There was a time years ago I fell into this trap.
I saw someone on social media or in a fitness magazine who looked how I wanted to look. I wanted to know EXACTLY what she did- workouts, meal plan, supplements, etc so I could do it too.
And I did. But the results weren’t the same. Because I live in a different body than she does. I have different genetics than she does.
I learned quickly through my own experiments and through coaching that results are individual and that one person’s approach that gets them phenomenal results won’t work for the next person, particularly in regards to nutrition.
But the reality is also that we are all built differently. Our muscle fibers are different. Our caloric needs are different. So, recommending and subscribing to a “diet” plan is setting you up for failure. Stop thinking keto or paleo or low carb. Think long term- what can I do forever?
And worse now is that there are SO MANY PEOPLE online selling nutrition and fitness programs with absolutely no qualifications to do so.
I must have seen a thousands times over the past few years a person post a photo of themselves with some type of caption that says “Want to know what I’ve been doing? Comment below, and I’ll show you my plan!” And the comments flow in.
But here’s the truth. You don’t need:
*Their meal plan
*Their workout routine
*Their supplements
As I refine my coaching skills more and more, I know that those become temporary Band-Aids for bigger problems (hence the 95% failure rate when it comes to SUSTAINED weight loss).
Here is what you need in 5 steps:
1. A crystal clear goal- what EXACTLY do you want. Be super specific.
2. Reasons WHY- you’re not buying into a meal plan for the sake of a meal plan. What’s your BIG motivator?
3. You must take MASSIVE ACTION- that’s right- dabblers need not apply. If you give your fat loss/nutrition/fitness efforts “dabbler” efforts, you’ll only ever get mediocre results.
4. You must assess your results- how are you measuring progress? Through weight and inches? Strength and endurance tests? Blood tests?
5. Change your approach- if what you’re doing isn’t giving you the results you want. And change it again and again until you find what works.
All of the above only happens with serious commitment. When you’ve made your mind up that you are changing.
We change when the pain of remaining the same is greater than the discomfort of change and ONLY then. So, let me ask you…
What can you use in your life as LEVERAGE to facilitate change?
*Are you suddenly in physical pain due to your weight, nutrition, or lack of strength?
*Have you gotten a warning from your doctor about your health?
*Do you have a new grandchild that you’ve decided you want to be around longer for?
Look.
The reality is that you are smart enough to know if carrots or potato chips are a better choice. You know that stopping eating at 80% full is better than stuffing yourself. You know that drinking water is better than soda.
So, my suggestion to you is to STOP searching for motivation and make the decision that you are ready, willing, and able to change. Because everything is a decision. And we can decide to change or not. Either is okay but understand the outcome that follows your choice.
Is there value in working with a coach, using meal plans, and taking supplements? ABSOLUTELY! I do a lot of this personally, and I’ve helped dozens of people change their lives doing this. BUT – if it’s a short term Band-Aid solution, you need to refocus on the 5 steps I outlined above. Because until you connect your changes in nutrition and fitness to a bigger goal with a powerful why, those changes will always be fleeting at best.
But work with a coach to find out what’s best for you. Stop idolizing images you see online and trying to do exactly what they do. Don’t ask for their meal plans. Get clear on what you want, find the leverage to change, and take massive action until you’re where you want to be while continuously assessing and tweaking along the way.
I hope this gave you some powerful things to think about. Have you fallen into the trap as I have? What are you committed to for the rest of 2019?
