Which weight will you choose?

As a Personal Trainer I have had many conversations about goals, motivations and reasons for wanting to exercise and diet.

I regularly hear “When I reach XXX weight I will be happy” or “I used to be happy at a size XXX, and then…”.

This is a common trend in today’s society, but is it the best motivator when it comes to the long-term success of lifestyle changes?

My goal as a Personal Trainer is not to just make my clients lose weight (if that is their goal). My goal is to give them the knowledge and tools that they need to reach their goals and to help them enjoy the process along the way!

When trying to achieve changes in body composition (changes that will be long term and maintainable), you need to find a way to enjoy the process and make sure it isn’t an “I’ll be happy when…” scenario.

My most effective method that I have seen work with many of my clients is weight training. Weight training is an excellent approach to changing body composition, weight loss, weight gain and confidence.

Why?

BECAUSE THE FOCUS IS NO LONGER ON THE NUMBER ON THE SCALES OR THE NUMBER IN THE BACK OF YOUR JEANS!!

Weight training gives clients the opportunity to switch their focus to a positive number. It is impossible to beat yourself up for achieving. :-)

Instead of focusing on the weighing scales, you can change your focus to adding more weight to the bar, getting more reps, etc. This is a positive number because the number is a representation of your progress over time; your strength and a ‘gain’ (positive) rather than a ‘loss’ (negative).

I asked my clients Natalie and Nikitta about this…

Amy: How did you feel the first time you hit a Personal Best on an exercise?

Natalie: Amy said ‘lift’ - I said ‘ok’. On the inside I was full of self doubt; “…No way can I lift this… she’s crazy. Ok Natalie let’s just try...” And then it happened - the weight just moved and I was shocked. It made me feel like superwoman!

Then I started to think “Wow - maybe if I started believing in myself and stop doubting what I’m capable of, I could do so much more…”.

See Natalie’s transformation here >>

Nikitta: I tried to lift it and thought “Woah, is Amy insane? Are you ok hun? I CAN’T DO THAT!”, even though I had no idea how much it actually weighed. Then Amy told me to ‘get mad’ and I thought “Ok, now I know she’s definitely crazy…” but then I lifted it!!

When Amy told me I had just lifted more than I weigh myself, I was in complete shock! I was so happy that when I went home I bragged about it to my partner - like I was the strongest person in the world!

You have to be your own biggest fan, right?”

See Nikitta’s transformation here >>

Allowing yourself to enjoy the process by celebrating the smaller (or heavier) achievements is what will help you to continue on your journey long term and make these changes a lifestyle rather than a quick fix.

Being able to do something you don’t think you can do, is a one-way ticket to a huge confidence boost.

I hope you find your heavy achievements too. :-)