There must be something freaking wrong with me!!!
Oh, Trainer Mike, you overly energetic, brimming-with-knowledge, ridiculously cheery, bossy, passionate fool. It is impossible not to love you....even when I sometimes hate you. You know what I'm talking about here.... Static lunges are my nemesis, squats annoy the hell out of me, calf raises just plain ol' frigging hurt, triceps dips are irritating and don't even get me started on push ups!!!
Thing is Mike, you bring a personal touch to these business arrangements of yours.
The fact that you actually showed up to celebrate my 100lb loss and watch me Burn My Pants? That floored me.
Arriving at Feather's 40th Birthday party with a bleeding ear? Gross, but awesome!
When you ran Sherry's first ever 10km right beside her!?! Just wow.
The fact that you put your sweet kids to bed and then hauled ass to make it to Blog Out Loud Ottawa to hear me read!?! I don't even have words for this one....
Oh, there are definitely times when I get a little lost in the conversation, not really registering what the hell you're talking about, and wondering why oh why!? did I ask that question?!?
Me: "What is a macro nutrient again?"
You (with your fancy degrees n' sh*t): "There are three primary macro nutrients defined as being the classes of chemical compounds humans consume in the largest quantities and which provide bulk energy. These are protein, fat, and carbohydrate. Can you give me examples of foods that might fall into those 3 categories?"
Me: "Never mind. Forget I asked. I'll just google it."
The days that you increase the weights on me!? And I tell you that "I can't do that" and you just patiently say "Yes you can, Jennifer. You're tough. Now give me 10 reps."
You really should have been keeping count of how many times you have gotten to look at me and proudly say "See? I knew you could do it. You really are strong, Jennifer. That was a great job!"
Now that we have gone through a few phases of this weight training nonsense, I honestly do understand why I had to "learn my body and mind-muscle connection" before we moved on to lifting those heavy weights and building the muscle, in order to transition in to endurance. Or, as I like to call it "60 minutes of hell."
I love how I can tell you that I hate you. And you simply smile and say "You're welcome." knowing that you are pushing me outside my comfort zone...where, let's be honest, there really is only mac n' cheese.
I think that your degree in psychology is a HUGE contributing factor in our success, because you have understood from the get go, without me really even having to explain it, that it was going to take a LOT of time before I would fully trust you. Justifiably so. I am a girl with many issues.
Over the past year, you have become a cheerleader, team-player, friend and therapist to me. Ummmmmm...by the way, what's said at Mike's stays at Mike's, right!?!
No judgement. No scolding. Just pure acceptance and support. And an astonishing number of high fives.
For all of these reasons, I now fully believe in the necessity of a personal trainer for anyone who is going through a massive life change like this. It isn't just about losing fat and gaining muscle. It isn't just about what we eat, or when we eat it. It is also about taking the time for ourselves - an hour or two per week where we don't have to think about anyone or anything else. When I am working out with you, it is all about ME. MY needs, and MY goals.
Honestly, it makes me so happy to know that I don't really have to think at all when I'm at your place. I just show up, do whatever you tell me to do as complaint-free as I can, and then head home knowing that I have done something great for myself.
I know that money is a factor for people...I am no exception to that, especially with my recent pay cut...but cutting back on foolish trips to Shoppers Drug Mart, twice weekly visits to restaurants, Starbucks 3x a week, crappy no-good-for-your-brain magazines, and convenience store trips for junk food are all totally worth it.
So, Trainer Mike, you fire-jumping, Spartan-Race-Running, Ironman-Training fool...I just want to say thanks. For all the encouragement, direction and advice. Thanks for the 25 pounds of fat lost, and the 15 pounds of muscle gained. Thank you for making me stronger - mentally and physically. Thank you for showing me that the words "I can't" don't really exist for me anymore. Thank you for teaching me that strength is confidence. And that confidence is sexy. My body thanks you, too. As well as my soon-to-be, not-yet-found hopefully HOT husband! Hahahaha.... ;)
The fact that you actually showed up to celebrate my 100lb loss and watch me Burn My Pants? That floored me.
Arriving at Feather's 40th Birthday party with a bleeding ear? Gross, but awesome!
