21 Jan Maybe you are too focused on losing weight!
I know this almost sounds like a sacrilege but maybe, just maybe you are too focused on losing weight? As a personal trainer every year around January people come in and want to lose the weight around their gut, butt, thighs and a mutitude of other body parts. The reasons vary, some say it is because they want to loook good at their or a friend’s wedding, thy want to fit back into their skinny jeans, wear a cute dress, etc.
These are all valid reasons, don’t get me wrong. But having been in my profession for a long time, I noticed that those who made weight loss their sole goal don’t make it nearly asoften as people who seek for other things as well.
Weight Loss usually does not go smoothly, we have bad days, we have our period, we have family festivitis and partying. If you are able to dodge all those blullets you are doing really well but then you find out you shot yourself into your own foot. The iron discipline you are maintaining fires back and all of a sudden you are sick of being always in control, of being the person in the restaurant who asks for no oil, no seasoning, no salt, etc. You blow it, maybe just for a week or so but bam, some of the weight is back and we feel defeated.
The question is obviously what do you need to do be doing?
- Eat the calories/ food that is allowed by 411fit.com, myfooddiary.com, weight watcher, nutritionists. They usually know what they are doing (don’t get me started on weight loss clinics, though). Starving yourself more because you want that success a little faster is just going to set you up for failure.
- Allow yourself a little indulgence here and there; calculate it into your daily amount of food. If you forbid yourself those little pleasures you will be so attuned to them that you will cave to them sooner or later and the damage is going to be considerably higher because you feel like f*** it.
- Be silly, celebrate the little successes, and don’t just look at the big picture. Flex your muscles in the mirror and admire your guns, feel with your hands how that belly has gotten a little flatter and wiggle your buns to feel how they are transforming into “buns of steel”. Bring fun into it, don’t be too serious.
- Exercise does not have to be torture, be proud of yourself if you can run a little longer, walk a little faster, do a push up more, etc. Feel how your body strives to please you, strives to do better and adjusts. Sure it is hard but see what you can do now versus just two weeks ago. Take pleasure in it and don’t plunish yourself by telling yourself that you suck because someone else can do more (NEWSFLASH: there is always someone who can do more, is faster, thinner, etc).
- Meet and greet other people who work out,m who enjoy a class, run / walk, etc. They are a great support group. Make friends in your gym insted of being scared of everyone. You are not the only one who feels uncomfortable standing next to the chick that is in perfect shape with spandex clothes or next to the dude who could be Adonis. Most people are uneasy at a gym and don’t mind a friendly smile ore a short conversation.
- Get other goals, I have said it many times before. Sign up for a race, a walk, a body sculpting competition, etc. It will keep you focused.
- Sign up for a newsletter / blog. There a lot of enthusiasts out there who are great motivators. Sign up for their blog or newslettter. Some are funny some motivate.
- Get a friend involved, train with a buddy, but don’t take it as an excuse if the person cannot make it to the training. Just see it as and additional perk.
- Get a personal trainer or a boot camp instructor. Nothing is as consistent and motivating as someone who loves to “torture” people in a good way 🙂
I hope this was of help.
Michael Anders
http://www.shapeupfitnesswellness.com/
704 777 3743
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