Jay and Heidi Bryan

Anytime Fitness
Sequim

Bio: Jay and Heidi Bryan started Anytime Fitness of Sequim in early 2009.  Jay has over 25 years of experience in the health and fitness industry including a Master’s Degree in Human Performance from the University of Wisconsin – LaCrosse and 3 years as an Exercise Physiologist and study coordinator on the Fitness and Aging Research Project at the U.W. in Seattle in the early 90’s.  Jay also has experience in cardiac rehab, personal training, athletic coaching, and fitness management.

After becoming a physical therapy aid at South Whidbey Physical Therapy and Sports Clinic in the mid 90’s, Heidi discovered that the field of exercise was her dream career.  She then added certifications from the American Council on Exercise and the National Acedemy of Sports Medicine.  She has been a personal trainer since 1997 with a specialty in pilates, balance, and de-aging.

Question: Why is it that there always is someone in my life who will show up just as I start doing well and sabotage my efforts to lose weight? What to do?

 

Heidi’s Answer: That’s pretty common. Just because we make changes in our life it doesn’t mean that our friends and family are ready to change with us. Change is hard and keep in mind that your change actually does affect THEM. So be patient with them. Especially with important friends and for

sure with family and spouse.

 

Sit down and have a talk. Reassure them that they still are important to you, but that you might say “no” to their lunch invite to the greasy spoon diner the two of you used to frequent! Just explain and reassure that it’s nothing personal. Be sure to express your needs and goals. Once folks know how important these lifestyle changes are to you, they will understand if you give them some specific guidelines.

 

As for acquaintances and casual friends, you don’t need to be so friendly to them regarding their sabotage! You may just have to cut ’em loose if they continually are bringing you down.

Question: I am a runner and am considering a switch to “barefoot” shoes. Do you recommend these?

Jay’s Answer: Not necessarily. The jury is still out on “barefoot shoes.” It’s a bit of an oxymoron, like “jumbo shrimp” or “race walking,” yes? According to the companies that make these “barefoot shoes,” also known as “toe shoes” or “five fingers,” slipping on a pair of these non-shoes will strengthen your feet and lower legs, boost your range of motion, reduce your risk of injuries, cure old injuries and even improve your posture!

 

Some of that could be true, under the right circumstances, but I’m not buying all of it. Remember the claims that were made for “toning shoes” just a couple of years ago?

 

Keep in mind that wearing the running slippers (or just going barefoot), rather than keeping your supportive running shoes requires that you completely reinvent how you run. You have to make the transition from the heel-to-toe footstrike pattern to a forefoot landing to cushion your impact. Your gait will have to change, your running posture will have to change. It’s a totally different way of running.

 

A recent study commissioned by the American Council on Exercise showed that many runners have trouble making the change in their running technique (even after weeks of coaching), which can result in a whole new set of issues. Not to mention that barefoot running (even with the slippers) leaves you more vulnerable if you happen to step on sharp rocks, glass or debris.

 

In summary, I am not saying “Don’t do it.” Again, the jury still is out. If you do try it, ease into it with short distances and run on low-impact surfaces. Just make sure you change your biomechanics. If you continue to run “heel to toe” as you do in your regular shoes, you’ll hurt yourself for sure with barefoot running.