It has been a while since I wrote a blog. Two weeks to be exact.
Part of the reason is the effort of running a business and looking after a husband with a dodgy heart, but part of it is de-motivation. De-motivation of what you may ask. The answer is simple: I realised most people do not want to be healthy. The average Joe Blog is happy to get sick and pay medical bills of thousands of dollars rather than prevent this sickness by doing a little thing called exercising. And I built my entire business around showing people how to become healthy, it's what I do best.
The psychology fascinates me: people will spend a lot of money on manicures, the hairdresser, massages, even a dog groomer (hopefully for their dogs) to make themselves feel better. But when they look at me, a personal trainer, they make a big deal of telling me how expensive personal training is. How they can’t afford it. And oh, they don’t have time either, they are way too busy. Too busy eating, too busy manicuring and pedicuring. In short, exercise takes effort. Pampering does not. Pampering wins.
Unfortunately those are also the exact same people who will be most confused when they eventually fall ill. Because sister, if you don’t look after your health you WILL get sick, whether you like it or not. Your expensive hairdo and nails are not going to stop weight gain. It will not stop diabetes. It will definitely not stop the cold and flu.
Exercise. That is what stops all those nasty things that will eventually bite you in the butt. Oh, I hear you say, I take the cheap road, I’ll go to the local gym and do my own thing. Join a group class, walk on the treadmill while I read a book. Fine with me. But let me predict what can happen based on years of hard experience:
1. Your first month at the gym is great. Everything is new, the instructors are cute, you are loving it. Winter kicks in. The days are dark and gloomy, and so is your will power. You find one excuse after another not to hit the gym today. Or tomorrow. Or the day after. In the meantime that gym is taking your money because you signed a contract, and let’s face it, they really really don’t care if you don’t show up.
2. You join a group class. You love the vibe and energy, everyone around you is going flatout. You don’t want to look stupid so decide to join the flatout gang. But you forgot they have been doing it for a long time, and you have not. You are too stiff to walk the next day, possibly injured. You decide the pain is not worth it.
3. You don’t know how to use the machines at the gym. They look so intimidating, you are convinced you need a degree in science to operate them. You finally pluck up the courage and ask that cute instructor to help you. They show you how to use the machines really quickly. As in “let me show you how it works in 10 minutes”. When you come back tomorrow you will have forgotten half the instructions. So you feel stupid. And feel everyone is watching you. Believe me, they are.
After all that time you decide to spend money on a qualified and knowledgeable personal trainer. Suddenly you see results (providing you listen to your trainer), and because your exercise is based on appointments you will show up. Because bosses don’t cancel, right? You have a person who really cares waiting for you. No more injuries, and there is variety in you exercises. You realise McDonalds is no longer your friend, and your health improves by the day. Imagine that…
My suggestion? Stop imagining and spend your money on a personal trainer instead of a manicure. Just book in for one session to see if you like the personalised attention, no contracts no fuss.
Friday, February 20, 2015
Sunday, February 8, 2015
Real trainers
Thanks to “reality” shows (think Biggest Loser) a lot of people see personal trainers as yelling, oversized, intimidating bullies. They see personal trainers as inhumane beings from outer space who are super fit and ready to conquer the world, hell bound on making you cry and suffer. And humiliate you. Don’t forget the humiliation.
Oh please. These type of shows should be called “non reality” shows, or “let’s see how stupid you really are” shows. Folks, a decent personal trainer does not go around yelling at you. They won’t tell you how bad you are, how fat you are, or point fingers. If they do, get rid of them. Quickly.
The number of people who avoid me in a social environment because I’m a personal trainer can’t even be counted on the fingers of both hands. When I eventually ask them what it is that scares them the word “Biggest Loser” pops up 98% of the time. That oh so popular “reality” show succeeded in scaring people away from personal trainers in just a few months. Wow, now that is what you call effective marketing…
The world “personal” says it all: a personal trainer should be a qualified professional who is there for you, and you alone. They are there to guide you. To make sure you are motivated to turn up for an exercise session. To make sure you do the best you can (all without yelling and calling you names). To give you advice, and correct you if needed so you can exercise safely.
