Second opinions

Second opinions matter

Even though I have my own in-home Personal Training business I still continue to work at one of the best “medically” structured gyms in the state. And because of my position there I see dozens of members daily and many share with me their stories of dismay.

I meet people whose Physical Therapy was cut off too soon and they never questioned why. Or others that were told nothing further could be done for them and they would just have to live it. We, as a society, for the most part, have forgotten that we are empowered to take ownership over our health and quality of life.

But sad as it is I meet TOO many that just accepted what they were told. I see this more with the older population who grew up with the belief that doctors were the experts and the final say on care.

Let me share some personal stories of clients that were told nothing else could be done and then they were lucky enough to see me.

1) One client just went through breast cancer surgery and was given the drug Tamoxin. It is given as preventative maintenance for 5 years after breast cancer surgery. Standard protocol. My client was told that the Charlie horses that were keeping her up every night and I mean every night would be something that she had to live with – it was a known side effect. After three sessions with me she sleeps through every night and is still on the medication. I have given back her life when others said deal with it. All she needed was the proper massage to fix her. She was looking at 5 years of this. I fixed her in three hours.
2) My stroke victim client has her right side paralyzed from a stroke 11 years ago. She was told she would never walk, talk, or move again. Guess what after 4 months with me she talks, walks, and is fast becoming a survivor. Our sessions end in tears of joy with every little progress.
3) Or my client that was told nothing could be done about their skin infections that crippled their legs every month or two. After the proper exercise regiment and a simple application of Vaseline to their legs they have been pain and symptom free for 2 months now. He has lived with this condition HIS WHOLE LIFE! Not so anymore.

I consider myself more educated then most Personal Trainers. I have skills in massage, chiropractic and holistic healing but the fact that I hope I have driven home here is you need to get second opinions (one pro and one con). They only believe the con if you fail at your resolve to get better. I have only taken three clients of mine but I have dozens of stories that all ring the same bell. I fixed them when another professional said they couldn’t. If they never met that second opinion (ME) they would still be in the crippled states. So many clients have come to me with years of trying to battle weight gain and after a month or two with me they see 30-50 pounds off their bodies (and it STAYS off). I gave them hope and never ever said there was nothing else I could do for them. I do not believe in failure – period. There is ALWAYS a way folks. Always!

Please take a hard look at any condition that some professional told you to live with and see if just maybe there is hope with asking the same questions again with someone else.
Please NEVER EVER give up hope.

As always - I am available for personal training either in person (if in NJ) or over the web. If you feel you have stalled in your pursuit of fitness and need some expert knowledge to get you on track reach out to me.

Regards,

Eddie Camaroto CPT

Perfect You LLC

Working out while Pregnant

Working out while pregnant

For most woman that are into fitness there is going to come a time when you will be pregnant and want to continue your fitness. You CAN still workout but the WAY you workout and the intensity of your workouts will change drastically.

I put this article in with the series of working out with another rather then special population type workouts because the theme this month was working out with another. And – well – a baby is another.

Here are the guidelines for pregnant woman to workout based on the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 2002.

1) Any exercise goals must be discussed with your physician. Everyone woman is different and only your doctor knows you best.
2) If you have not been doing a vigorous workout before your became pregnant now IS NOT the time to start one. Keep up with your normal exercise regiment.
3) Gradually reduce the intensity, duration, and frequency of exercise during the second and third trimesters.
4) Avoid exercise when the temperature or humidity is high.
5) Try to run or walk on flat, even surfaces
6) Always wear supportive shoes while exercising.
7) During the second and third trimesters try other forms of aerobic exercises like swimming, bicycling, or even running in water.
8) Do not do any exercises that require lying down after the first trimester. Modify existing exercises to do standing up if possible. Utilize machines if possible.
9) Extend your warm-up and cool-down periods.
10) Never let your body temperature exceed 100 degrees.
11) Reduce your intensity and monitor it by never letting yourself get to a state of a pounding heart, breathlessness, or dizziness.
12) Eat a small snack before exercise to help avoid hypoglycemia.
13) Drink plenty of water before, during, and after exercise. Roughly one ounce (one filled mouthful) every 15 minutes.
14) Avoid overstretching or going beyond normal range of motion.
15) If you experience any unusual physical changes such as vaginal bleeding, severe fatigue, joint pain, or irregular heart beats see your doctor immediately!

There are many other restrictions that one needs to follow as well such as watching that your heart rate does not exceed a certain limit. Please reach out to your doctor for a full script to follow.

Training a pregnant woman is a very rewarding experience that I have been lucky to do quite a bit of times. As a Personal Trainer you are making two healthy at the same time.

As always - I am available for personal training either in person (if in NJ) or over the web. If you feel you have stalled in your pursuit of fitness and need some expert knowledge to get you on track reach out to me.

Regards,

Eddie Camaroto CPT

Perfect You LLC