Choice b.)….this is the natural reaction. When you see water on the floor, your first reaction is to get rid of it. However, mopping the floor while the water is still running will not prove very effective. Sure, it may get rid of some of the water initially, but more will just continue to spill out. You need to first fix the root of the problem which is choice c.) turning off the water.

Let me explain why I used this analogy…

If you’ve tried losing weight in the past, you know how challenging it can be. You start an exercise regimen (at the gym or at home), follow a strict eating plan for a few weeks/months and you start feeling great. You notice positive changes in your body and think that you are on your way to achieving your goal. Then, slowly, you start feeling bored, sick of doing the same old exercises and eating the same types of food (especially since these behaviors have seemingly stopped working), life gets in the way and you gradually start moving backwards. Before you know it, the scale and the mirror once again become your worst enemies.

So why does this happen and what is the solution? In a society where we are always looking for the “quick fix,” we do know of a formula that, if followed, will result in you losing weight; this formula  is known as the Law of Thermodynamics. I’m going to share this formula with you right now. Ready….

You need to burn more calories than you consume (eat) on a daily basis.

Not really impressed are you? That’s because you knew this already. The fact that in order to lose weight and get in shape you need to move/exercise more and eat less/better is not exactly new. Let me ask you a question though…since you already knew this, do you actually do it on a consistent basis? Chances are your answer is no.

This is because, like the overflowing shower, you’ve been focused so heavily on mopping the floor that you’ve forgotten that the water is still running. In other words, you’ve been so focused on the symptom of the problem that you’ve neglected working on solving the actual problem. Let me explain...

Through the media and others in society, you have been conditioned to think that losing weight is simply a matter of eating less calories and exercising more (like the aforementioned Law of Thermodynamics stated). Everybody from TV infomercial products, to advertisements for gyms and diet plans have led you to think the answer is to figure out a way to keep eating only bland/boring food, do 500 crunches a day, and muster up the energy to be able to run 3 miles each day.

Yes what, when, and how much we eat does directly impact how we look, feel, and how much we weigh; as does the type, intensity, duration, and frequency of our exercise. However, contrary to what most people have led you to believe, our eating and exercise behaviors are not the problem, nor are they solution... they are merely symptoms of the real problem that first must be addressed. This real problem is what is causing us not to exercise/move enough and eat the wrong way despite the fact that we know better.

The truth is that how much we exercise and how much/what we eat are a direct reflection of how we think and feel. Our thoughts, attitudes, and emotions are what drive our behaviors. In other words, our negative thoughts and emotions and misinformation by the media are the running water that is causing our problem. If we don't "turn it off," and change the way we think and feel not only about the process of getting in shape, but also how we think and feel about ourselves...we will never reach our goal.

Focusing solely on dieting and exercising alone has and will always cause you to feel like your goal is out of reach. If you really want to make difference, you have to dig at the root of this problem. 

I am here to help you do this. Whether you will become my personal training client, heard me speak at a lecture/seminar, or simply just follow the weekly updates of this website, I am here to, if you let me, turn your attention away from the traditional fitness myths, and focus it on “the running water” (your thoughts and emotions) and show you exactly what you need to do to get results that last!

So read my blog, don't be afraid to contact me to ask a question, and if you want to stop the frustration and start getting results...set up a consultation appointment! (see the Personal Training page)

Some say seeing will lead to believing….but in this case, believing will lead to seeing! Believe in me, but most importantly...believe in yourself right now! I look forward to hearing from you.
 
Here's to a great journey!

-Chris