We know that people don’t wake up one morning and say “Hey, lets gain 60 pounds and struggle through the easiest of tasks. That sounds like fun!”
I’m 42. I’m a personal trainer. An international fitness presenter. Husband. Dad. Former fat guy and a yoyo’r when it comes to my weight. I’m writing this so those that need to read it know they aren’t alone. So many people talk about the 1% of the population with 99% of the wealth. What about the 3% of the population that makes fitness look easy. The 3% of the population that can stick to their food. Their fitness. Their lives looks so good. So perfect. I know I’m at times a 3%’r. Not always though. I struggled. I was a waif of a kid growing up. Heading off to college weighing 128 pounds at 5’9” and coming back weighing 258 pounds. I did not go to the gym. I got fat. In fact, my nickname was Fatty Matty McGee. Now, I never gained weight like that personal trainer did to see what it was like to be one of his clients. To be honest. I think that gave him more publicity then insight into the average persons struggles.
We know that people don’t wake up one morning and say “hey, lets gain 60 pounds and struggle through the easiest of tasks. That sounds like fun!”
Understanding the struggles people go through is more then knowing the basic formula of too many calories too little exercise equals weight gain. The struggles come from the WHY. Why are people eating crappy foods? Why are people overeating? Why are people not going to the gym or exercising at home? In my years of working as a personal trainer and as a fitness club owner I have learned that when things are not in balance at home or with an individual, you can see how that affects them physically. I know that when Felicia, my wife and I are not doing well in our relationship, things fail. Food fails. Fitness fails. They are my control substance and when things are out of control, they go first. I know that when finances are hard. I fail. To be honest, we fail. Anyone reading this that is looking to lose weight or get their lives back in balance knows what I’m talking about. It’s hard. Kids pulling one way, work another, spouse another, bills piling up. Its hard. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.
“Balance from what I’ve experienced is never perfect.”
In fact it’s the opposite of impossible. It’s taking the conscious step to bring balance back into your life. Balance from what I’ve experienced is never perfect. But we can do a few simple things to make it permanent.
1 - Know you want change.
2 - Know that one day at a time, change will occur. You didn’t get where you’re at overnight, so it’s going to take some time.
3 - Make conscious decisions and be vocal about them.
4 - Be realistic about your situation. If things aren’t great financially, what can be done to fix that? If your relationship seems broken, how can it be mended. Communication is usually the key.
5 - Reach out to someone for help and advice. We here at taubfitness.com would be happy to help.
6 - Stop comparing yourself to others.
7. Start.
You will not be able to create perfection. Why would that even be a goal. Make change permanent. If you are in a relationship, talk to your spouse or partner about what you want. I don’t know many people that say, no, I’m good unconditioned and unhealthy, but you go. Become one another’s support system. You both know what you’re going through. But be responsible for yourself. If you had a bad day and decided to load up on butterfingers and peanut butter cups on the way home. Thats on you. So when you are at that point, think about if its worth it. You’ve been down that path before. Permanent means one step at a time. Repeating those same steps, everyday.
I say all this with the knowledge that I’ve been there. In fact. I’m there now. With you the whole way. Once I doubled in size from 128 to 258 pounds I put myself on the permanent path of struggle. My bad decisions got me there. Deciding to eat poorly. Deciding to deal with my problems and stresses with poor food and misuse of alcohol. When things get stressful, I go where I know. I have to remind myself that I’ve been there already. I don’t always listen to myself. But the best part is, that cycle doesn’t have to continue. If you take a misstep. You don’t have to fall down the entire flight of stairs. It’s just that, a misstep. Get back on track and you’re good to go.
Remember that you’re not alone. More then 66% of adult Americans are obese or overweight. That’s 2 out of every 3 people. But you can do it. Because you want to.