Fun and Fitness: Plan to achieve
I want you to be healthy and I
want to help you stay healthy. I'm
going to tell you how to do this in
a few steps. I will not promise you
amazing results; you need to do
that for yourself. If you choose to
follow my advice, amazing results
are highly likely. The amazing
results may be altered when you
alter the steps. Therefore, you are
in complete control of your own
amazing results.
Step 1: Talk to a health professional. Tell them your story and why you want to make a change. They will consider your individual needs and make recommendations based on an assessment of your current physical state. This may take more than one visit. Examples of these professionals include your family doctor, a certified fitness appraiser, a dietitian and possibly a physiotherapist.
Step 2: Hire a high-quality personal trainer. You do not need to belong to a club to do this, although your rates will be significantly less. This service is completely worth it if you make the right choice. Find someone who has a degree or diploma in Fitness/Kinesiology/etc. AND is certified by a high-level professional organization (look for these abbreviations: CSEP CEP or CPT, CPTN, YMCA IC III, CFES). With this background in education, you know you are getting someone that had to go through rigorous training and achieve high marks (above 80 or 90 per cent) to obtain certification. Don't be afraid to ask for credentials. It matters because these people have to renew their credentials every year by attending continuing education sessions and renewal workshops. They are updated on new information that is important to your health & safety.
Step 3: Listen to your healthcare provider and your trainer. Also, tell your healthcare provider and your trainer as much information possible, even if it seems insignificant. The slightest symptom can completely alter a diagnosis and prescription.
Step 4: Stick to your plan and keep a record of it. Make sure to record your starting point or have your doctor/trainer do that for you, even if it seems scary. You will rejoice at how far you've come.
Step 5: Do not succumb to peer pressure or advertising. If you see it and like the idea of it, talk about it with your doctor/trainer and come up with a plan that is right for you. It's good to take risks, but not when it can mess with your well-being.
Step 6: Tell others. When someone asks how you got your amazing results. Tell them that you followed this six-step process and strongly suggest that they can get amazing results the same way.
Good luck!
Karen Nixon-Carroll is the Program Manager at Fitness 101, Fanshawe College Professor, YMCA fitness course trainer and examiner, Fanshawe FHP grad and holds many fitness certifications for personal training, group fitness and wellness. Email her at karen.carroll@fanshawec.ca.
Step 1: Talk to a health professional. Tell them your story and why you want to make a change. They will consider your individual needs and make recommendations based on an assessment of your current physical state. This may take more than one visit. Examples of these professionals include your family doctor, a certified fitness appraiser, a dietitian and possibly a physiotherapist.
Step 2: Hire a high-quality personal trainer. You do not need to belong to a club to do this, although your rates will be significantly less. This service is completely worth it if you make the right choice. Find someone who has a degree or diploma in Fitness/Kinesiology/etc. AND is certified by a high-level professional organization (look for these abbreviations: CSEP CEP or CPT, CPTN, YMCA IC III, CFES). With this background in education, you know you are getting someone that had to go through rigorous training and achieve high marks (above 80 or 90 per cent) to obtain certification. Don't be afraid to ask for credentials. It matters because these people have to renew their credentials every year by attending continuing education sessions and renewal workshops. They are updated on new information that is important to your health & safety.
Step 3: Listen to your healthcare provider and your trainer. Also, tell your healthcare provider and your trainer as much information possible, even if it seems insignificant. The slightest symptom can completely alter a diagnosis and prescription.
Step 4: Stick to your plan and keep a record of it. Make sure to record your starting point or have your doctor/trainer do that for you, even if it seems scary. You will rejoice at how far you've come.
Step 5: Do not succumb to peer pressure or advertising. If you see it and like the idea of it, talk about it with your doctor/trainer and come up with a plan that is right for you. It's good to take risks, but not when it can mess with your well-being.
Step 6: Tell others. When someone asks how you got your amazing results. Tell them that you followed this six-step process and strongly suggest that they can get amazing results the same way.
Good luck!
Karen Nixon-Carroll is the Program Manager at Fitness 101, Fanshawe College Professor, YMCA fitness course trainer and examiner, Fanshawe FHP grad and holds many fitness certifications for personal training, group fitness and wellness. Email her at karen.carroll@fanshawec.ca.
