On Friday 2/5/10 I made my usual afternoon stop at the post office, and as usual I sorted through my mail next to the recycle bin in order to quickly dispose of all the junk mail I get. As I was sorting I came across an envelope that had my name and address typed, but no return address. It seemed odd, but I opened it. Inside was a folded piece of printing paper with a $50 Mobil gift card tucked inside. I couldn't believe it. I looked over the envelope to see where it was post marked, looked inside it, and on each side of the paper it was tucked in for some sort of note......nothing!
I walked back to my truck smiling, and being thankful, but also feeling guilty. I thought to myself, why haven't I done something like this before. How hard would it be? Not that I've never done anything nice for anyone, but what this person did, without even giving me a way to thank them, was truly kind!
To conclude this blog, I challenge you, as well as myself to perform some act of random kindness each day for someone whether you know them or not. Holding a door open, carrying someone's groceries, pushing a random person's car out of the snow, shoveling an elderly persons front step, or mailing a gift card without a way for them to thank you. Imagine what the world would be like if everyone did this at least one time per day.
Whomever sent me the gift card, if you're out there, I thank you!
Sincerely,
Scott Fleurant
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
A dog does not bark at a parked car! ~ Larry Zimberg
What the quote in the title is referring to is people’s willingness to rain on others parades. Have you ever decided to try something different in your life only to be met with “Why would you want to do that”?
Drifting through life very seldom ever makes someone take notice. Do something out of the ordinary however, and there’s a lot of feedback. There’s some positive feedback, and a whole lot of negative.
I remember when I became a personal trainer; I had people telling me I was crazy. Basically telling me I would fail before I even tried. I had a good job, great benefits, and worked for a strong company. Why would I want to leave? The reason was simple; I hated it. I would rather try something that I had a passion for, and fail, then be stuck in a job I hated for the rest of my life. Fortunately I had a tremendous amount of support from my then wife. It’s been a long road, and almost gave up on it many times, but here I am, still standing, and with a pretty good business……despite the naysayers.
In April of 2000 I had the privilege of donating bone marrow to unknown recipient through the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. I don’t talk about this to many people, but I’m sharing it to make a point. I actually had people ask me why I would do that for someone I didn’t know. BECAUSE I CAN! Should it matter if I know the person? Are you kidding me? If you have the chance to help someone out, do it. It may come full circle!
Listen, if you are looking to get in the best shape of your life, further your education, try a new career path, and sacrifice a small part of yourself to help someone; weigh the positives/negatives, do your homework, seek support from those closest to you, but if you are met along the way with negativity, don’t let it deter you from accomplishing your goals……from finding your place in the sun.
Conceive it, believe it, and achieve it!
All my best,
Scott Fleurant
Drifting through life very seldom ever makes someone take notice. Do something out of the ordinary however, and there’s a lot of feedback. There’s some positive feedback, and a whole lot of negative.
I remember when I became a personal trainer; I had people telling me I was crazy. Basically telling me I would fail before I even tried. I had a good job, great benefits, and worked for a strong company. Why would I want to leave? The reason was simple; I hated it. I would rather try something that I had a passion for, and fail, then be stuck in a job I hated for the rest of my life. Fortunately I had a tremendous amount of support from my then wife. It’s been a long road, and almost gave up on it many times, but here I am, still standing, and with a pretty good business……despite the naysayers.
In April of 2000 I had the privilege of donating bone marrow to unknown recipient through the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. I don’t talk about this to many people, but I’m sharing it to make a point. I actually had people ask me why I would do that for someone I didn’t know. BECAUSE I CAN! Should it matter if I know the person? Are you kidding me? If you have the chance to help someone out, do it. It may come full circle!
Listen, if you are looking to get in the best shape of your life, further your education, try a new career path, and sacrifice a small part of yourself to help someone; weigh the positives/negatives, do your homework, seek support from those closest to you, but if you are met along the way with negativity, don’t let it deter you from accomplishing your goals……from finding your place in the sun.
