By TMoM Team Member Rachel Hoeing
Exercise is not my thing. Some people feel great after an hour run. I feel great after an hour of organizing my linen closet. Some people have the goal of running a marathon one day. I have the goal of running the #1 website in the area. Exercising just doesn’t really give me the fulfillment that I wish it would, and I just don’t seem to care about it. I will come up with just about any excuse in the book to skip a workout.
But, and this is a big but (pun intended) I know I need it! I do not want to be the mom who is out of breath after playing tag outside. Or the mom who can’t seem to get her tush off the floor after sitting down to play with the kids. I also LOVE to eat, and my body just doesn’t seem to take in those calories the way it did pre-children. I want to be a good role model for my kids and show them that exercise is important. I think children, especially young girls, need to know that being fat or skinny should not be their concern, but keeping their body and minds healthy should be.
So, when I found out about the personal trainers at the YMCA, I decided to take the plunge. Certified YMCA Personal Trainers will work to achieve your desired fitness goals. Regardless of age or fitness level, one-on-one training can provide weight loss/management, increased strength, endurance and flexibility, post-rehabilitation conditioning, disease management and prevention, and off-season training. The prices for trainers vary depending on your branch, but if you visit ymcanwnc.org and click on the branch closest to you, a price list is available. Sessions are available for members and potential members!
I met with my trainer last week and we had my first session. Guess what? I left with a smile on my face! Woohoo! We talked a lot about what my goals were and what were my areas of concern. She was also very helpful when we discussed my knee problems and was able to work around that issue and tailor my workout specifically for me. She showed me certain machines and equipment at the Y that I did not even realize were there! Did you know that the machine that burns the most calories per hour usually sits collecting dust? We aren’t sure if it is because people are afraid to use it, or because they don’t know how, but either way, it’s good news for me because now I will be on it! (And if you think I am going to tell you which machine it is, you are mistaken. I am keeping that secret to myself!)
Bottom line is that when I left I really did feel great. I was excited about the possibilities ahead. I have been back to the Y every day since then and have seriously enjoyed it! The variety of equipment is amazing, and the variety of classes blew me away as well. I can choose anything from cycling to Pilates to kickboxing! I am also excited about the fact that in between my personal training sessions, I can mix up my workout with cardio classes, swimming, weights, and/or strength training classes.
So I know what you are thinking … one personal training session and now she thinks she is Jillian Michaels, right? Not even close, but I promise to report back to you in a few weeks and let you know how it is going. I would love for you all to join me in this challenge, especially if you are usually an anti-exerciser like myself! If you are interested in speaking to a personal trainer you can visit ymcawnc.org or call your local YMCA branch.
I hope to see you there, and maybe, just maybe, I will share that secret machine with you!
Sponsored by the YMCA of Northwest NC
