What is it like to be overweight?

The other morning I was listening to the radio on the way to work and this couple came on and they were discussing their goals to lose 70lbs each, so 140lbs total before their wedding date. As the man on the radio was telling his story and saying with great confidence and excitement that they were going to reach their goals, you couldn’t help but be excited for him as well. This made me think in a way that I have never truly considered before in my life. See I have always been naturally thin and athletic so being overweight was never an issue for me. As a personal trainer I have been training overweight and obese clients for years, but I never considered how it may be hard for them not only physically but more mentally challenging as well. If I were to put myself in their shoes…I would be concerned about where to start with becoming a healthier individual. I thought to myself “what if I was that person who had to lose 25lbs, 50lbs, or even 100lbs to lose?” The thought of those numbers and knowing as a trainer how difficult it truly is to get on track with health and wellness is not just an over the night fix, but a lengthy process that takes a lot of time and dedication to get where you want or even need to be. The thought scared me, and made me realize what being an overweight client actually feels like for the very first time.

Normally when someone puts on weight it can be associated with certain behavioral patterns or sometimes health related. The top reasons being…

  • Genetics
  • Processed foods “junk food”
  • Food addiction
  • Medications
  • Sugar
  • Inactivity
  • Depression
  • Less sleep
  • Increased calorie intake

Where people gain the weight at is normally determined through further verbal analysis with a client, and I know that the thought of having an extreme amount of weight to lose is intimidating.  A lot of people don’t know where to even start when it comes to how to properly and effectively lose the weight that they need too.  But the help of fitness professionals and dieticians is a step into the right direction after getting medical clearance from your physician.

Most clients know how much they need to lose based on their past history of weight. However the desired weight is not only for you but for your overall well being,  so when you meet with your physician or personal trainer he or she should give a desired weight loss goal based off of your body fat, and lean body mass, as well as the guidelines for your gender and age to be at.  Living a healthy lifestyle and making proper lifestyle changes can have a very positive impact on YOUR life, and YOU can be a wonderful example to not only those around you but to your family, friends, and children if you have any.

Weight loss is not an easy undertaking but with a high desire to reach your goals, you will get there! To be a personal trainer you need to have a deep understanding and respect for your clients. Listening and becoming an active supporter of my client’s goals and interests are my top priority. Just know that there is support out there to help you in every aspect of your fitness journey.

 

Respect yourself, love yourself, and push yourself to be a better you each and every day.

Resolutions

As we embark into the New Year I am meeting many new clients who are getting back from the holidays, where if they had a routine prior to holidays they were officially broken during. The holidays bring about traveling, working longer hours, holiday shopping, decorating for the holidays, wrapping gifts, kids coming home over break, and probably a high amount of stress. Whatever the reasoning the once routine is now a broken one for a short period of time. As someone whose birthday happens to fall into the lovely month of January I have always found it to be a horrible time of the year to have a birthday fall on since its winter, and let’s face it nobody really loves winter. Looking at it now; I see it as a sense of new beginnings, a time to set new goals, and change your outlook of how things did or didn’t go the year prior. The New Year brings new hope and change of lifestyle choices. Since I am in the fitness industry, this new beginning brings a new hope to personal trainers who want to help people like you. Unfortunately gym memberships fade as people fall back into their old ways and into last year’s routine. Year after year people seek out this New Year and new beginning, but fail, but why? So I ask you, what makes this year so different? What is going to make 2015 stand out for you? The biggest resolution that the vast majority has as a goal is to lose weight, lose inches, change their eating habits, and to get healthy. These are all wonderful goals to have, but my question as a fitness director and personal trainer is HOW WILL YOU REACH YOUR GOALS?  Well… most think they have it in the bag, they know what they’re doing in the gym. All I need to do is cardio, and cardio, oh and if I can really make the change in my diet. Yes all doctors say with diet and exercise. Although exercise is extremely important most people can start the year off right and not know how to end it on the high note that they started it on.

If you have goals, and you want to achieve them in or out of the gym, seek a fitness professional! Personal trainers, I believe have one of the best jobs in the world; to lead people into healthier lifestyles.  I like to say HEALTH IS WEALTH, and without health you will have many limitations in life and probably a shorter life expectancy, and probably not be as happy and fulfilled with what once seemed like such a simple task of walking or standing up is now such a difficult one. So let’s set those goals, let’s devise a plan, and let’s succeed with our diet and fitness regimens! This is your year, so let’s make it the best one and a year where you took back your life and made positive changes that will last you the rest of your life!!!