Conceive it, believe it, and achieve it!
All my best,
Scott Fleurant
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Trainers fall off the wagon too....
My topic for this blog is based on my own personal experiences. With the holidays upon us, and with the many gatherings that take place this time of year, it's very easy to fall astray with our diet and exercise goals. I'm included in that group!
Growing up, I as about a skinny as you could get. My freshman football program had me listed at 5'9 120 lbs. Talk about frail! I went through the whole self esteem deal. Picked on, made fun of etc. By my junior year of high school I was full blown into bodybuilding. How big could I get, and how fast could I make it happen where my only concerns. I would lift in my dads cellar, walk over to McDonald's, and consume a Big-Mac meal, chocolate shake, 6 piece chicken nugget, and an apple pie (I did this often), doubles at lunch, sneak snacks into class, and always ate everything on my plate! I ate many healthy foods too, but I ate EVERYTHING, and a lot of it!!
Many people don't realize that the mental issues that go with losing weight, can be very similar to those trying to gain weight. I hated being skinny, and one way or another, I wasn't going to stay skinny!
This brings me to the present. Some of the habits I developed in my teen years while trying to gain weight still exist today. I usually keep them in check, but sometimes I let them get the best of me. Most of the year I have no issues maintaining healthy eating habits, and missing my workouts is never an issue anytime of year. That being said, the lulls I experience in my eating habits really limit the benefits of my exercise program. The holidays are tough for me, as is the summer. Bills Pizza, Pier Fries, and Huots haddock sandwiches find there way into my diet all to often between June and August.
I'm writing this because I'm in one of those funks right now. Writing about it may help me do something about it. I know it won't be a long term issue, but it is negatively effecting the goals I have set for my 40th birthday in April.
I'm also writing this to convey to you, that even though I'm a personal trainer, I'm not without issues. Many trainers have had weight, health, self-esteem, and injury issues. I think that's how many of us got into this field. So, if you are having these issues......talk to us. More than likely, we will understand, and may be able to relate. Remember, falling off the wagon isn't permanent. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, leave the errors in our ways behind us, and focus on the goals that lay in front of us. You can do it!
Sincerely,
Scott Fleurant ACE-CPT
E-mail: getfit14@live.com
Web: www.sacofitness.com/PTScottF.html
Web: http://beachbodycoach.com/esuite/home/scottfleurant
Growing up, I as about a skinny as you could get. My freshman football program had me listed at 5'9 120 lbs. Talk about frail! I went through the whole self esteem deal. Picked on, made fun of etc. By my junior year of high school I was full blown into bodybuilding. How big could I get, and how fast could I make it happen where my only concerns. I would lift in my dads cellar, walk over to McDonald's, and consume a Big-Mac meal, chocolate shake, 6 piece chicken nugget, and an apple pie (I did this often), doubles at lunch, sneak snacks into class, and always ate everything on my plate! I ate many healthy foods too, but I ate EVERYTHING, and a lot of it!!
Many people don't realize that the mental issues that go with losing weight, can be very similar to those trying to gain weight. I hated being skinny, and one way or another, I wasn't going to stay skinny!
This brings me to the present. Some of the habits I developed in my teen years while trying to gain weight still exist today. I usually keep them in check, but sometimes I let them get the best of me. Most of the year I have no issues maintaining healthy eating habits, and missing my workouts is never an issue anytime of year. That being said, the lulls I experience in my eating habits really limit the benefits of my exercise program. The holidays are tough for me, as is the summer. Bills Pizza, Pier Fries, and Huots haddock sandwiches find there way into my diet all to often between June and August.
I'm writing this because I'm in one of those funks right now. Writing about it may help me do something about it. I know it won't be a long term issue, but it is negatively effecting the goals I have set for my 40th birthday in April.
