Do You Believe Everything You Read in Magazines or Hear on TV?

Get Abs like Brittney Spears

Learn how Jessica Alba develops her perfect Behind

Get Guns the Size of Texas

Just 15 minutes a day….

You’ve all seen it, but do you really believe it?

Unfortunately, most people do believe that these are the real answers that will lead them to the body of their dreams.  The truth is, the models you see in magazines and on tv have been dieting down for weeks and have been working out for years!  This “Do this workout and look like this model” implication is rediculous and it makes people crazy.

So many people I hear, see and work with in the gym want fast results.  They want to do the minimal amount of work, they don’t want to train for years, but they want to look amazing in 4 weeks.

How many infomercials have suckered you in?

The good news is that your body CAN CHANGE QUICKLY, but you have to be prepared to make some changes!

Got a wedding or big event in 3 months?

Going to a class reunion?

Need to fit in a bikini before your big vacation?

STEP #1 Find Your Motivation

Motivation gets you started and keeps you going, so make it count.  Why do you want to change?  The more emotional, the better! The most dramatic changes I have seen recently were from my brides that were training for their weddings.  They were motivated by the thought of looking great on the BIG DAYS!

Write it down and keep it close to you.

STEP #2 Food is FUEL

Americans eating habits are the cause of obesity, period.  If you want dramatic change, then you will need to overhaul your eating habits.  My suggestion is to download our Shopping List, Lean Eating Plan and our Food Log.  You will need to reference these on a daily basis, until you develop new eating habits. Here are three main eating tips to get you started:

1.  Get bad foods out of your house! If they are around, you will eat them.

2. Do not drink calories.  Water and tea are your best choices.

3. Start packing your lunch and snacks.  Having good food ready is your key to success.

STEP #3 The best workout for you is the one you’re not doing

What?  There are two groups of people to address here:

Most people don’t workout at all, so they just need to blow their ass off the couch and do something.  Go for a walk, take the stairs, climb a hill, go for a swim, go for a bike ride, etc.  You can do this stuff before work, at lunch or after work.  The goal is just to start moving.

The other group is the people who are relatively active, but they are stuck in a rut.  They move, but they’ve been doing the exact same workout for years.  I hear it all the time…

“I’ve been running two miles a day for 5 years and I’m just not losing any weight.”

Our bodies are amazing at adapting.  While a simple walk may be tough at first, it will become easier and you will have to change it up.  Most people who workout do the same workouts every week, whether they are in the gym or not.  Gym rats will do the same body part, with the same movements, at the same weight for years!  Runner’s will do the same route, at the same pace…..well, you get the picture.

So, how long has it been since your workout had an overhaul?

Need ideas? Check out this article:

8 Ways to Turbo Charge Your Workouts

STEP #4 Take Some Time OFF!

Everyone these days wakes up early for work, rushes out of the house, scrambles to work, stresses out all day, fights thru traffic, races the kids to activities, shovels food in on the way home, plops on the couch, tries to relax, then can’t go to sleep because they are so busy.  Sound familiar?

You need to take time for yourself.  Time to think or time to allow yourself to recuperate and re energize.  It can be a simple as a walk outside, a book by the pool, a massage, 30 minutes in the garden, an art or craft, a movie, a drive in the car, etc.  The bottom line is that you need to find activities that relax your mind and schedule them into your calendar.

STEP #5 You Need a Support Team

All major changes require a team.  Working out, changing your eating and developing healthier habits are no different.  You need to surround yourself with like minded people to give yourself a fighting chance.  Gather up your friends, family, coworkers and start walking through these steps.  If that doesn’t work, maybe you need to hire a coach or personal trainer to help you develop these new habits.  The key is to find people that will encourage you and help you along the way.

Change does not have to be difficult, you just need to understand that change takes time.  You need to be ready for long term commitment, but also need to schedule short term victories.  Make small changes at first and allow yourself to gain momentum.  As you make better choices, you will naturally start to notice improvements in your body and mind.  Celebrate your small victories and stay focused on your goals.

If you have any questions about starting or changing your program, please let us know.  You can submit questions to the “ask a trainer” box in the upper right of  this page or give us a call.

We are always happy to help!