Bonus on Marc Woodcock - You can simultaneously work on that golf game while training!

quote:

Originally posted by Floyd:
Marc has ran like 12 marathons, most under 2 hours.

Damn, he MUST be good! (Seeing as how the world record is just over 2:04!)

You should see him play golf - plays through and you didn't even see him!

Good catch Dins, I corrected the post to under 3 hours. As far as the golf, he was the pro at the links for 5 years, best score a 66.

Seriously, would someone explain to me why you would need a personal trainer?
How difficult is it to decide to do some aerobic/cardio, lift some weights, stretch, and improve your diet? The ONLY thing I can see about paying a personal trainer is that paying that money might encourage you to get off your butt keep to your intended workout schedule.
Hell, I've seen Fan, and he isn't exactly fine-tuning his physique for the Olympics or Mr. Universe...

This is a great thread...it is motivating me to use the substantial gift card my other half gave me about a year ago for personal training sessions. Now that I've kept the 30lbs off for two years, it is time to get a little more 'buff' this year. Do all of these folks mentioned have evening hours?

quote:

Originally posted by Dinsdale:
Seriously, would someone explain to me why you would need a personal trainer?
How difficult is it to decide to do some aerobic/cardio, lift some weights, stretch, and improve your diet? The ONLY thing I can see about paying a personal trainer is that paying that money might encourage you to get off your butt keep to your intended workout schedule.
Hell, I've seen Fan, and he isn't exactly fine-tuning his physique for the Olympics or Mr. Universe...

Mr. Limpy....thanks for the kind words.

Really, do you really need to know? Fine. My shoulder has been hurting from golf since college. I finally got a cortisone shot last year that helped for 3 months. However, the pain is back. My back has also been hurting since college...and it's not getting any better.

Also, I need structure in my life or I will always find reasons to deviate from things to help myself physically. If I don't have an appointment at 6 am three days a week with someone depending on me, I will either sleep later or go into the office with the plan that I'll just work out when I get home. Invariably, I'll either get invited out that night, have an after work cocktail, have something on my schedule that I forgot about, get caught up playing with my kids when I get home or will get home and my wife will have made a great dinner...which I will devour...leaving me in no shape to go work out.

Plus, in college, I had a strength coach. It was the greatest experience. These people actually know what they're doing. They know the physiology, know the technique, etc. They know what works and doesn't work.

I'm a big believer in people using professionals in their day-to-day life. If you want to buy or sell a house, hire a broker and hire a lawyer. If you're sick, see a doctor. If you need a tutor, see a teacher. Things never work out well when people get cheap and take shortcuts...especially when trying to follow structure and move up the learning curve. As such, I'm diving in and hiring a professional.

Did that answer your question?

Mr. Limpy? Was that a shot?

quote:

Originally posted by GE Fan:

quote:

Originally posted by Dinsdale:
Seriously, would someone explain to me why you would need a personal trainer?
How difficult is it to decide to do some aerobic/cardio, lift some weights, stretch, and improve your diet? The ONLY thing I can see about paying a personal trainer is that paying that money might encourage you to get off your butt keep to your intended workout schedule.
Hell, I've seen Fan, and he isn't exactly fine-tuning his physique for the Olympics or Mr. Universe...

Mr. Limpy....thanks for the kind words.

Really, do you really need to know? Fine. My shoulder has been hurting from golf since college. I finally got a cortisone shot last year that helped for 3 months. However, the pain is back. My back has also been hurting since college...and it's not getting any better.

Also, I need structure in my life or I will always find reasons to deviate from things to help myself physically. If I don't have an appointment at 6 am three days a week with someone depending on me, I will either sleep later or go into the office with the plan that I'll just work out when I get home. Invariably, I'll either get invited out that night, have an after work cocktail, have something on my schedule that I forgot about, get caught up playing with my kids when I get home or will get home and my wife will have made a great dinner...which I will devour...leaving me in no shape to go work out.

Plus, in college, I had a strength coach. It was the greatest experience. These people actually know what they're doing. They know the physiology, know the technique, etc. They know what works and doesn't work.

I'm a big believer in people using professionals in their day-to-day life. If you want to buy or sell a house, hire a broker and hire a lawyer. If you're sick, see a doctor. If you need a tutor, see a teacher. Things never work out well when people get cheap and take shortcuts...especially when trying to follow structure and move up the learning curve. As such, I'm diving in and hiring a professional.

Did that answer your question?

Agreed, The theory of competitive advantage.

quote:

Originally posted by GE Fan:
Did that answer your question?

Thanks. I guess we are just very different in how we approach things - at least exercise.

For example, I could really understand going to someone and asking them to devise an exercise/diet regimen for you to follow given your particular needs and goals. But I could not imagine paying money to have someone watch over me while I executed it.

Like when I had rehab following my previous surgery. All I needed was for them to tell me what to do, and I would do it. I didn't need to set appointments and haul my butt someplace special to have someone watch me pedal a bike and step on and off a step.

