Living La Vida Gorda: My Fitness (or Lack of) in San Pedro, Belize

So a month or so ago, I told you that I was going to get back into shape.  I’ve dragged my bloated feet for too long now.  Time to do it.  Here we go.  No gruesome “Before” pictures that I promised…but some sort of beginning.  I’m going to post my weight on the right column of this blog.  Not to shock and awe you.  But to get myself on track.  Shame, for me, is a fantastic motivator.

I’m not going to lie to you. I was never really a giant fan of a proper gym (we have two in San Pedro and I have been a short lived member of both).  I am not a great self motivator when it comes to exercise.  Even if I can force myself to go, I will usually put in a pretty half-assed effort.  I generally walk on the treadmill looking around to see what everyone else is doing.

But when I got on the scale a few months ago, I knew it was time.  Sure I could feel my shorts getting snugger and snugger.  Sure many Belizean said “Gial, you look thick!”  But the actual number on the scale was quite shocking.  I WILL NOT go up to a size 8.   155 pounds!  I’ve never weighed so much.  A full 16 lbs heavier than last summer when I went religiously to the best personal trainer I’ve ever had.

Who would have thought that trainer was a San Pedrano in his early twenties?  Definitely not me.  Meet Juan Alamilla.

Time to head back to this little purple studio deep in the heart of the DFC area.  Tricky to get to the first time, but you’ll get used to it.

Juan is a Certified Personal Trainer with  the NPTI (National Personal Training Institute)…meaning that he has real qualifications.  500 hours of classroom and hands on training in weight loss, muscle building, toning, and nutrition.  He knows what he is talking about.  He froze his butt off in Minnesota (of all places) for a year training for this certification.

Here I am waiting in the studio.

He has the basics.  Dumb bells, a treadmill and stationary bike, fitness balls, mats and stretchy bands.  More than enough for many hours of torture.  He mixes it up depending on what you want to achieve and works with men & women of all ages.  Each session is different and that may be my favorite part of it all.

He’s also quite patient.  He has to be.  I’m quite sure he hasn’t met a crankier client than me…one who is constantly peppering him with complaints and excuses.

Train alone or with a friend, train at home or in the studio…the stuff actually works.  And, to me, is VERY reasonably priced.  Before I left NYC, I went to a trainer for a few months and it was $100usd an hour.  This is a small fraction of that cost.  Juan is a busy guy with a very full schedule.  Email me if you need more info.

He has promised me 8-10 pounds by Christmas.  And, obviously, my eating and drinking habits have something to do with this.  Just working out HARD four to five times a week is not going to get this done.  So far, so good.  It’s only been 4 days but I’m doing much better.  Working out like this in the morning makes you think twice before you scarf down that big bag of Cheetos.

I promise, you won’t be getting daily updates on my every meal or work-out.  No “I’m feeling low energy today” crap.  But you are going to have to hear about it once in a while.  Bear with me…it will keep me motivated.  And if you see me limping on the beach or if I say “no” when you offer to buy me a drink, you’ll know why. This stuff ain’t easy.  (Just kidding about the free drink part…one beer can’t hurt!)

Again, wish me luck.  My size 4 wardrobe waits patiently for me.

And feel free to join me.  Training with another person is so much better.

Stats:  Weight:  154lbs  Height:  5’10”  Age:  38   BMI:  22.1 (Normal)