With summer dwindling down and the heat of the day drawing to a close, I lament the passage of the warm months for another year. Beyond the fleeting moments of sunshine, you can count on The Ex to signify to signify that summer will soon be over and that school is just around the corner.

While many reflect on how to keep their 6-pack from becoming a 24, others (including me!) are hoping to regain the form we haven’t had since high school.

I’ve taken to hiring a personal trainer, because I have neither the time, nor the motivation to do it myself. Conveniently enough, she works here so I don’t have any excuses, but give me time and I’m sure I’ll come up with something.

One of my reasons for hiring a trainer is to get back into shape. At certain times of the year (September or January –when New Years resolutions are made, and frequently broken), there are more well-intentioned individuals who are motivated to regain their sense of health and well-being than at any other juncture during the calendar year.

Into the gyms the unsuspecting public descend, along comes the Canadian Fitness conference where most trainers will be updating their skills and techniques. Focusing on injury prevention, exercise and anti-aging among various course offerings, a trainer should make you look forward to your next workout.

I’ll let you know if that is the case with me.

A trainer should help you set realistic goals. In my case, it’s to lower my stress level, play better hockey (injury-free), and prevent kidney stones. For now it’s empowering to know that in time, I will be back in shape.

Now, if I can only find my shoes…