personal training – Lauren Warnecke

Twenty Days of Thankful #3

Day #3: Sweats at Work

Working for a state-funded university presents some series challenges, but I always knew that I wanted a job that would allow me to wear sweatpants. My uncomfortable summers at Ravinia moving minivan seats in a sundress informed me at an early age that dressing up every day isn’t for me. It’s come in especially handy this week while I’ve been commuting from an unrealistically far distance while I dog-sit for Mom. Getting up at 4 has zero perks, but when you change from PJ pants to socially acceptable PJ pants, it’s a little easier to swallow.

Ballerina on Wheels!

So remember last week when I said I’d make a big announcement?

And then, remember how I said I was working on meeting deadlines?

Oops.

Anyway, here’s what the big hubbub is all about:

This July, I’m riding my bicycle 200 miles in 2 days in the Ride for AIDS Chicago! I’ll be slipping back into those beloved padded shorts and houghing it up to Lake Geneva and back in 2 days, and serving a great cause in the mean time.

I admit that bike commuting and I haven’t been the best of friends lately. And this I intend to change. That plus a couple hard core spin classes a week.

Here’s the thing… I can take care of the peddling part, but I need your help, too. As part of my committment I’ve pledged to raise $1000 for TPAN, the organization sponsoring The Ride. This is where you come in. Perhaps you or someone you know has been affected by HIV/AIDS, or perhaps you recognize the great need for increased advocacy efforts. Or maybe you are encouraged by a group of individuals killing themselves on bicycles for a great cause. Whatever your rationale, your contribution of any dollar amount will not go unnoticed.

If 180 people donate $5, I will surpass my goal.

Plus, I’ll throw in a postcard from Lake Geneva.

So if I’ve convinced you to give the cost of your daily latte to a great cause, just visit this here little link:

http://rideforaids.kintera.org/faf/donorreg/donorpledge.asp?ievent=1033952&supId=375704118

I look forward to keeping the lovely readers updated throughout the journey of training and riding in this experience of a lifetime!

I work out

Since starting my diet, I’ve had minimal success, waning motivation, and a bucket of Halloween candy. Even so, I’ve still managed to stay (relatively) honest on Weight Watchers and lose a couple of pounds.

Today I’m kicking it up a notch. A former student of mine is studying to be a personal trainer and he agreed to train me two days a week (the poor fool). Training someone who lacks motivation is hard. Training someone who is older than you, your former teacher, also a trainer, and lacks motivation is crazy. And, for my part, incredibly humbling.

Thanks, Alex. I hope you know what you’ve gotten yourself into…

I have to say, though, I’m really excited to have some dedicated time to me. When you spend as many hours a week in a gym as I do, it can be hard to get there again and push yourself… even with all the knowledge and resources imaginable at your fingertips. The times in my life when I’ve been able to afford a trainer were awesome, and this trial run will, I hope, motivate me to prioritize my own health and fitness as much as I do my students’. When I look back on this moment, with those pesky 15 pounds gone, I’m sure it will be worth it.

I’ll keep you posted.