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A personalized weight loss system is more than getting a personal trainer to tailor a fat loss and weight loss program for you. That is a great place to start but it soon becomes dry ink on paper—unless you further personalize the plan.
If this sounds strange to you, just keep reading. You need to really learn “what makes you tick.” I can get a good idea about your needs, wants and tendencies by talking with you. I will use this information and physical measurements to craft a fitness program for you to follow.
But if you’re really going to improve your health and fitness over a lifetime, you have to make this “fitness thing” personal. Or, said another way, make the adjustments necessary--no matter what--to improve your health and change your body to lean and toned.
How do you do this? I can’t tell you exactly how to do it because every person is unique. I can give you some examples of how some clients, as well as myself, have made fitness a personal issue and succeeded.
I will use some familiar examples:
1. Keep a food journal. Research has proven that you will have a better chance of succeeding with your meal plan if you keep a food journal. This will help you keep track of your eating habits and help you make needed changes. By logging your actual food choices, you are holding yourself accountable throughout the day. You will also be forced to plan your meals better.
Some people are not wired to write down every thing in a journal every day. If you are this type person, you have to come up with a way to track what you eat. My preferred way to do this is to plan and pack my meals for the day.
I have some clients who have written down what they eat for a few days until they get the hang of their new meal plan. Find what works for you. Find comparable replacements for foods you don’t like. There’s no reason to eat anything you don’t like. Bottom line: comply with your meal plan at least 90 percent of the time.
2. Find an accountability partner such as friend, spouse or personal trainer. Research proves that social support is a huge part of your success. Don’t try to do your exercise program alone.
What does this look like in real life? I prefer to work out alone but my friends know if I’m there or not (and vice-versa). We talk after my workout. Some people prefer social weight loss websites. Others will always work out with a buddy or spouse. Group classes fit the bill for many people. And, some people need to be pushed by a personal trainer. These are all forms of social support and they all work.
3. Change up your exercise routine to keep your body from adapting to the same old workout and to prevent boredom. Have you reached a weight loss plateau? Have your workouts been sporadic because you are “bored to death?”
Here’s the solution: personalize your program. Your trainer may have printed out a workout for you to follow. What if you don’t like some of the exercises? There are tons of exercises that work the same body parts. Find exercises you enjoy.
Don’t always do your cardio on the treadmill. Don’t always workout at the gym or at home. Mix it up. I would quit exercising if I didn’t enjoy it and you would too at some point. On the days you are “dragging,” find fun exercises to do and you are more likely to finish your workout.
When you “take things personal,” you always do a better job. This works with fitness. Give it a try.
Mark Dilworth, BA, PES, CPT is a Certified Personal Trainer and former NCAA Division I athlete. Mark is the owner of My Fitness Hut, Her Fitness Hut, Sports Fitness Hut and My Nutrition Hut. Mark’s Fat Blaster Athletic Training System has been proven to give his clients the fit, sculpted and athletic-type bodies they want. Visit Mark’s main site:
Your Fitness University http://yourfitnessuniversity.com
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