DON’T BELIEVE THE HYPE
Take 20 seconds and try something. Open up a new tab in your browser and type the phrase “fitness magazine covers” into google images. Then click on literally anything that comes up and take a look. They will all show fit, happy people, and emphasize ways to get incredible results extremely quickly.
“Lose fat fast: 31 days to dramatic weight loss”
“20 secrets your PT won’t tell you”
“Slim down fast: moves that trim and tone in record time”
Popular media sources and even respected doctors routinely tout “secrets” that will “blast your fat” or give tips like “a few walnuts a day could reduce your risk of cancer”. Do you really think that 5 walnuts a day will be the difference maker for most people who need to get healthy? Might there be some other important pieces to the puzzle that you should be prioritizing, for instance, your basic nutrition on a day-to-day basis, overall lifestyle, and fitness routine?
There’s a huge disconnect between the fast, simple, and uniform solutions offered by magazines and most people’s actual experience when it comes to getting fit and healthy.
If you want to drop fat, get in shape and feel better, the secret isn’t to: stock up on some obscure super food; worry about whether you’re eating three meals a day or six; get confused about whether you should do 5 reps in the squat or 12; or wonder whether you need to eat more red grapes because GQ Magazine said they’re literally exploding with antioxidants.
This type of thinking is part of the problem because it shifts our focus to relatively minor details, and way from the big picture.
How does real change happen?
First, you need to understand the basics. The basics are the basics because they work. Are your basic nutrition habits sound? Do you exercise? How stressed are you?
Second, you need to put those basics into action, and do that day in, day out. Most people know that they should eat less Pizza Hut and more broccoli, but they don’t have effective strategies to implement that consistently. Most of the time, the trick is to focus on one or two key changes at a time, and make those new habits as easy as possible to follow through with – to make it impossible to fail.
Transforming your body isn’t something that happens overnight or without focused effort. Unfortunately, in eight years of coaching people I’ve never seen a magic pill that really works.
Next time you hear some fitness or nutrition advice, rule number one is: don’t listen to the hype.
If the information doesn’t help you understand and consistently apply the basics in your life, it’s not useful to you. Ignore it (unless you’re one of the few people who has all the basics completely dialed in).
What are the basics?
Nutrition is by far the biggest aspect of fat loss. Unless you’re a teenager with decent genetics, changes are you won’t be able to out train and bad diet.
Eat protein and lots of vegetables at nearly every meal.
Eat mainly unprocessed foods.
Eat until you’re about 80% most of the time.
Chew your food fully, until it’s liquefied.
Enjoy your food and be excited by it frequently.
Proper fitness training is key for getting stronger, building endurance, feeling more energetic, and improving tone.
Everyone’s difference, responds differently, and there’s no guarantee that what worked for one person will work for you.
If you want more specifics, have a quick look at the free nutrition guide on my website
