Personal trainers are expensive.

I know how to work out and what I should be doing. In fact, I’m studying to become a trainer myself.

There’s a million reasons I gave myself why I shouldn’t hire a trainer…

but a few months ago, my friend Leanne, who owns Uplift, told me she wanted to give me a free session, since I’d just referred a bunch of business her way.

(In terms of full disclosure since I do talk about them so much: I did a partnership with them several years ago, but since then, I’ve always paid for my own classes, save for a free class or something they throw my way every once in a while.) 

I’d worked with her before when I did that photo shoot for Propel, and I knew I liked her style. We sort of share a brain sometimes so she knows exactly what to say to me to motivate me when she knows I’m going to a negative place. So I took the free session from her, and of course I decided to keep going. I’m going to Australia (have I mentioned that? no, right? :)) in JUST A FEW WEEKS, and I want to feel good about myself and how I look in photos on this once-in-a-lifetime trip.

So, I’ve been training with Leanne for about two months. They have a “happy hour” special, which means their off-peak training sessions are cheaper, so I go around lunchtime once a week. 

AND IT’S AMAZING. (Obviously.)

I’m as happy with the physical results as I am with the mental results/mindset shifts.

– I’m seeing more definition in my arms (woo!), feeling less fat/bloat around my midsection (my achilles’ heel) and my clothes are beginning to fit a bit better. I can get a little obsessive over numbers sometimes (my Apple watch is my BFF and my enemy…), so I’ve been avoiding the scale as a measure this time around.

– I CAN FEEL MY ABS. Like I said, I typically have a little blubber covering them, so I have a hard time feeling my ab muscles. I can feel them and engage my core, which feels refreshing.

– I’m focusing. I’m writing down my workouts in my bullet journal and really taking a look at the structure of the week. How many cardio sessions? How many strength sessions? I’m trying to stick to just a few workouts so I can see results, rather than doing workouts willy-nilly. I do like ClassPass, but it can be distracting to my goals.

– And I’m being more mindful. I’m trying to cut back on gluten because I feel bloaty when I have it, but I’m trying so hard to not be all-or-nothing. I’ve really been thinking as I reach for a snack or choose a meal: do I really want this? (That’s typically when I’m deciding whether or not to eat something lacking nutritional quality.) This also has included significantly cutting back on wine…most of the time. 

– I’m being more efficient. I downloaded this treadmill/lifting program, and I love the short, intense workouts.

– I’m getting STRONG! Which is so much fun. I’m lifting heavier weights — both with Leanne and on my own. 

Have you ever worked with a trainer? What kind of style motivates you in workouts?