Hi Everyone..Just HAD to post this one..Another side of an this M'Ster.Went to the gym today..and there I was minding my own business, plugging along as I do 5 mornings a week..going at my OWN pace..and I was interrupted by one of the gym "Staff trainers" Her "question" to me was.."What was that, that you were doing on the ab machine, right in front of several other women working out? Now people..my daughter is also personal trainer and she knows what I'm doing and works with me when she can. This staff trainer also knows I have MS and have had four surgeries..one for a broken neck so gimme a break lady! 
First of all, this was established when I joined the gym and that I often have "limitations" some of which are permanent, plus, I do know my own body. Besides, everyone's is different anyway..common sense! 
This also has not been an issue to me..because I do go at my own speed and strength. In any event, she was extremely critical of my "SHORT" (very hard mind you) crunches on the ab machine as opposed to "full range" of motion. My breathing was right, my form was perfect, and it felt pretty darn good. I told her it was the degree in which I can do the reps without too much pain, and I was not only shown in therapy..but that my daughter had surpervised me last month to make sure I was doing everything within my ability without hurting myself. Her comment was "this is'nt rehab!
My daughter sometimes trains the disabled, so I value her knowledge. She also trains doctors too. 
This trainer insisted that I get on another machine (lower back) in order to strengthen my lower abs. I wasnt working on them anyway..but I did'nt want to step on her toes because I just started there three weeks ago..so I foolishly relented. This was one of the machines that hurt me before, so my daughter told me NOT to do it. (I still have two slipped discs in my lower back (L-4 and L-5) and I am trying to avoid having yet another surgery..for obvious reasons. I reminded her of my "conditions" but she insisted that I was WRONG and that I should be doing what she said. So, rather than second guess myself, I let it go. When I got home I called my daughter..and explained what I had happend and she said she was dead wrong, not to mention downright rude....yadayadayada!!! So now, at this moment, I have an icepack on my lower back, thank you "missie know-it-all" 
Knowing that my daughter is a personal trainer..she obvously is a bit intimidated...by the knowledge that I did have, because of it. Yet with her "horns" showing. So everyone..my daughter is taking time off tomorrow and going to the gym with me to help me with tomorrows session. Lets just see what this brings! I don't think the "other" trainer wants to step on my daughters toes or try to push her buttons like she did mine when she insisted that I use those two machines that I should not have been on in the first place. My daughter Jenn also works with several doctors from 2 hospitals and two chiropractors that refer their patients to her for her training sessions "AFTER" they are dismissed from their therapies. She has many certifications in different areas and is well versed on much more than the average personal trainer. She returns to school every year, to stay informed with as much as she possibly can and to keep up with her many certifications. She has an immense respect for people and has built up an incredible reputation that preceeds her. She also teaches several classes in other areas. So tomorrow,we shall see. Again..some people just don't get it do they? MAYBE BECAUSE I STILL DON'T LOOK SICK!!! BE WELL EVERYONE..
