Weight loss can be simple. It doesn’t have to be hard, complicated or confusing but sadly social media and certain health care professionals make it sound like a chore rather than a journey. Which let’s be clear from the start, that is exactly what it is and how it should be treated as a journey. Weight loss is a journey whether it is about self-discovery, self-confidence or self-motivation to look or feel better. WHATEVER the label you want to put on it, it is a journey and the sooner people realise that it is something worth doing and something that can be enjoyable, the better.
It all begins with mindset. If you are going into this with a negative mindset, STOP RIGHT THERE. I can tell you now you will get nowhere. No results, no satisfaction and no change whatsoever. If from the get go you are thinking “This is going to be hard and I probably won’t get results anyway so what’s the point?” you are correct!! You won’t see a change and you have just waisted your time and money and you will walk away with a bad taste in your mouth either towards weight loss or even worse the fitness industry itself or both. And that will be the end of “journey”, it will have ended before you gave it a chance to begin. Reverse the tables to a positive mindset and watch yourself transform into something amazing and see yourself grow personally and physically. Acknowledging that yes the process/journey ahead will be hard (not maybe) but then also being realistic and knowing it is all for the right reasons. Let’s be real the first and foremost reason is to look better but once you start to look better you realise “Wow I have so much more energy than before and my knee’s don’t hurt like they used to during winter!” the bi-product of looking better is feeling better which in the long run you will notice is more important. We relate to feelings, how something “feels” rather than looks. Memories can fade but a feel good feeling will last forever. You’ll always remember how you felt after beating a “PB” (personal best) whether it be in a marathon or triathlon or after hitting a PB with your barbell back squat or improving your fitness testing results with your training. You will remember how it felt when you realised you have dropped jeans size. As humans we relate to a feeling more than any other sense. So I cannot stress enough to you that number one tip to weight loss is mindset. It is not number 2 or 3.
However, number two is education. Yes, I did have nutrition down as number two but then I back spaced it to type education. For the simple fact that you can buy a “whiz bang” meal plan or a very intense exercise plan off the internet from some celebrity that claims they know everything about health simply because they “look good” or you can go online and buy ready-made meals for yourself that are of the healthier nature HOWEVER money does not buy sense. In other words, if you have no knowledge on nutrition or movement (which I will touch on in point 4.) and what is right for you and your body type put the credit card away. Once again you are wasting your time and hard earned cash. Find out first what your body needs in order to get you results. Find out what body type you are, what your BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate. The rate at which your body will burn calories) is and more importantly educate yourself or find someone who can educate you on macronutrients (the three main caloric components of food. Carbs, Protein and Fat), gluten, sugar and the best way to feed your metabolism and the negatives and positives these components have on your body specifically. Because we all know every-BODY’S body is different. Without knowledge you can march yourself down to peter alexander splurge on a pretty little eye mask and wear that the whole time you are on your health and fitness journey. Do not go into this new chapter with a peter alexander eye mask on. Knowledge is key.
Now I will make the third point Nutrition. Bare with me here, I am going to let you in on a little secret. Sugar, gluten and alcohol will not assist you whatsoever when it comes to weight loss!!! Oh you know do you?? Then why does everyone keep consuming these three toxic ingredients? Because they are addictive. They are made to in a very manipulative way, in a way that exercise works really but instead of having a positive impact on your body it will have a negative impact. However, it is addictive so you can’t help but crave more. These three ingredients once consumed will release the “happy endorphin” called dopamine which exercise will do as well, however exercise is harder and eating is not so people naturally will prefer the release of dopamine from food rather than exercise (sad face). Stay with me. The release of dopamine from sugar and alcohol acts like a relax response in the body and the feel good feeling which is almost like a high for most people however this high does not last long. Therefore, making people reach for that sugary treat or second or third alcoholic drink to get it back. Which then turns into a vicious cycle called “addiction”. Massive food production companies are not silly. They keep adding more and more sugar to their products which makes it harder and harder to buy something that doesn’t have sugar in it these days. See where this is going? Yep, the obesity epidemic. My point is that nutrition will help with your weight loss journey without a doubt but also with your mindset. The better quality of nutrients entering your body the longer that feel good feeling will last and the more energy you will have in the long run. Now nutrition plays a part on mindset and mindset will play a part with education. See the domino effect? Two more points I would like to make.
Movement. Once again finding out the most effective and efficient way to exercise for you and your body type is key. Hang on a minute is that the “education” component doubling up again? How interesting. There are three main body types a endomorph, mesomorph and endomorph and people can also be a mix of two. What on earth do they mean? Good question. That is where education comes into. Finding out the difference and which body type you are is important. Come in and see us if you are unsure or want to know your body type and we will set you on the right path. For example, if you are an ectomorph you need to par-take in more strength training rather than H.I.I.T training. If you are an endomorph you will require 1-2 H.I.I.T session a week as well as strength and low-moderate cardio. Once again that will mean nothing to you if you don’t know about body types. The correct type of movement will get you a long way on your journey. Moving on to the 5th and final point.
ACCOUNTABILITY. If you have no commitment to a time and day or a person during your health and wellness journey forget it. You need to be specific. What day are you going to exercise, where, when and how. Will it be strength training, will it be H.I.IT training and who is going to keep you accountable? It doesn’t have to be a personal training that is not what I am suggesting. If you have a friend so you can keep each other accountable or maybe your partner or spouse. Someone who you have to meet up with and see. Another way to help with accountability is through a challenge. Where there are a group of people going through the exact same experience you are. Feeling what you are feeling and who can support you through the process. Accountability is always important and that extra support and tools to guide you to the results you are after will never fail. Click here to book in for our 66 challenge and see the results unfold and live a more optimal lifestyle.
If you are in the Hills District area including Castle Hill, Kellyville, Bella Vista, Baulkham Hills, Glenhaven, West Pennant Hills, Dural, Rouse Hill and surrounding areas we would highly recommend bringing your family and friends to this complimentary seminar on Tuesday 6th February at 7:00pm hosted by two very passionate individuals Mitch and Vicky with over 18 years combined knowledge this will be a seminar which provide knowledge for your year ahead.