Did you know that qualified personal trainers spend years on their studies to ensure they are the best they can be? They get to learn how the human body moves, how it is affected by injuries. Yes we even learn how the mind is affected. We spend hours and hours of our lives learning about you, often on top of full time jobs and families. All so we can make sure you get the results you need, safely.
The most common question I get from clients? Hey Claudia, what did you do before you became just a trainer. Just a trainer, I say. It took many many hours of blood, sweat and tears to “just” become a trainer. But thank you for asking, before I was just a trainer I was a software developer. That little fact causes shock in most people. You mean you gave up a lucrative career in IT to become a personal trainer? Yes, that is exactly what I did. It gives me far more satisfaction seeing people succeed in their individual goals than it is to hear someone complain about their computer software.
So the next time you meet a personal trainer, you know, “just” a trainer, spare a thought for the time that person spend away from their family to make sure you reach your fitness goals. Safely and in one piece. Then get your butt out there and exercise. There is a reason this world needs personal trainers, and that reason is you: you need motivation, dietary advice and safe exercising. In a kind and supportive way of course, no yelling. Because without that exercise you will end up a weak, overweight and stressed out slob. Just saying…
Oh please. These type of shows should be called “non reality” shows, or “let’s see how stupid you really are” shows. Folks, a decent personal trainer does not go around yelling at you. They won’t tell you how bad you are, how fat you are, or point fingers. If they do, get rid of them. Quickly.
The number of people who avoid me in a social environment because I’m a personal trainer can’t even be counted on the fingers of both hands. When I eventually ask them what it is that scares them the word “Biggest Loser” pops up 98% of the time. That oh so popular “reality” show succeeded in scaring people away from personal trainers in just a few months. Wow, now that is what you call effective marketing…
The world “personal” says it all: a personal trainer should be a qualified professional who is there for you, and you alone. They are there to guide you. To make sure you are motivated to turn up for an exercise session. To make sure you do the best you can (all without yelling and calling you names). To give you advice, and correct you if needed so you can exercise safely.
Did you know that qualified personal trainers spend years on their studies to ensure they are the best they can be? They get to learn how the human body moves, how it is affected by injuries. Yes we even learn how the mind is affected. We spend hours and hours of our lives learning about you, often on top of full time jobs and families. All so we can make sure you get the results you need, safely.
The most common question I get from clients? Hey Claudia, what did you do before you became just a trainer. Just a trainer, I say. It took many many hours of blood, sweat and tears to “just” become a trainer. But thank you for asking, before I was just a trainer I was a software developer. That little fact causes shock in most people. You mean you gave up a lucrative career in IT to become a personal trainer? Yes, that is exactly what I did. It gives me far more satisfaction seeing people succeed in their individual goals than it is to hear someone complain about their computer software.
So the next time you meet a personal trainer, you know, “just” a trainer, spare a thought for the time that person spend away from their family to make sure you reach your fitness goals. Safely and in one piece. Then get your butt out there and exercise. There is a reason this world needs personal trainers, and that reason is you: you need motivation, dietary advice and safe exercising. In a kind and supportive way of course, no yelling. Because without that exercise you will end up a weak, overweight and stressed out slob. Just saying…
Sunday, February 1, 2015
Lessons from Leon
When I was at pre-school I met a boy called Leon. We became best friends, inseparable. And when it was time to go to “the big school” we went together. I spent my entire weekends at Leon’s place. He lived far away from me, a good 30 kilometres, but I was a good cyclist, and always found an excuse to visit. Leon’s mother was a single mother overflowing with kindness, and she was a great cook too. My childhood memories are riddled with images of Leon and I playing superman, batman, wonder woman. You name any super hero and we’ve done it. And pancakes. Lots of pancakes.