When you ran Sherry's first ever 10km right beside her!?! Just wow.
The fact that you put your sweet kids to bed and then hauled ass to make it to Blog Out Loud Ottawa to hear me read!?! I don't even have words for this one....
Oh, there are definitely times when I get a little lost in the conversation, not really registering what the hell you're talking about, and wondering why oh why!? did I ask that question?!?
Me: "What is a macro nutrient again?"
You (with your fancy degrees n' sh*t): "There are three primary macro nutrients defined as being the classes of chemical compounds humans consume in the largest quantities and which provide bulk energy. These are protein, fat, and carbohydrate. Can you give me examples of foods that might fall into those 3 categories?"
Me: "Never mind. Forget I asked. I'll just google it."
The days that you increase the weights on me!? And I tell you that "I can't do that" and you just patiently say "Yes you can, Jennifer. You're tough. Now give me 10 reps."
You really should have been keeping count of how many times you have gotten to look at me and proudly say "See? I knew you could do it. You really are strong, Jennifer. That was a great job!"
Now that we have gone through a few phases of this weight training nonsense, I honestly do understand why I had to "learn my body and mind-muscle connection" before we moved on to lifting those heavy weights and building the muscle, in order to transition in to endurance. Or, as I like to call it "60 minutes of hell."
I love how I can tell you that I hate you. And you simply smile and say "You're welcome." knowing that you are pushing me outside my comfort zone...where, let's be honest, there really is only mac n' cheese.
I think that your degree in psychology is a HUGE contributing factor in our success, because you have understood from the get go, without me really even having to explain it, that it was going to take a LOT of time before I would fully trust you. Justifiably so. I am a girl with many issues.
Over the past year, you have become a cheerleader, team-player, friend and therapist to me. Ummmmmm...by the way, what's said at Mike's stays at Mike's, right!?!
No judgement. No scolding. Just pure acceptance and support. And an astonishing number of high fives.
For all of these reasons, I now fully believe in the necessity of a personal trainer for anyone who is going through a massive life change like this. It isn't just about losing fat and gaining muscle. It isn't just about what we eat, or when we eat it. It is also about taking the time for ourselves - an hour or two per week where we don't have to think about anyone or anything else. When I am working out with you, it is all about ME. MY needs, and MY goals.
Honestly, it makes me so happy to know that I don't really have to think at all when I'm at your place. I just show up, do whatever you tell me to do as complaint-free as I can, and then head home knowing that I have done something great for myself.
I know that money is a factor for people...I am no exception to that, especially with my recent pay cut...but cutting back on foolish trips to Shoppers Drug Mart, twice weekly visits to restaurants, Starbucks 3x a week, crappy no-good-for-your-brain magazines, and convenience store trips for junk food are all totally worth it.
So, Trainer Mike, you fire-jumping, Spartan-Race-Running, Ironman-Training fool...I just want to say thanks. For all the encouragement, direction and advice. Thanks for the 25 pounds of fat lost, and the 15 pounds of muscle gained. Thank you for making me stronger - mentally and physically. Thank you for showing me that the words "I can't" don't really exist for me anymore. Thank you for teaching me that strength is confidence. And that confidence is sexy. My body thanks you, too. As well as my soon-to-be, not-yet-found hopefully HOT husband! Hahahaha.... ;)
You kinda sorta totally rock. Just sayin'.
Don't ever bring this post up though! I don't want you gettin' all mushy n' sh*t on me.
Have an AWESOME day everyone! And if you, or anyone else that you know, is looking for a fantastic personal trainer in the central-west area of Ottawa...for one on one sessions, or to get a custom built program (which is an awesome and much cheaper alternative!) that you can take with you to the gym, I promise you, Mike is your man. Truly.
xoxox
~Jenn
2 comments:
I love that you burned your pants!!!
Sounds like one of the good ones!
Mike has such a ridiculous passion for life in general! I was so honoured to be in his presence for my first year in Korea! When he informed me about his next step I knew he'd be spectacular! Clearly I was right! You look fantastic! Congrats and keep up the amazing work!
~Megan
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