Confessions of a Personal Trainer

So this post was inspired by a combination of things.  1) I’m being a total copycat here, but I really liked Eat, Live, Run’s “Confessions of a Food Blogger.”  I’m totally not a food blogger, but I am a personal trainer, and I think a lot of people have preconceived notions about what we do/think/say/eat.  2) I’ve been taking it kind of easy lately and went back into the gym this morning for a less-than-intense workout after a week of avoiding it even though I live across the street. 

What kind of penance do I do for this?

Anyway, without any further ado, here are my confessions.  Forgive me, gym rats, for sometimes I sin:

I love working out, but I go through phases where I would much rather read in my bed than hop on the treadmill or do a set of squats. 

This summer has been HOT and humid in Chicago, even in the supposedly air-conditioned gym.  So, for the past week and a half, I have been calling my bike rides to and from work cardio.  And I don’t really feel guilty about it. 

I think there is a point of pushing yourself too hard and being too obsessed.  Contrary to what many trainers I know have said, puking at the end of your workout isn’t healthy and ignoring injuries to get in 3 workouts per day is more insane than it is tough.  Call me weak if you want, but I’ve never gotten more from a workout because I saw my lunch afterwards. 

Sometimes I use being a PT as an excuse to wear leggings, sports bras, and t-shirts as my daily uniform — even if I’m not training that day.  And on the extra lazy days, I chalk up not wearing makeup and donning a wide stretchy headband with a pony tail to working in a place where people are sweating anyways. 

If I demonstrate ab exercises enough during the hours I’m on the job, I might call it core work. 

Lately, I’ve been paying attention, but not really freaking out over what I’m eating, and people are telling me I look smaller.  I’m chalking that one up to chilling the eff out for once. 

Sometimes sleep takes precedence over my workout.  In the last two weeks since leaving my old job and starting to work at these smaller studios, I’ve slept a LOT.  To be fair though, working 13-hour days didn’t really do me any favors in the rest department.  But now I’m catching up, and feeling sooo much better since rest is pretty essential to recovery. And to me not being cranky. 

I know that body fat percentage is the best indicator of health, and that how your clothes fit is more important than weight, but sometimes when I’m working hard, I (sadly) get the most motivation out of seeing a little drop in the numbers on the scale.

Even though core strength is totally important, I HATE working my lower back.  Abs follow pretty closely.

I am not a rippling mass of lean muscle, and although I’ve been that way before – and liked it and would actually love to get back there — for the time being, I’m actually kind of liking having a booty. 

So there you go. I’m sure I have more, but I think that’s plenty for now.  I need to save some transgressions for the next time I come to confess, right?  Any other PTs out there?  Do you have similar confessions?  Anyone else feel that sometimes they’re totally human and aren’t the epitome of everything their profession says they should be?