Here’s a challenge…….don’t do a challenge!
Here’s a challenge…….don’t do a challenge!
I know it’s popular in the fitness game- 30 day challenge, 14 day challenge etc. Well, here’s my challenge. Don’t do a challenge!!! I’ll explain.
Over the years, well ok, over the decades that I’ve helped people lose weight, I always tell them that the smartest way for permanent weight loss is to go on a program that is sustainable. I understand that when people are anxious to start, they may want to “start strong” to get their head in the game. Be careful. If a method of dieting is used, or if an amount of increased exercise that is outside your normal realistic lifestyle is used to help you hit your goal, you will put weight back on once you go back to the more realistic, sustainable program. Maybe not right away, but over time you will. So, here’s the “challenge”……don’t do a “challenge” but instead make a realistic lifestyle change. I’ve seen countless people put it in over-drive during their “challenge” period. Often during these short challenge windows, I see an unrealistic and often unhealthy alteration to their nutrition that can result in quick (but not permanent) weight loss. (I’ll go more into detail about nutrition tricks in another article). I also see extreme exercise programs that cannot be sustained due to work and family obligations.
It is so much smarter to make realistic changes to your eating and fitness regimen that you can do for the long haul. Something that fits your lifestyle vs doing a short-term challenge program. You may not have “quick-fast” weight loss. But here’s the news flash. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS QUICK, FAST, PERMANENT WEIGHT LOSS. Weight loss should be slow and steady to assure you lose as little muscle as possible. Muscle tissue needs calories and keeps your metabolism cooking.
If you don’t eat enough calories, you lose muscle and make your body lower its calorie requirement. If you over exercise, you lose muscle and make your body lower its calorie requirement.
Once you lower your body’s calorie requirement and start eating a little more or start exercising a little less, you will put the weight back on that you lost. Welcome to the world of yo-yo dieting. So stop with challenges, stop with needing motivation to start a program. If you really want it, do it! If it’s not that important to you, then don’t do it. But don’t do it because you think in 14 to 30 days you’re going to find the secret or change your metabolism to get you to your goal for the long haul. I often say don’t just do it…..do it right.
Where do you start? Start with a smart program. Get your FREE personal training sessions and learn how to structure your long-term program. CLICK HERE
Meet with our nutrition coach that will not focus on short term methods to move the scale, but will focus on a smart eating plan that you can maintain. For your FREE consultation CLICK HERE
Let’s start your 2018 fitness program by being smart. More articles to come!
Stu Rosenstein
Gym owner/trainer since 1983