A definition of insanity, according to Albert Einstein, is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. If Einstein is to believed, and he does have a fairly impressive track record, then my mental competence was questionable for a number of years. Well certainly where exercising was concerned.

For years I had been going to the gym. I would do various classes and spend time on the cardio and resistance machines. I could tell myself that I was doing my 150 minutes or whatever the recommendation was at the time and convinced myself I was fit. And if I carried on with what I was doing the mirror would eventually have to concede.   And then I had a wake-up call.

In 2011 I belonged to a well-known gym in the West End about 5 minutes’ walk from my office. I went there in my lunch hour and occasionally after work about 3 times per week.  As a woman of a certain age I didn’t get much attention from the gym instructors as their focus was clearly on the multitudes of young, bright, west end hotties that were members of the club.  But I carried on with the classes, etc. and weighed myself (if I had a £1 coin) every week. This super-duper machine not only informed me of my weight but also height, BMI and several other things. Unfortunately it couldn’t enlighten me on my sanity. For all my exercise my weight never went in the direction I wanted it to.

And then one lunch time when I was nonchalantly opening and closing my legs on the adductor (a resistance machine) I was approached by a Personal Trainer. She asked me if I wanted a 30 minute free PT session. As this was the first time I had been offered anything by this gym I agreed.

I remember thinking that she would be impressed with my level of fitness. How wrong I was.

At the end of the 30 minute session I was in no doubt that I was unfit.  I was bright red in the face, the sweat was dripping off of me and it took me 5 minutes to muster the strength to get showered and changed.

I never wanted to feel like that again so I signed up for 10 sessions.  I started off with doing two sessions per week and then once a week.  It wasn’t long before things started to change. The sessions remained challenging. I still ended up bright red and dripping in sweat but I practically bounced into the changing rooms at the end where once I had crawled. Plus I could see my shape changing and the scales were going in the right direction.

Unfortunately my Personal Trainer (PT) experienced some marital problems and had to move on. As I wasn’t keen on having another PT at this particular gym I lapsed for a while until I joined Raw Inc. Training. I now have Chloe as my Personal Trainer. My daughter and I share the session.

So why do I think having a Personal Trainer makes such a difference?   The only way you are going to get fitter is to challenge your body.   For years I wasn’t doing this. If things got a little uncomfortable I would slow down or stop. In classes of 20-30 it was easy to ‘hide’.  With a PT there is nowhere to hide.  A good PT will be able to access your capabilities and develop a training programme to ensure you reach your potential.  He/she will give you the confidence to do so. They will be totally focused on you. I know that for many the cost would be prohibitive but for me it is money well spent. Not that I haven’t had to curtail spending elsewhere. Taking my own lunch to work instead of buying it from a sandwich bar, for example.  Instead I am investing my money in my fitness and my future. And  not forgetting my sanity.