Slowly Leon and I moved towards our teenage years. We cribbed homework, played pranks and still played super hero’s. We became aware of the fact we were “different”. Awareness of boy and girl was growing, and one day I asked Leon: what is different about you? Leon, being the smarter of the two, had already figured this out, and said: I’m not telling! Wow, that was the wrong answer. I remember shoving Leon into a corner of our school, and pulling his pants down. Because surely any difference has to be down there! Yeah, I was right, the difference was right there. Shock shock horror.
We turned 14. My parents decided to emigrate to South Africa. Leon laughed, said that in the future I will be married to a black man and have brown kids. But will I stay in touch? Of course.
Time went by. Internet had not been invented yet, Bill Gates was still finishing school himself. Leon and I wrote letters, but as time went by the letters became less. And less. Eventually it dried up all together, and Leon and I continued our separate lives. I missed him terribly, but mail was slow and my parents were always moving house. When internet did make an appearance I searched for Leon but never found him.
Many years went by, and I eventually saved enough money to return to my hometown. I went for a bicycle ride with my aunt, and with a shock realised the area I was in: I cycled right past Leon’s house! I stopped, told my aunt about Leon, pointing at his old house. Oh dear, my aunt said, that was your friend? Yes, I said, do you know him? Yes, she said, everyone knew him….. turns out he gained a lot of weight and had a heart attack. He died. His mother, sweet soul that she always was, found him. And was so upset that she too died of a heart attack right beside Leon. The town talked about it for years.
Did this influence my decision to start Basic Orange? Deep down I believe it does, I still miss him today. And we would have been 48 now…. It taught me at an early age that being overweight can kill you. Does kill you.
So if someone says to you being overweight can kill you, and you laugh it off thinking that will never happen to you, well my friend think again. Because your clogged arteries and excessive body fat can kill you any time, any day, no exceptions. Just ask Leon.
Slowly Leon and I moved towards our teenage years. We cribbed homework, played pranks and still played super hero’s. We became aware of the fact we were “different”. Awareness of boy and girl was growing, and one day I asked Leon: what is different about you? Leon, being the smarter of the two, had already figured this out, and said: I’m not telling! Wow, that was the wrong answer. I remember shoving Leon into a corner of our school, and pulling his pants down. Because surely any difference has to be down there! Yeah, I was right, the difference was right there. Shock shock horror.
We turned 14. My parents decided to emigrate to South Africa. Leon laughed, said that in the future I will be married to a black man and have brown kids. But will I stay in touch? Of course.
Time went by. Internet had not been invented yet, Bill Gates was still finishing school himself. Leon and I wrote letters, but as time went by the letters became less. And less. Eventually it dried up all together, and Leon and I continued our separate lives. I missed him terribly, but mail was slow and my parents were always moving house. When internet did make an appearance I searched for Leon but never found him.
Many years went by, and I eventually saved enough money to return to my hometown. I went for a bicycle ride with my aunt, and with a shock realised the area I was in: I cycled right past Leon’s house! I stopped, told my aunt about Leon, pointing at his old house. Oh dear, my aunt said, that was your friend? Yes, I said, do you know him? Yes, she said, everyone knew him….. turns out he gained a lot of weight and had a heart attack. He died. His mother, sweet soul that she always was, found him. And was so upset that she too died of a heart attack right beside Leon. The town talked about it for years.
Did this influence my decision to start Basic Orange? Deep down I believe it does, I still miss him today. And we would have been 48 now…. It taught me at an early age that being overweight can kill you. Does kill you.
So if someone says to you being overweight can kill you, and you laugh it off thinking that will never happen to you, well my friend think again. Because your clogged arteries and excessive body fat can kill you any time, any day, no exceptions. Just ask Leon.
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Work not working?
I’ve noticed a trend at Basic Orange: every year around January and October I have clients going off the rails because they have “too much work, and therefore can’t find time to exercise anymore”. The sad reality is that they are also often the people who need exercise the most.
