I joined Weight Watchers online again this morning. Time to go back to what worked for me in the first place, and make myself accountable again. My goal is to lose 20kg.
I am quite impressed with the changes WW has made to their plan - it's more about eating the right types of foods, rather than just eating points. I've only planned today's menu so far, but am searching recipes for the rest of the week. Once I've done that I'm going to work out my mini-goals and rewards so I don't get overwhelmed thinking about 20kg.
I am loving working as a PT. I just need more of it! May was shaping up to be quite a good month and I was hoping to not have to dip into my savings for June, but today I've had 3 cancellations which not only affects my bank balance, but my mood. Just when you think you are on track something out of your control happens!
Not only is today the first day of my new eating plan, but I am going back to running. I tore the ligaments in my ankle 3 weeks ago which has meant no running, cycling and even no walking for a little while. But feeling pretty good now and should be able to run on an even surface.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
For those of you in Sydney...
We're holding a nutrition seminar... http://mindbodymotion.com.au/nutrition-seminar/
If I can talk my Monday night client into going, then I will be there - otherwise I'll have to miss out, but I think it will be a really worthwhile event.
If I can talk my Monday night client into going, then I will be there - otherwise I'll have to miss out, but I think it will be a really worthwhile event.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
The countdown is on
This time next week will be my last day of having a full time job + 2 part time jobs. Thank god! I am completely exhausted, and if it weren't for the light at the end of the tunnel I may just fall in a heap right here and now. Of course, the fact that I've just done a massive kettlebell work out (ie. torture) doesn't help that feeling :)
I've worked out how many PT sessions I need a week to live off (without a social life), how many I need to live comfortably but still on a tight budget, and how many I need to be earning a similar income to what I am now. Over the next few days I'm going to put some time frames around that, and work out where those extra sessions are going to come from. I'm not too far away from being able to live off my PT money which is a good feeling. I have savings, but don't really want to have to live off them for long.
I am really loving both my one-on-one sessions and group sessions. It's nice to be able to have a good mix of both. I've spent heaps of time writing programs for my groups so that I don't have to do it every week. My plan is to build up a library of around 30 varied sessions so I can just work my way through those. As I learn new things and come up with new ideas I'll update them.
I'm also building up a playlist of music for some of my groups - particularly if I'm doing circuits. I've only used it once so far but got a great response from the girls. What's your favourite work out song? I need suggestions!
I've worked out how many PT sessions I need a week to live off (without a social life), how many I need to live comfortably but still on a tight budget, and how many I need to be earning a similar income to what I am now. Over the next few days I'm going to put some time frames around that, and work out where those extra sessions are going to come from. I'm not too far away from being able to live off my PT money which is a good feeling. I have savings, but don't really want to have to live off them for long.
I am really loving both my one-on-one sessions and group sessions. It's nice to be able to have a good mix of both. I've spent heaps of time writing programs for my groups so that I don't have to do it every week. My plan is to build up a library of around 30 varied sessions so I can just work my way through those. As I learn new things and come up with new ideas I'll update them.
I'm also building up a playlist of music for some of my groups - particularly if I'm doing circuits. I've only used it once so far but got a great response from the girls. What's your favourite work out song? I need suggestions!
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
I've given in to Twitter!
So far I've resisted, as becoming addicted to another social media form is probably not what I need... but I've given in!
You can follow me here... https://twitter.com/emmaharvie
Once I've got the hang of it I'll try post some interesting things!
As for the PT update, Booty Camp and Mind Body Motion are going really well. Getting between 4 and 6 sessions a week which is awesome given I am still working full time. I am completely exhausted though! Can't wait to cut back my hours in my "real" job.
You can follow me here... https://twitter.com/emmaharvie
Once I've got the hang of it I'll try post some interesting things!
As for the PT update, Booty Camp and Mind Body Motion are going really well. Getting between 4 and 6 sessions a week which is awesome given I am still working full time. I am completely exhausted though! Can't wait to cut back my hours in my "real" job.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Long time no blog
Hello! Anybody still there? It has been months and months since I last posted. I felt a need to deal with some things internally before putting it out for the world to see. In hindsight, I probably would have been better off blogging, but I shut down completely and didn't feel capable of dealing with my own thoughts.
It all started with what was probably just a passing comment for someone else, triggering a downward spiral in what I (in my own mind) would call depression. As much as I know I shouldn't give any credit to this statement, deep down I did. This is what someone who used to be my best friend said to me... "I see you've started your own PT business. I hope you don't mind me saying, but I wouldn't train with anyone who couldn't run up a hill faster than me, or at least look like they could. I know you've come a long way, but you've still got a LONG way to go before you look like a personal trainer"
I really didn't know what to say, and pretty much didn't say anything. Of course all the come-backs came to me after, my personal favourite being "well actually, my target market isn't skanky alcoholics who don't bathe so I should be fine"... that pretty much sums up why we're no longer friends, but that is a story for another day.
