Fitness Debumked: The Weight Loss Conundrum

We`ve all been there, New Years rolls around and you look in the mirror in a moment of uncalled for horror as you stare at the sight of the extra 5 pounds you put on between thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. At that moment, at that very moment that you vow that this year will be different. This year you will create the body you always wanted. You know like the the perfect one`s you see on Instagram. In a moment of motivation and inspiration you run into the kitchen grab your keys, hop in your car and head to the gym.

Upon reaching the gym you decide that you dont need a training session or 30, because how hard can it be to run on a treadmill and move a bar up and down. Your first workout you last 20 minutes. But hey your second workout you last 30 minutes. Within a few weeks you are up to the holy grail of 60 minutes but your weight loss is minimal or has stopped completely.

Understandably flummoxed and confused you stand in the very kitchen in which you first grabbed your keys to start your journey exhausted and on the verge of giving up. In spite of all the training and dieting you are not moving forward at your ideal pace. What`s the problem you ask? Then a voice from the fitness heavens (Ok its not a voice from the fitness heavens, its a voice from this blog which suspiciously sounds a lot like SilentRob) Tells you… You are not in good enough shape to lose weight!

WTF Man. This is bulls**t! you scream. But unfortunately its true. You see one of the biggest mistakes people make when trying to reach a fitness goal is not properly priming their bodies to train and not having a realistic understanding of the intensity level they need to train at in order to reach their goals.

Undoubtedly, this is the single biggest lesson you learn competing as a professional level athlete. For example, an NBA player would not simply play basketball to get in shape to be a better basketball player. They would first need a strength and condition program that would build a good enough foundation of fitness and physical preparedness that would allow them to be able to go on the court and work with the intensity and frequency needed to become a better basketball player.

Similarly that concept also applies to the soccer moms and golfing dads who just want to lose a few pounds and look better naked… Yes I said naked, we are adults get over it.

Does that mean Ive screwed everything up and have to start over. YES!!!… No, I just wanted to know if you were still awake. It simply means, when you first get into the gym, dont focus on weight loss or the mirror. Don`t focus on the scale and do not. I repeat do not be discouraged by limited progress or not looking like those perfect instagram bodies after a few weeks.

Understand that this is a process and use the start of the process to learn how to train, prepare you body to train more intensely and figure out what works best for you. Training should always be a daily stress reliever. An activity you look forward too. If you are taking the stress of losing weight or body insecurity into the gym, you sabotaging your results before you even lift a weight or run a mile.