Walk for Life

My trainer friend, Mendy and I are putting on a walk in order to support the Liberty Women's Clinic. Read on for more information...I would love it if you could make it...for a great cause!

Please come support our Local Liberty Women's Clinic as we walk/run 3 miles around the Pleasant Valley Church Parking Lot. No registration required. This is a great way to exercise together while we support a local Liberty Ministry. Spouses, children, strollers, and ipods are welcome. For more information on this event please contact Mendy Shriver via email at MendyShriv@sbcglobal.net or call 415-3798.

April 19th at 9 a.m. in PV parking lot-meet at the main east entrance inside Pleasant Valley Church *Please bring a monetary gift or baby item in order to participate (size 1 or 2 diapers and wipes).

Liberty Women's Clinic offers abortion clinic alternative services in Liberty, Missouri. Offering pregnancy help services to Kansas City, Gladstone and North Kansas City, MO. Pregnancy testing & confidential services for those in Independence, Kearney & Excelsior Springs, Missouri as well as in Holt and Richmond. For more information on The Liberty Women’s Clinic go to: http://www.confidence2choose.com/

Please come……Support Life……Please come……Support Life

We did it: Snake Chase 2008!

Mary, Jennifer, Sharon and I participated in the Snake Chase last Saturday. It was somewhat of a windy day but we made it through. It was a lot of fun and Mary even got 1st place in her age division...way to go Mary!

I hope more of you will think about joining me for the trolley run (or walk) next month!!!

Only Human-Take 2

I am SO thrilled that my trainer friend, Mendy, reminded me in the comment section of the last post about my swiss cake addiction! Maybe when I was writing that last post I didn't want to incriminate myself too much?! However, the other day I told Mendy that I was going to write my "Only Human" post, except in the version I told her I mentioned swiss cake rolls. Ah....one of my biggest weaknesses!

Basically, the other day before my run I also had a swiss cake roll-for energy, right?! Okay, not really. I LOVE swiss cake rolls...my husband was so nice to buy a box for me. However, anytime I get swiss cake rolls I normally polish the whole box off in less than 24 hours. There are 6-270 calorie servings in a box. I noramlly eat 4 servings in a day. Then feel so guilty the next day and want to just get rid of them, that I finish the last 2...done! Thus my illustration of weakness.

How do I fight this? Well, I have found I just can't buy them anymore. I have no self control (or maybe its all the high fructose corn syrup that's in them) so I just can't have them in my house. I have found that to be true in many other cirumstances and I have to admit it's a 2 for 1 deal: we stay fatter in our wallet and thinner in our body. There is only 1 thing that is difficult-the grocery store trip. As long as I can get myself out Target supercenter without swiss cake rolls in my cart, I consider it a success.

There you have it folks, personal trainers are human too!

Only Human

This is somewhat of a difficult entry for me. I really dislike talking about myself, normally friends would vote me a good listener. My passion is asking questions, getting answers and observing behavior. However, I had an experience much like many of my clients the other day and feel the need to expose it.

This Wednesday around 4pm I was at home. The weather was wonderful, around 70 and I still hadn't gotten my second run in for the week. My brain told me to hit the new 4 mile route through my neighborhood I mapped a week ago. Though my body was singing a different tune. I was tired, tired because I hadn't done anything throughout the day since I was strictly at home this week taking care of my sick child. The music on my ipod was getting old and I just felt lethargic altogether. Maybe a little hungry but knew if I ate anything I wouldn't go on that run. Yes, I wanted dinner at 4 o'clock in the afternoon!

What happened next completely threw me for a loop. I needed something to rejuvenate me for the energy I would expend during the 40 minute cardio experience which faced me in the near future. I proceeded to take a nap. About 20 minutes, just enough to give me that bit of energy I was lacking. I also took a quick look at the new songs on itunes. I'm really enjoying Leona Lewis, "keep bleeding in love" right now. Something about the beat that really works for me.

It was a GREAT run. I enjoyed every minute and every step. I was so happy that I followed through.

