Do you lead with your heart and emotions, or are you practical? There is a rhythm to knowing how to choose.
Wisdom and the ability to communicate well came to me later in life. I used to think that I could make decisions quickly and be satisfied with the outcome. I am a practical person who loves nature; a bit of an overachiever and gets things done before taking care of others.
I grew up in a house where meaningful discussions didn’t happen. My parents separated when I was ten. My father had a temper and yelled… A LOT! There wasn’t much room for conversation. I never had the chance to sit down and talk to him as an adult because there was always tension. Moments alone were non-existent. When he remarried, there was even less time to get to know my father, or share my feelings with him or understand what made him tick. But by being around him when I was so young, I learned to explode. I learned by example and made some of the same mistakes about expressing myself as he did. Mom raised us alone and was too busy trying to survive. She too was angry. It wasn’t until I started to work for myself as a fitness trainer for seniors that I learned to be a better communicator. By that time, I was in my late forties.
Planning for longevity takes a conversation and response from the client. I ask poignant questions, delving into aspects such as temperament, health history and motivation to exercise. To progress in fitness training, understanding the client’s motivation is crucial. Asking specific questions helps extract the information I need before committing. Clients find this approach refreshing, as it diverges from the norm, leading to positive and open communication.
Since it is February and Hallmark has designated this to be a month to celebrate the heart, relationships and love, I wanted to do so as well. My heart goes out to my senior clients who work endless hours improving their health and fitness. Whether they have arthritis, heart disease, recovering from an injury, surgery or challenged by a condition that affects their brain and body, I want to give a shout out to them and their families for having the courage to fight the fight.
If you want to start a fitness program in your home with the trainer who is right for you: educated and sensitive to your needs, so you can remain, limber, improve your balance, strength and enhance recovery before or after surgery, contact us. We can do an assessment which includes a partial session. Our FAQ page aka Questions and Answers can be useful. Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn or get some greats tips on our website at LoriMichielFitness.com. You can also email us or call us at 818-620-1442 for a consultation. All the best! – Lori