I'm also writing this to convey to you, that even though I'm a personal trainer, I'm not without issues. Many trainers have had weight, health, self-esteem, and injury issues. I think that's how many of us got into this field. So, if you are having these issues......talk to us. More than likely, we will understand, and may be able to relate. Remember, falling off the wagon isn't permanent. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, leave the errors in our ways behind us, and focus on the goals that lay in front of us. You can do it!
Sincerely,
Scott Fleurant ACE-CPT
E-mail: getfit14@live.com
Web: www.sacofitness.com/PTScottF.html
Web: http://beachbodycoach.com/esuite/home/scottfleurant
Monday, October 12, 2009
Pro-active, or re-active. Which are you?
So, as i was driving home from work Friday afternoon, i said to myself.......why is it that so many people wait until they have to eat healthier, and have to exercise before they actually do it?
Unfortunately, that's what many of us do. We wait until we have a health condition before making an attempt to live a healthier life. Whether it's blood pressure, blood sugar, back pain, decreased mobility, or any number of other issues.......we wait. My question is.......why?
Well, i don't have the answer, but what I do know is this: being re-active to your health has a negative impact on quality of life, can be painful, and expensive. Lost wages, and medical expenses can add up. Not being able to participate in your favorite recreational activities, i.e. golf, skiing, basketball, and many others, can be very depressing. Not that many conditions can't be improved, controlled, or negated. But, why take the chance??
I often hear, "I need to get in shape BEFORE going to the gym, or hiring a trainer". WHAT? That is not rational. It just delays an effective way to improve your health, and allows more time for the conditions related to not taking care of ourselves to set in.
Listen, being pro-active with our health is a great way to improve the quality our lives. Improved health, mobility, strength, bone density, a stronger immune system, stress relief.....the list goes on. To be able to continue the activities we love at a high level for as long as possible......there is no price you can put on that!
Sincerely,
Scott Fleurant
E-mail: getfit14@live.com
Web: http://sacofitness.com/PTScottF.html
http://teambeachbody.com/scottfleurant
Unfortunately, that's what many of us do. We wait until we have a health condition before making an attempt to live a healthier life. Whether it's blood pressure, blood sugar, back pain, decreased mobility, or any number of other issues.......we wait. My question is.......why?
Well, i don't have the answer, but what I do know is this: being re-active to your health has a negative impact on quality of life, can be painful, and expensive. Lost wages, and medical expenses can add up. Not being able to participate in your favorite recreational activities, i.e. golf, skiing, basketball, and many others, can be very depressing. Not that many conditions can't be improved, controlled, or negated. But, why take the chance??
I often hear, "I need to get in shape BEFORE going to the gym, or hiring a trainer". WHAT? That is not rational. It just delays an effective way to improve your health, and allows more time for the conditions related to not taking care of ourselves to set in.
Listen, being pro-active with our health is a great way to improve the quality our lives. Improved health, mobility, strength, bone density, a stronger immune system, stress relief.....the list goes on. To be able to continue the activities we love at a high level for as long as possible......there is no price you can put on that!
Sincerely,
Scott Fleurant
E-mail: getfit14@live.com
Web: http://sacofitness.com/PTScottF.html
http://teambeachbody.com/scottfleurant
Monday, June 29, 2009
I can't wait for my cheat day!!
This is something I hear often as a personal trainer. "I've eaten great all week, and I'm going to blow all my progress in a day or two" is another way of saying the title of this blog.
Then, come Monday there is the inevitable guilt trip, not to mention the stomach discomfort experienced during a day of two of eating anything and everything.
Why do that much damage on a weekend? You've worked to hard! Day's of work lost in a matter of 48 hours. It boggles the mind! I'm not saying not to eat foods that you like, but I think I can offer a better approach.
This is something I did when I competed in bodybuilding that worked well for me. Maybe it will work well for you. Rather than have a cheat day or weekend, why not allow for 1-3 cheat meals per week?
