By Dustin McRae (Special to the Morning News)
My name is Dustin McRae and I am a trainer in the Biggest Loser competition at the McLeod Health and Fitness Center. As the youngest trainer in the competition, I am honored to be a part of this great group of trainers and contestants. Although I am fairly new to training, I am not new to exercising. I personally hope to bring a new perspective to the competition and give the contestants in my group, not only a possible win, but a lifestyle change that can be taken even after the Biggest Loser is over.
My personal perspective on fitness is shaped by the fact that I was overweight at one time. I played sports all of my life and even into college for a year before I finally burned out and decided that I was done. Although I had lived an active lifestyle before I stopped playing sports, after I stopped my life became very sedentary. I had to make my way back to a healthy weight, and I believe the journey back to a healthy weight made me appreciate the hard work I had done to get there. I also learned that becoming healthier has many different paths. There is not one way to achieve a healthy lifestyle. My workouts reflect this knowledge. They fit everyone, but can also be changed if a contestant is not seeing the results that they are hoping for. I feel like I can personally connect with many of the contestants in this competition, and because of that I am going to push them to their limits and help them realize there is no ceiling on their success.
My new perspective can be seen in my work-out. I start with a 20 minute interval run incorporating varying inclines which helps you burn more calories, build muscle and break a sweat. Intervals are more beneficial because they help keep your body surprised more than flat rate running. After 20 minutes, go into a circuit during which you will start out steady and push yourself more with each rotation. During the work-out, it’s important that you listen to your body, but you also want to challenge yourself to do more. This is a workout that you should change-up. You can alter the order of the stations or substitute cans or bags of books to do the work-out at home.
I have come to learn that if something comes easy it is hard to appreciate the value of it. Health and fitness is a long journey that does not come easy. I know that sounds discouraging so let me clarify. It is a long, WORTHWHILE, journey. Because of the struggles and the sweat and tears, you will be less likely to turn from the new habits you worked so hard for. I want to wish all the contestants good luck in this competition and everyone in Florence who is on a personal journey towards a healthier lifestyle. I hope that you appreciate the sacrifice that you make to become healthy, because that sacrifice becomes a blessing.
Dustin McRae is a student at Francis Marion University where he is studying Psychology. His fitness motto is nothing worth having comes easy and nothing that comes easy is worth having.
Read the full story and watch a demonstration video at SCNOW.com!