A couple of weeks ago I recorded a podcast about needing to change things in order to create the change you desire. This week I was a guest on another Podcast where this came up again.
The question was – what’s your biggest frustration within your business. My response was people’s reluctance to change. As in, I often have conversations where people present their goals, what they see as their problems / pain points. The stumbling block for many however is that when potential solutions are presented they are quickly rejected because they don’t fit in with that person’s current lifestyle and what they really want is a solution that allows them to create that change without actually changing anything they actually do.
This is why things like skinny tea attract so many people. You mean I can carry on with my current exercise routine (or lack of), eat exactly the same foods but drink a cup of tea a day and lose weight (or take a pill and lose weight, same concept)- if you have the choice between that and making efforts to change your lifestyle which one would you choose? I get it.
Of course the problem is these things don’t work (or they’d be given out on the NHS to reduce the cost of obesity right?), but it’s so boring and unsexy, the idea you’ve really got to make some form of practical changes to get results.
From the point of view of a PT though. We want to help, a good PT will offer you the best option for you, not their pocket. There’s no gain in suggesting something that will not work, PTs want success stories not dissatisfied customers so when we suggest those practical changes over pills and potions we really are doing it with the clients best interest in mind.
We also understand change is hard. The actual gym sessions are not the hard work, the changes to mindset to get those gym sessions and new dietary habits into your life – that is the hard part.
Why do so many people pay for gym membership and gym plans / programmes then never go / get started? Because actually stumping up cash is easy in terms of effort. What we’d all like is that £100 per month direct debit to mean we will get results. It’s slightly annoying that on top of that we actually have to commit some time and effort.
But you could have the best PT in the world, buy the best programme, join the best gym. All of those are great first steps. If you don’t then accept you will need to make some changes once you’ve taken the plunge, they are pointless.
I’m not talking ridiculous changes here, let me be clear. I’m not saying never eat chocolate again or sell your home and move into the gym. I’m talking small achievable changes – things that can become habits overtime.
I’d love if you could listen to my podcast to hear my thoughts on making lifestyle changes. Next podcast coming soon and will continue this theme, discussing whether you should do things that do not make you happy in order to reach your goals.
Heather Sherwood Fitness 