With over 13 years experience in the fitness industry, it’s been such a wonderful time so far. I get to meet and work with people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities – just of all walks of life. I love (and still love!) the stories they shared (also still share) with me about their lives. Most of them have even become my lifelong friends; friends I’ve even invited to my wedding 10+ years later.
I always found it fascinating, listening to my clients’ life stories, during the same times I was living mine. It’s like reading a book from one perspective of life, while yours was happening at that same moment in time.
All came to me for the same mission to be fit, healthy, lose fat, gain muscle, etcétera. However, I found that the real common denominator was to be better. They’ve come to me thinking I always have it together, I never eat sweets or don’t celebrate birthdays or holidays, as if I lived my life doing burpees and so I can look fit all day.
No chance.
Now for a couple confessions.
“Looking the part” of being a personal trainer….What does that even mean anyways? I know I haven’t always “looked the part”. Fitness complements my life, it isn’t my life.
I’ve had heard people talk about how some trainers look this way and that, with little to no understanding what lies behind the shell of a person. “Looking good” or “Looking the part” is just a result of self-care (going to the gym, eating whole nutritious foods, monitoring stress levels, and living a balanced life).
Some ideas and concepts people don’t consider (include but not limited to):
◦ birth control
◦ depression
◦ food disorder(s)
◦ medications that can affect weight
◦ mental health/internal struggles & self-sabotage/body dysmorphia
◦ stress
◦ just had a baby
◦ trying to have a baby
◦ Lack of knowledge/confidence
◦ Lifestyle imbalance
These are all factors of weight gain (and even loss), and I have had almost all of these factors affect me as well.
I’m not perfect.
I have cellulite on my inner thighs, stretch marks, and I fluctuate between sizes during the year (and time of the month). Even at my smallest, I still had cellulite and stretch marks don’t really go away completely. When it comes to fluctuating in sizes, that would mostly be around the holidays timeframe. I have sizes of clothes ranging from 2-3 different sizes. I know I do this to myself, but this is the balance part of me. In return for eating extra foods and family treat traditions, I use that as fuel for my next workout. NOT “working it off”, NOT “I had a couple slices of cake, better go torture myself on the stairmaster”. Exercise is self-care.
In my earlier years, especially early 20s, I definitely thought this. I honestly didn’t know who didn’t in the 2010s? I didn’t have anyone to inspire me otherwise, that’s for sure and I surely didn’t know any better. Through time, education, and self-acceptance, I did learn how to shift my mindset to how I should really be looking at situations like that, and how I view myself.
I learned that it’s about how you carry yourself, how you feel on the inside, and how you treat others. It’s easier said than done, but it’s easier when it is done.
My Happy Medium
I enjoy life and lifting, food and fitness. I love pizza nights with Lucas. We have wine on Friday’s (we don’t drink during the week, and Saturdays are a maybe). We get a sweet treat on Sundays (extra carbs for fuel on Monday’s leg day & spin)! I do this because this is how I balance my wants and needs, it’s what I’m willing to give up during the week, and more importantly, it’s sustainable.
I encourage you to look within yourself and find what you can make into a positive change, and what you can do to live a more sustainable and balanced life. Save yourself some time and let my experiences light your way and inspire you to be more of who you really are, not less.
With love,
Michelle
MAW BARBELL CLUB 
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