I want to let you in on a little secret…Did you know that when you get into shape that maintaining it or even improving from there is SO MUCH EASIER than getting there. We see people almost daily that have gained and lost 50+ pounds 5 or more times in their lives. WHY!?! Wouldn’t it just be easier to change your lifestyle and keep it off! Not to mention cheaper because of added Doctor visits and medications, and of course the enormous food bill since they are most definitely eating out at every meal.
I am telling you this right now because this time of year is the most difficult to maintain your healthy lifestyle. Statistically “most normal people” gain between 12 and 15 pounds between Halloween and New Years Day. I’m letting you know that you being consistent right now will set you up for success.
Think about how awful you will feel after working hard ALL year, All summer, Early mornings, late evening and then slacking off your workouts and losing all the progress you’ve made. It’s a very harsh reality that we see all too often! I’m going to give you 5 tips on not only getting fit but staying fit…
1. Goal Setting – I have never met one person that is completely happy with where they are at. So why stop when you hit your first goal? It just doesn’t make sense. Once you understand that you can change your body, the things you can accomplish are endless! I have a client right now that had crippling back pain in May and is running a triathlon this weekend while most people around here are going to the fair.
Set a very ambitious goal for yourself. It doesn’t matter how outlandish it is or what people will think. How many people do you think told me I was wasting my time trying to be a hockey player from Oklahoma. I had 5 teams tell me they’d sign me if I wasn’t from Oklahoma City even though I outplayed everyone at the tryouts. I sent all of them and my high school english teach a signed photo from my first pro game by the way!
2. Write down your food – People who write their food down see 3x the change as people who don’t. Awareness is everything. If you feel yourself getting lacks with your choices, start keeping a journal. I suggest 2 weeks at a time for people already in the groove of working out and eating better. Look at your weeks and see what your ratio of good days to bad days looks like. If you need help with calorie recommendations let me know!
3. Don’t skip workouts – Do you guys understand how frustrating it is to see you see great change and then just get too busy or quit and see you gain it all back and then some in a month. I have the highest client success rate of any trainer I have ever worked with and I still see this too much. I CANNOT DO IT FOR YOU! Commit, be accountable for yourself, and work hard!
4. Track your TV time – yes really – Do you honestly know how many hours of TV you watch a week. TOO MUCH! Write it down for 2 days and I guarantee you cut it in half by the middle of the week. Think about this, there are 168 hours in a week. Most people sleep 7 hours a night = 49 a week. You work at least 8 hours a day = 56 a week. 2.5 hours a day are spent eating or drinking = 17.5. This leaves you with 45.5 hours a week of free time (give or take) to spend with family, go to the gym or do cardio. THEN, use what’s left over to rest and watch TV
5. Inspire and Motivate someone – You may not realize it but people who lose weight and get fit are a rare thing in society now. People see you and how you act and mimic your activities. Find someone close to you and teach them what you know about nutrition, exercise, and health. Consider yourself their motivation and you will see how I feel when dealing with all of you in your struggles and how we move past them together. You don’t have to know all the answers just be there for them when they need it or have questions. You will be shocked that you have forgotten more than most people know about fitness!
So here’s your homework…DON”T BE A STATISTIC! Take the next three months October, November and December and be in the best shape of your life by New Years. That way you can start the new year a new you and not even need to have a weight loss resolution! Take these steps seriously and take massive action towards the next big goal whatever it is. And keep me in the loop. I want to know your goals and motivations so I can help keep you accountable and excited!
Stay strong, Work Hard, and thank you for making fitness your lifestyle!
Ryan Dobbs, CES, CPT
Ryan@DobbsPersonalTraining.com
405-509-6451
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