Fitness Together Wilmington

At 54 years old, I had gained weight and I didn’t feel strong. I decided to do something about it and get back in shape! I Googled “fitness” and discovered Fitness Together. Their private, one-on-one training sessions looked like just what I needed to get me motivated and keep my accountable.

When I first met my trainer, Nick, I wondered how it would be working with such a young man. He may be the same age as my daughter, but that doesn’t mean he cuts me any slack! Although very respectful, when it comes to my workouts, Nick is tough and shows “no mercy”. He pushes me to work hard.

I didn’t know the first thing about strength training, but my end goal was to learn how to maintain a fitness regime on my own. Signing up for a block of personal training sessions was a financial sacrifice, but it has been well worth it! I’ve really enjoyed learning about strength training from Nick, who has a high level of expertise. He has taught me how to calculate my Target Heart Rate and how to use proper form when lifting weights. He has introduced a lot of variety into each workout, giving me lots of options for the future. When my daughter, a college athlete, was in town for a day, he even allowed her to come along, designing a workout that we could do together.

I look forward to my personal training sessions. I enjoy Nick; I enjoy the workouts; and I enjoy the new skills set I’m learning and the results I’m seeing. My clothes fit better. My balance is improved. I feel stronger. And, I’m enthusiastic about maintaining my strength training on my own! —Cathy Frye

Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time. ~Steven Wright

Usually, when someone tells you to ‘go take a long walk…’, it’s a not friendly suggestion. But Bev DeLuise, an FT client for the past eight years, has given the phrase a whole new meaning. She has been inspiring her neighbors to take very long walks–26.2 mile walks, to be precise!

Last month, Bev (right), Sandy, and Bill completed their first marathon in San Francisco. It was a beautiful, cool sunny day and the marathon course followed the beach, making for great scenery. The following day, while nursing very sore knees, Bev agreed to a candid interview about her experience:

FT: How long did it take you to finish the marathon?

BD: 7 hours, 35 minutes. I think I could have finished in 6 hours 30 minutes or less if my knees hadn’t given out. I literally limped the last 5 miles.

FT: What was the most difficult part?

BD: The last 5 miles with an injury.

FT: What was the most inspiring moment?

BD: A blind lady was walking the marathon with her walking stick. My thought was: “If she can do this, surely I can finish as well”.

FT: What was the funniest moment during the marathon?

BD: My neighbor trying to distract me from my pain. I finally told her to shut up, I was miserable and I was going to wallow in it! (laughs)

FT: What would you do differently next time?

BD: I think train more because I didn’t do enough LONG walks. I think if I had, I would have known that my knees were going to give me trouble. I am going to an ortho doctor to see if I can build them up, because I’ve signed up to do the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in New York City this October. That’s a full marathon on Saturday followed by a half-marathon on Sunday! After having done yesterday’s marathon, I’d have to be on serious drugs to even lace up my shoes today.

FT: What is your advice to anyone planning to walk or run a long race?

BD: TRAIN!!

Bev has a goal of raising at least $2,000 for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in October.

Several years ago, I sustained injuries to my spine. Although I had great success with rehabilitation under the guidance of physical therapists, when my physical therapy ended, I was concerned about working out on my own.  I was afraid of reinjuring my back and unsure about what I could and could not do safely.  I recently decided it was time to return to one-on-one workouts with professional personal training for two reasons: 1) I had been trying to lose weight without success and 2) I had spent a considerable amount of time in hospitals attending to sick family members, reminding me how important it is take care of my own health.

I started working with Nick just six weeks ago.  I must confess that when I first met him I was concerned that someone so young might not have the knowledge to push me hard enough to achieve results without pushing me so hard that I would risk re-injury.  But Nick immediately put my fears to rest; this guy definitely knows what he’s doing.  In fact, in a word, I’d say Nick is amazing.  Honestly.  Nick tapped into my personal needs, customizing workouts just for me, and pushing me to do things I never thought I would be able to do without pain.  During every workout, he remains completely concentrated on my breathing and my form to ensure that each exercise is safe and effective.  Nick’s workouts are so inspiring I actually find myself smiling when I’m training.  Seriously, who smiles while a trainer is putting them through the paces?  I do, especially because I’m seeing dramatic results.  In just six weeks, I lost 9% body fat and shaved 7 minutes off my one-mile time! 

