So I hired a personal trainer....

@Valarie good to know both you and your FW are personal trainers! Now I know who to come to when I have questions. Thank you!

I've been thinking about hiring one, but hesitating because try to pay off wedding stuff. So I say get it girl.

@Valarie, you messed up now telling me your a trainer, girl I got questions. Can I send you a message?

I received a few months of personal training as a Christmas gift right when I was starting out working out and it was one of the best things I've ever done. I was always an "athlete" but there's a big difference between being athletic and knowing how to set up an exercise routine that hits all the elements of fitness and that you can stick to. It's been about 7 years since I did personal training, and I still have the workouts my trainer created for me written down and will incorporate them into my workout routine occasionally. She didn't just help me get in shape, she helped me build a sense of what it means to be physically fit and how to be comfortable at a gym.

Just be honest with your trainer. If you don't like a certain move or don't think you'd ever do 30 minutes on an elliptical, tell him or her! They need to know your preferences and what you're comfortable with.

I think that is a totally fabulous idea, and really, it's an investment in your health way beyond your wedding. My ladies that I married at the Empire State Building are trainers with a gym in anchorage, and I really enjoy keeping track of them on FB.

If you don't like something or it hurts, let the trainer know; you're not going to want to go if you're in pain all the time.

Valarie, maybe you should start a 'Bridal boot camp' blog, if you haven't already.....

@Valerie, I should get my son on here to talk to you...he's going through the personal trainer program in college right now and one of his last classes (exercise physiology) is stressing the hell out of him. Just got give you and all the certified personal trainers a huge shout out...Wow, the things you gotta learn(I've been helping him study, and it's been a few years since college for me..lol).

Hiring a trainer was one of the best decisions I have ever made! She wasn't the best and she was pricey but she did help me lose the weight and also find my passion in personal training! I became certified shortly after ending my sessions with her and although my Finance degree steered me away from that career path I found it to be hugely beneficial!

Now I get my future-Olympian sister to create plans for me though no one is more dedicated then that girl!!

I love the idea. I am in New England and we have been having a lot of snow days. It stinks because your stuck inside eating. I have planned on March to do a fitness trainer or go to a gym that has good classes. Good luck girl. I only have 3 months to go

I was a personal trainer (and a damn good one, if I may say). Did you hire one through a gym? Or separately?

I've been looking for one that I can recommend to my couples. I went to at least four gyms here and no one is bright enough to market it.

@Mrs. A&J I hired her through the gym that I go to. My friend recommended her and so far I love working with her. I've only done 2 sessions and can feel the work that I'm doing.

I just got one about 2 weeks ago so far I've lost 7 lbs (2-3 under her guidance: 3 sessions, and the other 4 when i started going to the gym alone before buying session). I'm seeing her 2x/week.

@Valerie or Mrs. A & J can I direct message one of you to pick your brains?

Good luck! I think hiring a personal trainer will definitely be more motivating since someone is pushing you to acheive you goals rather than doing it on your own (not that you CAN'T do it on your own)

I joined a gym awhile back thinking I could do it on my own, and of course as always I have fallen off the wagon

I wish I could afford a personal trainer, then maybe I would get motivated - I am definitely running out of time to get my ass into gear! It's so hard with working/wedding related stuff/life to find the time - It's just so much easier to put off them gym and eat instead lol

@Valarie... I didn't know you are a pro! How did I miss that???

I started going to a trainer a couple of weeks ago. I've only got a few more sessions left with her, and I'm scared of my ability to continue after our sessions are up. They've been pretty loose as it is, and I know I won't have it in me to follow up and continue when they're done. None of my friends, or FH for that matter, is at all interested in fitness, so I'm totally on my own.

I hired a trainer in November. I go twice a week for personal training and twice a week for bootcamp. The first few months I lost no weight but my body was obviously slimming down. Now I'm down 17 pounds and hoping to lose 10 to 12 more before my first fitting on March 14 th. I have a real love hate relationship with this guy. I love how my body is changing but when I'm working out (& the day after) I hate him. Lol

Kemmie, direct connect and send me an email for you. I'm always on the app, so I rarely check the connect! I've done both, train through a gym and as self employed, so I can give you tips on how to make the most of your gym trainer I hope your trainer has better management at their gym than I did!

I have started working with a personal trainer. To save money, I do 45 minute sessions twice a week and buy in a "bulk" pack, which gets me my 12th session free. She definitely pushes me to do things I would never do on my own, which is great. Though I have only lost a few pounds, I have gone down a pant size, so I know all this work is paying off. I hope to loose 20 lbs before my wedding, which I think I can do if I keep the momentum going.

@ Mrs A & J we're both private so I dunno how to connect but I'll shamelessly post my email here *************@*******.***

Valarie, I don't judge a trainer by their weight. My trainer is awesome and kicks my butt in the gym. She is also a black belt in karate and teaches karate. But she isn't a stick figure either.

Yeah, I know that people are judgmental that way. But it really doesn't necessarily translate into whether or not that person is a good trainer. It takes a lot of knowledge and people skills, which just because you are skinny, doesn't mean you have.

My trainer and her SO have their own karate studio, which is where I train with her. I totally get wanting your own space. It is really nice getting to go to a private studio rather than a big gym and wait to share equipment with others.