Too bad Mark Twain is dead – he’s my kind of trainerAfter six months of maternity leave, The Great Fitness Experiment is finally going to return to doing Great Fitness Experiments! While I have been gestating I managed to store up some really great fitness Experiments for 2010 and January’s is a great one.
Back when I did my Online Personal Training GFE (April 2009), I discovered the big downside of using an online personal trainer – most sites use a computer to generate your nutrition and workout plans. While they are more customized than, say, picking one at random out of a magazine, they are still just a machine. Not only do machines do stupid things (like giving me a weight workout using 8-lb dumbbells even though I specifically asked for the “advanced” program) but even worse, machines let me do stupid things. Like when I told it I wanted to lose 50 pounds to get to a weight than even Kate Moss would have called scary skinny. The computer helpfully told me to eat only 400 calories a day to reach my weight loss goals and even cheered me on with helpful tips! All I needed was some “thinspiration” pics and they could have marketed it as Anorexia 2.0. (Anorexia 1.0 was pulled after it was found to have several fatal bugs that would bring down your whole system.)
After that Experiment, I was contacted by Lindsey Matthews, a NSCA certified personal trainer and sports nutritionist and owner of Lean Bodies Health and Fitness, who told me that I needed to put the “person” back into personal training. In her brand of online personal training, she talks with each client to gauge their fitness needs and then comes up with a customized workout and diet based solely on your goals. In addition she checks in with you to check your progress every week and you have 24/7 access to her via e-mail in case you have questions or just need a kick in the butt. (I am very excited about this part. See, Lindsey doesn’t know this but I have a list of about 200 questions I have neurotically stored up waiting to drop on the first unsuspecting personal trainer who vaguely looks in my direction. First up? Why is it that eating 8 oz of chocolate makes me gain 2 lbs of fat? Doesn’t that violate e=mc2 or something? Deep, I know. This is what I mull over during the two a.m. feedings.) Plus she has a successful track record with my readers. You may remember how she sculpted Readers Beth and Nate – parents to 5 kids under age 8 – into their current enviable forms.
Who wants a free month of personal training?
Last time Lindsey offered to personally train one lucky GFE reader for free. This year, in January 2010, she has offered to train not only the Gym Buddies and I but is offering workout coaching to 30 of my readers! FOR FREE! To get in on this Experiment, all you need to do is e-mail Lindsey at lindsmm@gmail.com with “A New You for A New Year Promo” in the subject line. Tell her briefly how you think personal training can help you with your health and fitness goals and she’ll e-mail you back if you are one of the first 30 to e-mail her. (Not lightening quick with the e-mail? You can still join us! Lindsey has very reasonable prices.)
Check back for another great fitness giveaway on Friday. What a way to start off the new year!
After you’ve e-mailed her, stop back here and leave me a comment telling me what question you’ve always wanted to ask a personal trainer at two a.m.!
for more of my crazy antics and uncomfortable over-shares!
{ 48 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh, I so hope I was one of the first thirty! What a great way to start 2010!
Forgot my question! I know I should work out in the morning to get my engine going and get it done, but I just can't get out of bed any earlier than I already do. Am I losing out on the benefits by waiting until late afternoon to exercise?
Great post Charlotte. I'm excited! I'll see you at the Y!
Fingers crossed I am one of the lucky ones! I am so ready to get back into a fitness program. But I am too tired to think of a question right now.
I hope I'm one of the first 30!
Sometimes when I exercise in the morning I'm not as hungry throughout the day. Why is that? I would think I would be hungrier…
I would LOVE to be a part the first GFE of 2010! and I'm with cricket on my question–how much does the time of day really affect your work out?
I really hope I'm one of the first 30!
I have a bum hip – how can I strengthen it or surrounding muscles to support it better? This is indeed the question I wonder about at 2am as I try over in bed and yelp with pain. My hip hates me. I stretch it like made but it hates me.
