I Don’t Live on a Ranch by Lori Harlan

I am really looking forward to watching the Biggest Loser tonight and it started me thinking about the many obstacles faced during my own 12 week Challenge. Would I have been more successful if I was given the opportunity to go away to the ranch, instead of working the Challenge into my everyday life ?

The first thing I thought of is the poor planning of the timeframe of the Challenge. Who in their right mind would start a challenge that would include Halloween, a six day vacation to Disney World, Thanksgiving and then culminate the week of Christmas?!!! Somebody was not paying attention during that meeting! The reality of it is, life happens 24/7 and there is never a “perfect” time to start life changing habits. Or is there? We can pick out any time of the year and say it’s not a good time for us because of work, stress, vacations, holidays, ect . Actually, anytime to change your life and make it healthier and more vital is a perfect time! Yet , how I wish I just had a break to go to the ranch…

On the Biggest Loser, the contestants are given the opportunity to leave all the challenges of the “real” world and focus just on themselves, probably for the first time in their lives. They get a personal trainer, personal chef, therapist and support of other people going through the exact same challenges as them. What a gift. What an opportunity. We all know that is not what we have to deal with. I have to work my 2 training sessions in during my lunch break of a 10 hour day and then figure out how to get 4 twenty minute cardio sessions in a week. Sorry Ian, one or two is about all I’ve been able to muster. There are endless invites to join friends at Chili’s for a drink and some nachos and I’ve indulged in a few of those. We won’t even discuss my hormonal cravings and chocolate addiction that forces my daughter to hide her Halloween stash in a different place every few days after I’ve tracked it down with the keenness of a bloodhound on a fresh trail.

After much reflection, I have decided I have been given a great gift and opportunity too with this Challenge. Personal training has helped in many more ways than I could have imagined. Aside from becoming a stronger, healthier and more competitive person, it has made me realize this is a permanent change. Not for just 12 weeks, not just to fit in the dress for my sister’s wedding (which I had to have taken in 3 times!), not just till next swim suit season. Ian and his team of awesome trainers at Facts Fitness have made me realize this is something I can and want to do for me all the time. That I can see small gradual changes that will make a huge impact on my health and the quality of my life in my future. That every workout is a new opportunity to improve myself. That I didn’t have to go to the ranch after all.

~Lori

October 10, 2008 – “If you didn’t kill it or pull it out of the ground, don’t eat it!”

 I am 35.  Up until this year – I could spring back from anything.  Today, I learned that just wasn’t so…..

On location in Conshy, just 10 minutes from King of Prussia – the gorgeous Facts Fitness location, sits next to the river in an amazing corporate space.  It is actually 3500 square feet, and it is well-laid out and appointed with a gorgeous locker room.  Tawny met us at the front desk and gave us our marching orders from Ian.

We all hopped on the ellipticals.  Easy.  I never really sweated on an elliptical.  As usual, I’m joking but quickly, it turned to just bad.  I became short of breath, my chest got tight.  I felt horrible.

Meanwhile, Ms. Lori and Dr. Arthur were truckin’ it  -  competing to see who could go faster.  

I had to ask Tawny to get off the machine.  I was embarrassed!!!

I began to think – I feel healthy.  I look healthy.  But dangit! I can’t even go 4 minutes on a level 6 on an elliptical???

So often, we resist exercise.  (and not I see why )  I see this as a major mistake and am amazed that I can’t do this.

The last time I worked out was when I was 3 months pregnant with Nat.  I was in good shape.  

Fast forward to 2008 – just two years – 33 years old to 35 years old, is not a lot of time.

Let me tell you what was different – I couldn’t breathe.  I had chest pain.  I weigh more than 20 lbs. less than the last time I worked out.  From the outside, I APPEAR healthier.

Cardiovascularly – I am not, let me assure you.  I was in agony.

Getting back to my comment – getting your heart rate up and keeping it up is no easy task!  I switched to the bike and sat with my arms over my head, hoping that dying feeling would go away.

Made me think about our practice – and how many people THINK they are healthy, but that has nothing to do with it.    Health is so many facets – STRUCTURAL (that’s us! ) – NUTRITIONAL (eating a diet in whole foods – as Ian says for our current regime – “If you didn’t kill it or pull it out of the ground – don’t eat it!)   Lastly is EMOTIONAL.  This is where personal training is priceless with Ian – his calm confidence pushes you past your own self-imposed blocks!   I thought I was healthy – but there is always room for improvement!

Ian came in and ran us through a creative circuit.  I am amazed at the simplicity of Ian’s training.  I am amazed at how conscious he is about us not getting hurt.  I am amazed at how he knows what we can take.  I am amazed that I push myself much farther than I could without Ian.  

In talking to my patients about personal training – a rare few think it is frivolous – citing, “I can do it myself.”  Meanwhile, they are struggling with excess weight, they may be taking medicine to improve their mood, and they are exhausted and sad.  

Let me tell, you there is something that can help you, help yourself.

The majority can’t and more importantly – WON’T help themselves hit their goals.  

Personal training returns so many benefits.  You can make sure you are doing things right, get great new exercises, and have someone push you beyond what you think you can do!

If your life has hit a stall, or isn’t going the way you planned and your not happy with yourself- think about personal training.  It impacts your structural, nutritional, and emotional health and is a great investment.

It helps with making your adjustments hold better because your core will be firmer and you will be toned and stronger overall.

Today, my heart and lungs reminded me that health is precious and cannot be bought.  It may be the change you need to change your life.

October 4, 2008 – Week #1 – Taking Stock of Where We Are Beginning

 

Ian came out at the beginning of the week to do an assessment.  We have no secrets in the office so we did all together, figuring we were in the same boat.

Performing weight, measurements, and my personal favorite, calipers – making me bring up the old 70’s commercial from Special K….”Can you pinch an inch?”  We pinched many an inch that day, but overall, we didn’t do badly.

Ian, then put us through some endurance/strength testing.  First was push-ups.  Granted, Lori and I were allowed to do “sissy pushups”, I thought, “Hey, I use my arms all day – I got this.”  After 10 modified push-ups, I collapsed on the floor.  There was one problem.  Now I kinda saw where the problem was!

Lori, on the other hand, was machine, pushing out 29 sissy push-ups!  She rocked, and let us all know it.

Dr. Arthur finished with a respectable 25.  We had a lot to improve on!

Crunches and endurance testing with a bench came next – all of us almost exactly the same.  Our endurance was weak.

Ian, then went into trainer-mode, and put us through a quick intense circuit, using our rehab equipment.

 At the end of 20 minutes, we were sweating and out of breath.  Ian was nice enough not to laugh.  :) 

We were on our way!