One of the things I struggle with the most as a fitness professional is our society’s need for instant gratification…
Everybody wants results yesterday!
And, it’s not even that people don’t want to work for it…although some don’t.
Most of the people I come across are actually very willing to do the work…for a short period of time.
Some are willing to practically kill themselves in the gym and starve themselves outside the gym (neither of which we preach at all)…which actually takes a lot of effort…self-discipline…and willpower so it’s NOT that they’re lazy…they’re just misguided.
And… I know in some ways I’m contributing to that misguidance…
As a fitness professional – meaning this is how I make my living – a key part of my job is to get new people to try out our program. That’s where marketing comes into play…
Well, I can’t exactly market “Come work out with us… learn about supportive nutrition… and slowly but surely adopt a healthier lifestyle where you enjoy healthy foods and regular exercise…and in time you’ll eliminate many of your aches and pains… sleep better… have more self-confidence… feel stronger and more energized than ever… and…oh yeah… lose weight along the way in a manner that it doesn’t come back – INTRODUCING OUR FOREVER MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM!” ;-b
If it were only that simple.
No…Instead, we have to entice people with short-term programs like the 6-week/20 pound Challenge or a 21 day Detox Jumpstart Program.
Don’t get me wrong…
Those programs have DRAMATICALLY helped so many of our clients and acted as the catalyst to amazing life transformations. Many of our clients have been with us for 5…6…7… and some even 16 years!
They all started with a trial program.
However… those are the ones who understood going in or very quickly accepted that it’s about the long-game.
Think of it this way. Which would you rather do?
- Lose 10 pounds in 4 weeks and then gain it all back in the next month or so…
- Lose 10 pounds in 4 months and never gain it back
I’m hoping you chose option 2.
If not, we’re probably never going to see eye-to-eye so you might want to hit the UNSUBSCRIBE button at the bottom of this email.
Now… in many cases… you CAN actually have both – meaning lose the weight in the shorter period of time and keep it off forever.
We help people do this all the time…IF they keep up with working on themselves – learning about nutrition, exercising regularly, and making healthier lifestyle choices.
It’s the ON and OFF “roller coaster” that creates failure…and a lot of frustration.
It’s the “I’m going to do this program to lose the weight and then somehow magically keep it off while I stop everything I did to lose the weight in the first place” mentality.
Now, clearly nobody actually says that…consciously.
However, subconsciously that’s exactly what’s being said!
Of course, the other issue with all of this is the fact that we’re still focusing on WEIGHT…
Our society is so focused on body image and being a certain weight that health and fitness are second rate.
NO…just because someone has the “perfect” body or is at an “ideal” weight does NOT mean they’re healthy…or happy!!
That’s another conversation entirely…
I guess the point I want to make…
going back to what to focus on for long-term success and to wrap this up…is this:
When you focus on health and fitness the weight loss and better body will follow.
And, forget about society’s warped vision of what a better body is. Focus on YOUR better body and realize this…
BEING HEALTHY IS HOT! 😉
