How many of us dream about achieving that “perfect” body or our ideal body weight? We have tried diet after diet and workout after workout only to leave us feeling defeated and frustrated. As a last ditched effort we hire a certified personal trainer.
While it is important to have goals and find ways to inspire yourself to reach them you have to understand a few things. A personal trainer is not a magician. You can’t expect them to perform miracles. We cannot wave a magic wand or cast a spell to help you get there. It takes discipline, dedication and good old fashion hard work.
The problem with this is that we have not let go of our unrealistic expectations and tarnished perception. Some of us are still trying to look like that fitness or Victoria Secret model from the magazine. We expect to lose 50 lbs in 6 weeks or go from couch to marathon in 3 weeks.
While it is important to have goals and find ways to inspire yourself to reach them you have to understand a few things. A personal trainer is not a magician. You can’t expect them to perform miracles. We cannot wave a magic wand or cast a spell to help you get there. It takes discipline, dedication and good old fashion hard work.
It’s also important for you, the client, to understand a few things before we get started on the journey together.
Makes sure you set goals that you can achieve. Don’t go into the journey expecting to become a fitness model in 2 weeks when you have 100 lbs to lose. While I am a huge believer that all things are possible I also understand that you have to be realistic. Your ultimate goal may be further down the path but making smaller more attainable goals along the way is the best way to go. This ensures that you are staying motivated as you reach each milestone.
Don’t compare yourself. This is not a competition between you and someone else. You are only striving to be YOUR best. Even if you are participating in a competition you will never look or be like the other person. You can only compete with yourself. Every day you go into that gym you must be willing to face your fears, insecurities and weakness. It’s the old you versus the new you. You are fighting the old habits and thoughts as you transform into the new and improved you. Don’t short change yourself trying to be someone else.
Have you ever heard that saying slow and steady wins the race? It’s true. Look at your journey as a marathon and not a sprint. Don’t attempt to cut back too many calories, drastically change your eating habits, or workout 7 days a week just to see fast results. This can lead to exhaustion, injury and defeat.
Approaching this journey with the intention to make it a lifestyle will reap amazing results as the weeks, months and years go by. You don’t want to get burned out trying to do too much at one time. A healthy and sustainable training program will yield a 1-2 lbs weight loss per week.
You must understand that a trainer can only do so much. Most clients can only afford to hire a trainer to work with them 2-3 days per week so some trainers will assign you homework such as cardio to do on your own. Homework may seem meaningless (as my 13 yr old likes to think) but it isn’t. It’s a part of the complete package. So in order to get the best results make sure you do your homework!
Reality VS. Fantasy
Makes sure you set goals that you can achieve. Don’t go into the journey expecting to become a fitness model in 2 weeks when you have 100 lbs to lose. While I am a huge believer that all things are possible I also understand that you have to be realistic. Your ultimate goal may be further down the path but making smaller more attainable goals along the way is the best way to go. This ensures that you are staying motivated as you reach each milestone.
YOU vs. YOU
Don’t compare yourself. This is not a competition between you and someone else. You are only striving to be YOUR best. Even if you are participating in a competition you will never look or be like the other person. You can only compete with yourself. Every day you go into that gym you must be willing to face your fears, insecurities and weakness. It’s the old you versus the new you. You are fighting the old habits and thoughts as you transform into the new and improved you. Don’t short change yourself trying to be someone else.
Slow and Steady
Have you ever heard that saying slow and steady wins the race? It’s true. Look at your journey as a marathon and not a sprint. Don’t attempt to cut back too many calories, drastically change your eating habits, or workout 7 days a week just to see fast results. This can lead to exhaustion, injury and defeat.
Approaching this journey with the intention to make it a lifestyle will reap amazing results as the weeks, months and years go by. You don’t want to get burned out trying to do too much at one time. A healthy and sustainable training program will yield a 1-2 lbs weight loss per week.
Do Your Homework
You must understand that a trainer can only do so much. Most clients can only afford to hire a trainer to work with them 2-3 days per week so some trainers will assign you homework such as cardio to do on your own. Homework may seem meaningless (as my 13 yr old likes to think) but it isn’t. It’s a part of the complete package. So in order to get the best results make sure you do your homework!
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