Last week I went to a gathering with friends I hadn’t seen in a while.  Several people rushed up to me and exclaimed:  “You look fabulous!  What have you been doing?”  Of course, there was no time to tell them everything because each workout is different.  Nick’s training style keeps me (and my body) guessing; he never has me do the same thing twice.  I didn’t keep my friends guessing, though.  I raved about Nick and proudly explained how my investment in personal training at Fitness Together has paid off with increased energy and a healthier, happier ‘me’. — Christina Minguela

I failed the 60-Day Challenge.  Mark Twain wrote in  The Innocents Abroad:

At certain periods it becomes the dearest ambition of a man to keep a faithful record of his performances in a book; and he dashes at this work with an enthusiasm that imposes on him the notion that keeping a journal is the veriest pastime in the world, and the pleasantest. But if he only lives twenty-one days, he will find out that only those rare natures that are made up of pluck, endurance, devotion to duty for duty’s sake, and invincible determination, may hope to venture upon so tremendous an enterprise as the keeping of a journal and not sustain a shameful defeat.

So, there you have it.  I gave up on my 60-Day Challenge.  I could offer a host of excuses.  It basically boils down to being extremely busy, extremely overwhelmed, and extremely devoted to self-sabotage.  I actually kept on journaling (privately) beyond the twenty days.  But, I couldn’t seem to find the time, the energy, or the inclination to share my notes with you, dear reader.  Then, by about day 30, I just gave up completely.  I stopped counting.  I stopped paying attention.  And sure enough, I returned to my ways of unconscious eating.

I used to ‘never’ fail.  I was a superstar.  An A+ student.  An overachiever.  But I was suceeding in areas that made me feel comfortable.  I loved school.  I loved learning.  I loved taking exams and writing term papers.  I loved music and theater and band.  I didn’t pursue goals in areas where I didn’t already have a healthy dose of natural talent.  Now that I’m trying to achieve in a world where things don’t come naturally to me, I fail all of the time.  But, I’m going to keep on trying.

In two days, I will be running another 5K.  I set a goal about a month ago.  I wanted to run the 5K in 40 minutes or less.  My trainer generously gave me a training schedule to help me prepare.  Then, life got in the way.  My business got busy.  My Mom got sick.  My motivation waned.  And my training fizzled in much the same way that this food journal did.  Now, it will take a miracle to meet my goal.  Last night, it took me 40 minutes to complete 2.75 miles.  That additional half mile will take me at least eight more minutes.  It means that my time might actually be worse than the time I registered six months ago at my 2nd 5K.  But, I’m not giving up.  I’m going to show up. (After all, Woody Allen once said that eighty percent of success if showing up).  I’m going to participate.  I’m going to give it everything I can on that day.  “If at first you don’t succeed, you’re running about average”, said M.H. Alderson.  And, if I’m running ‘average’, I’ll count my blessings.

If it first you don’t succeed…  There are so many other ways to complete that phrase:  Try, try again.  Skydiving is not for you.  Destroy all the evidence that you tried.  Failure may be your style.  In my case, I plan to try again.

My nephew does this thing where when he’s about to get in trouble, he’ll try to distract you by immediately doing something cute.  For example, we are currently working on a “No Kicking” rule when changing his diaper (he’s potty training–but not quite there yet).  He loves to kick and thrash, making diaper changing both dangerous and difficult.  He knows the rule, but he’ll test me anyhow.  When I reprimand him, he’ll immediately get this super cute grin on his face and those big eyes like the Antonio Banderas Puss in Boots character from Shrek, and say:  “Auntie, I loooove you!”  It makes it so much more difficult to keep that stern, you’re-in-trouble act going……

I’m including some cute photos of my nephew in the hopes that they will work as similar distractions for my trainer.  (I picked out his suit–isn’t it adorable?) 

My eating for the past four days has been completely and totally out of control and I’ve only worked out once.  I have lots of excuses:  too busy caring for a 2 year-old; no time; no transportation; at the mercy of others and their eating habits and preferences; stressed by family dynamics and strong emotions (after all, I’m nearly forty and don’t have any children of my own yet); tired; fighting a cold…..the list goes on. 

Truth is, I could have done better.  I was given a big test and I failed.  Miserably.  I caved in to the pull of Coca-Cola and the allure of high fat and sugary foods while my celery sticks and fiber cereal taunted me from the fridge and the pantry.  The feelings of failure just made me want to eat more junky food.  Here is the most complete account of my eating that I can render.  There was a lot of unconscious eating going on.  I’m at least conscious of that:

Day 15

2 pieces of rye toast

an orange

2 cupcakes (with icing and sprinkles on them now!)

a foot-long Subway turkey sandwich loaded with vegetables (1/2 at lunch, 1/2 in the late afternoon)

a small bag of Doritos

a taco salad (Let’s not even talk about portion size or calories on this one!)

