A survey from my teenage personal trainer-in-training

OK folks, this shit is going down soon! I am going to get my student trainer working for me! I can't wait to see what she comes up with to whip my ass into shape. I thought I'd share this nice little survey she gave me with you! She's just so darn energetic and enthusiastic! Can't wait, can't wait!


1* Tell me about yourself..

I am 36 and have lost 55 lbs pounds over the last year. I have have a husband (who is also trying to get fit!) and a cat. I live in Richmond in a condo. I am usually a happy person, but I have suffered from lack of confidence due to my weight in the past. Sometimes this meant I would just hold back from doing things I wanted to do, or from socializing as much as I'd like to.

2* What goals do you have ? ( in life & physique )

My goal in life is to be fit and healthy. I want to be able to do things easily and not worry about not being strong enough, or not having the endurance to do them. I want to have a baby in the next year, and I know being strong and healthy will make any pregnancy (and recovery) easier.

My physical goal is to gain overall muscle tone and lose a bit more weight (maybe 5-10 lbs). I really like the new muscle I have built, and it motivates me to do more. I'd like to do some weight training for this reason. I also want to start running. I heard about the couch to 5k plan, and it sounds very reasonable for a beginner.

I really want to keep this weight off, too. I have lost weight before, and I have always gained it back. I have maintained the same weight for over a month now, so that makes me happy! I know paying attention to diet and regular exercise is important for this, and that is what I am doing.


3* Is there/ would you like to set a deadline for when you want to achieve these goals? ( short term/ long term )?

I suppose short term would be the summer to lose more weight. Long term would be to maintain loss and maybe figure out a way to make that easier.


4* Do you have any health conditions/ allergies ? ( if so are you taking anything for it? )

I have no allergies, but I do have a sore let right now. It's persisted for 3 or more months, so I'm going to the doctor to get it checked out. The pain occurs when I move my right leg out to the side. The pain usually is a stabbing one, but it sometimes aches as well.

I did have some knee pain when I was doing push ups on my knees, but a pillow under them solved that problem.

I have had some back pain in the past. Usually now it's only if I sit in a chair for too long.


5* Do you currently do any exercise/ fitness ? ( if so what kinds?/ how often? )

At the beginning of my weight loss, I was exercising 6-7 days a week. Now that I am sort of maintaining it's more like 3-4 times. I do 1/2 hr on a recumbent bike with hand weight, or I have some exercise DVDs. I did the Biggest Loser 30 Day Shred with Jillian Micheals for 30 days in Dec. and lost 6 lbs. (and gained a lot of muscle!). In the past, I have also done brisk walking for exercise. I don't usually work out for longer than 1/2 at a time due to time constraints, my dislike for exercise (wish I liked it!) and sometimes boredom.

6* How often do you eat? ( how much/what time(s) during the day? )

I eat three meals and two snacks usually. Breakfast at 7:20, snack at 10, Lunch at 12, snack at 3:30 or 4 and dinner at 5:30 or 6. I may have a square of dark chocolate or a low-fat pudding for dessert, but I try not to eat after dinner.


7* Does your current diet consist of the all the food groups ?

I am trying to incorporate more fruit and vegetables in my diet, as that is the area that is usually lacking! I drink 2% milk and eat low-fat cheese. Sometimes I have yogurt. I eat oatmeal and whole grain bread and high fiber pasta. For meat, I have chicken, extra-lean ground beef or ground turkey, and pork. My fruits are usually bananas, grapes, kiwi, strawberries, oranges and unsweetened applesauce. Veggies I eat regularly are spring mix greens for salad, tomatoes, corn, cucumber, carrots, red peppers.

I am trying to avoid junky snacks like chips and cookies, so I usually have a banana at work and an applesauce and a few almonds after work. We don't buy chips, cookies or ice-cream for the house anymore (which is very good!).


8* Would you be comfortable/ uncomfortable if we took measurements ( weight, bust, waist & hips )to keep track of during the following weeks, to compare results for progress reports?

Sure. I am scared to weigh in on another scale though! I think it will weigh me heavier!


9* Is there a specific part of your body you would like us to work on the most?

I would love to tone my arms (get some nice definition), legs and stomach!


10* Are you ready to begin training ? :)

YES!!!