Fast Results or Lasting Results? They rarely come together.

Fast results are cheap.

They're like cheap beer, no one appreciates it because it has no depth and lacks flavor. 
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Yet, everyone wants fast results. Cheap results.

In fact speed is of the utmost importance to most people who walk through the door of my gym. They ask me silly questions like, "How long will it take for me to see results?" As if I'm some sort of Wizard of Oz that can wave some sort of spell over them and make them thin....all of them...in a prescribed period of time.

Listen, I've provided the place, the environment and support. You have to provide the results. I'm the coach, cheerleader, and sometimes sideline mom cheering you on. But I am not the player, you are. You have to run the ball, you have to make the plays. My job is coach, teacher, mentor, cheerleader. You are the player in the game of your life. Your action will determine your speed. So, when, is not an answer I can give anyone. Only you have that answer.

If you are reading this and you're on your 5th or 10th or 50th weight loss program. Let me offer you the best advice I possibly can. And, I do this knowing that only about 1% of you will hear me and do this, but I'm going to say it anyway. I'm going to tell you the secret...THE BIGGEST SECRET EVER TO WEIGHT LOSS! The secret that no one in my industry has the nerve to tell you because they are afraid that the 99% of you that are after the quick pay-off, the fast results, the cheap beer...they are afraid you will bail. 

I'm not going to lie, I'm afraid of that too...nevertheless....

If you want to win at this weight loss thing...if you want to NEVER HAVE TO START OVER AGAIN - DO THIS...

SLOW THE HELL DOWN! 

That's it. Yep, you didn't like it did you? 

If you read that and felt a stabbing sensation in your chest it's because you started with the end in mind. You began just to end. And that WILL NEVER WORK. EVER!!!!!!!!

I hate to break it to you, health (and therefore weight loss - or maintaining a certain weight) is a bank account you must put a deposit into every day for the rest of your life. There is no retirement plan where you get to sock away your fitness, and coast later on. It does not work that way. This must become part of, not only what you do, but who you are. And don't judge who you are by where you are currently. I've seen the most unlikely  people change their life's trajectory. 

This news should not freak you out, it should actually bring you freedom for a few reasons. 

First, you can now breathe and chill the heck out. Stop trying to do it all in one day. Stop trying to pick up a new fitness routine and change everything about your diet and read 10 motivational books each week. Stop trying to do it all right now. You have time. You have a long time to do this. You have the rest of your life. What if the whole next year was your time to learn, evolve and grow? No expectation. No pressure. 

Second, you've been given the secret to never being here again. If you go slow and make small changes over time, I promise you that consistency will win. I promise you that you'll gain momentum as the days and months go on. And I promise you, that if you persist, you will never have to START again. 

I know because that is where I am. I'm not perfect, I don't even want to be. I don't look like your typical trainer, I know that. And I don't give a shit. I have found my happy place. It's not what I would have told you a few years ago would be my "goal weight." But I can live here, I can be me here. I am disciplined most of the time...not all the time. And that makes me happy. What I give to my body and do now should take me to the places I dream to go...now and later. I don't need the extremes and I don't need you to be impressed by my biceps. I'm good with me. 

That's not normal in my industry. And it's hard to admit. But it's true. 

I'm more focused on being healthy than being impressive. Period. And in an industry all about your body, that took me some time to learn and some time to admit to myself.

And really that's whats wrong. This fitness industry is a lot about the body, on the outside. The fast results.

Fitness. Fit for what? When I answer that for myself I say, FIT to do my life the way I want to for a long period of time. Period. Fit to hike, bike, get up and down off the floor. Fit to go white water rafting with my grandchildren when I'm in my 70's. And guess what? I can be super healthy and to all of those things without killing myself in the gym. Without spending hours thinking about food every day. Without bench pressing my body weight. - Insert eye roll. 

I looked up the word fitness in the dictionary and guess what it said?

Fitness: 
Noun
1. Health

See it's not health and fitness. They are one in the same. Health is fitness and fitness is being healthy. 

Yes, a healthy body, but also, healthy mind. WOW!!!! And if you knew where I was mentally a few years ago, you'd see the most impressive before and after picture. But I can't show you that with a picture. I would do it all over again and again for what "fit"ness has done for my brain and my mind and my mental health. Regardless of the size of my thighs. 

So, you ask me, when will you get results? I ask you. What result do you want?