Workout Secret that works for me...by Ryan Leopold

Over the years I have tried all kinds of work out strategies...seriously, everything you can think of around Kirkland and Bellevue:

I have done:

• P90X (these guys must make a ton of money considering how many people have this program)
• Cross Fit
• X-Gym
• Boot Camps
• 24-Hour Fitness
• Bellevue Club
• Gold's Gym
• Working out with friends

All of these options have been great but they never really fit my needs or stuck for the long term.  I did the P90X challenge with a group of friends and that was awesome but I did not stick with it after the 90-days.  Boot Camps and Cross Fit were effective and tough workout's but I had 3-significant issues:  (1)  A lot of the workout's hurt my back so I felt weak when I would skip those exercises,  (2) the work outs were random and they are meant for the masses, not individual needs and (3) I was not accountable to go so if I was too tired in the morning, I would simply skip with no penalty.  

I think I finally I have the perfect fit.  I hired a personal trainer at Columbia Athletic Club in Kirkland.  I LOVE having a trainer because we can set workouts based on exactly what I am trying to accomplish.  When it comes to lifting, I like to work on strength and toning with a lot of core work!  I want to continue to work on everything that would help my golf game; so along with core work I have my trainer, Travis Marsh, stretch me out to loosen my nagging back.  

Here is my secret-  Hiring a trainer is expensive, but the up side is he keeps me accountable, so if I skip a workout I have to pay regardless AND he pushes me to work a lot harder than I would on my own.  Plus, I use my pre-paid, tax free, HSA insurance card.  I put like $400 of my own funds into this every month from my pay check and my company puts in another $200.  Sequoia and I rarely go to the doctor so there is quite a bit of money in there.  I simply use that to pay my monthly dues and trainer fees.  NOW...I really do not know if this is the right way to use the card but come on...preventative medicine!!!!  Right???

I really wanted to do yoga today but again, still sick in bed with the FLU.  If I feel better I will get my yoga class done on Monday at Columbia.  I will try HOT YOGA soon.  Never done that before.

For breakfast I had eggs with veggies and some fruit.  I went to the juice guy around 11:00 and got a veggie drink with a shot of wheat grass.  I had a sandwich for lunch along with some cucumbers.  Dinner was shrimp stir fry with wild rice.

Out until tomorrow...GO HAWKS!