Obesity: How to Stop Failure in Weight Loss

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It is very hard for me to see people overweight, and suffering. It’s hard for me, because when people do come to me for help, it doesn’t take long for them to breakdown. It’s usually the same thing, they say, “I don’t know what to do anymore.” It always breaks my heart. As I get to know each client, their stories may be different, but the pain is always there, and deep. I want to be a part of helping ease that pain. I am so passionate about what I do. I do want to help everyone, and I wish I could. Each day I wake up, I’m motivated to help whoever I can. I pride myself on having a deep compassion for others, especially those suffering from their weight. I’d do whatever I could to help someone in need to lose weight. I’ve learned though, that not everyone wants help. I’ve learned that I can’t expect people to show up ready to go. I’ve learned that their “will always” be excuses. I’ve learned that even if I offer my services for free, like my free walk group and Q & A with a trainer, they won’t show, and the lack of commitment is frustrating. Why is a personal trainer important? I never really thought of it that much, but that I loved helping people. Now, I understand more, I’m wiser, we all have room for growth, including myself. No one should suffer from health related issues, and if you start now, they can be prevented, or relieved. No one should be miserable because of their weight. No one should feel that they don’t have a life or that it’s not worth living, because of their weight. As a trainer, I put more emphasis now, on my clients inner-self, then when I first began training. I talk with clients on a much deeper, personal level, because what’s on the inside, most likely affects their outside. It’s part of the challenge that I take on, and it’s more important to me now then ever. I’ve evolved. I’ve learned how to use my kind, gentle ways, while still remaining tough and demanding during training. I’ve crafted the proper balance of training with caring, pushing hard work, while creating trust and wonderful friendships. I haven’t been able to achieve everything that I’ve wanted, but each step with helping others, I’m grateful for. The journey will never come to an end, because I always welcome a new challenge. I never refuse anyone, I only ask for as much dedication as I put forth. One thing I’ve learned, is that you can’t help someone who doesn’t want help, and you can’t help someone that is not ready to embrace change. I admit, that it makes me sad when someone can’t find the strength to fight their battle. Most of the time, my talks, my constant drilling into their heads does work. I remind people, that they have it in them to change, because we all have the strength to become the person we visualize or feel we lost. You can do this. You have it in you to fight whatever’s holding you back. Most clients find it difficult to stick with their training and diet, but with the following changes, you can better stick to your plan.

1) Keep learning. The more information you gather, the more things that you can try, and see if it works for you. Learn how the body works, how it uses energy, builds muscle and burns fat. Read up on what makes us healthier.

2) Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Fear and embarrassment stop way to many people from getting help. We all reach a point in our lives where we need help and we shouldn’t be afraid to ask for it. Talk to your family or a close friend, whoever you trust. there is nothing wrong with saying, “I can’t take it anymore, I need help.” Don’t let it be to late, that something happens to you, because you never asked.

3) What’s your motivation? Are you doing this for your children? Spouse? Failing health? But, believe in yourself, because you can do it for you.

4) Each step helps. You don’t need to start out running miles and pushing hard, like everyone believes. If you try to exceed your limits, you’ll set yourself up for failure. If you are overweight, start by walking. Do what you can, but aim for a time a few days per week. Can you do 20 mins or 30 mins comfortably? If you can start with 20 mins 4-days per week, that’s fine. Also, add weights into your training slowly over time. Pyramid your training for length of time, because this works very well to lose a lot of weight over time.

5) Diet matters. Like exercise, make positive changes in your diet. With diet, I’d prefer that you cut the junk out right away. If you can’t, then cut out the junk over time, but quickly. You can keep ONE SMALL SERVING of a  “can’t live without dessert,“ this does make sticking to the diet easier. I always preach 70% diet vs. 30% exercise, with both being extremely important, but if you don’t clean up your diet, you’ll never achieve success.

6) Do you need a personal trainer? We can provide the know how, with nutrition, be your support, hold you accountable, and help to find a way to take away your fears. If working out in a gym or park alone makes you uncomfortable, you’ll have someone to hold your hand. Many people know that personal training is very expensive, and it is. But, most people don’t know that some trainers, including myself, are willing to help those with low-income. I never want to forget why I became a trainer. I love what I do, and I’m addicted to seeing people get results. If someone weights 190lds+ or 200lds+ and can’t afford a trainer, I take them on as “on assignment.” What is my offer? I offer to train them for $10+ per hour. If they can only afford $10, that’s fine. If anyone can give me more for my efforts, that’s totally up to them, and it’s always appreciated. My main goal, is to help as many people that need my help, and that want my help. I can’t help if you don’t ask me.

I often feel that people don’t know how to ask for help, and that’s the biggest challenge. I want people to stop being scared, and ask. I understand that people have fears of rejection. It bothers me greatly not to have people reach out, or reach back, when I do offer help that I do, which is sincere. I write these articles for no other reason, but to help. I write to reach out to others that may need my help. I wish more people would reach back, because I am accessible to you. Ask for my help, or guidance. Obesity doesn’t mean you need to stay that way. Someone told me recently, that “you are in control,” because “I” myself had a fear. I never thought of it that way, but it made sense after hearing it from someone else. The moment that you feel down, that you’re heading down that road that you think you’ll fail, remember, “you are in control.” Once you think this, live this, you can let go of fear or whatever is holding you back, and believe that you don’t need to suffer as you are anymore.