Coke

Day 16

Scrambled eggs, rye toast and orange (I started every morning off right, but things usually went to hell in a handbasket by noon)

More taco salad and a Coke 

I felt so sick after that second taco salad at lunchtime and the on-set of some kind of cold/virus, I didn’t eat another thing the remainder of the day.  It was just water and Zicam from here on out.

Day 17

Rye toast

Fiber One Bar

Pizza, Coke,

Doritos, that 2nd Reeses Peanut Butter Cup from the other night,

poached eggs on toast and  a small bowl of homemade banana pudding.

Just writing that made me feel sick all over again……

Day 18

3 Fiber One bars

a Hamburger with a few fries and a Coke  (I was overuled for lunch choice)

A gyro (lamb on pita bread with tomato, lettuce, onion and tzatziki) Just a bad choice all the way around.  Why didn’t I order the fish of the day?  I have a theory on that, but that’s another blog post.

After two incredibly heavy meals in a row, I felt awful.  So full and sick.  Yet that didn’t stop me from eating a piece of coffee cake later that night.

Day 19

Canteloupe, Greek yogurt, another sliver of coffee cake

A small Greek side salad (leftovers:  I’ve had the Greek theme going on for 2 days now–what’s up with that?)

White Cheddar Cheese-Its, Popcorn, Coke (That was my lunch.  Don’t ask!!!)

Pounded Pork Tenderloin, Baby Peas, Tortellini with Pancetta

More of that blasted coffee cake

Meet the second most important man in my life.  This is my two-year-old nephew.  My role during the birth of my niece is to watch over this little guy for the next week.  He’s great for the spirit, bad for the diet.

Every time that we are together, we bake.  I helped him make his first cake (an ice cream sandwich cake).  We’ve made cookies for Santa, a gingerbread train, desserts for family dinners, and more.  This time, I promised him cupcakes.  He came with us during our emergency chocolate run the night before his Mom’s departure and picked out what he wanted:  Funfetti Cake mix (of course!) with green icing.   So I bought green gel dye, green sprinkles, and cake mix and got ready for at least one activity to keep the little tyke busy during our days together.

This week will prove to be a tough week for him in terms of transition (Mom and Dad at the hospital, a baby sister coming home), and a challenging week for me in terms of stamina.  My nephew loves his Auntie because she plays full out with him all day long (except for nap time, of course!).  I’m like a giant, stuffed toy who sings, dances, tickles, reads stories, and lets him do grown up things like baking cupcakes.   I love every minute of it, but it is its own special brand of working out.  By day’s end, I’m exhausted.

Breakfast, 8:30 am

The morning got off to a good start.  I ate a bowl of Fiber One Raisin Bran while he ate his breakfast.

Snack, 11:00 am

By mid-morning, he was plenty riled up from all of the playing on our first big day together.  I needed to get him focused on a more subdued activity, so I suggested we make the cupcakes.  Here he is licking the batter.  I had some too.  Once the cupcakes were baked, I planned to save icing and decorating for Day Two.

Lunch, 1:00 pm

I was so busy preparing my nephew’s lunch and making sure that he ate well, I just sort of grazed.  I ate my carrot sticks and 1/2 cup of the rice dish I made as a part of his lunch, and then had the last leftover slice of pizza once I got him down for his nap.

Snack, 4:00 pm

You guessed it– a cupcake with no icing.  We each had one.

Dinner, 6:30 pm

My niece was born in the morning and we went to let my nephew meet his new baby sister late that afternoon.  He was completely smitten!  But when the visit was over, he had a complete meltdown.  He didn’t want to leave his Mommy and his Daddy and his new baby sister.  He cried that super-loud, super-ugly, heartbroken I-will-be scarred-for-life-cry all of the way to the parking lot and for at least 20 minutes in the car.  

I tried dozens of diversion and consolation tactics and finally resorted to the Golden Arches.  I asked him if he would like to take me out to dinner like a big person.  We could go to a restaurant and he could place the order and pay all by himself, just like a big boy.  But, he couldn’t cry because big people never cry when they order in restaurants.  Naturally, his version of a great restaurant is one that serves chicken nuggets and french fries in a cardbox box with a plastic toy.