I must point out how easy it is for me to slip away from a healthy lifestyle-just like anyone else. Yes I am a personal trainer; which is why it's so hard for me to be so self disclosing about my personal hang-ups. Don't misunderstand me, I thoroughly enjoy exercise but sometimes it's difficult for me to pick myself up and do it. I often think if we all had that "feel good" feeling before we exercised and the only way to keep it was to begin exercising-it would make life much easier. However, in my short time here on earth, I know life isn't all about being easy. Maybe I am nuts but there's something about a embracing a challenge and "getting there" that really does it for me.

Micro goal setting played a huge part in my success the other night. Making a little goal to participate in a 5K each month, a 100 mile bike ride in August and a marathon in October put a huge amount of fear on my plate. I knew that if I don't keep my training consistent, I will pay for it later. I am the typical person-I will always need to have a micro goal set in place. Otherwise I could very well fall off the wagon. I thrive on making a plan and sticking with it. I like checking things off my list. Well, I definitely checked off that Wednesday night workout!

Some Insight from Ginger

Have I mentioned before how much I love my clients?! Okay, I know I have but they really are the best. Ginger is one of my clients-she always has a great attitude and good ideas. Here's a REALLY cool idea that I'm stealing from her to share with you all.

Hiking Vacations
It looks like there are places all over Europe that you hike along with some areas in Canada and New York. How fun!

Also, Ginger is a very smart gal--I am not sure exactly what she does but her title is "process architect" and it has something to do with computers. Other than that its beyond my comprehension of what she does! Anyway, she wrote this great blog entry. She titled it "The Personal Trainer has much Knowledge." As much as I wish that were true, I learned quite a bit from what she wrote that I think we could benefit from. There are 3 areas that she talks about, 1. Keep your goals in mind 2. Be Tough but kind 3. Safety First. As you read the article, use the information as it relates to you....keeping your goals in the forefront of you mind at all times. Be tough, i.e.-work hard but also be kind to yourself. Stay focused on how hard you worked rather than the small insignificants you might have messed up on. Lastly be safe-this is so important because too many times have I seen bad form or lifting too much weight that resulted in injury which in turn, results in inactivity. Click below to check it out.

Ginger's Blog Entry

Lastly Ginger sent me the link to the P.F. Chang's Rock 'n Roll Marathon for next January. It looks like SO much fun...maybe this could be the start of next year?

P.F. Chang's Rock 'n Roll Marathon

DEADLINES

Only 2 more days until the registration for the Nike Women's Marathon (or half marathon) closes!!

So far there are 12 of us signed up for the lottery!!
Mandy F.
Sharon M.
Sondra B.
Sara W.
Cathy C.
Debbie B.
Kathy S.
Brenda D.
Andrea V.
Mary J.
Johnna P.
Holly B.

Let me know if you have signed up but I don't have you down...this is excititng!!

ALSO: The Snake Chase (see right for link) is this Saturday. A 5K on the Cerner Campus...will you be there with me?

Pilates and Zumba

I've updated the right side of this blogger with two different classes I endorse. I also recommend two other classes that are local; Pilates and Zumba.

Pilates Mat Class

When: Wednesday nights at 5:45 – 6:45pm
5 week session begins March 12th

Where: Pinnacle Therapy Services
Located in the Maple Crest Professional Plaza

This class is designed to teach and reinforce the fundamentals and beginning movements of Pilates exercises. You will learn a variety of Pilates exercises and Pilates based sculpting moves targeting the buns and thighs, arms and shoulders, and core area. These non-cardio movements will strengthen, sculpt, and lengthen your muscles.

Cost: $30 for the 5 week session

Contact: Kim Sickels
Certified Pilates Instructor, Certified Personal Trainer, Group Exercise Instructor

To register call 816.589.6489 or email questions to knrsicls@aol.com


Zumba Fitness Classes

Where: PINNACLE Liberty, 840 W Kansas Ave, Ste G; Liberty, MO 64068
When: Saturdays, starting March 22 through Summer
Time: 8:00am-9:00am
Price: $7.00/class or $20/pass for 4 classes
Contact: Instructor, Mandi Wong 816-520-2399 or zumbamimi@earthlink.net.

ALL fitness levels welcome!
No dance experience necessary.