When I decided to re train to become a Personal Trainer and study Nutrition, I was criticised by many for "jumping on the wagon". I ignored the negative comments and although I have a very well paid job and career in the Oil and Gas Industry there is nothing rewarding about processing a work pack and issuing it offshore for me - no real job satisfaction.
I remember how unhappy I felt with my appearance, and how I struggled with my weight and confidence during my 20s (the years you should be enjoying yourself!). There were more lows than highs and I turned to food for comfort. When I hit rock bottom and changed my body I realised I wanted to help others achieve the same and make them realise that fad diets in magazines, 14 day ab blasts, body wraps or your standard "slimming clubs" are just not sustainable long term, and the best approach is healthy diet with exercise to complement this.
Having a good support network around you really helps you achieve your goals, and as you progress and start smashing those goals, you start to realise which friends are really your friends. I have spoke to a number of ladies at the gym that I attend who are slightly older than me but have transformed their lives, and have lost friends along the way. When I ask them why, the response is always the same for each person - not because interests have changed but down to jealousy.
Its amazing the effect of other peoples comments and opinions have on us women, we do take every comment made about our appearance personally and we over think things too. When I lost weight I had people speak behind my back saying "it won't last", "she will put it all back on". Previously I wanted to prove these people wrong (which I have done) but now I see the bigger picture... I don't care about proving a point to them, I no longer deem them as my friends and I think that people like that are very nasty individuals and not worth knowing. My perspective on life now is to surround myself with positive people who have the same mindset and lift me up rather than put me down.
I do a lot of online coaching, which does see me being a personal trainer, nutritionist, motivator and support worker. A lot of my female clients have experienced issues as I mentioned above, not just from friends but family too! Some of the comments can really knock my clients confidence and make them deviate from plan, for others it gives them even more motivation to prove the "haters wrong".
One thing I have struggled with is understanding that not all clients or people in general have the same motivation and determination as me, and although I set out with my Online Coaching to change peoples mindset, push them in their goals they wish to achieve, I now realise that change starts with one person - YOURSELF. Although I can give a client all the tools and support to succeed their goals, the responsibility in achieving those goals lies with the individual, and its very hard for me to watch a client fail.
When you implement change it is extremely hard work to begin with, but once its there and your seeing the results it becomes a way of life and you will wonder why you never embraced it before.
Last week I overheard a conversation about a woman who had re joined a female only franchised gym, (can not name it), but they are based around the city, and you go there for 30 minute workouts. She said this was her 3rd time there and each time she had lost x amount of weight. Clearly she stopped going, gained the weight and keeps re signing up. Later on in the day she asked who wanted to order a Dominos pizza for the Holiday Monday since the canteen would be closed. Although this totally angers me, I am starting to understand that I can't change everyone and there are people like this out there who will quite happily spend there life wasting money on half hearted change.
Going back to the topic on fad diets, and "slimming clubs", the reason why I don't like them is because when a client reaches their goal, there is no ongoing support, help or information on how to maintain what they have achieved. How can a person realistically point track for the rest of their life? I also don't agree with the convenience meals that they produce which are costly! or where the individual can save up points for alcohol. I just feel that these clubs "cash in " on vulnerable people. However the plus point for these clubs is that for a
"VERY SMALL MINORITY" of people, at the end of their plan have a switch that clicks on. They realise that this isn't sustainable long term, and they go and see a professional and educate themselves on good nutrition and how to sustain what they have achieved. It also kick starts a whole new life for them.
Hands up, the first 5 months of my weight loss, I stupidly stuck to 1400 calories a day, I had a cheat day every Saturday, I went to the gym twice a day. At lunchtime I did 30 minutes Kettlebell circuits, in the evening I ran on a treadmill for 60 minutes, then I swam for 60 minutes solid. I probably burned on average around 1000 calories per day but only consumed 1400 calories - BLOODY STUPID. I lived on Protein Shakes and rice cakes. When I look back I am utterly disgusted what I put my body through over 20 weeks, and I am so glad I realised that it wasn't sustainable long term and seemed professional help. I was also very lucky to have people around me who are educated in Nutrition and gave me a good talking too when they realised the extent of what I was putting my body through.
I know this post is abit ranting and goes off in tangents but its food for thought. A number of issues in this post have happened this week and as they say its better out than in!
Change happens when YOU want it to and only YOU can implement it.
