My Trainer
ByHello,
In my personal Distraction Diet journey, there came a point once I had dropped over 40 pounds when my body was ready to move more, and I sought out an exercise program. But not just any program because I had seriously hurt myself in gyms previously. I went looking at the newest science on exercising and I wanted a program with support so I wouldn’t hurt myself any more. I knew I needed structure, and since I had always hated exercise (found it boring and a waste of my time, honestly), I wanted something that was fun and challenging for me so that I would stick to it.
Well, I feel so lucky that I live in St. Louis where I found an incredible program called 20 Minutes to Fitness (www.20MinutestoFitness.com). This is a *slow cadence weight training program* where you go in once or twice a week — at most — for 20 minutes (Really!) and get an incredible workout. They have a trainer with you the entire time who handles all the details, adjusts all the machines, keeps track of what you’ve done and when and how much, and watches your form AND pushes you to get the most from the workout possible. In 20 minutes, I work on 6 or 7 machines and work the particular muscle groups to failure on that machine. That means it takes 1 to 3 minutes per machine. No time to get bored!
It’s still very hard for me to accept the muscles failing even though I know that’s how they get stronger, but the program has made me so strong while keeping me from injury. I literally leave each workout giggling about what great things I’m doing for my body.
I LOVE it! Still can’t believe I’m saying that, but honestly, it’s fun because it’s so fast and I know what it’s done for my body and overall health. The research supporting slow cadence weight training is solid.
I feel as strong as I was as a teenager working on the farm. If I hadn’t done something like this while I was dropping all this weight, I would have serious skin flapping everywhere. I know, not a pretty thought. As it is, my skin has proven to be quite resilient for someone my age, _and_ I have muscle tone which feels wonderful.
I truly believe if you are pressed for time — and who isn’t these days — or have any ADHD distractibility traits, this is the best exercise program there is. From my vantage point, it was _made_ for ADDers!
Personally, I would never spend hours a week in a gym. It just would never happen. But this is something I look forward to twice a week. I have someone to talk with, I love the challenge of slow cadence and the variety, and I love that I’ve taken great care of myself so efficiently. 20 Minutes to Fitness looks like a gym, but it doesn’t smell like one. Most people don’t even work up a sweat while getting this incredible workout.
And the trainers are so encouraging. They’ve come along with me on my journey and they celebrate with me. Last week, one of my trainers saw me come in and asked how much I’d dropped at this point. When I told her that I was up over 105 pounds, Debbie said, “Wow! You’ve lost an entire me!” What a hoot! Of course, she’s a tiny little thing, but still, it made me think. So, when I next went in, I took my camera and asked if I could get our picture together. She was gracious enough to have her picture shot with me. See? I still look like a hulk compared to her, and I always will. But just look at her! I’ve lost as much as she weighs! Wow! Now, that’s worth celebrating.
Listen to your body. Our bodies were designed to move. I had neglected mine for a very long time, yet it is proving more resilient than I ever dreamed. Find a program you can trust to take care of you and that you can love. Commit to some exercise this week. Do it for yourself now and for your older self who will be so grateful for a fit body to enjoy.
Warmly, Barbara