The benefits I found for myself were as follows:
Then, come Monday there is the inevitable guilt trip, not to mention the stomach discomfort experienced during a day of two of eating anything and everything.
Why do that much damage on a weekend? You've worked to hard! Day's of work lost in a matter of 48 hours. It boggles the mind! I'm not saying not to eat foods that you like, but I think I can offer a better approach.
This is something I did when I competed in bodybuilding that worked well for me. Maybe it will work well for you. Rather than have a cheat day or weekend, why not allow for 1-3 cheat meals per week?
The benefits I found for myself were as follows:
- By planning a few cheat meals per week I never felt deprived.
- Having those cheat meals as part of an overall plan made it so i didn't feel guilty......it was part of my plan.
- If it was a Tuesday, and i was craving something, but knew I was going out for a nice dinner with my family on Thursday it made it easier to not let the craving get the best of me.
- Rewarded......yes, rewarded. By making it from Tuesday to Thursday without succumbing to my cravings (the example above) made me feel proud of myself. What better reward than that!
Now I'm not saying go crazy with these cheat meals and completely over indulge....but to eat what you like in a portion controlled manner.
If your training/dieting for a particular event....say a wedding, simply cut down on the cheat meals from 3 down to 1 or none over the last couple of weeks.
I hope this is a help to you. It certainly was for me.
Best Wishes,
Scott Fleurant ACE-CPT
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
"I can only show you the door, your the one who has to walk through it"
The title of this blog is from the movie "The Matrix". At one point during the movie Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) says this to Neo (Keanu Reeves) to try to get him to realize that no matter how much he teaches him, and no matter what the Oracle (Gloria Foster) says to him, everything that he can and will accomplish will be by his own beliefs......his own efforts, and nothing more.
In the world of health & fitness......more specifically personal training, the personal trainers are playing the role of Morpheus while the clients are playing the role of Neo....so to speak. As a trainer, i can create programs, make assessments, help define goals, make dietary recommendations, send motivational text messages and e-mails etc. But ultimately, the power to change comes from within. Making changes to improve a persons health, performance, physique, and self confidence doesn't happen by accident. It's a belief in yourself that you can be motivated to put in the work and the time necessary to make the changes you are striving for. And, it doesn't happen over night. For most of the population, becoming unhealthy and unhappy with themselves occurred slowly over a period of years......sometimes many years. So, to think that an individual is going to make drastic changes over the course of a few weeks isn't very realistic.
It takes hard work.......consistent hard work, discipline, and perseverance for sustained period of time. I too often see members, who's intentions are good, just going through the motions, or disappearing from the club for a couple of weeks here, and a couple of weeks there. To make change it takes EFFORT! It's black and white.....there is no gray area.
Even with the aid of a personal trainer, it's still up to the client themselves to do the work necessary to achieve their goals. There are 168 hours in a week. Generally clients meet with their trainers one hour per week. Sometimes a little more, sometimes a little less. but, that still leaves 167 hours that the client has to be self reliant, and self resilient. Meeting with a trainer, and then having a beer and a pizza on the way home from the gym is not the best way to get results. Or, meeting with a trainer, and not doing a bit of exercise until the next session with the trainer... which isn't until the following week isn't going to cut it either.
Once you have defined what your goals are, ask yourself this: Am i ready to open the door?
My hope is that your ready to break the door down!
Sincerely,
Scott Fleurant
ACE-CPT
scottf@sacofitness.com
In the world of health & fitness......more specifically personal training, the personal trainers are playing the role of Morpheus while the clients are playing the role of Neo....so to speak. As a trainer, i can create programs, make assessments, help define goals, make dietary recommendations, send motivational text messages and e-mails etc. But ultimately, the power to change comes from within. Making changes to improve a persons health, performance, physique, and self confidence doesn't happen by accident. It's a belief in yourself that you can be motivated to put in the work and the time necessary to make the changes you are striving for. And, it doesn't happen over night. For most of the population, becoming unhealthy and unhappy with themselves occurred slowly over a period of years......sometimes many years. So, to think that an individual is going to make drastic changes over the course of a few weeks isn't very realistic.
