A Pick Me Up

Since moving (we've been here 3 months now!) and going away for AR for a few weeks, my training and nutrition has been all over the shop.  I'm also carrying about 4 extra unwanted kilos. Two weeks ago I had a chiropractic adjustment on my return from AR.  I made the mistake of seeing my normal chiropractor's offsider.  I won't be doing that again!  He irritated my disc.  It's been over 12 months since I've had any type of irritation.  I, and even my chiropractor can't remember how long it had been since it was irritated.  That's how much progress I'd made in the last 12-18months.  So you can understand my frustration and annoyance.  And for once, it wasn't self-inflicted.  Up until two weeks ago, I nearly had an injury-free year.

Now, in saying that, luckily it was only a minor irritation.  But that's not the point.  It's set me back.  Not only in my training, but it really affected my headspace.  I've become quite used to basically doing anything physical without having to concern myself I would incur any injury.  It's been such a liberating feeling.  So it was much to my chagrin that for the first time in a long time I had lower back pain.  Just bloody annoying!

Since returning from Wide Bay, I set myself up to get in consistent training and get back on top of my nutrition.  So with the irritation it put a spanner in the works because I really wanted to get in some decent training before Christmas.

I've been training, but without the normal intensity I usually train with.  And I had to give it a break to allow the spasm to settle down in my lower back. That has done nothing for my headspace.  I made the most of a bad situation though, and used that time to put the Christmas tree up (luckily it's a small one) and spend some time decorating and cleaning (without exercerbating the back) and generally getting into the Christmas feel.

Yesterday it started raining.  What a mixed up day with school swimming carnival and its' last minute cancellation, and so I ended up on the recliner watching a DVD. Something I haven't done for months.  Can't even remember the last DVD I watched at home.  It was actually quite nice, though I felt a bit strange sitting for so long and relaxing.  But it was also dangerous, and by the end of the day my headspace was really suffering for lack of activity during a week day.

Today I woke up cranky and a little down.  So unlike me.

Luckily for me, I met up with Liz for an update on my training program.  It was just the pick-up I needed!  Thank you Liz. :)

I knew I needed to re-focus, regain my motivation and accountability built around my training and nutrition.  For me, having a coach to help me has been invaluable.

I know for some, having a PT or a coach of some sort is seen as a luxury and unnecessary, but I beg to differ.  If you find the right person to help you progress, then it's money well spent.  I have forgone many-a-trifling thing so that I have money to pay my coach.  My health and fitness is a priority, and coaching fees I see as part of that investment in my health. 

I know many people who go to the gym regularly.  They all have their goals and many have niggling injuries and concerns, are trying to lose weight or just to feel and be healthier.  However, there are few people who I see regularly who make any real and lasting progress. 

There are some who make outstanding progress, especially when it comes to weight loss and I think that is just amazing!  My hope is that they don't stop there and continue on, bettering their health and positively influencing others around them.   There are a handful who I talk to, who do see professionals to help them in their health and fitness endeavours and I know and see the change it brings about in them and you know that those type of people will always find a better way of doing things - they're solution-orientated!   And there are many who I know in the Bodybuilding arena, who receive regular coaching and make great progress through hard work and consistency over time.  I really admire their ability to remain so focused over such a long period of time.

But the majority go to the gym day-in day-out, doing the same old thing.  They may begin, make some really quick progress, but then they stall and plateau.  They either continue on just doing the same thing, or many just stop training altogether because they no longer feel it challenging enough or they're not willing to take their training to the next level in order to keep progressing.  And many do just go to the gym to do classes because they enjoy them and the social aspect.  Each to their own.  It's what makes life interesting and I think gym-watching is a most interesting pastime! :)

Very few people put much thought into their long term goals, and many people are harbouring injuries or weaknesses they're unaware of.  They often don't have the education or understanding that they could in fact, become better if they had access to the right knowledge, advice and assistance.  So many people flounder and lose interest and hope.  And for others, the prospect of sticking at something long enough to see results is just too hard.

That's why I think that someone (and it must be the right someone) with the right knowledge can make the world of difference to making substantial improvements to your health and fitness gains.  I know it has for me. 

I've learnt so much from Liz and the knowledge she has imparted, and I'm always amazed at the little things that make such a difference.  That even happened today.  Liz gave me a couple of exercises to help alleviate some tension in my RHS glutes and LHS psoas.  Really simple, yet effective exercises that not even my physio has given me to help with the tension from the disc irritation.  In fact, my physio has used some of Liz's exercises in the past to give to me instead of his own, he was so impressed with how well they had worked for me.  

The last 12-18 months I've made more progress than the last 3 years combined, and that's a great testament to the importance of having a great coach who is aware of your particular goals, injuries, concerns and nuances.  They can individualise a plan specifically for your unique requirements.  It's an organic process and you have the added benefit of someone who can help support you and your goals and give your encouragement as you evolve.  Goals change...you change.  It's nice to have someone who can help give you clarity to your goals through life's ups and downs, and the rollercoaster ride which is our health and fitness journey. And a coach is also someone who can make something seem possible, where before you may have thought it impossible!

So for anyone who feels they aren't where they want to be and has tried a number of things without seeing any type of improvement or results, or where progress is just so slow, I would recommend a good coach. It should be ideally, someone who is aligned with your goals and is on the same wave length. Who not only understands what you need to reach your goals, but knows how to motivate and inspire you by providing enough interest and challenge through their coaching methods!

The reason I chose Liz was mainly because of her particular expertise in Exercise Physiology, specialising in Rehab.  Also, because she has a thorough knowledge of nutrition.  For me, she's a 'one-stop-shop' (hope you don't mind that description Liz).

After today I'm reinvigorated, because I know Liz is going to give me a swift kick until I'm back up and gunning it.  I won't need the accountability factor forever, but I just happen to need it right now until I find my mojo again.  Once I'm there then just let me loose! 

Today we revised my deadlift and squat and did some tweaking.  With Liz's newfound knowledge I was able to squat much deeper and use my glutes more, and it felt really good.  My deadlifts felt much easier as well, so it was a positive session.  So for the time being and into the new year I'll be concentrating on developing strength.  I'm looking forward to the change in my weights program built around lower reps with good form and technique and increasing the weight gradually as I get stronger.

I'll be reigning in the nutrition and re-focusing on ensuring I have variety in the diet, as this is a bit of weakness for me.  I tend to, once I've got the recipes downpat, only use the ones that are quick and easy, limiting my palate.  I then get bored because I have too few recipes and I eat the same thing day-in-day-out.  I just need to take some time to plan my meals again and re-introduce some recipes from my existing collection, as well as some new recipes.  And I'll be tracking my meals again just to get back on track and get me focused on my nutrition until I've got the hang of it and I'm on a roll.

It's amazing isnt' it, that just by talking to the right person how you can regain focus and motivation?!

Have a great Friday and weekend!  I'm off tomorrow with AW to the Gold Coast for an overnight stay - just the two of us.  We haven't had much 'us time' since my return, so this is just a quick get-away to get in before the craziness of Christmas is upon us.  And then I'll be so ready to start my new program next week!  Bring it on! :P