The most frequent question I am asked as a fitness trainer is “if I workout will I look like you?”  This is not to say that I am in the best shape ever, but for many it is easier to take our trainer’s physique at face value without knowing the rest of the story.  Working out is only a small percentage of the overall picture and is not a sure thing to having the body we desire.  Following the birth of my first son, I tried everything possible to lose my post baby weight.  I started running, joined a group fitness class, and even hired a personal trainer, but nothing seemed to work.  I found myself struggling to understand what my body had just gone through for the first time.  According to Healthline.com it can take six months or up to a year for the body to recover from the changes sustained during pregnancy. www.healthline.com/health/postpartum-recovery-timeline

Although that was 18 years, and one more baby ago, I can still struggle with maintaining my goal weight.  This for most women is the issue; where we have expectations of our ideal self.  Physically we desire a body that looks great, in and out of our clothes, endures all the training of a pro athlete, can last on little to no sleep, and consume all kinds of decadent food without the slightest change in the scale.  So what’s the deal? Why is working out not a sure thing?

For many, including men, the challenge is understanding how our own body takes on certain changes in diet, fitness, and even the aging process. Using the generic template of fitness really does not work anymore…. it is time to sit down and do the work, and this means no quick fixes. Start with laying out real expectations for yourself based on your current lifestyle.  If you are not a morning person, look for a group fitness class you can take that later in the day. If you need accountability consider hiring a personal trainer or joining a weight loss group. Are you struggling with low energy? It may be time for a check-up. Whatever your goal is, it’s best to start with setting realistic expectations based on where you are in life.  If your work, school, or family life schedule is running you, then you may want to visit those areas before joining a gym, signing up with a trainer, or starting a new diet plan.

Secondly,  and I know this goes without saying, based on the above section, but start making your personal wellness a priority. This is a foreign concept to most I know, but I believe in the 10 minute rule. This rule is simply to take ten minutes (or more if you can commit) daily to focus only on you. Not eating or sleeping, or answering emails, but solely focusing on you. Many like to meditate, pray, or just spend the time stretching and breathing. Whatever works! The saying goes “if you don’t take care of yourself, then you cannot take care of anyone or anything else.”

Lastly, create a fall back plan. This is to protect your new routine and lifestyle from the inevitable interruption, like working late, sickness, or any last minute mishap.  For example, if you are committing to taking three group training classes each week and have to miss one, a great fall back plan to to always put an extra class on your schedule as a fall back.

However you choose to play the game, play to win and stop betting against the sure thing with your health.  The stakes are usually too high, and eventually, the house always wins. Drop a comment or a share below and stay well!