Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Adjust circumstances for your fitness needs

Take a look at the picture.  That's me in the front on the bike leg of a triathlon.   Notice how upright I'm sitting compared to the person behind me?  My position is different than what you normally see on a road bike in a triathlon.  My handlebars are higher than most people would adjust them.


There's a reason why I have them high.  It's the only way I can manage the pain from scoliosis as I ride my bike.  Getting lower, just thinking about it, causes tremendous pain through my spine and neck due to the curvature.  So I adjust and continue to ride.

My chiropractor told me he doesn't know how I ride.  There has to be so much pain.  Well it's no secret. This is how.  There's still some pain but it's manageable.  This is how I'm able to reach my goals.  I adjust as needed & move on.  

When the bike shop fitted me they tried to get me to lower them.  I said no.  I know it's not as aerodynamic & to other triathletes it might seem weird but I don't care.  It's the way I have to do it. 

I've been in a lot of triathlons.  I think around 30, and I've done them all like this.  The last two I won first in my age group, even sitting upright!

Here's my point because I do have one.  Find what works.  Make adjustments to your circumstances.  Get fit.  Have fun with it.  Don't let anything stand in your way to reach your goals! -- written by Emily Collins, Owner OnTrack Fitness, triathlete & marathon runner

Monday, December 1, 2014

You can change

Years ago a friend, who's dad was a psychiatrist, told me people don't change and don't expect them to.  She told me that her father gave her that little tidbit.

That made an impact on me.  I still think about that conversation.  It made me sad to think her father, who had dedicated his life to helping people work through problems and make changes in their life, believed so little in them.  He certainly didn't mind taking their money.  Even sadder, he passed that along to his daughter.

I didn't believe it at the time and I don't believe it now. 
I couldn't find a picture to go with the subject.
So this is one of my husband in a triathlon.
Enjoy!


Of course people can change!  It happens all the time.  I witness it all the time in my fitness training. It's not always easy but it's doable and it's done every day by regular people just like you. 

If you want to make a healthy lifestyle change, believe you can do it because you can!  

Act like the person who is already fit, already healthy, already someone who eats well and cares about healthy nutrition.  

Believe it, act like you're there, work toward it with specific goals and don't let set backs stop you.  You will get there, I believe in you! - written by Emily Collins, owner of OnTrack Fitness