The Fastest Way to Fall(11)
“Well, damn. Look at you changing the world, girl.” RJ sipped her water. “I think that’s awesome, and you know what else?” She leaned in, lowering her voice, and I mirrored her body language.
“What?”
Her fingers darted between us, and she snatched another onion ring off my plate, popping it into her mouth and then holding up her hands in mock surrender. “I don’t want you to feel alone.”
“Next time, I’m calling Kat,” I said.
“Psh! Good luck. You could try Del, and he’d eat more off your plate than I would while reminding you he’s a poor graduate student. You’re stuck with me.” RJ returned to her salad. “So, you’re working with a trainer?”
“Yeah. He seems like a cool guy.”
I’d had a clear picture of the person who did that job, and it was someone between my high school gym teacher and the nurse at my doctor’s office who clucked her tongue every time I stepped on the scale. He’d been nice, though.
“To baselines, then.” RJ raised her glass of ice water.
I raised my Diet Coke. “Cheers!”
8
I SAT BACK at my desk, closing the emails from Aaron about the program they’d planned, and fiddling with a pen. I’d been reading, researching, and jotting down ideas for over an hour, and FitMi pitching in where the program needed help looked doable. I asked Pearl to set something up with Cord before clicking over to the coaching portal, scrolling through the message thread with B from the day before, and replying to a question from my other client. Cord had been right; even a week into working with clients again, I felt like I had a better hold on things. There was something else, too. The teacher, Sam, was nice enough, but I laughed when I read B’s emails. I laughed a lot.
From: Bmoney34
To: FitMiCoachWes1
Sent: February 7, 9:22 a.m.
Coach Wes,
I updated my food journal for the week. You got the full truth on what I ate. What should I do while you read it and judge me?
B
P.S.—What does a FitMi coach wear to work? Do you dress like a gym teacher? This has been on my mind.
From: FitMiCoachWes1
To: Bmoney34
Sent: February 7, 1:16 p.m.
B,
I’m not judging you. I never would. This is all about making an informed plan. There’s no one size that fits all with nutrition and exercise. What trends did you notice? Did anything surprise you?
Here’s a couple potential changes based on how you reported feeling.
Based on your journal and your goals, you seem to want food and nutrition that helps you build more balanced meals. I curated some recipes and food suggestions for you to check out. You can access them here.
Keep healthy snacks around. A protein bar or a handful of almonds in your desk is more convenient than the trip to the vending machine to get M&M’s. Here’s a link to a resource we have on healthy and convenient snacking.
On that subject, peanut butter M&M’s seem to be a go-to snack? C’mon . . . if you’re going to go sweet, pick a better candy. Have you never had a Kit Kat?
What about exercise? How did it feel? I sent you some ways to get started. Keep track again this week—we’ll check in and see how you’re doing.
Wes
P.S. How does a gym teacher dress, and why has this been on your mind?
From: Bmoney34
To: FitMiCoachWes1
Sent: February 7, 6:38 p.m.
Coach Wes,
I’m picturing tube socks, polyester shorts, and a whistle around your neck. Close? I was worried you’d be a clone of my high school gym teacher. I’m just trying to put an image with your horrible taste in candy. Kit Kat? I thought you said you went to college—didn’t they teach you anything?
To your question, aside from walking to the curb to meet my Lyft or rushing for the train, I didn’t do much exercising this week. Did I fail my assignment?
B
P.S. Can coffee count as water? I’ll give you my firstborn child if you don’t make me give up coffee.
From: FitMiCoachWes1
To: Bmoney34
Sent: February 7, 6:45 p.m.
B,
You didn’t fail. It’s a process, and you won’t get everything right on the first try—don’t expect yourself to. Also, there is no one right way. Let me help you find a plan where you can stay motivated. What kind of exercise do you enjoy? You mentioned the dance class, which is excellent. Do you want to do that more? In the meantime, I want you to try at least three of the everyday suggestions (taking the stairs, getting up from your desk, etc.) for the next few days and one cardio option.
I won’t make you give up anything, but here’s some information we have on caffeine consumption if you’re interested.
Wes
P.S. I don’t own tube socks, but P.E. was my favorite subject in school.
Pearl popped her head into my open door. “Mason’s here. You have a few minutes?”
“Sure.”
“C’mon,” Pearl said, motioning to Mason.