Seize the Day

Name: Gary Anderson
Age: 47
Occupation: Personal Trainer and Fitness Coach
Status: Married with 2 kids; 1 boy, 1 girl
Credentials: CPT, NCCA-accredited certification, masters in exercise physiology, 21 years of experience


In the wise words of the Governator, “To be successful, you must dedicate yourself 100% to your training, diet and mental approach.” Mr. Schwarzenegger did not get to where he is today, physically as well as professionally, by just sitting around and waiting for things to happen to him. If you want something, you have to go out there and grab it by the horns. You have to seize the day. That’s how I live my life, and I try to get others live their lives that way too when they’re training with me.  First off, just to clear things up, you probably think I’m a muscle-head bodybuilder, who can’t fit through a door without turning sideways, but I’m not. I’m actually just an ivy-league graduate who takes his health extremely seriously, and works hard to maintain it. I’m closing in on 50 and in the best shape of my entire life! As a personal trainer, I often need to work around my clients schedules so there really is no “normal” day for me. However, seeing as many of my clients are working professionals, prime-time for me is either between 5am-8am, or from 5:30pm-8:30pm. Here’s how a “typical day” goes for me, modeled off of yesterday’s work day:


A 4am wake-up call is a pretty standard morning for me, and yesterday was no different. The first thing I do every morning is eat a power breakfast, usually an egg-white omelet with chopped lean steak or spinach (depending on if I am lifting weights or focusing on cardio that day), whole grain toast, and a small fruit smoothie with granola and peanut butter. After breakfast, I do some light stretching to not only loosen up my muscles, but to help with digestion. At around 4:45am I bust open a Phix stix to really get me focused and energized for my training session. I always have a Phix drink prepared for my clients (if they want it, of course) to drink before, as well as during their workout to maximize their energy and mental focus without ever sacrificing their health, which is most important. A typical training session usually lasts about an hour or so (depending on the person), then I rotate in the next client. Yesterday, I had a 1-hour appointment at 5am, and a 6:30am, 1.5 hour time slot filled. Of course I do not work out full force with every client, but rather guide, motivate, and ensure safety and proper form while providing an efficient regimen. 


Wow time went fast, its 8:00am and my next client isn’t until 2—a 36 year old woman requesting training in yoga and core exercises.  Better not eat too much before that one! Food can wait, time to go give the kids a kiss goodbye before they head off to school. Now, assuming I have no appointments scheduled after the morning rush, (which I did not yesterday) I go for a long walk with my wife—usually about an hour. You’d be surprised how good walking is for you! Now that the juices are flowing, I do a light workout myself—I’m feeling back, biceps, and shoulders today. After my 2pm, I do a little house work, and start preparing lunch for the kids who will be home any minute. All white-meat dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets with ketchup; a fan favorite. After lunch, it’s time to head to the backyard to play some catch with the kids. The funny thing about my daily ritual is that my kids always find a way to tire me out more than anything else I did that day! It’s 5:15pm now and I have a 5:30pm appointment on the way which means time for Phix numero dos. 


Ahhhh, I feel mentally and physically rejuvenated! I finished up my final two appointments and finally it was time to just relax. I kicked back on the couch with the family, ordered some sushi for everyone, and threw in a classic; toy story! That movie never gets old no matter how many times little Joey makes us all watch it. (Secretly, it’s my choice but I tell people my young son makes me watch it, shhh don’t tell!) Now it’s time for bed, and although yesterday was pretty much the same as every other day, man, it was such a great day--can’t wait to do it again tomorrow! 


Carpe Diem,
Gary