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3 Fundamental to transform your body

By Matt MacLeod

All across America people join gyms, mostly hoping to lose weight and tone up, hoping that this will be the magic and permanent weight loss. What remains an interesting phenomenon is that few have much of a plan on how to achieve this goal. I am not saying they don’t have good intentions. Some probably have been told by their doctors to lose weight or they will die. Don’t believe me? Start noticing the people around you in the gym. If you belong to a public gym, see if any one these apply. Are the majority of people using the cardio equipment or are in a cardio/ spin class? Others are probably doing some form of abdominal exercise. Guys typically gravitate towards the bench. Women normally do some form of leg or triceps exercise. Now, before you say, “well, duh”, watch them over the next couple of weeks. How many keep doing the same things over and over, without making significant progress? How many are continuing to just doing the same handful of exercises over and over? From what I have seen in my own gym, except for a very small handful, I would bet most. Maybe you know someone like this.

Would you begin a huge project with out any planning and hope that everything will come out ok in the end? Well, you might if you really didn’t care about the end result or how long it takes to get there. This is the approach that too many people have when it comes to working out in the gym. Finally, most give up out of frustration because they can’t figure out why it’s so hard to lose weight and build muscle. Unfortunately, most give up feeling even worse than when they started because they never understood how to get in shape in the first place.

Getting in shape is simple, but not easy. Simple because on a large scale there are only three things you have to do to get in great shape and have a great body. Well, actually there is a fourth. Assuming all responsibility for your success, this is a crucial element most miss. First, you must sensibly. Second, you need a moderate amount of cardiovascular conditioning. Third, focus on building muscle.

What is not easy is that you are going to have to make changes in your lifestyle. Creating new habits can be difficult. Initially a lot of what is going to take places is more mental than physical. As you get the ball rolling, you will start seeing results, but not as fast as you may want. During the first few weeks or months, temptations such as short cuts become very appealing. We start looking for the quick fixes. There are numerous unscrupulous supplement companies promising you overnight success. I can tell you from experience that most of these products don’t work.

Many people believe that with their diet, everything has to be strict, controlled and difficult. Following the belief that you need to take in less calories people often believe that this means taking in a lot less food. Often times you will actually eat more food than you are used to. Eating supportively for you body, does mean eating less junk food. True. Most are surprised how far calories go. I tell my clients, you need to eat about every 2 to 3 hours a meal consisting of a lean protein, fibrous vegetable, and healthy starch. By healthy I mean anything that has not been processed or enriched. After a few days you will find you have more energy that you ever did before. Your energy levels will remain high and constant throughout the day. Not to mention that body fat will begin to come off your body.

Let me mention that it is body fat you want reduced, not just scale weight. The scale will not tell you the difference between water, muscle or fat. As clothes fit better, even if you see an increase in scale weight, be assured that you are making improvements. That is if you follow the concept of supportive eating, a healthy regard for building muscle, and moderate aerobic exercise.

About the Author:

Matt MacLeod is a certified personal trainer and martial artist located in Atlanta, GA. His website is www.BodyDynamic.org