I, too, and really hoping I was one of the first 30! I could use some guidance…
How about, why does it seem that no matter how much I stretch, my body stubbornly returns to its unflexible state after even just a short break in my routine?
I am trainee in fitness club that I just joined I being sorry myself why I have not joined early. Here I got know new things first time.
Good luck with the new experiment during the new year! I, in the meantime, will be waddling on the treadmill hoping that this baby falls out of me.
I hope I'll be in the first 30! This would be a great opportunity since I def. need help (or at least that kick in the butt) but I don't have extra money in my budget!
Thank you for the opportunity! I don't have a specific question.
Welcome back!!! Question for 2am.. Why aren't you in the gym with me!!!!
No, I did not put out that question to her! 
OMG, I would love this! My question is why can a guy drop 10 pounds in one week and it takes me 2 just to lose a pound? SO not fair. Kind of like how gray hair looks distinguished on a guy but I look like a wicken witch.
I'm not surprised you like Mark Twain, what with the Big Muddy starting just down the street from your home! Better keep an eye on those adventurous children of yours, or they may make a raft, and head south to N'Orleans
Sounds like a great experiment Charlotte! Hmmm…I'm sure I have questions that I'd love to ask a personal trainer, but of course now that you've asked I can't think of a thing!
I would ask a trainer: where do I start? Have fallen off the wagon in the last year or two…
Thanks for the chance to win!
I hope I am one of the first! I would ask whether body weight exercises were better than free weights.
My question would be: how can i recover my butt? It has misteriously disappeared now that ive been running more… doing weighted kickbacks and whatnot makes it stronger yet still small
What a fantastic giveaway!! My question is what should I do to eventually be able to do chin-ups and pull-ups??? Should I work on negatives? Use a chair or something reduce the weight I have to pull? How many days a week?
My fingers are crossed. My question pertains to working out first thing in the morning– is it okay to work out on an empty stomach or should I eat a snack before exercising?
I want to know if a personal trainer can help someone with no access to a gym.
AWESOME!! My question is – how can I train to run faster? I've tried all the traditional methods, but none seem to work. I need some one-on-one help with this one!
My 2AM question might be TMI, but I'm askin' anyways!
How come running/the treadmill makes my guts go crazy, but the elliptical, biking, cardio classes, etc., keep my tummy happy??
My question? What can I do to get lower ab strength? My lower abs are like jello. I think I'm the only person on the planet who has done Pilates for years but still can't manage a V sit.
My question? What can I do to get lower ab strength? My lower abs are like jello. I think I'm the only person on the planet who has done Pilates for years but still can't manage a V sit.
My question? What can I do to get lower ab strength? My lower abs are like jello. I think I'm the only person on the planet who has done Pilates for years but still can't manage a V sit.
I hope I'm one of the first 30! My question is what to do when you hit a plateau in training and weight loss. I usually get frustrated and quit for a while and I know that is the wrong answer! Thanks for this opportunity!
I would love to know any tricks to keeping my willpower high as the day wears on. In the mornings, I have focus, know what I want to eat and what I don't want to and yet most evenings, I end up in something that I shouldn't. Biggest Loser always says to chew gum – well I can't chew gum from 6pm until midnight – actually, have jaw issues so I can't chew gum at all. Why is willpower so much tougher to muster later in the day?
My question? Not so much a 2 a.m. question. My question for Lindsey was: How do I return to running (as in marathons) after a 4-year illness that took every bit of my energy just staying erect during the day? Back to 'running 101', just need a teacher.
I love your blog Charlotte – found it through The Technical Parent.
What should I do to strengthen my bad knees for long-distance running?
P.S. I would love to hear the answers to the other comments; they're great questions.
cammi99
Well, I sure picked the wrong day to sleep in! (Holiday party/late night last night).
Sounds like a great giveaway, and I'll be very curious to hear how the training goes for everyone!
Lindsey's great! I corresponded with her earlier this year, and she was so helpful and nice!
