You can’t get a much more personal fave than a personal trainer but this post is long overdue. Bear with me my non-Chicago readers.
I go to Fitness Formula Clubs (FFC) South Loop location. I’ve been going to this gym since early 2006. I’ve been a regular exerciser since 2002 when I got back from a semester in France with WAY too many pain au chocolats (croissant with melted chocolate in the middle… best comfort food when missing your family… not the best if you want to maintain a healthy weight.) Anyway, I’ve been exercising regularly since 2002 and was at the gym all the time preparing for my fall 2006 wedding. The wedding came and went and with it– my motivation. I seem to have a really hard time getting to the gym in the cold Chicago winters. I’d much rather stay cozy on the couch.
Then I saw a flyer at the gym to sign up for a free personal training session with Lisa G. so I did in late 2007 and I’m still working with her. She’s seen me through two pregnancies and now we’re in the middle of my attempt to lose this second pregnancy weight. Where do I even start to say what a great trainer she is? At the beginning she asked me about my goals, had me record a few days of what I ate, and we went from there. She pointed out that Lean Cuisine wasn’t the best choice of meals (too much sodium!) for lunch and I needed to eat a more balanced breakfast. She also pointed out that I had to start running if I wanted to shed a few pounds. This was scary news. I was a regular at the gym- spinning, kickboxing classes, etc. but I never considered myself much of a runner. I had definitely never run more than 3 miles at a time. What did we do? Signed up for an 8k in 2008 and she said she’d run with me. I finished at my goal time of 40 minutes. 2 years later I ran again in 2010 and finished again at 40 minutes 9 seconds.
Today I made it five miles! I hadn’t hit that milestone since Mia was born and I kind of had a mental block against it so I am extra proud that I made it. All of this I owe to Lisa. When I go to the gym she pushes me and gives me what I call the “death look” (a combination of shock and “get back to it”) if she ever thinks I’m slacking. All the while she is really nice about it. Lisa’s just a really nice person in general and easy to get along with. She babysits my kids now too. I always get a hard work out and results that I want (combined with healthy eating) while having fun. How great is that?! Working out with Lisa actually makes me look forward to going to the gym.
Lisa’s getting married this weekend and I wish her and her future husband all the best! If you live in the Chicago area and want to contact her you can do so through the FFC Website. If not and you find yourself in an exercise slump or lacking motivation… I would highly recommend trying personal training. It’s been worth every penny to me and, as I’m sure you can tell from this post, I not only have a trainer and babysitter, but a friend.. who kicks my ass. 
