Fat loss 101

Your fat loss not going to plan? Here are 3 hard and fast rules to getting the results you want, once and for all.

We've all been there.  You really want to drop some body fat, again.  So you do what you’ve always done.  Go on a major diet.  Join the gym…again.  Start the food prep, and re-post the pics on your Facebook or Instagram feed from the last time you went on a health kick. Maybe you’ve joined Fat Fighters for the 7^th time. Why?  Because it’s what you know.  But deep down, you know that it’s not going to really work this time, after all, it didn’t last time, that’s why you’re here again.  So why do we keep doing it?  Honest answer, because it’s easy.  Real change is harder, and is more than just a flash in the pan – so we are tempted to avoid it and stick with what we’re used to.

But change can be a positive thing, change can move you forward. Although it can seem that change associated with weight loss can have a negative impact on your life (yes you might have to cut down on the ‘good stuff’ , and yes that may include the alcohol – note I don’t say get rid of)  but if you take the view that the intention is positive and that it’s a learning process you will always move forward.  There is no failure – just learning.

So as a coach, positive change is kinda what I do.  There’s nothing I love more than seeing someone’s mindset change – and as soon as the mindset changes the body will most definitely follow.  Below are my three top tips that have helped me develop and achieve goals for myself and my clients.  Please don’t get me wrong – change is rarely a linear or straight forward process.  It can be stressful and it will require more effort than you think – but I promise you that it’ll be worth it.

1. Set specific goals relevant to YOU from the start 

Change needs to come from within and should fit with your beliefs of the world in which you live.  If you are changing to follow someone else's dream or don’t believe in that change/goal it’s probably not gonna happen.  This isn’t saying that your beliefs and view of the world aren’t able to change, but at this moment, you’re not being true to yourself.   

We often make our goals too scary.  It’s ok to think big, but so that bigness doesn’t seem too much to manage, we need to chunk them down into realistic wins.  By setting regular small goals and reviewing/assessing them periodically you can give yourself a pat on the back every now and again, and that feels pretty good, and helps to keep you going during the harder times.

The more specific the goal, the more focused you’re likely to become.  It’s best to set both a quantitative (numbers/figures) and qualitative (feeling/describing) goal. An example might be to get down to a certain weight, but how about getting into that pair of jeans that has sat in the back of your wardrobe for more years than you can remember? Or your wedding dress?

1. Get used to feeling uncomfortable 

The change process may unearth a few uncomfortable truths– it may uncover feelings you hadn’t considered before, or have been actively avoiding them for a while. You might have to do something you don’t like, even getting on the scales can be too much of a deterrent for some, that they never start.

But here’s how to look at it. If it’s going to take you towards your goal, are you going to do it or are you going to give up because it’s uncomfortable?  How much do you want that change?  You’ll find that you’ll do it if it means that much to you. If your heart’s not in it, then you’ll always find an excuse.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not talking about putting yourself through mental and physical torture (unless you’re on a workout with me – kidding!) but if it’s outside your comfort zone it usually means you’re moving in the right direction. Stick with it kiddo.

You’ve got to do different things to allow change to happen.  There’s no better feeling than the sense of achievement, whether it’s getting into a certain dress, running a distance you’ve never done before, even going to the gym on your own.  Just get out there and do it. You never know what you can do unless you try.

1. Keep an open mind and enjoy the process 

Don’t chase the results, learn along the way and enjoy the process! 

The change you want may happen right at the start, it may happen further down the line but it will happen – be open and enjoy what’s happening to you along the way.

Remember, it’s what you want deep down inside, and when you get there, it’s gonna feel pretty awesome, so why make the journey to get there a chore or a hardship?  It’s your future, so embrace it!

And if the above has inspired you to give it a go and do something different this time, then give me a yell! (insert hyperlink with contact details) I’d love to be there with you for the journey…