Foxes for the fat loss win

How you can change your habits and lose body fat by following the foxes…

Now as a Spurs supporter this pains me to be writing this blog, but even I have to admit there are some pretty awesome lessons to be learned from Leicester City.

Even if you’re not a football fan, you will no doubt have heard the phoenix rising from the ashes story. Let me set the scene. The club was struggling, just about keeping their head above the water and surviving the chop from the Premier League. The manager wasn’t in favour with the club or the media, and eventually got the sack. Along with his son, who at the time played for the club, but was a bit of a naughty boy when on holiday in Thailand, which didn’t really help his dad’s case.

But you know what? It got better. In fact, better than anyone, even Gary Lineker (who had to appear on Match of the Day in his underpants as a result of betting against Leicester City’s success) could have imagined. Just a short while later, no kidding, they are holding aloft the Premier league trophy. The stuff of dreams and possibly a Hollywood movie.

Now you're thinking, how am I going to relate this back to health and fat loss right?  Well here goes...

We all come from a struggle.  We all have our own problems, issues and weaknesses.  We've all worked hard at some point in the past to get through them.  So how do we do it?  We do what Leicester City did.  We go back to basics, build on the good, learn from the bad, make a plan and move on.

So here's how you can learn from Leicester to achieve your fat loss goal.

1. Get the right support

Leicester brought in a new manager with a really good track record of re-building clubs.  Someone with good relationship skills and willing to work on weaknesses.  At the same time, he also liked to have fun and enjoyed doing what he was doing.

So, find someone to help you.  Look for a coach or a PT with great testimonials and results but also to build a great relationship with.  They will be instrumental in your fat loss/health journey, so if you don't like running and they put you on a treadmill at your first session, it's probably not going to work.

2. Mix it up

Leicester started working together differently and brought in new players – they mixed it up.  They didn't just run, they didn't just play football.  They started socialising more – the manager bought pizza after a win, and as the team got closer they started playing better together.

Now, for you, I'm not saying go find a PT who will buy you pizza (I might buy you a protein shake now and again) - but find someone you like being with or do something that you like doing.  Start a new hobby.  If you've only ever run before, try lifting some weights.  Only ever trained in a gym, get outside - swim, climb, walk, just do something different. You’ll be surprised at the results.

3. Change the vibe

Leicester changed the club atmosphere - they made it an awesome place to be.  The players became a strong unit and the supporters totally bought into what they were trying to do and how they were playing.  With players and supporters on side (excuse the punnage – sorry, not sorry) the stress levels plummeted and everyone became relaxed.  It was a great place to be.

So try the same. Start relating to the people around you. Get them involved, get them on-side.  If they see what you are trying to achieve, and can see that the changes you are making are impacting them positively as well as making you happier – then it’s a win-win situation.

4. Dedication and consistency

Leicester found new commitment and consistency – the team started believing that winning games 1-0 wasn't boring when the end result was going to be winning the league.  They understood that it was more of a marathon than a sprint.  Slowly, slowly catchy monkey.  You can't win the league in the first month. That dedication and vision was what took them to the cup in the end.

The sum of your continued efforts and consistency will reap massive rewards later on down the line.  By making small changes means consistency becomes easier.  Lots of small changes over a long period gives you massive results.  Not drinking a bottle of wine every time you go out doesn't make you boring.  Eating lots of tasty protein and veg doesn't make you boring.  Long term it'll give you the results you want.

5. Do the basics really well

Leicester got the plaudits for passing well, defending as a unit and work rate.  Because they had nailed the basics so well, it allowed them to be ambitious when going forward.  It also meant they gained lots of respect from other teams.

Your training plan should cover all the basics.  Get some resistance training in there, get some HIIT training in there too if you like it.  Don't over complicate it or schedule too much.  Same with your nutrition.  Keep meals simple and tasty and don't go completely cold turkey on your favourites.  Cut down for sure, but allow yourself to eat them at points.  If you do the basics really well, you'll be surprised with what you can get away with.  Such as a glass of wine (or two) on Saturday night if that’s what you like to treat yourself with.

Now the challenge for Leicester is to keep going. It’s hard to set new goals when they’ve achieved what they want to, and that has led to them struggling at the moment. So they again have to pull their socks up, take a step back and embrace the challenges. Try to regain what it was that put them on top form. It’s not easy, but with the right support around you, and the right mindset, you can achieve anything 

So if you want to follow in the foxes footsteps, get in touch, and we can help.