For those people I have a message. Basic Orange is fortunate to have clients who are very successful business people. They are people who work super long hours to grow their business, turn over millions a year while juggling a family and travelling. Yet they find time to exercise. Because they realise that no exercise equals sickness, weak muscles and slow brain cells. And that is something they simply can’t afford. They reckon that a week contains 168 hours, and they make sure some of those hours are spent on their own health. They would not have been this successful without it.
I have a client who is a single mother. She works three jobs to make sure her child can go to university one day. Time is very precious to her but she too finds exercise time to make sure she stays sharp, and uses her “me” time as stress relief so that her child has a healthy mother that can look after him. She sees a personal trainer once a week to learn more about health and fitness, and swims and walks the other days.
When people are faced with extra work loads exercise is often the first activity that goes out the window. I’ve always found that strange. If you can’t even spend time on yourself you will burn out, guaranteed. And once you’re burned out you are no damn good to your job anyway.
If you tell me you cannot find time to exercise I tell you rubbish, that is just another excuse because you are too lazy. You have time to eat. If you didn’t you wouldn’t be overweight. You have time to watch tv and read this rant, and I bet you spend a fair bit of time on Facebook or PInterest.
If you wrote down all the things you do in one day I am very sure there is more than one hour where you are not doing anything that will benefit your work. Because you don’t exercise you feel tired halfway through the day. You get up and spend time making coffee. Or staring into space. Or cat napping. Or chatting to other people because you can no longer concentrate. Things that would not happen in the first place if you exercised.
So let’s look at your choices, and what it will do for you:
1. You don’t have time to exercise. So you don’t. You will find your productivity at work drops, you’re irritable, small tasks look like mountains. You spend ages fixing mistakes or apologising for your cranky behaviour. Boom, that is exercise time wasted already. That scratchy throat you’re feeling? That is a cold coming on so prepare to get even less work done.
2. You exercise in spite of your busy schedule. You get a lot done at work because you are fit. And fit people don’t get tired in the middle of their day. That irritating customer no longer seems so irritating now because your workout de-stressed you. Your day is automatically better, you got so much done today that you can now spend a bit more time with your family.
If you don’t have time to exercise, prepare to make time for sickness. Period. So open your diary right now and book an appointment with yourself, you need it!
For those people I have a message. Basic Orange is fortunate to have clients who are very successful business people. They are people who work super long hours to grow their business, turn over millions a year while juggling a family and travelling. Yet they find time to exercise. Because they realise that no exercise equals sickness, weak muscles and slow brain cells. And that is something they simply can’t afford. They reckon that a week contains 168 hours, and they make sure some of those hours are spent on their own health. They would not have been this successful without it.
I have a client who is a single mother. She works three jobs to make sure her child can go to university one day. Time is very precious to her but she too finds exercise time to make sure she stays sharp, and uses her “me” time as stress relief so that her child has a healthy mother that can look after him. She sees a personal trainer once a week to learn more about health and fitness, and swims and walks the other days.
When people are faced with extra work loads exercise is often the first activity that goes out the window. I’ve always found that strange. If you can’t even spend time on yourself you will burn out, guaranteed. And once you’re burned out you are no damn good to your job anyway.
If you tell me you cannot find time to exercise I tell you rubbish, that is just another excuse because you are too lazy. You have time to eat. If you didn’t you wouldn’t be overweight. You have time to watch tv and read this rant, and I bet you spend a fair bit of time on Facebook or PInterest.
If you wrote down all the things you do in one day I am very sure there is more than one hour where you are not doing anything that will benefit your work. Because you don’t exercise you feel tired halfway through the day. You get up and spend time making coffee. Or staring into space. Or cat napping. Or chatting to other people because you can no longer concentrate. Things that would not happen in the first place if you exercised.
So let’s look at your choices, and what it will do for you:
1. You don’t have time to exercise. So you don’t. You will find your productivity at work drops, you’re irritable, small tasks look like mountains. You spend ages fixing mistakes or apologising for your cranky behaviour. Boom, that is exercise time wasted already. That scratchy throat you’re feeling? That is a cold coming on so prepare to get even less work done.
