They say a picture is worth a thousand words, right?  Well, these photos are worth about 90 pounds!  I was a bridesmaid in my brother’s wedding in 2005 & when the pictures came back, I had to face reality – the image I held of myself in my head did not remotely resemble what the rest of the world was seeing.  I already knew I was the biggest bridesmaid by far, but seeing those pictures somehow really drove it home for me.  Even then, I still wasn’t ready to take action.   

Shortly thereafter my aunt asked me to join Weight Watchers with her & my mom asked me to join a gym to help keep her accountable.  I begrudgingly said yes to both requests.  Two things happened as a result: I started learning about healthy eating & portion control AND I fell in love with step aerobics classes.  For the first time in my entire life, exercise didn’t feel completely horrible from start to finish!  That was the very beginning of my health journey & it hasn’t always been easy nor a straight line transformation from “unhealthy” to “health nut”.  But starting down that path changed everything.

Eventually I became a personal trainer & nutrition coach because I love helping people find the freedom & confidence that comes from taking charge of their health.  And my particular background – heavy smoker, fast food addict, 100 pounds overweight – makes me a very unusual trainer!  It helps me meet clients where they are because I’ve been there; I can help them take enjoyable baby steps toward their goals.  And I think I care about FUN way more than most trainers.  Exercise is already hard & most people really struggle to add an exercise routine to their lives.  But having a trainer to be an accountability partner, who also makes your time together enjoyable, really helps a new habit stick!  

Unlike most trainers who are associated with a gym, my personal training business is mobile.  Meeting clients in their homes makes it convenient for them & gets rid of one more excuse for why they can’t work out.  This is a recommendation I have for anyone who wants to add exercise to their life – it has to be convenient!  That means picking a trainer who will come to you or choosing a gym that’s on your way home from work or right around the corner from your house.

Getting healthy can seem like an overwhelming process, especially if you feel that you have a very long way to go.  But consistency counts for more than almost anything!!  So start by making small changes that you can stick to…and then stick to them – forever!  Not perfectly, but consistently.  And if you need extra help, whether that’s in the form of expertise, accountability, or anything else, don’t be afraid to hire a coach or trainer.  Working with someone, even for a short time, can be the boost that you need to keep going on your own! 

Here are 4 questions to help you decide whether you need a trainer & how to choose the right one for you.

1. Do you know what you need to do, but you just can’t make yourself do it?
2. Do you have a gym membership that you pay for but never (or rarely) actually use?
3. Do you stick to the treadmill or elliptical because they’re safe & you can’t screw them up?
4. Do you have a goal that’s important to you, but you just don’t know how to get there?

If you answered yes to one or more of those questions, hiring a personal trainer or coach is an excellent idea!  Now, how do find the best person for you?  Here are a few tips.

• Interview several trainers.  You can do this whether or not you belong to a gym.  Personality fit is a big deal because you’re going to get vulnerable with this person & you’re going to be spending time with them consistently for several weeks, months, or even longer.  So choosing someone you vibe with is important!  You need to like them, but not too much.  You’re not paying for a friend, after all.  You need some professional distance so they can truly hold you accountable.
• During your interview process, tell them your goals & ask them specifically how they will help you accomplish them.  Ask them about their own health & fitness journey.  You may want a person who’s been through a similar journey as yours.  Or you may want the opposite!  Ask them if they have clients with similar goals to yours & how they’re coming along.  Ask if they have testimonials they can share with you.  Find out if there are clients they most enjoy working with or clients they find really challenging. Then ask why.  Seeing yourself in those stories can help you make a decision.
• If you’ve chosen a trainer you think you can work with, book a couple of appointments before you pay for a big package.  This gives you a few chances to work out with them & test out their style. 
• Ask your friends or others in your network if they’ve ever worked with a trainer they loved.  They may be able to refer you!

The client/trainer relationship can be really special & fun.  It’s an honor to help people make changes that can be truly life-altering.  Both parties need to be really invested in the outcome & committed to getting there together.  Good luck with your own health & fitness journey. And remember…if you need help, I’m headed your way!

If you’d like more info on Cari & her mobile personal training services (CaPow TheTrainer), contact her via email or phone (707-330-4380).