My big thing is how do I weight train, and train for a Half Marathon at the same time?
I can't tell you how many times I have completely burnt my legs out to the point I can't do either for several days…
Not even going to try for the awesome giveaway, but my question: Why can I run for several miles just fine outside, but after about 5 minutes on the treadmill, at 0 incline and my normal speed, I feel like I'm going to die? I thought running outside was supposed to be harder!
Wow, that's a pretty cool giveaway!
I won't be one of the 30, but I did check out her prices, and I might have to think about signing up. Hmmmm . . .
Oh! No questions, though. I'm still trying to get my butt BACK into exercising at all. *sigh*
Well that'll teach me not to read Charlotte's post first thing in the morning! I'm definitely not going to make it into the first 30!
I don't know if throwing something else into the mix during a very regimented half training month would be good. Or that's what I'm telling myself since I am FAR too late to be one of the first 30.
My question, which I have been whining about for ages, is how do you know if you're eating enough/too much/etc? I maintain if I drop down to 1300 calories average per week and I maintain if I'm eating almost 2000 calories on average per week. It is UNFATHOMABLE that even with serious training I need to be eating that much more than 2000 per day, and I find it hard to believe I need to go below 1300 (and even feel kind of weak eating much below 1500 on average unless it's a rest week). I burn about 3000 calories per week, am 5'5" and 153-ish lbs and don't eat like a saint but the majority of things that go in my mouth are lean proteins, good fat, veggies, and mostly complex carbs. I just don't understand why I've been stuck for so long, and I'm sure there are lots of people out there feeling the same way. Does it take a PERFECT diet to lose more? Is this just my body putting it's foot down, saying "hey chicky, you've lost 115 lbs, I don't wanna give up anymore"?
Sorry for the totally long winded question, but I've totally heard all the typical answers (vary your workout, calorie cycling, patience, why do you need to lose more you look fine, etc) and I want to hear if an expert has anything else to tell me.
Oh man, I thought I was for sure going to be one of the 30 – damn you delayed post on Google reader! Arrrrgh.
That sounds like a fantastic experiment, Charlotte! I can't wait to hear how it goes. I'm super intrigued by this idea of a personal trainer online.
Ooo – thought of anther question that I have asked trainers before but never gotten a good answer. Is there any way to slim down your calves? I was 'blessed' with large calves so much so that I have trouble buying boots as they are too tight (yet they are not large enough for the extended calf ones). Are there any exercises to slim these down or exercises to stay away from that might be accidentally bulking them up?
I've the same question as slimsdotter. I'm trying to do the Fat Burning Furnace workout and the gyms near home are either hideously expensive and/or hideously disgustingly dirty !
I have my eye on some weights that I’d like to buy in the after Christmas specials, I have a total gym 1000 (which is ok, but can be dangerous) and the ab-lounge.
Charlotte – have you seen the Fat Burning Furnace workout ? If so what do you think ?
Quix…I am in the same boat! You are almost the EXACT same size as me. I've been stuck there for probably 2 years. Like you I eat mostly very healthy and workout 4-5 days a week, including lots of strength training. What gives??
Woohoo I was one of the first 30! Technically my 2am question would be somewhere in the middle of the day for you guys (I am in Sydney) but it is – what is the cure for the fickle fitness fanatic? I like some amount of routine, but anything too constant and I get bored to bits!
I emailed her, but I think I was too late. Oh well, still super cool of her to offer to do this!
My question…so confused on protein intake, and always reading different info. on the subject. Would love to hear Lindsay's thoughts.
Question: A trainer once told me that he doesn't recommend chest presses for women (but incline chest presses are ok) b/c it will somehow shrink your boobs. Huh? I can't take no more shrinkge, thanks.
I like the concept of online fitness training. I have added Lindsay's Email Id to my contact list and I have sent a invitation to her.
Really great posting. I am impressed. This information about health and fitness. This is my favorite blog. I am very excited about it. That's experiment is really fantastic. I like it.