2. You exercise in spite of your busy schedule. You get a lot done at work because you are fit. And fit people don’t get tired in the middle of their day. That irritating customer no longer seems so irritating now because your workout de-stressed you. Your day is automatically better, you got so much done today that you can now spend a bit more time with your family.
If you don’t have time to exercise, prepare to make time for sickness. Period. So open your diary right now and book an appointment with yourself, you need it!
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Fat shaming. Don't do it
Today’s rant is not about you. Or your spouse. Or the rest of your family. No, today I would like to put the spotlight on the general public. Meaning everyone out there except you.
What does everyone else do that is so terrible. I’m talking about everyone else because I am sure you would never do such a dastardly deed: it is called fat shaming. Discrimination against overweight people. You don’t get away with discrimination against skin colour, so why is it that people get away with discrimination against bodies?
As I discussed in a previous post, I know what obese feels like. And I noticed a couple of things while I dragged my large body around this world: people spoke to me as if I was dumb. They would try their best not to look at my large stomach and complimentary big boobs. The lady at the checkout asked me once how many more months before the baby is due. And when applying for a new job I realised I could not compete with the slim and trim: studies have shown that employers give preference to the applicant who appears fitter and trimmer.
Strange, considering that in some cultures a full figure is a must if you want to find yourself married. To those cultures a full figure symbolises wealth. Thin people are regarded with suspicion, surely they must be ill?
When you see an overweight person, what do you think? Do you think you poor person, glad it’s not me. Or do you think that is disgusting, do something about it. Or do you think hell, hope that never happens to me? Whatever your thoughts, know this: that overweight person might have a serious medical condition that prevents them losing weight. (“It’s in my genes” doesn’t count because that is bullshit, that will be a rant for another day.)
That overweight person you are judging may recently have taken that first step to see a personal trainer. It took a lot of tears and courage for them to get that far, but they are doing it. It just doesn’t show yet, losing weight takes time.
That overweight person you are judging may recently have gone through a very traumatic experience, and is still in the process of dealing with it. Comfort eating is still a big part of their life, but very soon they will learn to cope and kick your butt in the gym.
We are shamed for being fat, skinny, short, ugly, boobs that are too small, too big. You name it, and someone will find a way to shame you. Did you know there are fat shaming apps out there you can download on your phone? Yeah no kidding! Just to remind you that you have a few cuddly bits in case you forget. So does all this fat shaming help? Obviously not, from where I’m sitting it is making the whole world a worse place. It is not enough that we have wars, famine and disease. Now we have fat shaming as well, oh joy. It prevents people from going out, causes depression and turns perfectly good people into introverts. Fat shaming causes more misery than it’s worth.
So don’t let the ignorant masses fat shame you. There is no need to be ashamed, you are what you are, it is what it is. And if you are not happy with who you are, here’s a hint: exercise. A little action goes a long way!
What does everyone else do that is so terrible. I’m talking about everyone else because I am sure you would never do such a dastardly deed: it is called fat shaming. Discrimination against overweight people. You don’t get away with discrimination against skin colour, so why is it that people get away with discrimination against bodies?
As I discussed in a previous post, I know what obese feels like. And I noticed a couple of things while I dragged my large body around this world: people spoke to me as if I was dumb. They would try their best not to look at my large stomach and complimentary big boobs. The lady at the checkout asked me once how many more months before the baby is due. And when applying for a new job I realised I could not compete with the slim and trim: studies have shown that employers give preference to the applicant who appears fitter and trimmer.
Strange, considering that in some cultures a full figure is a must if you want to find yourself married. To those cultures a full figure symbolises wealth. Thin people are regarded with suspicion, surely they must be ill?
When you see an overweight person, what do you think? Do you think you poor person, glad it’s not me. Or do you think that is disgusting, do something about it. Or do you think hell, hope that never happens to me? Whatever your thoughts, know this: that overweight person might have a serious medical condition that prevents them losing weight. (“It’s in my genes” doesn’t count because that is bullshit, that will be a rant for another day.)