We went to McDonald’s.  He ordered two Happy Meals (one with a hamburger for me; one with chicken nuggets for him).  I gave him my wallet to pay and he wanted to use a credit card instead of the cash!  So, I let him.  We had tons of fun playing with our toys (Superman action figures) and eating the nastiest hamburger and the saltiest fries I’ve had in at least a decade.  The caloric count is now listed on everything McDonald’s serves.  The meal (complete with a child-sized soft drink) cost me about 700 calories, but the moment was priceless.

Back at the homestead, once my nephew was settled into bed, I ate about 3/4 cup of tortellini with alfredo sauce to get the taste of that hamburger out of my mouth.

Breakfast, 11:00 am

Today feels like it’s the first day of vacation.  You see, I leave for a trip tomorrow and today I don’t have any urgent, pressing work obligations.  I woke up feeling really hungry and wishing that my husband would wake up too so that we could go out for breakfast.  I was really in the mood for coffee, and orange juice, eggs and a strip of bacon.  But, Sleepyhead kept right on snoring.  I got up, did a couple of quick chores, showered, and then crawled back into bed while Sleepyhead slumbered on.  I read in bed for a while cuddled up to Sleepyhead, but nothing seemed to stir him.  I contemplated getting up and making myself French toast with butter and real maple syrup (the only way to eat it, as far as I’m concerned!).  Then, I remembered that we were invited to a 30th birthday party this afternoon, a party where I would surely be eating things my trainer would not approve of.  So, I vetoed the idea of French toast.

While I read, I found myself daydreaming about dinner.  I did a mental inventory of what we have in our fridge, and what I should use before I leave for my trip.  And then a flash of inspiration hit:  I could make a  caramelized onion and goat cheese tarte for dinner.  It’s decadent.  If quiche were a dime store perfume, the caramelized onion and goat cheese tarte would be Chanel No. 5.

At 10:30 am, now dressed and working at the computer, I still hadn’t eaten breakfast.  All of my healthy options just didn’t sound appetizing.  I finally settled on a Fiber One bar to tide me over until lunch.  Now a Fiber One bar is only 90 calories, which is really not enough.  It meant I would arrive to lunch more than ready to eat, and I did.

Lunch, 1:00 pm

My friend really knows how to throw a party.  She has a lot of friends in the wedding industry and this party rivaled many a wedding reception, complete with catered barbeque and all the fixin’s.  I skipped the barbeque, and loaded up on fixin’s.  They included:  haricots verts (green beans that had been cooked with bacon and brown sugar and were Ahhhh-mazing!), macaroni and cheese, coleslaw, and a cucumber and tomato salad.  I drank 2 cans of Coke (yes TWO!!) and ate a lemon square and a whoopie pie (made by professional cake baker friends) for dessert.  I was extremely full by the time this food orgy was over.  But, I had no regrets.  That whoopie pie was sooooo worth it. 

Dinner, 10:00 pm

I had no appetite for dinner at a reasonable hour and neither did Sleepyhead, who had eaten even more than me at the party.  So that caramelized onion goat cheese tarte I was salivating for earlier that morning never got made.   But late at night, as I packed for my trip, Sleepyhead decided that a pizza was in order, the perfect accompaniment to the first of many movie marathons he would enjoy during my absence.  I joined him in eating a couple of slices of pizza with white sauce, cheese and spinach.

This morning, I was up at 4:3o in the morning to travel with my Mom for the birth of my new niece in Buffalo, NY.  I will have very little control over my food for the next week, so I heeded the advice of my expert personal trainer and tried to be prepared.  In my luggage, there are Fiber One bars, healthy granola bars, a baggie of carrot sticks, a baggie of celery sticks, a banana, and an apple.  After yesterday’s hedonism, I’d like to get back on track.

My mother was diagnosed with lung cancer this summer and will be traveling by wheelchair.  I will be assisting my mother and handling a lot of luggage (neither my mother nor I travel light–her purse almost exceeds airport weight restrictions!).  Because of her travel handicap, she wanted to be at the airport two hours early. 

Snack:  6:00 am

Settled at our gate with plenty of time to spare, I break out a banana for breakfast.  We have a flight to Atlanta airport followed by a considerable layover, and we won’t reach our destination until around 2:00 pm.  I’m working on about two hours of sleep.

In Atlanta, an airline rep helps me push my mother from one concourse to another where our connecting flight will depart.  I carry baggage while he pushes Mom.  When we arrive at the gate, I’m talking to the gate agent (we were assigned to seats in different parts of the plane), while the airline rep who had accompanied us parks Mom’s wheelchair. I don’t notice him leaving. As I’m talking to the agent, I hear my mother calling me.  “Was I supposed to tip that nice man?”, Mom asks.  Before I can respond, the gate agent says, “Yes.” 