It takes hard work.......consistent hard work, discipline, and perseverance for sustained period of time. I too often see members, who's intentions are good, just going through the motions, or disappearing from the club for a couple of weeks here, and a couple of weeks there. To make change it takes EFFORT! It's black and white.....there is no gray area.
Even with the aid of a personal trainer, it's still up to the client themselves to do the work necessary to achieve their goals. There are 168 hours in a week. Generally clients meet with their trainers one hour per week. Sometimes a little more, sometimes a little less. but, that still leaves 167 hours that the client has to be self reliant, and self resilient. Meeting with a trainer, and then having a beer and a pizza on the way home from the gym is not the best way to get results. Or, meeting with a trainer, and not doing a bit of exercise until the next session with the trainer... which isn't until the following week isn't going to cut it either.
Once you have defined what your goals are, ask yourself this: Am i ready to open the door?
My hope is that your ready to break the door down!
Sincerely,
Scott Fleurant
ACE-CPT
scottf@sacofitness.com
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Daniel-san, first learn BALANCE, then learn punch!!
If you have ever seen "The Karate Kid" you may remember Mr. Miyagi saying the title of this blog to Daniel-san. Well, the balance I'm referring to is not the kind of balance found in martial arts, but balance in the overall development of one's physique in order to improve performance, aesthetics, and to reduce injury.
Too many times i see people exercising in a manner that's to focused on specific muscles while others are neglected. A couple of good examples of this are the guys you see with fantastic upper body development, with legs like twigs. It's to the point they have to wear long pants on a 90 degree day. Or, the person with great pec (chest) development with little in the way of any back development........only training the muscles they see.
When setting up your program, be conscious of the balance of training your body in a manner that's 'balanced" from top to bottom, front to back, and side to side.
If the pecs are over developed in relation the traps and back, there will be a tendency for the shoulders to round forward. If the abs are trained constantly, but no attention is paid the the low back.....low back pain could be in your future. Too much force generated by well developed quads without strong hamstrings to balance that force out could be a knee injury waiting to happen.
Athletically, if all training is done in a linear (straight line) manner without anything being done side to side (laterally), if nothing is done in a rotational manner, or everything is done bi-lateral (both legs at the same time) vs uni-lateral (one leg at a time) the benefits of your training program in hope of improving your performance will be reduced.
Some body parts are not always fun to train, and some exercises are not always fun to do, but if you remember to maintain "balance" in your training program it will help give your results the "punch" you're looking for.
Sincerely,
Scott Fleurant ACE - CPT
scottf@sacofitness.com
Too many times i see people exercising in a manner that's to focused on specific muscles while others are neglected. A couple of good examples of this are the guys you see with fantastic upper body development, with legs like twigs. It's to the point they have to wear long pants on a 90 degree day. Or, the person with great pec (chest) development with little in the way of any back development........only training the muscles they see.
When setting up your program, be conscious of the balance of training your body in a manner that's 'balanced" from top to bottom, front to back, and side to side.
If the pecs are over developed in relation the traps and back, there will be a tendency for the shoulders to round forward. If the abs are trained constantly, but no attention is paid the the low back.....low back pain could be in your future. Too much force generated by well developed quads without strong hamstrings to balance that force out could be a knee injury waiting to happen.
Athletically, if all training is done in a linear (straight line) manner without anything being done side to side (laterally), if nothing is done in a rotational manner, or everything is done bi-lateral (both legs at the same time) vs uni-lateral (one leg at a time) the benefits of your training program in hope of improving your performance will be reduced.
Some body parts are not always fun to train, and some exercises are not always fun to do, but if you remember to maintain "balance" in your training program it will help give your results the "punch" you're looking for.
Sincerely,
Scott Fleurant ACE - CPT
scottf@sacofitness.com
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