That overweight person you are judging may recently have taken that first step to see a personal trainer. It took a lot of tears and courage for them to get that far, but they are doing it. It just doesn’t show yet, losing weight takes time.
That overweight person you are judging may recently have gone through a very traumatic experience, and is still in the process of dealing with it. Comfort eating is still a big part of their life, but very soon they will learn to cope and kick your butt in the gym.
We are shamed for being fat, skinny, short, ugly, boobs that are too small, too big. You name it, and someone will find a way to shame you. Did you know there are fat shaming apps out there you can download on your phone? Yeah no kidding! Just to remind you that you have a few cuddly bits in case you forget. So does all this fat shaming help? Obviously not, from where I’m sitting it is making the whole world a worse place. It is not enough that we have wars, famine and disease. Now we have fat shaming as well, oh joy. It prevents people from going out, causes depression and turns perfectly good people into introverts. Fat shaming causes more misery than it’s worth.
So don’t let the ignorant masses fat shame you. There is no need to be ashamed, you are what you are, it is what it is. And if you are not happy with who you are, here’s a hint: exercise. A little action goes a long way!
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Your excuse is invalid
I HATE excuses!
In the health and fitness industry we hear lots of excuses on a daily basis, if we want to progress in this obesity epidemic that is one thing that has to stop.
Wikipedia describes excuses as “a defense mechanism in which controversial behaviors or feelings are justified and explained in a seemingly rational or logical manner to avoid the true explanation.” And it is every trainer’s pet peeve. Excuses drive me wild and is one of the reasons I’m offloading professional stress in this blog.
I signed up a new client to Basic Orange. She was due to start on a Tuesday evening but never turned up. So I contacted her to see if she got lost somewhere between her home and the studio. Oh, she said, she is so sorry but broke her arm. Therefore she could not contact me and she can’t exercise. So sorry, will contact you when I’m better she said.
One week later I bumped into this woman at the grocery store. Here she was, 10 bags of groceries on each arm, looking perfectly whole and healthy. Wow, I thought. That arm fixed itself really quickly, aliens DO exist after all.
I’m sick with the flu, the text said. Hope you get better soon I replied. That evening I bumped into this sick person in a bar in town, enjoying beers with a few friends. He put a lot of effort into drowning his flu that night, I admire his noble effort. What was I doing in a bar in down town Lower Hutt I hear you ask? Never mind, that is not the point I’m trying to make here.
Folks, why do you feel the need to make up excuses? If you don’t want to exercise then that is fine. It is your life, your health, your body. Personal trainers can guide you but we can’t make you do something you don’t want to do.
So if you suddenly find you can’t afford your training sessions anymore, or you got bored, or you got lazy than let your trainer know. Often a trainer can help you make a better decision: can’t afford your training sessions anymore? Consider changing to a half hour session, or fewer sessions. Or see your trainer every fortnight for a catchup while you do your own workouts in between. That way you still get the knowledge and motivation of a qualified trainer without the financial strain.
Got bored? Let your trainer know so they can change your training or team you up with another trainer. There are lots of ways to get the exercise spark back into your life.
Got lazy? If you want to look and feel good than unlazy yourself. Don’t complain you are overweight or uncomfortable or unfit if you are not prepared to make a few small changes.
So the next time you think of an excuse, why not use all that energy to motivate yourself instead? Excuse me while I go for a run…
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Introducing your ranting trainer
After years of pressure from well meaning friends and colleagues I have finally given in, and created a blog. Not because I couldn’t handle the pressure anymore, oh no. More a case of: very few people listen to sound advice, I’m talking myself hoarse on a daily basis, let’s find a place where I can rant and rave. A place where I can share my knowledge and experience in the confusing world of health and fitness, perhaps if I give my advice in writing it will stick. Or not. Either way it will make me feel better knowing I got all that good stuff off my ample chest.
