When Clients Become Friends

I got into a very interesting discussion the other day about the personal trainer/client relationship with my friend (and fellow PT).  Specifically, it was about how that relationship can turn into a friendship, especially with long-term clients. 

She has had a client for over a year and feels that this person views her more as a friend than as a trainer.  As a result, my PT friend feels that her client isn't getting the results that she would like, but happily pays week after to week to have a "workout buddy".

Here is the dilemma:

Do you continue to work with a client who is not reaching her fitness goals, but is happy to continue to pay for your services?

OR 

Do you end the relationship knowing that, despite your best efforts, you are not able to help them progress any further?

I have a few thoughts on this.

Getting Back into Fitness After Baby

You love your new baby.  She lights up your world.

You feel excited, happy, overwhelmed and scared all at the same time.

You having a hard enough time trying to remember to eat and catch a few hours of sleep, let alone commit to a full blown exercise program.  Talk about scary.

Even with the best intentions, most Mommies just don't have the energy (and perhaps the motivation) to workout.  Taking care of baby is priority #1 (and it should be), so they let their own needs, like health and fitness, take a backseat.

Here are a couple tips to get you back on the fit wagon (after your doctor's okay, of course) and taking the first steps to getting your pre-baby body back!

Source

Friday Favourites: Posts Worth Sharing

Looks like it is going to be a wet weekend in Toronto.  They called for a snow storm, we got rain instead.  I am headed up to the cottage this weekend so I hope the weather is better up there.

Today's favourites are a little bit different.  Many bloggers like to make it habit of sharing some of the wonderful food, health and fitness posts that they stumble across every week.  I love it as it leads me to reads that I may not have discovered on my own.

Today, I decided to be one of those bloggers.

5 Reasons Why You Should Start a Blog

I know what you are thinking. 

"Who really cares what I have to say about ___________ (food, fashion, fitness, etc.), I am not an expert?"

"Why would anyone read my ______________(sports, recipes, mommy etc.) blog when there are so many others out there just like it."

"What if no one ever visits or comments?"

I hear you loud and clear. Blogging can be intimidating and downright scary.

In fact, there are many good reasons not to blog (unable to commit, not interested in blogging, don't want to invest the time and the list goes on).

You will notice that the reasons above are not on the list.  People do care what others have to say and they will read your blog.  There are 1000's of bloggers out there and you could be one of them.

You just need a little patience, some great ideas and few hours a week.

Move of the Month: Seated Oblique Twists

It's Family Day in Ontario.  A day off and we couldn't have wished for better weather.  A little bit cool and full of sunshine.  I managed to get out an enjoy it with an afternoon run.  It was glorious.

I am going to round out my workout today with some core exercises and you know I will be including this one in the mix.  Seated oblique twists are a great exercise to help you work on balance, lower back and abdominals muscles.

Remember to check with your doc before you start any exercise program and think about:

• Engaging your pelvic floor muscles (Kegels).
• Making the exercise more challenging by holding a medicine ball or hand weight.
• Making the exercise easier by keeping your feet on the floor.

Friday Favourites: Healthy Recipe Blogs

Happy Friday, my friends!

I have been feeling under the weather the past few days and am looking forward to getting things done this weekend.  Maybe a workout or two, enjoying the sunshine and doing some baking.

I often use other blogs as an inspiration for many of the makeovers I do and there are quite a few bloggers out there who do healthy cooking extremely well.  These ladies consistently post sweet and savoury dishes that will tickle your taste buds while being kind to your waistline.

Without further ado, here a just a few of those bloggers who share delicious and nutritious recipes.

 

How to Indulge Guilt-Free

Hope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day.

I know I did.  I got surprised with a dozen pink roses. Not too shabby.

I also made a dozen of these.

Excuses, Exercise and Making Changes

I posted this quote on Twitter earlier today and among other things, it really makes me reflect on exercise and healthy living.

30 Minute Workout: Station Circuit

Did you ever have Play Day as a child in school?

It was a day when the entire school would be divided into teams and move from station to station participating in outdoor activities.  Many of them were sporty in nature like relays, soccer ball pass and the 3-legged race.

I remember how much fun these days were.  We got to enjoy the sunshine and have fun with our friends.  We were being active and healthy without even knowing it.

This circuit reminds me of that.  The stations aren't the same, but the entire workout has the same feel to it. It can be done indoors or outdoors, with a partner or group.  

It is very similar to the Circuit Work-It , but you do not need a partner to do the exercises. You just get the added support of working out with a team and have fun while doing it.

 Remember to check with your doc before you start any fitness program.

Healthy Makeover: Lemon Cream Cheese Pound Cake

I love pound cake.  From its dense, spongy goodness to its lovely sweetness. This is why I don't make it very often.

Until now.

I posted on Facebook how I was itching to give it a makeover and that is exactly what I did over the weekend.  I even used stevia.

I am excited to say that I have finally found the right sugar/stevia balance.  The sweetness is perfect. The texture is too, the smell divine, the taste... not quite there.

There is something missing and I can't quite put my finger on it.  I think it needs to be flavoured a little more strongly.  I have a few ideas that I am going to share at the end of the post.

3 Ways to Find Inspiration

As determined as we are to accomplish our goals and get things done, sometimes it feels like our get up and go just got up and went.

Maybe you feel frustrated, unmotivated or just plain blah.  I talked last week about the dreaded stay-in-bed syndrome and I am sure it happens more often then we care to admit.

My friend Christine @ Photographic Ramblings posted yesterday about where she finds inspiration and it got me thinking about the things that inspire me.

I was sitting at the coffee shop on a gloomy day last week when I noticed this:

Friday Favourites: Music for Walking/Running

I am a big fan of music and fitness.

Music moves me, relaxes me and motivates me.  In fact, I find it really challenging to exercise without music. Especially running.

I know not everyone feels that way.  You may find music distracting or perhaps you just want enjoy those few minutes of quiet time and reflection as it is might be all you get for the day (especially if you have kids. :)

For those of you who need to press "play" before you hit the streets (or the treadmill), here are some of the tunes I have been listening to lately.

For Walking

30 Minute Workout: Timed Power Intervals

It is pretty grim in Southern Ontario.

Yes, the weather is unseasonably warm, but there is nary a ray of sun to be found.  It is very easy to get a case of  I-just-want-to-stay-under-the-covers-all-day syndrome.

It is tough to stay motivated to exercise in the darker months, but you know that once you get up and get moving, you will instantly have more energy.

The workout today is going to help you get there.  It will get your heart pumping and boost your mood.  You are going to be so happy that you gave it a try. ;)

Note:  Please check with you doc before you begin/change your fitness program.

 

4 Ways to Grow Your Fitness Business

In order to be successful with your fitness business (or any business, for that matter), you need to experience growth.  Plain and simple.

Perhaps you are considering moving to a new location or maybe you just want to re-work your services to meet the needs of your clients.  No matter which way you slice it, growth is good for your personal development and your business.

Here are some quick and easy ways you can take you and your brand to the next level.