Weight Loss Programs are BS

Weight loss promotions are a dime-a-dozen. Turn on the afternoon TV shows, and you’re bound to catch an episode of Dr. Oz touting the latest concoction to lose weight FAST.

Unfortunately today everyone is looking for the magic bullet “quick-fix”, and it’s pure bullshit.

What does work is getting back to the basics. cutting excessive carbs, cutting excessive fats, exercising, staying consistent… these all work. In reality weight loss is relatively a simple, but not easy, process.

You heard me correct, and I have the evidence to back it up.

In order to get from point A to point Z there are plenty of stops along the way, and you want to stop and make sure you stay on track.

If my buddy college buddy Sean and I decided to take a road trip, let’s say Louisville, KY, for the weekend and catch a bourbon tour or two, we would stop off at The Rendezvous in Memphis for some ribs next stopping at the world famous Loveless Cafe in Nashville to grab dinner before turning north on I-65 to Louisville.

Btw, Sean and I took this trip just that a few years ago and we need to do that again soon!!!

My point with this story centers around there are plenty of stops along the way to make sure you are keeping on track.

Over the last 20+ years I have been a fitness coach, I realized every person who successfully completed a fat loss / weight loss program had similar habits to keep them on track.

The first step: make sure your goal is, um, REALISTIC.

None of this, lose 30 lbs in 30 days, or the infamous Lose 5 dress sizes in 21 days by eating/drinking… Tell you what, eat some bad shellfish next weekend, and I’m pretty sure you lose a few dozen lbs but you sure won’t like the process!!

If your goal is to lose 30-50 lbs, make sure your timeline is reasonable. One to two lbs per week is perfectly acceptable so if your goal is 30 lbs I would give yourself around 30 weeks keeping in mind some weeks you will be on point, aaaaaand other weeks you will be enjoying a piece of cake and cocktail with friends over a celebration.

The first week you make lose 5-7 lbs simply by changing your eating habits, but the following week you may only lose 1 lb.

Don’t fret, this is a process so enjoy the ride.

Second: stay consistent with your workouts.

Just as with your nutrition, physique changes don’t happen overnight and let me say this one time and one time only, but I’m sure it won’t be the last, you CANNOT get ripped abs, massive pecs, a sculpted behind or whatever you want using a 5-minute program.

Simply put, choose a training program you enjoy. If you want to hit the weights, then get in the gym and start lifting some heavy shit 2-3 days per week and be sure to include 2-3 cardio sessions per week as well. Alternate HITT workouts with more strength-based programs, and you your waistline will start to thank you.

Speaking of cardio, again, pick something you would enjoy doing. On a side note, he ONLY way you would find me running is when the ice cream truck is nearby… come on you know what I’m talking about!

I may not like running but give me a road bike and I’ll put on 20-30 miles without batting an eye. Swimming, walking, jogging, cycling, Zumba, rollerblading, hell I’ll take Laser Tag; whatever movement you would be willing to perform 30-40 minutes a few times a week is $$$.

Lastly, don’t go at this alone.

This process can be exhausting, both mentally and physically, and if you don’t have a group of friends rooting you on it makes this process that much harder.

I may get blackballed from my training brethren, but I’m about to pay CrossFit a compliment here. As many negative things I can say about CF, and there are more than a few, I appreciate the level of community that exists in today’s Boxes, and is one of many positive things CF has done for the fitness community.

Planning a weight loss program is long… frustrating… and exhausting among many other things, BUT in the end is completely worth it!!!!

Still on the fence if you can be successful on this? Just ask my client Aruna who recently shared a few AMAZING photo’s to show off her progress.

Pretty spectacular don’t you think?

So what are you waiting for? Start making your plan and get started today!

Until next time peeps!

Steve