I’m lucky to be involved in a few different fitness groups with other personal training studio owners. Some with the top fitness professionals in the country. One of them, Paul Wright shared an occurrence with one of his clients:
“A couple weeks ago I had a client come into my office and ask me a simple exercise-related question (a very common occurrence for all of us). I answered to her satisfaction and as she left my office she said, “Well I guess I’ll go try to do this” to which I responded with a question that has become one of my new business directives:
Are you training or are you trying?
She didn’t quite understand what I meant so I explained that when you’re “training” to accomplish your goals you are focused, systematic, analytical and eliminate “chance” from the equation. You have to be purposeful in your actions and then evaluate the outcome of those actions.
If you’re merely “trying” to reach your goals then you’ve allowed chance to be your guide and you’re haphazardly going from one diet to the next or you’re sporadic and unfocused in your exercise routine.”
This is a HUGE shift in mindset. So, are you training or trying?
This is transcendent. It goes way beyond exercise. It really hits on the difference between mediocre results (or none at all) and game-changing results in every aspect of our lives.
We’re all so busy, with so much to do just to keep our heads above water, let alone really thrive.
Your health and fitness is hard work. Infinitely harder than just cutting a few calories out of your diet.
But when you do things right consistently, the work load becomes more manageable and things start to really click.
The secret, is focus.
You have to eliminate distraction.
When I feel really good, fit and healthy, it’s because I’m not resisting structure.
Here’s what I mean by that.
Like most normal people, maybe you, I like to indulge my sweet tooth. If you put donuts in front of me on Sunday morning I’ll have a glass of milk before you can say Maple Glazed Long John! If I’m really craving it, I’ll seek them out and stray off track.
But it tastes good. Really good. That’s the upside. But if you’re not in control of that (emotional) tendency or compulsion (however you want to characterize it), you can quickly fall into bad habits and just as quickly put on extra pounds.
That’s why structure is so vital.
Here are a few tips for keeping structure and helping you reach your weight loss and fitness goals:
Accountability: Make sure you schedule appointments every week. Our clients keep a standing schedule. Meg knows she’s training every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 11:15. Most importantly she’s being held accountable. We all need accountability. I practice this with my own workouts too.
Motivation: At first sight exercise stinks. It looks hard, you sweat, it makes your muscles burn, it tires you out. But those that are in a consistent program know how it makes you feel after the workout. Endorphins kick in and soon becomes a drug you gotta have.
But it’s easy to lose that feeling. You might even lose it after one week. Which is why motivation is so vital to your fitness program. Everyone needs a coach to support, motivate, and give them that extra push when needed.
Assessments: I’m amazed at the amount of people that still use ONLY a scale to measure their success (thank you Biggest Loser). You can’t manage what you can’t measure. You know muscle weighs more than fight, right? So how do you know if your weight gain of 2 pounds wasn’t you tightening up your arms and butt? Usually a gain of two pounds (if done correctly) is something to be happy about.
Efficiency: No one has ever sat down with me and said, “I have all the time in the world Tim. I’ll workout as much as you need me to.” I’d call shenanigans if that ever happens. It only makes sense for your program to be efficient. Get in, get fit, and get out. No need to prolong the process. By the way, our workouts are 45 minutes. Any longer and you’re probably inefficient.
Customization: Your program must work for YOU! Not your spouse, or your daughter, friend or co-worker. You, and you alone.
Finally, have some fun and keep things fresh: This whole exercise thing is not a fad. You won’t be doing this for the next 12 weeks and then put it up on the shelf. It’s vital for a long, healthy, and prosperous life. Be aggressive in reaching your goals, but as the saying goes, “Success is a journey not a destination.” So have fun with it.
To your health and fitness,
Tim Chudy
P.S. Trying to figure out fitness and weight loss success on your own can be a needlessly frustrating experience when you have access to the best of the best who are ready, willing and able to help. Request a free class here.
Posted under Fitness Tips, Weight Loss Tips
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