How much does a personal trainer cost? I'm just trying to figure out if it is the equivalent of a round of golf a week, maid service, or just a nice lunch. Of course, if you are a successful attorney with money to burn, you don't need to worry about such things.

Of course, if you have no friends and need to pay someone to be your workout buddy...

In general, exercise is something I think too many people put too much thought into. And a lot of people want you to pay them money for their advice, gadgets, etc. Whereas for the vast majority of people it basically boils down to eat better, eat less, and get that carcass moving. Find some activity you enjoy, and do it until you perspire and breathe heavily. Then do it at least 3x/week.

While you're at it, try to walk/bike instead of drive in-town. Plan leisure activities such as hiking and biking. Join a volleyball or hoops league. Walk 18 instead of riding! And get down on the floor and stretch or do crunches and sit-ups while watching TV.

If you decide to pay money to join a gym, it shouldn't take an advanced degree to figure out how to get some cardio/strength/flexibility training using whatever they have available. Swim one day, bike the next, join a yoga class, and lift some weights.

As much as I dislike the company, there is considerable merit to the thought "Just do it!"

Like I said, you're just trying to stay reasonably healthy. Hell, look around you. You're already ahead of 75% of your age group. ANYTHING you do on an ongoing basis will bump you up further and further. Plus, you're SO darned good looking!

quote:

Originally posted by Fish:
Mr. Limpy? Was that a shot?

Not undeserved.

Now get your mind outta the gutter!

quote:

Originally posted by Dinsdale:

For example, I could really understand going to someone and asking them to devise an exercise/diet regimen for you to follow given your particular needs and goals. But I could not imagine paying money to have someone watch over me while I executed it.

Like when I had rehab following my previous surgery. All I needed was for them to tell me what to do, and I would do it. I didn't need to set appointments and haul my butt someplace special to have someone watch me pedal a bike and step on and off a step.

You've clearly never trained with someone before. Having a professional pushes you to levels that you cannot push yourself to. Plus, they do it safely.

Why would every elite athlete in the world have their own trainer if they could just do it themselves? I'm certainly not saying the us mere citizens should treat ourselves like elite athletes but I am not trying to get in shape to shoot 75 either....68 looks a lot better on the card.

And Tiger disagrees with your statement too.

quote:

Originally posted by GE Fan:
You've clearly never trained with someone before.

Clearly incorrect.

quote:

And Tiger disagrees with your statement too.

Hmm. Must have been a tad chilly that day...

Hey! Everyone is different! Some things work for some and not for others. What's the big deal? Hermsdaughter doesn't understand why some people spend so much money on dogs from breeders when there are so many strays in shelters needing homes. Buggy thinks Armstrong should step down. Potts doesn't understand why people are mad that the Planning Commission meeting is tonight. I mean, yes, we all love to banter at each other but I think it's pretty clear that there are twelve million different options for anything because what works for one doesn't always work for everyone. GEEZ! Now God Bless America, darn it.

Now, let's all have a big, group hug!

By the way, I've never, ever wanted to do Weight Watchers because I really don't like the whole weigh-in thing. It would piss me off and just make me want to go eat a box of Ding-Dongs. But hey, I know some people who LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it and swear by it. I say, good for them! Now, if I could figure out why my body refuses to lose weight, it would be nice. I have contemplated the personal trainer thing but again, I think I would find myself kind of peeved that they are "checking" on me.

Which makes me think....I should really work for myself. I obviously do not like supervision!

Amy:

You've been posting too much lately.

Just letting you know.


GE Fan

Yeah - let's find a topic everyone can agree on.
How's this - What exactly do we need all these highly-paid school counselors for?

Well Amy, now I feel like a real dope for telling you how great my sister and her husband did on Weight Watchers' point plan! But it goes to your point - different strokes for different folks!

As for the personal training, while I've never used one, I have asked them to review what I was doing to be certain there wasn't an area lacking in my workout. I usually kind of knew what I was or wasn't doing right, but it is good to hear it from a trained professional. Sometimes people just need to get going on a routine, and the personal training route can accomplish that for them to carry on.

Also, it is far better (and easier) to try and get it together physically in your 30s than in your 40s, etc.

My biggest problem right now is resisting all of the Girl Scout cookies we bought from the neighbors!!!

I hear that Roger Clemens ex PT works miracles and could use the work. Also he works with both men and women so if your wife wants to get those six pack abs ala Mrs. Clemens give him a call. Call Congressman Roskam for his most recent number.

OK Fan, you should talk! Besides, I'm not working full time! (Except with laundry, dishes, cleaning, house projects...you get the idea.)

And don't feel like a dope GEmom. I love it when people find success in whatever healthy manner they succeed! It is definitely harder to get the weight moving down now that I've hit 40. So Fan, it's good you're doing this now.

And Dins - you're a stinker!

. . . and they all lived happily ever after!