Don't Be Afraid Of The Gym!

 

Whether you have never been, or it’s been awhile. If you’ve lifted heavy iron or only done a few fitness classes. It doesn’t matter if you are overweight, obese, skinny-fat or underweight. If the most exercise you’ve gotten this year has been getting up off the couch to raid the fridge during commercial breaks; now is the time. If you look in the mirror only after getting fully dressed; go now. If you are exhausted, or burnt out, or depressed, or just feel that there must be more to life, there is: GO TO THE GYM!

There is nothing to be afraid of. If you want to be afraid, be afraid of where your sedentary life will lead you. Weakened, brittle bones and loss of muscle tissue as you age. A slowed metabolism, which can easily translate into 5-10lbs of fat gain for every decade past age 30. Poor posture. Decreased range of motion through joints. Higher incidence of diabetes, heart disease, stress related illness- have you heard enough, or shall I continue? A sedentary life is no way to live. It just isn’t. It is a sure ticket to an early grave and a lower quality of life on your way there.

Compare that to looking like an idiot. Or feeling out of place. Or being unsure of what you are doing. Who cares what anyone else may or may not think of you? Chances are most people are too busy thinking of themselves to pay much attention to what you are doing anyway. Besides, we were all beginners once. And we all have reasons for having taken time off from the gym too. Bottom line, it doesn’t matter a bit where you are starting from. Only that you start, that you continue, and that you find a way to fit it into your life and to enjoy it.  

As a Personal Trainer, I see people who only use certain pieces of equipment in the gym. They have no idea how or why to use most of it. They are doing imbalanced workouts, and frankly, “waste of time” exercises. Because of this and for several other reasons, I highly recommend hiring a fitness professional, who will  take you through developing a training program using proper form and range of motion for exercises. This will ensure that you make progress and are able to efficiently use your time in the gym. Also, it should help take the fear out of the daunting task of getting to the gym in the first place.

Amy Shaw,
BCRPA certified Personal Trainer

22 WEEKS!

I'm already getting excited about how my competition plans are formulating and progressing. I have been consistent with my nutrition and cardio & work-outs since I last blogged, and researching Women's Physique division as much as possible. There is loads to learn. And the time to begin learning my posing routine is now, before I become calorie or carb depleted!

I went to see my coach today and practiced the mandatory poses I will be executing on stage. Quite different from Figure! lol. It was awkward to pose in bare feet and when I am completely off-season (read: soft) but, hey, it is what it is and I gotta get started! It was fun/challenging. I will require a lot of practice :)

I have my music picked out, just need to get the song edited and recorded. I really like it, I think it'l be fun to pose to!

All is progressing as it should be at this point, just getting my head straight and focused and finding and harnessing my drive & determination again. I am really looking forward to overcoming all obstacles and kicking my own ass (again) this year.

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On a bit of a rant, I have to say the following. I have heard a few people in the fitness industry who are either pro-level or hi-profile say variations of the following theme : " If you have to take 16+ weeks to prep, you are not staying lean enough in off season".

This completely infuriates me. What, Meso/Endomorphic body types shouldn't compete? What, women should constantly keep their bodyfat under 15%? What, I should feel like a fatty because I go up to 18-21%bf in the off season?

If someone wants to compete, and has the right work ethic and somewhat decent genetics and a great coach who is willing and able to get them to the stage, who cares how long it takes? I have tryed my damnedest to stay leaner in off-season. Many times! I have wrestled with feeling too thick and and not liking my off-season body. But finally this last year things started to change. I realised my off-season body is strong, it is healthy, it lets me eat a few more treats that I enjoy. I am more than my body anyway, and my self-worth is not completely attached to my physique (thank-god, can you imagine what 50+ y.o. would feel like?)

So yeah, bottom line, I just wanted to say that for me competing is about bringing MY best package to the stage, and enjoying my life outside of competing. And I wouldn't want anyone to think that 16 weeks is too long to prepare for a physique competition. We are not all natural-born attention-seeking glamour queens who feel comfortable posing and parading in front of an audience. We are not all able to stay ultra-lean 52 weeks out of the year. Some of us require more time and work to get onstage. Who gives a shit? End rant.

GET INSPIRED!!!!!

You know how sometimes you have the best intentions and definitely the desire, but you just aren't making the progress you'd like? Days, weeks, or months go by and eventually you start finding excuses for your lack of progress. You tell yourself "I am already in decent shape, I should just be thankful for that" or " I guess I wasn't meant to ________" or "if I just keep trying, eventually I'll get there". Quit kidding yourself. Get inspired!

I'll give you an example. I have been climbing the Grouse Grind weekly for the last 5 weeks. My first time up I finished in 1:08. Over the weeks I've gotten it down to 1:02. But in the back of my mind, I want much bigger results. A few years ago I was climbing it in +/- 50mins. That is what I'd like to get back to. But instead of actively working to improve my time, I've been lazy. I've figured that with improved cardio contitioning simply from continuing to hike it weekly, my time would improve. I've figured that staying in the medium/high range of my heart-rate zone would ensure I keep a steady pace and improve my time that way. While both assumptions are true, there is much more I can do.

Which brings us to yesterday, when I met my inspiration. In the form of a retired 65 year old teacher. We started talking on the bus ride down after hiking. Turns out he hikes the Grouse Grind in 43 mins. He holds the 2nd fastest time for his age group, 60-69. Of the gentleman who holds the fastest time of 41mins, he said "That guy is fast". LOL. Buddy, you're no slouch! Throughout our conversation I learned that he often takes two steps at a time, that he uses the inside edge of the path, and that he would NOT be able to carry on a conversation during his hike. Okay. Hmm. Maybe I am not working hard enough...

My point is, he inspired me. I wasn't actively trying to push myself to my limit. I was somewhat content making small progress. But you know what? The reality is I want to be a lot faster. I want to push to my limit. I want to feel the sense of accomplishment that comes with giving it my all. And I'll tell you what, next time I go up the Grind I'll be using ALL of the new tips I learned!

If you are not inspired, you will have a hard time reaching the next level. Of course it also takes a plan of action, consistent execution, a support system and a lot of hard work. If you are having a hard time finding your inspiration, contact me. I'll motivate, encourage and inspire you.

Amy Shaw, BCRPA certified fitness leader

amyelizabethshaw@hotmail.com
(604) 767-1409