Expert: Ken Alan - 2/18/2004

Question
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Followup To
Question -
I am a 30 yr old mom of 2.  I was going to a gym for a long time until about a year ago when I couldn't afford to renew my membership.  I was going about 3 times a week for about 1 hour.  The problem is, now that I am ready to go back (between then and now, I've been trying to keep active doing my own thing without access to a gym) I would like to see better results than I did before.  My goal is not and never was to really lose weight, just to firm up and get rid of the soft, "giggly" body.  I never saw a difference in my body though, I just stayed the same all the time.  Now, I would like to see some difinition and firmness and want to know the best way to do this.  I always did enjoy working out, and I am willing to work very hard, I don't find excuses not to go or procrastinate, quite the opposite, the more I do, the more I want to do.  So, I guess my quesion (or quesions) to you is:
-Can you give me an outline of what to do to best use my time at the gym to get the results I want? (assume I only have 1 hr, 3 times a week)
-Is there something you specifically recommend?
-Is there something you specifically DON'T recommend?
-Is there a certain order I should do things in to get the best results?
I do not have unrealistic expectations like I'm going to be muscle-woman or something, but let's face it, it's nice to be healthy, but it's also nice if you can physically see the results of working hard!
Sorry this took so long!
 YOUR RESPONSE IS MUCH APPRECIATED.
 I THANK YOU IN ADVANCE
         Val

Answer -
Hi Val,

Good for you for being motivated to get yourself working out again and very good for you for wanting to get results this time. Now that you've seen what ineffective programs can accomplish...

The best advice to give you is to get a trainer this time.  Its worth the money so that you get set up correctly.  You may not need a trainer continuously, maybe a few times to get you going then every few months to redo your workout program.  There's no way I can begin to tell you what to do and what not to do in this space.  I have online clients I coach via email that takes an hour each week to work with on all the details. If you need recommendations for trainers in your area, go to:
-- acefitness.org
-- ideafit.com
You can get healthy and get physically "enhanced" for all the hard work - just gotta be doing the right stuff. It's not too hard at all to do that.
Hope this helps.  Let me know how you make out with your progress, okay?

Follow Up:
    Not really a question, but more of a thank you for your speedy response.  I am really serious, and hope to see some results this time 'round.  I think I am ready to work even harder this time because of how I didn't see results last time and was beginning to think "why bother".  I just need to work myself harder and once I see the slightest bit of change, I'm sure it'll motivate me to keep at it!  Thanks again.
         Val

Answer
Hey Val,

Thanks for your note.  You may find out you don't even have to work out that much harder than you have been.  Maybe it's just working out smarter by getting more out of the workout you do, making every repetition count, being sure your form is optimal, concentrating and focusing on the task at hand, getting appropriate rest/recovery, slight modifications in diet...
You're on your way lady...