The Winner of Best Personal Trainer 2012 in 417 is….
by Pamela | February 2nd, 2012
Not me.
It pains me somewhat to say that but in fact this year I was the Runner Up in the Best of 417 awards.
Sure it’s disappointing but I’m actually proud of that runner up status. It reminds me of my senior seminar in political science. Dr. Connor was known as kind of a hard ass. A smart ass and a hard ass. The class grade was based on participation, a presentation and a paper. Even though it was an undergraduate paper, he treated it more like a master’s level thesis. Planning of that paper and presentation started only a couple of weeks into the class and there were milestones that had to be met along the way to get full credit at the end. There was also lots of reading for the in class discussions. It was one of the hardest classes I have ever taken.
I got a B in that class. I was really proud of that B too. I worked harder for that B than any A I had ever received. That’s what made me so proud. I had given it my best effort and come out not on top but with some recognition for my hard work and some notes on where I could improve. I learned not just about the subject matter but about myself: what I was capable of and what areas I needed to improve.
This year’s contest affected me in the same way. The runner up status is recognition that I am proud of. It means that many of you believe in me, what I do and that I deserve the title of Best Personal Trainer in 417. But it also means there are many who don’t know me. They don’t know my own story of transformation and that I’ve walked a mile in their shoes. They don’t know how hard I work to give the best I can to each and every client.
Or perhaps they do know me but just don’t think I am the best. That means I need to step up my game. That means I need to continue to work harder and smarter, finding ways to give you what you need to achieve your fitness goals.
Let’s open the discussion here. My focus for 2012 is to be my best so I can bring out your best. I want that title again in 2013. Tell me what can I do better, what do you need from me to achieve your goals? How I can earn your vote for the Best Personal Trainer in 417 2013?
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The Fit Truth: 4 Keys to Real Fitness
by Pamela | December 29th, 2011
image by Pink SerbertIn September, Thrive Personal Fitness celebrated 2 years in business. After a little pat on the back for making it this far, I took some time to reflect on what I’ve managed to accomplish in that relatively short amount of time. While I’ve surpassed many of the goals I set for myself when we started in 2009, what really amazed me was the stories and accomplishments of the people I’ve helped.
When I started the business I had what I had learned from my own transformation and from lots of reading and studying. Now I had 2 years worth of real life hands on data. I had more success stories, other than my own, to learn what really helps people get fit in real life.
I reviewed the files of my most successful clients. While everyone does have their own individual program, I wanted to see what they had in common. What did they do differently that helped them achieve their goals, fat loss or otherwise? My goal was to take this information, what I’ve named the Keys to Real Fitness, and continue to improve my process and programs. I wanted learn how I could continue to make more people successful, fit and happy.
Let me start with the biggest surprise-what they didn’t have in common.
There wasn’t a personality type or specific demographic that outperformed all the others.
- My clients are mostly women, but the Keys work on men too.
- All ages were represented. I have a grandma who got her energy back for her grandkids and a young woman who get her body in shape to start a family.
- Different careers. People with active jobs, desk jobs or stay at home moms had success.
- Some had more to lose than others. Some only had 10-15 lbs to lose, others have lost 60, 70 or 80 lbs.
- All fitness levels found success with the Keys. Beginners and former athletes all made progress.
All they had in common to start was patience and a desire to live a better life. They knew that they needed something different. They knew it was time to get off the diet roller coaster. They were ready to commit-not to a diet but a new way of living.
So for 4 weeks, I am going to share what made them successful. There are 4 Keys they all had in common that helped them achieve their goals. Each week I want to break it down for you and give you action steps to take to make it happen in your own life.
Ready to get serious and start an amazing journey? We’ll talk about the 1st Key on January 9th. I’ll give you a hint-it’s my passion and has been the cornerstone of my journey from the very beginning. Learn what it is and how my most successful clients do it.
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Fat Loss Success Story: Meet Natalie
by Pamela | December 22nd, 2011
image by byetmanSome of you may know, but many may not, that I share space with a martial arts studio, Dunham’s Martial Arts. Chris Dunham, the owner, and I have a pretty cool relationship. We both want people to be well and happy. Our goal is to help them get the most out of life. We do it in different ways, but we help people get fit and healthy. Sometimes clients choose to work with both of us.
Natalie, one of his students, didn’t consciously choose to work with me. But Chris was intuitive enough to know that Natalie needed a little help to reach her goals and wanted to give her a nudge to do so. Natalie had been training at the school for 2 years when he decided to give her a gift certificate for my services. It was a nice gift to congratulate her on passing a test but he also knew that it was one of her goals to lose weight and she was struggling a bit on her own.
I asked Natalie what went through her head when Chris gave her that gift certificate:
I was speechless and caught somewhere between being thankful for a gift and being "somewhat" placed into a situation that I needed but never would have done on my own. Classic Mr. Dunham - always knowing that I can do more than what I think I can.
That was about a year ago. I remember at that first meeting I could tell she wasn’t quite sure what to expect. While I share space, workouts are private, so she had never had an opportunity to see what I do. With the images people see on TV there is often this fear of being yelled at and made to workout until you drop. Not my style. We eased Natalie into a workout that matched her fitness level and her goals of furthering her kenpo training. And of course we talked food. Natalie loves to ask me food questions and I love to talk about nutrition. Natalie embraced meal planning unlike any other client that I’ve worked with.
