Personal Trainer Pointers

Written by Regan Dacey of Fit 'N' Well.

Working as a Fit ‘N Well trainer, I’m often asked questions about physical activity, so I wanted to see what information is accessible for those looking to include more physical activity in their lives! There are about a bazillion (more or less) articles that you can find through Google providing fitness advice, so I wanted to share some of the tips that keep me active and enjoying a healthy lifestyle.

Please keep in mind, however, that I don’t necessarily follow the traditional “how to lose 10 pounds in 3 days” internet quick-fix rules – mostly because they’re a big load of phooey for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. 

 1.     Movement VS No Movement.

This may seem ridiculously oversimplified, but it’s true. Being physically active is better than not being physically active. There are certainly activities that are more appropriate for some than for others, but in a very general sense most people need to try to include more movement in their daily lives.

For anyone looking to start becoming more active, this could look like walking to get a newspaper or a coffee in the morning. While you won’t attain an Arnold-like physique walking to the end of your street, the point is to move more. If you don’t move, then move a little. If you move a little, try moving a little more. Do something movement-based every day!

2.     If it Hurts, Don’t do it.

Discomfort exists for anyone who is physically active, but if something makes you say “ouch,” maybe take a moment to think about what you’re doing.  

That “no pain, no gain” thing has confused a lot of people. Pain is your body trying to communicate, and sometimes the message is hard to understand. It may be fine. It may not be fine. Chatting with your doctor or another health professional can be helpful in determining whether you should or should not be doing something, especially for those living with chronic pain.   

3.     Exercise can be challenging but making it part of your life doesn’t have to be difficult.

Feeling defeated for failing to solidify a habit is sometimes the hardest part of introducing regular physical activity to your life.   

Exercise itself is work, but making it a regular part of your life shouldn’t be difficult. We are all individuals with individual needs and habits and preferences. Would I love to be at the gym at 6 every morning? Yep! Am I the person who is at the gym at 6 every morning? Nope.

If you define success by measuring something that doesn’t fit your life, you’ll end up feeling like a failure. Try making it easier on yourself. Pack yourself an extra snack so that stopping at the gym on the way home from work isn’t as difficult. Look to start an activity you have an interest in doing. If you’re social, join a group that walks together or plays badminton once a week or does something else that you enjoy. Have a dog? How about regular daily walks? Set a little time aside each day for yourself to just move!

If including regular exercise in your life is challenging, make it more accessible for you to do and choose things that you generally are interested in doing. Choose things that are appropriate and safe, and make a conscious effort to move a little more!