A Brand New Week

I’m writing this in the evening as I finish uploading my first “at-home” workout. The actual taping of the video was fun, but the editing and uploading took a long time. I’m not used to doing that.

I want to post this quickly and write more later.

The main thing is you do not need equipment for this workout. I’m keeping this week of workouts free of equipment so no need to worry about buying stuff.

And secondly, contact me with any questions. You can comment below, or email me.

3:40 PM Updated -

I’ve created a Google Doc in case you’d like a text version of this. Click here to view it.

A Letter to My Clients Regarding COVID-19

When I first began personal training over 25 years ago, my personal reason for training was mostly for vanity. It’s fun when people give you compliments on your looks, it becomes who you are. The health benefits just came along as a bonus for me. That’s not to say or discount that I’ve always thought that fitness training and diet were important for the brain, mood, and physiological health.

But over the years and as I age, my own reasons for training have changed. My goal for many years has been to be as strong and as healthy as possible to live life to the fullest. To create a strong foundation from which I can travel, ride my motorcycle with my son, hike, and be there for my family. Basically, I want to be in a position to ask my body to do whatever I want, and it will respond without hesitation.

Boot Camp Will Continue With Regular Classes

We are fortunate to have a client who is an infectious disease specialist (MD), and I’ve spoken with him about any additional precautions I need to adhere to along with any advice from the WHO and CDC.

Class Precautions

  • If you come early to class, you may have already seen that I have a habit of wiping down the equipment with Clolorx wipes. This has been consistent before the new coronavirus. This, of course, will continue with special attention. If I run out of wipes, I will make a hospital-grade disinfectant with Clorox.

  • We will refrain from using the boxing gloves as not to encourage contact in this manner.

  • Keep 3 feet or more distance from one another. This is pretty common for us in class, but just to keep in mind.

  • If you or someone in your home is sick, use common sense and stay home. (Contact me for workouts to do at home. I can help.)

  • Cover your cough or sneeze with your elbow or tissue.

  • Use hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol) before and or/after class.

But, Do Exercise

I wouldn’t start a vigorous exercise program right now, which could cause even more stress…but I would continue to exercise. The coming together, sharing and talking does help. Mentally and physically.

Financial Strain

I’ve already heard from clients who have lost multi-million dollar contracts. In my own family, my son’s job hours have been cut by 30% and my daughter who works in Port Townsend, WA found out that her work is closing today and they aren’t sure when they will reopen.

Having said this, I hope that we can help each other. If you want to train, and you do not have the money coming in, we can work out a deal. Train now - pay later.

On the flip side, if you can pay for multiple months ahead, I will give you a fair discount.

Wrapping Up

I always try to look at the bright side of things. My hope is that this “pandemic” can bring us closer. What makes my boot camp classes is YOU, and your involvement. Sharing, laughing, ribbing…it’s a community that I truly treasure. I’m here, strong and healthy and ready to help.

Contact me

Please contact me (email) with any questions.

When Is It A Good Time To Start An Exercise Program?

Sadly throughout my career, I often hear various excuses (some legit/some not) why or when people will actually commit to an exercise habit.

Much of what I focus on these days is helping clients realize and develop the habits of training smart and eating healthy. The best time to start working on creating these habits is today…right now. It’s like compounding interest on money saved. It’s much better to start saving when you are young, rather than try to play catch up later. It’s the same with exercise and good eating.

Squash the excuses and get started right now.

Comment below on what you did to start today. You’ll see what I did to maintain my habit today.

HT to Seth Godin’s post on “When?"

From Saturday’s hike in Altadena, CA.

From Saturday’s hike in Altadena, CA.

Beach photo from my daughter, Washington.

Beach photo from my daughter, Washington.

Getting An Alarm Clock and Waking Up When It Goes Off

- For Morning Clients

I often hear the excuse that clients have problems with hearing, setting, or responding to alarms. Part of your training with me is getting used to or creating the discipline of setting a reliable alarm - and responding to that alarm when it goes off in the morning.

Get yourself a simple, battery-operated, travel-like alarm clock. Set it, along with your phone alarm. Develop the habit of getting up when it goes off.

Knowing that you’ll need to wake up early means that you’ll need to sleep at a reasonable time. This means eating early enough and getting off the computer and phone.

It all goes together. Sleep - proper eating - training.

Keeping things simple

Yesterday I did a couple of long walks.

I wanted to see if I could walk from my house (near the top of Lake Ave) to my barber. Walking to the barber was a little over 6 miles in 1 hr and 36 min, while the return (through Eaton Canyon) was about 6.5 miles and almost 2 hours.

It was a little personal challenge to see if I could just pick up and walk this distance. I’ve often said that my idea of fitness is being able to ask my body to do something and it responds by completing the request. Challenge complete.

So how does this relate to “keeping things simple”?

Needless to say, I had a lot of time to think. And if you know me, I wasn’t browsing social media or listening to music on this walk. I like to take in the present moment. As a matter of fact I had my phone turned off, and never took it out of my backpack.

For some reason, some clarity hit me on Valentine’s Day…and this walk just crystalized my “new” direction.

I want to be the best trainer and coach for my clients, period. I don’t want to spend time learning about the “next social media” platform. My focus is on providing the best results for my clients.

I believe that this relationship is between you (my client) and me. Not Facebook, not Instagram, not advertisers, cookies, or other distractions.

It’s pretty simple.

I hope you’ll join me here in zeroing in on your goals. (Comment below - I’ll see them and reply.)

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Calendar:

Regular classes on Monday FEB 17 President’s Day