Natalie not only does an awesome job of planning, but she also follows up. She plans her meals and then notates how her plan goes. Does she get hungry during the day? Does she run out of steam during kenpo practice? Does she eat of out emotion and not hunger? It’s helped her battle what she describes as her biggest challenge, emotional eating. Her mantra:
The answer isn’t in the pantry!
Meal planning and scheduling her workouts have been the biggest keys, in my opinion, to her success. What does success look like for Natalie? Let me run down her accomplishments:
- Ran her first 5K.
- Passed her Brown Belt test.
- Lost 33.8 lbs (and still going).
When I asked Natalie what she is most proud of she said, “‘My biggest success is now calling myself a runner. I love going for a run”. In fact she’s set some pretty challenging running goals for herself, starting with a 10K in the spring. I’ve seen Natalie hit a lot of goals over this past year and I am very confident she’ll hit the ones she sets in for herself in the future.
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Join the Mama’s Meltdown Challenge!
by Pamela | December 19th, 2011
My favorite place to shop for food is Mama Jean’s Natural Market. We have been shopping there pretty much since the store opened in 2002. Our previous health food store was experiencing a constant turnover in staff that had us wondering what was going on and Mama Jean’s was much closer to our house, less than a mile away.
As a regular I’m on a first name basis with one of the owners and I feel thankful to call Grace, one of their awesome chefs, a friend. I met Shawn, who is in charge of programs at Mama Jean’s, at the iBody Directory meet up in October. Recently Shawn contacted me to be part of an amazing program that Mama Jean’s is hosting.
It’s called the Mama’s Meltdown Challenge. He explained to me that the idea actually came from the staff themselves. Even though they have many resources available to them at the store, they felt they needed a little push to get them motivated and moving along on their fitness journeys. When they discussed the idea with Shawn, it morphed into not just a workplace initiative but a way to get the entire community moving towards improved health and fitness.
Much needed since MO ranks 40 out 50 states on the Healthiest Places to Live!
Shawn then started making things happen. He reached out to me, as well as many other members of the iBody Community, to get sponsors (for prizes!) and support to create a fantastic 22 week transformation challenge for mind, body and spirit. While weight will be measured, the program is designed to focus on all dimensions of wellness: social, emotional, spiritual, environmental, occupational, physical, and intellectual. Every month there will be seminars, discounts and, of course, prizes for those who meet the mark in hitting their goals.
Ready to join the Mama’s Meltdown Challenge? Here is what you need to know:
- Register at either Mama Jean’s location.
- Program starts January 9 and last for 6 months.
- Prizes are awarded in categories by gender and age.
- The entry fee is just $30. Not only do you get informative seminars and prizes for hitting goals, but you also get an awesome T-shirt and Mama’s Meltdown VIP card good for discounts some fabulous products.
- If you’ve got more questions than I can answer email Shawn at Wellness@MaMaJeansmarket.com
While ultimately you have to be motivated by being healthy and feeling good to stay on a fitness journey, having some extra incentives (and some extra help) can never hurt. I can’t wait to see you at the first meeting on January 9th!
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Top Health and Fitness Books for Gifts 2011
by Pamela | November 28th, 2011
image by Nina MatthewsLast year I made the decision to put books on their own list for the gift giving season. I think it was one of the best blogging decisions I made last year. I love books and believe strongly in the power of learning. Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to your health and fitness.
The books I’ve included this year have great information with something for everyone, at every stage of a fitness journey.
- Just the Rules: Tosca Reno’s Guide to Eating Right
: I like things that keep it simple. Tosca boils down the philosophy of clean eating into simple steps that you can tackle one by one.
- La Dolce Vegan!
: This book has been out for awhile, but I have turned to it a lot over the past year. If you’re thinking of trying out a vegan lifestyle (or just interested in a more plant based diet) this is the perfect cookbook.
- The Best of Clean Eating 2
: Just in case you don’t have every issue of Clean Eating Magazine
they way I do, you can get the best of their fantastic recipe collection without ordering a stack of back issues. Not only are the recipes tasty but the photos are also beautiful.
- New Rules of Lifting for Abs
: Don’t be fooled by the title. This is not a plan to get 6 pack abs. This is a plan for building a solid core and a healthy body. The exercise plan is easy to follow but challenging.
- ACSM Complete Guide to Fitness and Health
: This is the perfect book for a beginner who just needs to cut through all the noise about nutrition and exercise. Get the basics and get them from one of the most respected institutions in the fitness industry.
- Framework for the Lower Back
: While I personally haven’t read this book, I have several friends who have given it rave reviews. If you suffer from low back pain, or know someone who does, add it to your list.
- Born to Run
: Another book I haven’t read but it is all the rage among my running friends. If a 5K or a marathon is on someone’s radar for next year buy this book for a little inspiration.
- Good Calories Bad Calories
: This book isn’t an easy read, but it is fascinating to see decades of research on weight loss, heart disease and diabetes presented in such a detailed fashion.
- Oxygen’s Pick it or Kick it
: Think of this book as Eat This, Not That!
for women. A great stocking stuffer to help someone who is struggling to make better food choices.
- The End of Overeating
: Anyone who’s been on this journey knows it’s not just physical, it is also mental. This book delves into the psychology of why we eat what we eat and why we eat it.
Got a favorite that I missed?
Be sure to check out my Top 10 Fitness Gifts for 2011 Guide and
You can also check out my lists from previous years:
Top 10 Health and Fitness Gifts for 2010
Top 10 Health and Fitness Gifts for 2009
Top 10 Health and Fitness Books for Gifts
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