Of course, if I was a doctor or a professor or a renowned psychologist people would swoon, fall at my feet and lap up any advice I give them, good or bad. But I’m neither, I’m just one person who has experienced first hand the long walk from fat to fabulous. Then went out and earned her National Certificate of Fitness so she can share this real world experience with people just like her.
Hell, even my bank was sceptical about my plans: you mean you want our money to start a private fitness studio? Are you serious, they said. No way, that is the most ridiculous idea we’ve heard this year, please leave this office, you are wasting our time.
I left the bank’s office with a $10 bill in my back pocket. And used that $10 as a deposit on a boxing bag to start a 100% private fitness studio called Basic Orange. You’re probably thinking why did I call it Basic Orange. Simple: I wanted a name that is easy to remember. Something that doesn’t have the word “fitness” in it because everyone else already rode that horse. “Basic” because exercise does not have be complicated to be effective, all you need are the “basics”. And orange because I happen to like that colour.
Why did I start a private fitness studio? Well, during my fat to fabulous journey I felt intimidated by larger commercial gyms. I felt everyone was looking at me (I have since learned everyone WAS looking at me). I was surrounded by beautiful bodies and great muscles, and spent most of my time feeling depressed and inferior. I went looking for a private gym, a place where it was just my big body and a trainer. But couldn’t find one that private, no matter where I went there were always people wandering in and out, and in my mind they were all gawking and sniggering.
So I started a fitness studio that is SO private, some people think it’s closed. A place where everyone is welcome and the doors are locked so nobody can wander in to gawk and snigger. A place where you don’t get judged, and receive the advice you need to make that change you’re looking for.
And the bank, that sceptical institution I mentioned earlier? 4 years later they lend me the money to open a second private fitness studio. No questions asked….
Stay tuned for a weekly blog in which I will try my best to give you the very best real word advice that I can think of. Of course, if there is a particular subject you want more information on don’t hesitate to contact me.
Kind regards
Your ranting trainer
Of course, if I was a doctor or a professor or a renowned psychologist people would swoon, fall at my feet and lap up any advice I give them, good or bad. But I’m neither, I’m just one person who has experienced first hand the long walk from fat to fabulous. Then went out and earned her National Certificate of Fitness so she can share this real world experience with people just like her.
Hell, even my bank was sceptical about my plans: you mean you want our money to start a private fitness studio? Are you serious, they said. No way, that is the most ridiculous idea we’ve heard this year, please leave this office, you are wasting our time.
I left the bank’s office with a $10 bill in my back pocket. And used that $10 as a deposit on a boxing bag to start a 100% private fitness studio called Basic Orange. You’re probably thinking why did I call it Basic Orange. Simple: I wanted a name that is easy to remember. Something that doesn’t have the word “fitness” in it because everyone else already rode that horse. “Basic” because exercise does not have be complicated to be effective, all you need are the “basics”. And orange because I happen to like that colour.
Why did I start a private fitness studio? Well, during my fat to fabulous journey I felt intimidated by larger commercial gyms. I felt everyone was looking at me (I have since learned everyone WAS looking at me). I was surrounded by beautiful bodies and great muscles, and spent most of my time feeling depressed and inferior. I went looking for a private gym, a place where it was just my big body and a trainer. But couldn’t find one that private, no matter where I went there were always people wandering in and out, and in my mind they were all gawking and sniggering.
So I started a fitness studio that is SO private, some people think it’s closed. A place where everyone is welcome and the doors are locked so nobody can wander in to gawk and snigger. A place where you don’t get judged, and receive the advice you need to make that change you’re looking for.
And the bank, that sceptical institution I mentioned earlier? 4 years later they lend me the money to open a second private fitness studio. No questions asked….
Stay tuned for a weekly blog in which I will try my best to give you the very best real word advice that I can think of. Of course, if there is a particular subject you want more information on don’t hesitate to contact me.
Kind regards
Your ranting trainer
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