This article is going to bust weight loss myths.
For starters I will begin with the type of clients I have dealt with, with regard to weight loss.
Types of Clients:
Type 1
Clients who have to do very little training and with few lifestyle modifications are able to achieve their desired results. I call them the extremely lucky ones and they are rare.
Type 2
Clients who need to work hard, but they can find results with proper training, lifestyle modifications and healthy nutrition. They can slip once in a while and it does not massively affect their progress. I call them the working lot.
Type 3
Clients who takes a long time to understand that they are not like the others, they need to closely document physiological status, nutritional state, stress levels and circadian rhythm. They are typically the unlucky ones. Unfortunately, they cannot indulge themselves at all if their goal is fat loss and peak fitness. They have to “just do it” like the Nike ad and eliminate overthinking. Results will come at a very slow pace over lengthy periods of discipline and sustained focus. I call them the tough nuts.
Type 4
Clients who have done everything like the third kind but yet don’t see any change, these are the clients who need to undergo a food intolerance test and then adhere to the results of the test . They should totally abstain from the foods, which are not appropriate for them. Do they have a choice? I call them the unlucky souls.
If you have made it this far, you’re in for a treat.
The Solutions:
Get Professional Help
First and foremost if you’re seeking the help of a fitness professional, understand that it’s a goal and not a wish. I have consistently noticed that clients are innately looking for the lines that they want to hear. When they don’t get the desired results, they blame it on mundane things with no scientific evidence and that irks me a great deal. Moreover, it shows a lack of accountability and a low understanding of how weight loss works. Sometimes clients become smarter than fitness professionals and tweak their methods in the pretext of, “I know my body better”. Don’t be this person. A good fitness professional needs at least 6 weeks to find out what your problem is. So trainers and clients please grow up and first take stock of the situation.
Its simple.
- Hire a good exercise specialist for consultation.
- If your convinced with the specialist follow what he says to the “T”.
- Do not tweak the program with your own ideas.
Be Realistic
If fitness solutions were easy everybody who hires a trainer should be in pristine shape and there shouldn’t be a million books on nutrition, abs and six packs. Everybody should be super fit. The reality is that genes, race, lifestyle and sleep wake cycle Invariably life catches up with you, so worry about maintaining fitness and take it from there. One tiny step at a time. Don’t tie yourself up in knots.
Lines I have heard repeatedly in my many years of practice:
- What kind of alcohol is actually good?
- I make up for my weekend benders by doing a few extra fitness sessions
- My body responds very well, within a couple of sessions, I feel I am toned already.
- I am on a low carb diet
- My trainer says I am look ripped
- I have no time, I am too stressed.
- My doctor has advised me to walk, but a big no to weight training.
- My knees are hurting, so I am resting.
- I want to reduce my midriff
- I want to reduce the size of my calves and arms (women especially)
Progress Tracking
Test yourself periodically to see whether you’re progressing (sometimes you may never progress for many months, you might be the type 4 client.) Do not listen to people; go with measurements, Dexa scans for fat % and fitness testing only. Stop asking people. Over a period of time your documented results will say that you have moved from A to B. Take snapshots of yourself periodically if you want to see the changes visually.
Mindset
Lastly and perhaps most importantly, change your mindset, stop procrastinating and start taking action. Focus on consistency, not sudden bursts of productivity because you watched a David Goggins’ clip and suddenly feel motivated. Remember, discipline beats motivation.
The excuses I’ve heard over the years
- Lets start from Monday – Today is the best day, make your change today.
- I am too stressed, I will start after my problems are sorted out – Your problems will never end, start now or drown deeper
- My friend indulges but nothing happens to him – Maybe he has genes, but he is also going to go down the drain if he abuses his temple (body). Life will catch up on him too.
TAKE ACTION NOW!