take a look at just a few reasons people typically hire personal trainers and see if it’s the right decision for you.

1. You’re Not Seeing Results
If you’ve been exercising consistently for several weeks or months and aren’t seeing the changes you’d like, hiring a trainer may be a good choice. A trainer can look at your current program and eating habits and help you see where you could make changes to create more effective workouts. A trainer can also help you determine if the goals you’ve set are realistic for you.

2. You Don’t Know Where to Start
Knowing how to set up a balanced schedule that includes all the activities you need to do can be confusing. The great thing about a trainer is that he can help you maximize your time while helping you stay within your own limits so you don’t overdo it. He can also help you set goals and map out a specific schedule so you know when, how and where you’ll fit in your workouts.

3. You’re Bored with the Same Old Workouts
If you’re an experienced exerciser, maybe you haven’t considered working with a trainer. But it can be a great choice if you need some variety in your workouts. A trainer can bring a fresh perspecitve and new ideas to challenge both your body and your mind. Even if you just do a few sessions or meet every few weeks, you’ll find it refreshing to have new workouts and new exercise toys to play with.

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Amié Burnham in the News

Sunday, March 30th, 2008

Press coverage of Amie Burnham (formerly Amie Soileau):

 Amie Burnham on the cover of LSU's Recreation Magazine