Morning, morning 
First things first. Oh my gosh, you guys, I have to tell you about dinner last night. It was a real winner!
I’m not sure what to call this…besides shrimp and veggie pasta salad? I basically took this recipe, subbed brown rice pasta for quinoa, and added shrimp. So simple, but so freaking delicious!
My plate:
About a cup of the pasta (maybe a bit more?) plus a side salad of mixed greens, tomatoes, and a honey mustard vinaigrette dressing.
There’s leftovers, and I don’t think we’ll have a problem demolishing them 
And then there was dessert:
Recipe coming soon, but let’s just say that I figured out what to do with my mongo zucchini in this week’s CSA.
This Morning
This morning is a pretty leisurely one for me (though I definitely can’t say the same for the rest of the day!) so after a hot cup of coffee, I headed out for a run – a little over four miles.
I was telling Shane the other day that I keep waiting for the racing bug to bite me again…but it has’t. It’s been since last August that I’ve run in a race. After two summers of countless races of distances from 5k to half marathons, I think I’m raced out. Don’t get me wrong – I still love to run. But I love to run just for fitness…and fun! So, my runs have been 5 miles or less, with my distance/pace/time/etc. not even a factor. And it’s great. Maybe I’ll run a race this year and maybe not. Who knows? Not me 
Anyway – leisurely post-run breakfast before getting ready to train clients:
A cold coffee made via the iced coffee French press method, and Oats + unsweetened cocoa powder + chia seeds + greek yogurt + almond milk + stevia + dried cherries.
And I also inhaled a peach immediately upon walking inside from my run (it is HOT out there)
Licensed Personal Trainers
Before I go get ready – to train some clients – I’d like to discuss something I read yesterday in my IDEA Fitness Journal on the topic of personal training credentials…
Last December, the state of Florida submitted a bill proposing that personal trainers be required to become licensed. Currently, it only requires certification (most gyms do, but some don’t!) Licensure would require certification from a nationally accredited certification (which it should be, anyway, in my humble opinion,) and in addition to that, they would have to pass an examination administered by the Florida Association of Fitness Examiners. Finally, candidates would also then be required to apply for and be approved for licensure by the state in order to legally work as a personal trainer.
Being certified is generally offered by an industry, while being licensed is typically something mandated by a government or board.
Personally, I think this is a great idea. Sure it’d be a pain to have to jump through the hoop of becoming licensed, but hey, personal trainers can get a bad rep, and it’s often because of those who don’t take the field seriously and merely think of personal training as an “easy job because working out is fun.” I think this requirement might weed out those who don’t take the career field so seriously. I think licensure would overall improve the reputation of personal trainers!
Have a great day, loves
What do you think? Should personal trainers be required to become licensed?
I totally agree! Usually people are counting on the expertise of a personal trainer and that they are getting proper advice so a required and legit certification I think is a great idea.
I agree – physical therapists and massage therapists have to be licensed. Trainers should, too, for similar reasons. But I’d want to know more about the details of licensing requirements. Would every Zumba class leader need licensing? Every paddleboard instructor?
I don’t think the bill extends to GFI’s, but I’m not 100% sure.
I totally agree. Personal training is one of those professions where I feel like you encounter a broad range of skills. It would be great to have a legitimate overseeing certification.
That bread looks amazing! Can’t wait for the recipe!!! I love this topic! I think it would be really great to see a licensure for personal trainers. As a former trainer I took my job very seriously and found a lot of trainers did and others did not so I think it would great in terms of credibility and establishing just how hard personal trainers work to the general public! I think we need to start focusing on preventative medicine more and personal training is a part of this. Imagine if people could use health insurance towards personal training. I think it would be a big step in the right direction!
I’m with you. I would hate to jump through the extra testing and hoops, but think it’s important to be knowledgeable in practice before guiding people in their health and fitness. The only thing that irks me about it is the fact that the government is probably less interested in the licensure of trainers and more in the money they can get out of the testing (which you know we would have to pay for!).
totally agree! licensure sounds like a great way to weed out the bad!!
Love the idea. I’ve never worked with a personal trainer, but should I ever seek one out I would most certainly look for a licensed trainer. You are right, it would definitely take the unprofessionals out of the picture.
BTW – it’s been a while since I’ve visited your blog, and am loving it! Seems like you have a more clear direction, congrats!
I think licensure is a great idea! I would feel way more comfortable getting advice from a licensed personal trainer. Registered dietitians are also asking for similar regulations against people calling themselves “nutritionists”. I am sure some nutritionists offer legitimate advice but some also push supplements and other unresearched methods for weight loss etc. On another note…I know exactly how you feel about races! I am not a big fan of them but try to do a few a year just so I can show my family what i can do with my strong legs haha.
I am currently non-licensed (only because of my injury) but my gym has an in-house certification program so I am not just throwing out random shizz at people. But I am in the process of getting an license and it’s just stressful picking out the right certification!
I enjoy just running and not racing. I really almost hate racing to be honest. So much pressure. I do think being licensed is a good idea. I think certification should be a must at a minimum. I mean, otherwise I could waltz in and start training and I have zero right to
I agree! Makes it so much more fun
This is interesting. I really wonder how this would work for Zumba instructors.. hmm
Just found your blog through a Pin(terest) of your trail mix cookies and decided to click around. I too am about to start training, through ISSA, and loved looking at all your food/recipes. I also just saw the same thing about the licensing, I think it’s a great idea for the same reason you stated – to separate the serious people and raise them to a higher level!
PS. Chris Powell on Extreme MakeOver is awesome! I love his style of training – he has a facebook page where he gives out tips and recommendations. I am linking your blog to mine if that’s okay.