Want to lose weight?

Hi all!

It is an absolutely GORGEOUS day today!  Art Loeb/N. Slope Connector also got its butt kicked making this particular morning a little more glorious.  After an injury induced layoff and  the dang norovirus attack last week, it was good to know that my body hasn't forgotten what to do when faced with a challenge.

 

I would like to revisit last week's email.  Some weeks I have limited time to hack away at an email, and last Thursday was one of those days.  I received some really great and uplifting responses, but I wasn't exactly satisfied due to a lack of clarity in the simple answers to it all.  So........  here you go.  My take in its simplest form:

Nutrition (Makes up 80% of your body composition goals!):  Stay away from everything white, processed, or fried.  Dark green leafy vegetables, healthy omega 3's, beans, nuts, and limited bright colored fruits/berries are your friends.  If God didn't make it, don't eat it.  Eat often (every 2-3 hours) for your metabolic state.  Workout first thing in the morning before breakfast and maintain that post exercise metabolic rate increase throughout the day.  Your body is constantly trying to balance itself.  Your goal is to get off the roller coaster ride and help your metabolism float along at a high rate.  Don't have a high metabolism?  Fake it!  Talk with your hands, chew gum, tap your feet, walk fast everywhere you go etc.  It all adds up!  Bottom line with nutrition is: Use your common sense, know portions, and stop making excuses.  You are what you eat!  Your body has the ability to fix itself of injuries, illnesses, and mood swings.  But if you put crap in, you're going to get crap out.

Exercise (the other 20% related to "fat" loss):  The key here is find a GOOD trainer!  I've been in a health club my entire life and also happen to be VERY observant.  Truth be told, 90+% of trainers out there SUCK!  They will make the weighing of investment/reward not seem worth it.  Most are either not knowledgeable enough, too knowledgeable with no people skills, or simply not experienced enough.  They don't understand assessment, progression, periodization, or have the ability to wear different hats with each client.  It HAS to be enjoyable, even FUN.  What is "fun" for one, may not be "fun" for another.  Its a relationship.  In order to tap your true potential and change your life, it is vital that you and your trainer know what will equate to the best results in the BIG picture.  A good trainer will steer you away from the scale and "weight" loss gimmicks and toward an education and quest to be the "healthiest" and "fittest" you that you can be.  Most people spend far more time choosing the right car than the right trainer for the direction they "claim" they want to go.

Of course there is a little more to it than the above, but keep it SIMPLE.  STOP using the excuse that you don't know what to eat, what to do b/c of the maddening overflow of too much information out there.  There will always be the next "diet", next pill, next magic piece of exercise equipment/machine.  (You all know my opinion on this one.  YOU are the "machine")

Use a little common sense and ACT!  A single step is the beginning.  One step leads to another.  As long as you don't stop and keep placing one foot in front of the other, you will be running towards your goal in no time.  But know, it does take time.  Nothing in life is worth obtaining is without an epic journey of overcoming obstacles, change, and growth.  One thing is for sure; You will not accomplish anything in life sitting still and not getting out of your comfort zone.  Its time to GROW.  Its time to EXPLORE.  Its time to DREAM.  Its time to ACT.  Its time to LIVE.  A great adventure is right outside of your door.  Don't wait for someone to knock in order to swing it open.  The dairy farmer doesn't stand in the middle of a pasture on a stool and a bucket waiting for the cow to back up to him.

Hi all,

 

As a trainer, whether I'm in the club or in the grocery store, people often ask me about nutrition and exercise.  The types of questions asked are along the lines of:  "What diet should I follow?",  they will point to an area (thighs or belly) and say: "How do I get rid of this?", and then proceed to tell me what ab exercises they are doing.  Another favorite that I often personally get related to me is: "You're so thin.  Why do you need to run, workout, and  worry about nutrition?"  People want a quick easy to digest answer.  Because I firmly believe in the education process related to something as important as your health and quality of life, I say something along the lines of:  "That's a good question, but I would require A LOT more information and specific details regarding what you have been doing, your background, and my answers based on that information may be different for everyone."  I give them my email address or a complimentary personal training session, and POOF, I never hear from them again.  This has been my experience for 99% of the people who claim they desperately want your "secret" answers, and are "motivated" to get started.  This isn't just my experience either.  I've talked to countless trainers of the years that share the same.  I also know the percentages of health clubs across the US selling health club memberships and the percentage that actually use the facility. 

 

I'll spare the "Sales Tactics of closing and overcoming objections" seminar.  I think most of us have at least been to a huge chain of health clubs to experience hard selling techniques similar to the worst of used car dealerships.  I've been there, done that, and trained no less than a hundred sales reps to do just that over the years.  My problem is, and has always been WHY?  I shouldn't have to "sell" you on the importance of nutrition and exercise.  I shouldn't have to overcome a thousand objections (EXCUSES).  Nor should I have to peer pressure you into educating yourself on those topics with sound research and facts.  Its all relatively simple.  As a trainer, I am here to HELP you, not sell you.  I care enough about this stuff to devote my college years, post graduate certifications, time, energy, and personal experience to educate and transform people's lives.  Why is it that 100% of everyone claims they care, but roughly 1-2% actually "get it" and commit to something as important.  The rest will laugh off the donut, swing through Mcdonald's drive through on way home, waste an hour on an elliptical while reading a magazine, or order the latest magic pill/book based on some stupid show, claim, or infomercial. 

 

As a trainer that firmly believes in the principles of "Functional" training, its no surprise the comical stares I often get while having people flip a tire (There is a very real reason and physiological purpose that brings the whole body working together when done the right way) or while taking a group of people to do some running in the forest up an "actual" hill that doesn't flatten out with a push of a decline button.  Real "fitness" requires an investment and commitment to "get it".  Its not "torture"  Doing the right things with the right group of people can be FUN.  The results sure are.  People typically stay with good trainers and training groups for years.  I assure you that wouldn't happen if they did not find fulfillment, growth, and RESULTS. People invest so much of their time/energy in careers, financial security, or the quest to know all of the latest celebrity gossip.  Yet, when it comes to their own health, they "wing it".  There is much that is important in our lives, but one surely could not place a price tag on their health.

 

Its time to invite the people you care about to join you in your "fitness" journey.  It is truly an amazing journey that adds value, experiences, education, camaraderie, and life changing results.  We understand that we may not be able to change the words already written in the book of our lives, but we can certainly change how the story will end.  We can control what we can control.  Lets keep priorities where they need to be.  Eliminate excuses and take ACTION with our eyes always on the goal.  Always know the next step is taking you closer to the person you are meant to become.