 Mom holds out a fistful of small bills and implores me to chase after him.  “You’ll never catch him”, the agent says.  “He left several minutes ago.”  Mom wants me to try, so I grab her tip and set off running down the airport hallways in search of the nice man.  It was one of my first remarkable fitness victories.  I sprinted effortlessly past several gates until I caught up with the airport employee and thanked him for his kindness.  I walked back to our gate, slightly winded and very proud.

Breakfast, 10:00 am

Settled in for our layover, I ask Mom if she’d like for breakfast.  I rattle off the list of healthy choices in my carry-on bag.  She replies:  “I’m hungry, but I don’t want any of that stuff”, as if I’ve offered her poison.  She asks me to go find a breakfast sandwich, an Egg McMuffin or something of the sort.  I set off in search of something decent (I abhor fast food, with Chick-Fil-A being the only exception).  In the main food court, I spot an Au Bon Pain, and stand in line for eternity behind the entire Duke Tennis team.  As I wait, I convince myself that I should also eat something of substance, since we’re sure to be eating  a very late lunch.  I get a breakfast croissant for my mother, and a plain bagel for me.  I ate 3/4 of a toasted bagel with light cream cheese and throw the rest away.

Lunch, 2:3o pm

Thankfully, my sister-in-law has prepared a pretty healthy lunch.  I eat a turkey sandwich on rye bread (great tasting, super fresh rye bread) and a small cup of her homemade chicken and vegetable soup (also delicious).

Dinner, 7:00 pm

For dinner, they order a pizza with a salad.  I ate 2 slices of chicken and broccoli pizza and a small portion of salad (which was mostly olives and hot peppers, things I’m not overly fond of in my salad, thus the small portion).  My brother announces that they have Coke in the pantry if I want some.  I tell them I’ve been trying to quit, and choose to stick with my water.

My sister-in-law was craving chocolate, and my brother and I had made a special run to the grocery store to get her Twix bars.  We all ended up with a “treat”–even the dog got a bone.  My chocolate was one Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup.

Breakfast, 7:30 am (pre-training session and cardio workout)

Toast with peanut butter

Lunch, 1:00 pm

Turkey sandwich on Deli Flat x2

Snack, 6:00 pm

Celery stick with peanut butter, vegetable grazing while making a crudite platter for the party

Party, 8:00 pm

1 1/2 cups of popcorn (1 c of half salt healthy popcorn mixed with 1/2 c of neon sugary stuff)

Sparkling water with a splash of lemonade

Grazing of tortilla chips with pomegranate and black bean salsa and pita chips with hummus and artichoke dip

Snack, 11:00 pm

Turkey slices wrapped in provolone cheese slices

More pita chips and veggies

Glass of Coke

Today, I hosted a party for my fitness friends.  Out of respect for my trainer and guests, I served healthy fare.  I confess that it felt very strange to put out a light party buffet with no creamy dips, no sweet desserts, no true temptations.  I talked my trainer into offering Root Beer Floats at the party, but only one person went for it.  Fit people crack me up.  They will drink beer or wine and think nothing of it, but they recoil at the sight of a root beer float.  12 ounce-Root Beer Float:  300 calories.  8-ounce glass of Cabernet:  200 calories.  I know there is a 100 calorie difference, but it’s a party, people!  Maybe this is why I’m fat and they’re not….

After everyone left, I had the post-party blues.  It’s a fairly common occurence.  Once the planning and the prepping and the partying is over, there is this empty feeling– a sort of “Now what?”.  As you can see, I turned to my favorite vice.  All in all, I felt like it was a good day.

On really busy days, I find it especially difficult to keep focused on the food.  This was a really busy day for me, yet I think I did okay.

Breakfast, 7:30 am

Fiber One Bar

Snack, 9:30 am

Apple

Lunch, 1:00 pm
At which point I was famished!  A thin crust California Kitchen frozen pizza (veg and cheese) shared with my sweetie.

Snack/Dinner, 5:30 pm (pre-work party/event)

Turkey sandwich on Deli Flat

Sparkling water with splash of lemonade

Snack/Dinner, 2:  10 pm (after party/event)

Baked chicken, corn and 2 tbsp of stuffing (a dinner my Mom baked for us and sent over to re-heat in the oven, post-party).