Secrets to Success - My weight loss journey

One of the reasons I became a trainer is to help people achieve what I struggled with for many many years. Losing the kilos, and being happy in a healthy body.
I’ve been there done that, bought the shakes, the pills, the ab machines, the exercise equipment, the videos, the gym memberships, the ready meals – even tried the electro-impulse machines and toning tables. So what made things finally fall into place? What changed to make my weight loss effective?
Have a “Smart” Goalr
You need to have something to work towards – to keep you focused. SMART; Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time Based is the key. I also found it helped to “break it down” . Losing 20ks seemed very overwhelming. Losing 5ks in 6 weeks felt more achievable, and when that goals was smashed you try for the next one. Even now, I have a goal, smash it, move to the next.
Healthy Eating, not “dieting”
Just eating low calorie foods, watching what I ate, counting calories or replacing meals with shakes just caused me to feel depraved, miserable and HUNGRY! Keeping a food diary means that I am conscious of what I am eating, I eat regularly and healthily, and still “indulge” occasionally.
Combining Health Eating with Exerciser
Many times I pondered why I was overweight. “I eat too much” so I’d go on a diet. “I’m lazy and unfit” so I would hit the gym. Very seldom did I consider that focusing on eating properly AND increasing my activities would be the best way to achieve success.
Find something you Love
I find gyms are monotonous, I don’t like walking unless I have somewhere to go to, it’s too far to the nearest watersports, swimming is good but it’s the getting dried and changed afterwards that’s the pain. Bottom line is if you didn’t enjoy it you’re not going to stick to it. Zumba was the answer for me, as I enjoyed the dancing, the music and the social interaction. Try different things – ANYTHING, until you find something you can get addicted to, or that will become a habit. Don’t write it off without trying it. 12 months ago when I wrote a similar article I thought running was boring. I had on my bucket list to run 5ks though so I had to give it a go. Now, I run at least 3 times per week, and as I write this have a PB distance of 18ks. Who knew!
Help and Support
I don’t know whether I would have been anywhere near as successful if I hadn’t had a network of friends, training mates, family and colleagues to back me up all the way. Their encouragement, tips, smiles, coaching and advice are what continue to amaze me, and keep me motivated. When I’m feeling sorry for myself, lose my motivation or faith in what I am trying to achieve, there’s always someone ready to give me a kick up the butt!
A Positive Attituder
To me, this is the most important part of all. Everyone has bad days, gets bad news, falls off the wagon every once in a while. The trick is to constantly remind yourself how wonderful you are, how far you have come, and that you can achieve anything you set your mind to. Trust me – I’m the walking proof!