NEW YEAR... SO What

So the new Year is here, and what does that mean. It means that every Gym in the world is salivating for new business. It means that each Ad in Sunday's paper had fitness equipment on sale. and It means that millions of people all over the world Start their "New Year Diet and Exercise Program" only to have 90% of them stop after just a few short week.



Why?



Why do most people not continue their program?



I have a few possible reasons, and hopefully a few tips to help people Fight back, and continue on their programs.



#1 Reason:

I truly believe that no matter what time of year, most people do not stay true to their fitness goals because they don't see immediate results. I was watching the Biggest loser last night and it was awesome to see a few people lose 30 or more than 30 lbs in one week. That is just not a reality that most of us live in.



Even if you lose 2 lbs a week or one, or sometimes none at all, your body has been hard at work on the inside. Making the necessary changes to the inside and structure before it can showcase the transformation on the outside. DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED! Let not your heart be troubled! It typically takes 8 Weeks of CONSISTENT diet and exercise to begin seeing real results in the mirror! Luckily it's not a Steady sloping Curve. The results are then exponential in the final 4 weeks of a 12 week program. Typically after the 8 weeks into the next 4-6 weeks is where you will see your largest change in yourself in the mirror.



The scale does not tell the whole Story. don't get wrapped up in "I'm not losing any weight", I'm still Fat, etc. It takes time, and consistency, but I promise you the results DO COME... just not as fast as we would like. BE PATIENT... the Changes will come!

#2: I already cheated... So Screw it. This happens SO often... people agree to do something, they miss one Day, or eat one cheeseburger, or one slice of Cheesecake and they think since they cheated... they now think it's hopeless and why bother.. this is too hard, i can't do it.

BS!

I think cheating and breaks are a "healthy" part of a routine diet and exercise program. Without them 2 things can happen. O
1- On the diet side, the cravings begin to catch up with us and then after we can't take it anymore, there is a gorging that takes place. It's an overcompensation for what we have been denying yourself. And it's the unhealthy solution. a better option would be to make small concessions along the way. If you have a huge craving for taco bell... go get yourself Taco bell, but only get a hard taco fresco style, cheat, but cheat smart. Instead of eating the whole donut at the office, cut a 1/4 of it off and walk away knowing you made a better decision, than pounding the whole thing, but still satisfying the craving.

2 - on the exercise front you can either over train, and then you won't feel like going back for too long, and then feel guilty about it, so you just screw it because it is no longer fun, it's a burden because of the guilty feelings, OR you miss a few days, and think to yourself, If I can't even do this for a month, why even bother.. it won't matter unless i can be faithful each day... WRONG!

It does matter! every work out does something for you whether you feel it or see the results. If you miss a few days here or there, or even a week or two, It's OK! get back on the horse, and keep moving along. the body actually like to take a break now and then to replenish, and keep it guessing. Too much routine, although it's great to be doing something, might not be the best way to go about it... you need to keep your body guessing all the time, and change things up. Exercises, weights, styles, workouts, time of day... don't do any one thing for too long. Take a break for a week, see how your body reacts when you get back.. just don't let it last too long :).


So the goal... Not to be In the gym everyday and count every calorie and Carb, but to be consistent with a plan, and keep it up... if you miss.. Good for you that you had something better to do. now get back in there, good for you for satisfying you Snickers attack, just don't satisfy it each day.

Happy new year and good luck!