STARS: Choosing a Workout Instructor/Trainer

This is to continue on last week's post.

We now want to focus on the person or persons that can help you reach your summertime goals, as well as the remainder of the year. Often this is an instructor or a trainer.  Often they are one in the same but the process is similar.

Find out what style of teaching you like and the intensity level you want. If it's HIIT or body pump/RIP, then go with someone that specializes there for example. Try out some classes, go off of recommendations and reviews, see results.

Also, see the instructor's style. How hard do they drive the class? Do they greet you and notice they are there? How is the music selection? Everyone learns differently, and often you need to see for yourself.

Next, see how flexible your schedule/wallet is with the instructor/trainer. This is often the most difficult process. There are several classes and trainers I want to work with, but scheduling conflicts interfere.

Finally, see who you are getting the best results from after about two months and you may have an instructor that can take you to greater heights.

Instructors can be the greatest people in our fitness journey or the worst.  Obviously one would want the former.

STARS: Revamping Your Workout Plan/Regime

I am currently in this process as I fine tune for summer.

Your workouts may be stagnant or nonexistent so here's how you can breathe some life back into them.

First off, keep doing what works. This includes days, location, hours, certain workouts.

Next, add in extra sessions and workouts where necessary to shock the body and routine up some.

Look at your work and social schedule and see where it would be best to work out and get up. If you are devoted to movie and taco night, then you will have to readjust.

Keep a journal of your weigh ins (weekly), food consumed, and your actual workout sessions.

Finally, get help from a trainer and class, even virtual.  There are so many great ones out there you would have to do your research to see what works best for your body type, schedule and regimen.  Perhaps that can be next week's STAR format.

Good luck, you can do it!

STARS: Closing a Controversial Social Media Post

You have just posted something to social media that has stirred the pot and has a lot of people's emotions on 10. You could just delete it but you really believe in what you posted. The timing or wording just might not have been proper.

First, make sure everyone stays on topic and there is no bashing.  After about the 30th comment, it gets more notice in the algorithm, allowing almost 3 times as many folks to see it.

You then have a mediator or two that has your back and can make trolls and keyboard warriors go away. I call these conversation closers.

Next, delete the comments that are irrelevant, ridiculous and disrespectful. The same goes with the people. Some should be hidden, others deleted, the rest blocked. One thing about posts like this is you discovered who shouldn't be allowed to troll your postings.

After this, the post tends to die down and you have made your point. Continue posting what you believe and filter out the folk that just wanna be difficult.