Ok friends we are halfway through 2020. Let’s talk about what we have accomplished, what we haven’t, and how we have to pivot our thought process to adapt to the “New Normal”. I have come to realize that all of the goals that I have had set for the, “year” need to be readjusted for the year we are having. I am going to do this by making my goals smaller and more palatable. With that said; I am going to do monthly goals.

My July Monthly Goals

1) Read two book’s this month. One of the books (which I am in the middle of) is more of an educational read. And one book is for pleasure. The two book’s that I hope to get through are.

A Random Walk Down Wall Street by-Burton G. Malkiel & Then She Was Gone by- Lisa Jewel

2) I have been doing different courses through an educational institute, I have 15 more credits to go in order to get a certificate as a Human Movement Specialist. The course requires 80 hours of work. I am so close, I just need to buckle down stay focused and do a little bit everyday. Hopefully I can achieve this goal.

3) Revamp this blog! I have wanted to pick out a new layout (a bit of a face lift), add new pictures, and make this site more interactive to be able to communicate and stay connected a bit more, especially since we are all adapting to the “New Normal” especially in the fitness industry, and just life in general.

4)  I want to try two new recipes this month. I have realized that I have become complacent in my cooking. I keep making the same dishes. I want to expand into a cuisine that I have never tried before, or just some new dishes. ( This is a dish that I made earlier this week. Roast Chicken and an Orzo salad).

5) Start to work on my personal business more. I want to expand my business and I am hoping to do that by working with a business coach. I want to reach more people. I am at  a point where I need help with my system and processes. And knowledge about going more into the online training world. I am used to one-on-one in person training, the online world forces you to pivot and be creative and adaptable and I have to say I have enjoyed the challenge. I am excited to learn more and to be able to expand the clientele that I can help.

Here is to July and making small achievable goals. What are your goals for this month?

 

 

 

 

 

 

With everything that has been going on in our world and especially here in the United States. My mind has been spinning, this poignant moment we are in has brought up conversations with family members, friends, and just seeing the different pains and hurts that have yet to be healed.  Some have a lack of understanding and some, also not having a desire to want to understand. This pivotal season that we are in has made me happy to be who I am, who God has placed me on this earth to be, and that we all are beautifully and wonderfully made. I hope we find peace, beauty in our differences and begin to heal our hurts. I am Black, I am Beautiful, I am Proud to be who I am.

I have been a trainer for over 10 years now, I usually travel over NYC to train my clients. Since the Corona Virus has happened, it has put me in a position to go the virtual route with training. Which I have to say I was uncertain about at first, but I have grown as a trainer and to like virtual training. It definitely took a moment to get used to it, I am able to dedicate more time to studying the body, to be more of an asset to my clients. And I have also gained new clients that live in different states. This has taken me out of my comfort zone and also has helped me to expand my creativity in order to make sure my clients get what they need out of their workout.

This is how a typical, “Day in the Life” of a  Virtual Personal Trainer.

Morning- First let me say I have been loving the fact that I don’t have to be up at 5:00 am. I love this,  it’s glorious !!! My first client is generally 9:00 am or 10:00 am depending on the day. I usually get up around 7:30 – 7:45 am. I like to give myself time to wake up, prepare my mind, drink water, coffee, set my intentions for the day, read a devotional, review my clients programs and make any tweaks if need be, and make a smoothie.  I know this seems like a lot. But, when I am used to leaving the house by 5:30 am, this time I have in the mornings now is precious and sacred to me, and I don’t take it for granted.

 

I usually try to plan my clients back to back, it is easier for my schedule and getting things done that I need to do. This doesn’t always work, but for the most part it does. My virtual clients are currently all  in different states than I am, except for 1. Training virtually took a bit of time to get used to because you have to figure out the angles you need to be able to see to make sure that my clients form is where it is suppose to be. This took a bit of trial and error but for the most part we’ve got it down.

After my first few clients I usually teach a “Group Fitness Class” Group fitness meaning I am doing it through IG Live or Facebook Live. I have to admit this was very awkward at first, because you don’t have interaction with the people joining the class. After doing it a few times and people writing comments during the class, it helps to give me a group fitness feeling. And I have come to enjoy it, because it helps to hold me accountable just as much as the participants who take the class.

