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    Jibber Jabber

    lisa's jibber jabber

August 20, 2013

Bridesmaids and a stolen personal training session in Sydney

Did you see the Bridesmaids movie??? I wasn’t a massive fan of it but I am in the minority it seems, however, there was a scene in the movie that made me chuckle big time. It was when the two lead characters were hiding behind a tree and ‘stealing’ a bootcamp session.

I had exactly the same thing happen to me last week during a session!

I was working with a one on one client at my gym in The Rocks, Sydney. It was her second session and thus we are still getting to know each other. I was explaining why posture is so important and I was demonstrating how to mobilize the thoracic spine (in basic terms: improve her posture). I was deep in the demo and enthusiastically selling the benefits of correct posture when I noticed that my client was totally distracted*

[*my personal trainer ego was slightly miffed as I know that I can sell mobilization of the thoracic spine to new clients like some P.T’s sell six pack stomachs…….. FYI good posture is, in my opinion, more important than a six-pack. A hunched over, rounded back is never a good look and def not good for spine health, the way we view the world, the way the world views us etc etc]

Anyway back to the story:

I followed my clients’ eyes and soon realised that a lady was standing uncomfortably close behind me without my knowledge. She was totally engrossed in the information I was delivering. My client was looking at her as if to question her close presence.

I initially ignored her and carried on talking to my client hoping that the lady would move away. I soon realised that this was not going to happen and when I asked her if I could help her, she simply responded with: “ I am just listening’. I carried on with the session but was totally dumbstruck and lost for words when she literally started stealing the personal training session by copying the exact same exercises at an extremely close proximity to us.

When this happened in the Bridesmaids movie, the stereo typical Bootcamp instructor yells:

“HEY! IF YOU WANT TO TAKE THIS CLASS YOU ARE GONNA HAVE TO PAY FOR IT LIKE THE REST OF THESE BI###ES!”

I sorta wanted to say something like this (without the profanity offcourse, the client was only in her second session and I didn’t want to scare her off so soon ☺). I have to confess that I actually had no idea what to do as this had never happened to me before. In the end the lady went over and joined a group exercise class that was going on. This saved our blushes and we were actually able to have a good laugh about it and get on with the business of the session.

You know guys, I would have been totally happy to share the love and had a chat to this lady afterwards and explain how she could improve her posture. I saw her lingering close to another session a couple of days later and this time I said:

“HEY! IF YOU WANT TO TAKE THIS CLASS YOU ARE GONNA HAVE TO PAY FOR IT LIKE THE REST OF THESE BI###ES!”

Just kidding……. I informed her politely that she could ask me questions later but asked her to give us more room for safety reasons as I didn’t want her to get hit by a swinging Kettlebell!

FYI check out the hilarious scene from Bridesmaids (someone has obviously recorded and posted with I Phone but still OK quality and you will get the idea)
http://youtu.be/gBsDb32cdPU

Jibber Jabber over n out.

August 8, 2013

childhood obesity

macdonalds v sashimi

samurai pic from @darkazart

Hey team, you know how I like to share a story! I want to tell you about my ironic lunch experience today. I went to my local shopping centre and bought myself a sashimi salad. I sat down to eat and a young Japanese/Australian mum asked if she could share my table with her and her kids (nearly 2 year old daughter and her nearly 3 year old son… I asked how old they were). She then proceeded to produce 3 ‘happy’ meals with Coca Cola drinks for herself and her kids. I was struck at the irony of me eating sashimi and them eating McDonalds. The boy complained that the fries were too salty and so the mum taught him to tap each fry so that some of the salt fell off.

Now, I do not have children, I cannot empathize with having to budget for food for the kids (and we all know how cheap this meal option is) etc, etc but I found it so hard to sit and watch such young kids eating this stuff. I do not know the history behind the meal, it could have been a treat etc. But I know that clean, healthy food is available and can still be ‘fast food’ if we want it to be. I have spoken to parents and I know that it is possible to be on a budget and still buy cheaper and readily available healthy food for families.

I had to leave the table as I could not watch the boy tap any more fries and then pop them in his mouth washed down with his sugary drink.

My thoughts are that parents need to step up and be role models for their kids. In my mind there is no reason for a young child to taste or even know what a McDonalds ‘happy meal’ is. Parents have the responsibility to teach their kids that junk food like this is a once a week treat instead of a daily routine. They also need to educate them as to why this is the case. If this doesn’t happen the childhood obesity epidemic will just continue to grow and grow like the waistlines of our children.

August 8, 2013

patience

Patience is not my strong point, as my friends and family will tell you. I do know that consistency with training; sleep, nutrition and managing stress levels will get you results. Keep up the good work and keep going 🙂

August 8, 2013

inspiration and motivation

Good morning guys! Gotta say I love my job and the diversity of clients! Wanted to share: Yesterday I trained my 10 year old male client. He had a stroke when he was born. My job with him is to encourage and coach him to use and move his left side (as well as train and have fun….. I try and ‘hide the vegetables’ if you know what i mean). Yesterday, we were able to get him jumping off a high step and landing with confidence and strength. The look on his face when he conquered his fears was priceless. Inspirational and motivational! No excuses guys. Jump off the high step today and kick some ass! 🙂

August 8, 2013

training with a cold

Is it ok to exercise if I have a cold? General rule of thumb is :exercise is normally ok if your symptoms are above the neck: runny and blocked nose, minor sore throat etc. Just reduce intensity and length of workout. If symptoms below neck: chest congestion, hacking cough, upset stomach prob best to rest. Listen to your body and take a break or time off if needed.

August 8, 2013

alcohol and fat loss

Planning a few drinks this weekend? If you’re trying to burn body fat remember that your body processes alcohol first, leaving carbohydrates and fats to get stored as fat instead of getting used as fuel. Just thought I’d remind you.

August 8, 2013

obsessed with the scales and your weight?

Gentle reminder: Remember that you do not wear a shirt with your KG’s displayed for everyone to see. Please try not to get obsessed with a number on the scales. Go with how you feel in your body. Feel your clothes getting looser. See your body getting firmer. Feel fitter on the stairs at work. Much nicer indicators to losing body fat, developing health, wellness and fitness. Less chance of developing a scales obsession. I had one for many years so speak from the heart on this

August 8, 2013

need another reason to move regularly?

A study by Appalachian State University in 2010 found that regular exercisers experienced 43 percent fewer sick days than people who didn’t exercise. They also reported less severe symptoms during the days they did have colds.

August 8, 2013

what veggie should i eat?

Veggies that should be on your shopping list and in your belly! Broccoli, lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower, mushrooms, green beans, onions, asparagus, cucumber, spinach, all forms of peppers, zucchini, kale.

August 8, 2013

personal trainers are not created equal

True story: an Innervate client won 24 Personal Training sessions at a gym which will remain anonymous. So, she decided to put her sessions with us on hold. She went for her first session and the ‘personal trainer’ popped her on the rower for 5 mins then moved her to the cross trainer. He then told her he would be right back and to work hard while he was gone. He went and bought a coffee, came back and drank the coffee next to her then moved her to the bike. Session over. She starts up with us again next week. Personal trainers are not created equal. Train with us and know you are being looked after by health professionals.