Over the next couple of months I lost all confidence in everything... my job, my PT, my appearance, my ability to do anything. I put on weight and I became a social hermit. I would look forward to going out, and when the time came completely freak out and be unable to leave the house. I forced myself to go to my gym Christmas Party (my favourite event of the xmas season) and lasted 2 hours - and that took all my will power. I missed a good friend's farewell before she moved back to Germany, I missed birthdays, I missed dinners with friends and all sorts of things. The thought of going to the gym when I didn't have a PT session terrified me. Once I got the courage up to go to yoga, and walked out when I saw the room was nearly full. I just couldn't cope. I even came out in a rash for weeks on end - an allergic reaction to foods which is triggered by stress.
I almost quit my job - firstly because I hated it, but secondly because I couldn't cope with any stress and thought that a month off would give me time to sort myself out.
So fast forward to late January, when I thought it was time to apologise to a couple of wonderful girlfriends for cancelling on them so often and explain where my head was at. That was the turning point - in order to do that I had to face what I was feeling.
Since then I have built up my PT sessions to 3-4 hours a week with more bookings every day (just booked in 12 more sessions yesterday). I am even getting referrals to fill in for other trainers. I have just signed up with an outdoor trainer to contract to her on a part time basis, with the long term plan to be full time, open a small studio and perhaps even have part ownership. Of course, that is a fair way down the track! I have lost weight - back to what I was in September. I have also spoken to my boss about my plans and will switch to part time mid March and she will look for a replacement for me.
I'm doing one-on-one PT sessions with a PT Manager at one of the Fitness Firsts in the city which is as much about me reaching my goals as it is about learning about being a PT in a gym environment (he's mentoring me), I've found a couple of training buddys so have someone else to train with almost every day of the week, and I'm doing a friend's boot camp once a week (again for my own goals and ideas for my own clients). I am motivated and happy with the world.
My fears of not looking like a personal trainer have subsided a bit – I've found being upfront and honest with my clients about my journey and my goals means they are comfortable with me - and even inspired. I've found something I am good at and am ready to make the switch to being a full time PT.
It all started with what was probably just a passing comment for someone else, triggering a downward spiral in what I (in my own mind) would call depression. As much as I know I shouldn't give any credit to this statement, deep down I did. This is what someone who used to be my best friend said to me... "I see you've started your own PT business. I hope you don't mind me saying, but I wouldn't train with anyone who couldn't run up a hill faster than me, or at least look like they could. I know you've come a long way, but you've still got a LONG way to go before you look like a personal trainer"
I really didn't know what to say, and pretty much didn't say anything. Of course all the come-backs came to me after, my personal favourite being "well actually, my target market isn't skanky alcoholics who don't bathe so I should be fine"... that pretty much sums up why we're no longer friends, but that is a story for another day.
Over the next couple of months I lost all confidence in everything... my job, my PT, my appearance, my ability to do anything. I put on weight and I became a social hermit. I would look forward to going out, and when the time came completely freak out and be unable to leave the house. I forced myself to go to my gym Christmas Party (my favourite event of the xmas season) and lasted 2 hours - and that took all my will power. I missed a good friend's farewell before she moved back to Germany, I missed birthdays, I missed dinners with friends and all sorts of things. The thought of going to the gym when I didn't have a PT session terrified me. Once I got the courage up to go to yoga, and walked out when I saw the room was nearly full. I just couldn't cope. I even came out in a rash for weeks on end - an allergic reaction to foods which is triggered by stress.
I almost quit my job - firstly because I hated it, but secondly because I couldn't cope with any stress and thought that a month off would give me time to sort myself out.
So fast forward to late January, when I thought it was time to apologise to a couple of wonderful girlfriends for cancelling on them so often and explain where my head was at. That was the turning point - in order to do that I had to face what I was feeling.
Since then I have built up my PT sessions to 3-4 hours a week with more bookings every day (just booked in 12 more sessions yesterday). I am even getting referrals to fill in for other trainers. I have just signed up with an outdoor trainer to contract to her on a part time basis, with the long term plan to be full time, open a small studio and perhaps even have part ownership. Of course, that is a fair way down the track! I have lost weight - back to what I was in September. I have also spoken to my boss about my plans and will switch to part time mid March and she will look for a replacement for me.
I'm doing one-on-one PT sessions with a PT Manager at one of the Fitness Firsts in the city which is as much about me reaching my goals as it is about learning about being a PT in a gym environment (he's mentoring me), I've found a couple of training buddys so have someone else to train with almost every day of the week, and I'm doing a friend's boot camp once a week (again for my own goals and ideas for my own clients). I am motivated and happy with the world.
My fears of not looking like a personal trainer have subsided a bit – I've found being upfront and honest with my clients about my journey and my goals means they are comfortable with me - and even inspired. I've found something I am good at and am ready to make the switch to being a full time PT.
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