Discussing Fitness, Confidence and Lifestyle Changes With my Personal Trainer
I’d like to think that I’ve dedicated the last year or so to making a positive change in my overall health and wellness.
Between working with clients and fostering pups, about a year ago, I realized that I needed help achieving and maintaining a fitness plan that worked for me. I was tired of chasing after meal plans and fitness routines that just didn’t stick, and I wanted to find a method and strategy that worked with my body and its needs, rather than against them.
So, I invested in a personal trainer - one who works with me on my food and exercise regimen, and focuses heavily on balance and achieving a lifestyle that’s actually liveable. Yes, I’ve pretty much fallen in love with her, and I figured you would too!
Today, I’ve had the honor of hosting my trainer Viktorya for a bit of a Q&A! She’s here to cover questions about lifestyle, workout attire, supplements, health and confidence and building out an exercise plan that works for you.
Are you ready? Full disclosure: you’ll probably leave this blog with a whole new set of goals and plans for yourself. We’ll call that the Viktorya effect 💁♀️
Keep reading for an open and honest Q&A with my trainer, @viktoryatrains!
Q: I want to get healthier and more confident, where do I start?
A: Start with your vision. What does a healthier and more confident “you” see in herself? What is she doing differently? How is she taking care of herself? How kind is she being to herself? I believe that doing the things that answer these questions is the best place to start. Confidence is not a destination in the distance that we arrive at; and health is not shaped like green smoothies and salads. It is how we wake up and decide to live life - and it can take practice.
So start with a little more water - or, going for a walk - or, setting a protein goal. Start with something you can see yourself doing for the rest of your life.
Q: What is the one thing that you wish more people knew?
A: I wish more people knew how simple fitness is. Just:
Prioritize the basics (in fact, master them) to build a solid foundation.
Train with progressive overload.
Keep your nutrition to two things: (1) a realistic calorie range and (2) a protein goal.
Go for some walks.
Get enough sleep.
That’s it. That’s the secret.
Q: Are supplements important? What should I start with?
A: Supplements are just what they are named for: supplementing!
Do you need them? Absolutely not. But if you didn’t eat enough protein for the day, will a protein shake help? Definitely.
I love supplements and I use them daily. I also recommend them to my clients. There is a lot of information out there and it is difficult to know what you should get (if necessary). So ask: I am working hard, but what am I still missing right now?
Am I eating enough protein? I can benefit from a quality protein powder.
Do I need a little extra energy boost before my workouts? A preworkout can help.
Am I getting enough sleep to recover? A sleep aid may help.
I HIGHLY recommend HD Muscle (@hd.muscle). Not only do they prioritize the integrity of their products, but they go out of their way to get 3rd party lab tested to ensure quality, potency, and purity. After being a customer myself for two years, I have a discount code for you to use any time! Click here and use the code: VIKTORYA.
Q: What do you think is the most common misconception when it comes to health?
A: Oof, there are a lot. I believe there is a misconception around perfectionism and health. I think it’s important for people to know that this is a LOT harder to f*ck up than you think.
Went over your calories for a bit? OK.
Skipped your workouts this one weekend? OK.
You can just.. do those things well today - for this week - and for this month.
The pro and the con of fitness is that: nothing drastic can happen in a week.
So while it may not be the most common misconception when it comes to health, it is common enough to note and I hope that whoever is reading this experiences less (or no) guilt around health and fitness while also enjoying life.
Q: How often should I workout?
A: The answer to this is different for everyone. I would say enough to maintain consistency while also prioritizing recovery. For some people it’s three days a week. For others, it’s five days. Neither is better or worse if each is performing well and feeling good. You can only make the progress that you can recover from.
If you find yourself truly suffering (feeling restricted, exhausted, devoid of energy) at any point, it’s time to reevaluate your approach to your goals.
Q: How do I find the right trainer for me?
A: Finding the right trainer can be difficult - and can take some trial and error. Referrals have always been the most successful, personally!
The right trainer listens to understand your goals - and provides the education and support so that you understand the process, too. It’s important to ask: are you learning from them? I also believe the right trainer for you is the trainer that has you leaving your workout feeling better than when you walked into it.
Q: What’s your favorite place to buy workout gear?
A: Oh, how I love Ethos (IG @ethos_co). They have such an inclusive range and the fabric is INCREDIBLE. I have 14 pairs of their leggings. (Yes, I counted)
I also appreciate Public Myth (IG @publicmyth). I have been wearing their leggings and sports bras for over 10 years. I mean the SAME pair of leggings! They still fit, no holes, no fading - and this particular brand is ethically made.
You can find and follow Viktorya at @viktoryatrains on Instagram 💕
For tips on how to keep your hair feeling it’s best during your workouts check out my blog post here.
Meet Viktorya
Viktorya is a certified personal trainer with roughly a decade of experience. She offers virtual training sessions focused on lifestyle changes rather than quick fixes to create a long term improvement in her clients’ health and wellbeing.
