Final Session

My last session with my personal trainer is September 10^th.  The competition is the 14^th and then I’m officially in the off-season.  Before I continue let me just say this:  I’m going to continue to train on my own because there is no where I’d rather be than in the gym.

I started with him in October of last year and I had a goal.  A picture in my mind of how I wanted to look.  I had no idea how to get there and he guided me every step of the way.  The plan was to sign a contract for four months, 3 days a week, hour-long sessions.  He recommended 8 months.  At first, I really thought he was just trying to get my money (and maybe he was) but after 4 months, I was nowhere near where I wanted to be so I’m glad I followed his advice.  Eventually, I bumped it up to 6 days a week, 3 days with him and 3 on my own.  Now, after almost 11 months I’m ready to go it completely alone.  I’ve learned so much about nutrition and strength training and cardio … the education I received was well worth the money I spent.  I have never felt better in my life and I look much better than I did 20 years ago.  I’m happy.

I learned something else during this time:  I am much stronger than I ever thought I was.  Not just physically stronger but mentally stronger as well.  I had to build up the physical strength over time but you have to be mentally strong to go back day after day to prove to a dumbbell that you can lift it.  There were a few days when the dumbbell won – but I kept going back.  There were some days when I had to shed a few tears – but I kept going back.  There were days when I was so sore that I couldn’t even sleep (that actually happened last Friday) but I kept going back.  I hate to keep making a big deal out of this but let me say it again:  I’M ALMOST 50 YEARS OLD!  I emphasize that because I think for so long I was programmed to believe that 50 was one thing (old, frail, slow, near-death, etc.) and now those beliefs are completely shattered.  It really is just a friggin’ number.

So what’s the big lesson here?  That I can do whatever the heck I want to do.  It’s never too late as long as I’m willing to put in the work.  We all can.  Once we decide to stop making excuses and choose a path there is no reason why we cannot accomplish anything that we set our minds to.  It sets my teeth on edge when people make ridiculous excuses for why they can’t do something.  I know a lady who every time she sees me she feels compelled to tell me about her diet, and that she’s “trying to do better”.  First of all, I didn’t ask you.  Secondly, I’m not your mama.  Thirdly, what does “trying to do better” even mean?  Stop letting a cookie be the boss of you!

I’m not judging.  Do you, boo.  But don’t come to me with excuses.

Enough of that.  Back to happy … back to happy!

So I’m about three weeks away from tell my trainer “Bye Bye Bye”.  I am going to miss him.  I’m actually going to miss getting up at 5:00 a.m. in order to eat egg whites (I'll probably never eat another yolk again!) and plain sugar-free oatmeal before I meet him at 6:30.  I am going to take a full week off from the gym after the competition in order to give my body the chance to just rest.  I need that.  I wonder if I can actually stay away for a full week.  We’ll see. 

This has truly been the best experience of  my life.  Thank you for allowing me to share it with you.