Meeting with a new client a short time ago, we spent some time discussing her goals. She wanted to become “more fit”. Exploring this idea further, we uncovered that she used to hike regularly but had not done so for several years. She had recently joined a group for a 3-hour hike that she used to do with ease, and was surprised, disappointed and upset to find that she was thoroughly exhausted by the hike and could barely keep up. She was sore for days afterward. For this woman, fitness meant that she could do that hike with friends and still have the energy to enjoy the rest of the day. She very much wanted to regain that state of being.
Each of my clients has unique goals, whether to get stronger or more toned, or to be able to spend hours walking every day on a special trip to Europe, or to improve balance & flexibility. In the end, fitness is having the energy to enjoy life; it is being able to do the things we want to do.
Fitness is a state of good health, and each of us can achieve it through a combination of exercise, diet and rest.
I like that you included rest Amy! It is important to recover from our training and to not feel guilty about it. I’m 54 and just ran my first 12 miles in preparation for my first half marathon in two weeks. I have finally learned to stop saying never! For years, I said I would never run such a long race and here I am, ready and excited to participate. Working with a personal trainer like you, gives people confidence to do what they never dreamed possible.
Nancy, Good luck on your half! Be sure to let me know how you do – I’m super excited for you! Researchers and trainers alike now agree that it is during rest that the body “learns” what it is training to do, so it is a critical part of the process.