Generally after I finish teaching I have one more client right after my class or a little later on. Then it is time for lunch. I usually have a working Lunch. I work on my continuing education credits for Personal Training, read a book (because reading a book during my normal schedule, is a challenge in itself, trying to find the time). And I have been working on some different business endeavors and collaborations with friends who are also in the fitness and education industry.

I generally spend about 3 hours a day either consecutively or broken up working on these 3 things and then of course I have to get “my workout” in. I do workout when I teach my classes, but I do have specific goals and exercises that I do for my body, especially corrective exercise techniques be it that I am doing a lot more vigorous work outs,( ie- HIIT, Cardio) during the classes  that I instruct.

I would say the biggest change in my life is that I am not clocking 25,000 steps a day, which is hard for me physically it was effortless cardio lol.

During quarantine, fitness has seemed to give people a sense of release and relief. There are people who were not working out pre-quarantine and they are, and it’s great that more people are using fitness as an outlet.

All in all adjusting to “Quarantine Fitness” has been an adjustment but I am so happy with the growth I have made and I know that this is going to help me be a better trainer and expand what I can give to my clients.

Allow yourself to evolve, allow yourself to grow and transform. The same way your body does during your fitness journey allow this to happen in your life as well.

In my fitness journey and in my life my body, goals and outlook have shifted. Priorities evolve and change.

When I first started on my fitness journey running was my life!! I would run, everyday rain or shine. You couldn’t pay me to miss a day. As, I have learned and grown in my knowledge of health, training programs and most importantly nutrition.  You have to train for the goals you have set for yourself.

As I became stronger and more confident in weight training I began to want to see physical changes in my musculature, because of this my goals and my outlook changed and my focus I believe now is more balanced, and less obsessive. Sometimes the reason you started is not the reason you continue. This post is more of a ramble about being conscious and aware of yourself, your reasoning and that it is o.k. to grow. That is what life is about, always learning, and being o.k. with your path.

Just a  bit of a random thought Monday, I hope you are all doing well and being healthy.

Happy New Year, Everyone! I hope you all had an awesome holiday season.

It is that time of year again, new possibilities, new aspirations, new whatever your heart desires.It was interesting this week because I didn’t see a large influx of people at the gym. Since, this will be the first full week back of the new year, tomorrow might be the big day! With that being said, as far as your health and fitness, let’s start out on the right foot and make sure that you set yourself up for success. Here are just a few quick tips to help you set up for your fitness COMMITMENT, not resolution!

1. Ditch the word, “Resolution” and make a “Commitment”. The word resolution comes with a negative connotation behind it. We all just know that a resolution is something you do for about two weeks maybe the month of January if you’re determined. When you say you are going to commit to something, it holds more weight and value.
2. Don’t start with a vengeance! It is wonderful you have a hunger to do your best and want to be determined, however, sometimes this can be the best way to set yourself up for failure. Don’t decide that you are going to go to the gym, fitness class, everyday, all day, No Day’s off because you have GOALS!… simmer down there love bugs. The suggestion I make to a lot of my clients or students that are just starting out on their fitness journey, is to go every other day. Especially, if you have not worked out in a while or never have before. Don’t go six days in a row thinking this is showing you’re serious. Because, the first day you miss you will feel like a failure, then say, “well there isn’t a point”. This is one of the major ways people fall off, so SET YOURSELF UP FOR SUCCESS! If you start slowly you will be proud of yourself if you add an extra day after a few weeks, than when you don’t make it one day after 2 weeks. For example: It is better to start Monday/Wednesday/Friday than go six days straight.
3. Write it down! There is something about putting pen to pepper and writing down your plan of action that will make you more accountable to do it. I use my gym gypsy planner to plan out my workouts and that simple act just holds me accountable to myself. To be honest, at least for me, I feel a little bad when I don’t do what I wrote down in my planner.

These are just a few ideas for you to have a better outlook on your New Year fitness COMMITMENTS. Remember you want this to be a life long journey, not a a-quarter mile sprint. Pace yourself, be kind to yourself, believe in yourself, and don’t be afraid to ask for help! There are so many amazing tools that can be utilized to help you in the fitness and nutrition area of your life. Just be mindful that there is a lot of garbage out there too! Get your info from credible sources, referrals and do your own research! Most importantly find what works for you.

Happy New Year Commitments!