Typical Misconception on Getting Fit and Losing Weight

​I hear this a lot talking to our new clients and thought it would be a great article to write about in our blog.  A lot of people have this common misconception: they think, “if I start exercising, I will lose the weight I have gained over the last 20 years.” 

I can see why people have this misconception as everywhere we look in advertising shows slim people with small waists.  We believe these slim people got that way just through exercise.  Hence people start to think, “if they are working out to look like this, well then so should I.” 

Through the years as a personal trainer, what I have found is that most men are really bothered by the belly they have accumulated.  With women, most are concerned with their butts and thighs.  Not all men and women I have coached over the years are concerned exactly the same, but these common themes do come up.

Let’s clear up the fog.  Yes, you need to exercise in all forms: weight training, cardio, and flexibility as they help you burn calories.  Your body works quite simply, burn more calories than you consume. For example, if your body needs 2,000 calories to keep your current weight, eating 1,900 calories will help you slowly but surely drop weight.  This is known as being in a “calorie deficit”.   

What I find with most clients is they think all they need to do is exercise and the weight will come off.  Ohhh … if it was that easy.  Here’s the shocker: weight loss is about what you consume. Your goal is to lower the number of calories you consume in a day.  More importantly, you start feeding your body with good nutrition, protein and fats while lowering your carb intake.  (Now we are getting into the macronutrient discussion.  I will leave that for future article.) 
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Here’s what you need to know to get healthier and fitter for whatever activity or health reasons you are doing it for.  It all comes down to this, HABITS.  Start breaking bad old habits with new healthy lifestyle habits that you can stick to.  There’s the magic answer you were never told. 
Then all of a sudden exercising is a daily habit, understanding what you are eating to fuel your body with the right nutrients becomes a passion all of a sudden.  While remembering past experiences with all the bad habits you had that made you feel sluggish, tired, and anxious while making sleeping at night difficult.  Trading the bad habits for good habits will make you feel so much better and give your body the energy it needs to exercise.

​Karl

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