Are you really ready to change?

Do you want to lose weight, fit into your old clothes, be able to go on nights out without worry, be in photos and look in the mirror and smile, set a positive example to your children through your actions and live a longer, happier, healthier life of fitness, strength and mobility?!

Feel confident, proud, successful and content?

We all would of course. And so goal setting is an important part of the process. But (and it’s a big but) are you willing to do the work?

Are you willing to eat more protein and veg, record your food, mindfully eat and drink, resist temptation and desire for high-calorie food, say no to seconds, dessert and drinks and friends? To exercise, log and progress this, communicate your needs to others, learn to say no and prioritise yourself, consistently focus on your goals (amongst many others) or at least do some of these?!

Ambitious goal setting is all well and good but we must consider the process and all of its component parts, because if you aren’t willing to do some, if not most of these (and it does often have to be most) then you aren’t going to be successful.

All too often I see people willing to change the pieces of the puzzle that they want to or that are convenient to them but nothing more.

Then the excuses just keep on coming.

No time. No energy. Work. Children. Parents. Friends. Partner. Colleagues. Birthdays. Holidays. Social events. Illness. Injury. Age. Gender. Genetics. I don’t like the gym. Too busy. Weather. Time of year. Not got the right kit.

Something has to give. You can’t have the excuses, goals and your preferred solutions and be successful.

The people who get the results are the ones who are looking to find or engage in the solutions when they are provided. Period.

They push outside of their comfort zones and try new things.

Catherine is a client of mine who works away from home, away from her husband and has her food provided for her. There are often sweets in the office and dessert in the staff kitchen.

These are all legitimate but manageable obstacles. Initially she didn’t see it this way. “Meals are provided. I have no choice. I struggle in the face of temptation.”

But, as above, she was willing to take on new ideas.

“What shops are nearby? What nutritious food can you buy?” I asked.

“I could get some jerky, some yoghurt, protein shakes, packs of ham, some fruit, some mixed nuts and some carrot sticks” she replied.

(Sequence shortened substantially)

She found solutions to problems and actioned them leading to her success. (Being at a weight she hasn’t been at in several years.)

And if you are thinking that wouldn’t work for me then you aren’t ready to really change.

This is unlike the client who eats well most of the time (but could do more) and loses weight slowly. If they don't exercise more then they will not get where they want to be (in my opinion) diet is yielding slow results even though they have a reasonable amount to lose.

They MUST do more to get where they want. And they are not willing to do the work to overcome one or some of the obstacles listed above.

There are solutions, but unlike Catherine they are both not finding them nor engaging outside of their comfort zone to suggestions.

Are you going to be like Catherine? Because your success depends on it.

You might currently be finding the obstacles, you may have a belief that it isn’t possible. This is up to you to change.

Your life, health and happiness isn’t going anywhere until you make a decision to change it. You have to challenge those beliefs. A coach can help you, I can help you. But not if you don’t ask for help or don’t listen when you’re given advice.

“I need to be able to do it on my own though!” And you will be able to, but if you’re sitting in a stationary car then you need to get it started before you can drive off into the sunset.

You can’t have the juice if you aren’t willing to squeeze. Being aware of the sacrifices and efforts required is key before starting any journey.

I’d love a PHD, be able to play an instrument and learn to dance but I’m not willing to put in the time and effort into these things, and if you aren’t willing to put the effort into your fat loss and health that’s fine too. And if you are, that’s great, either start finding the solutions or ask for help.

I'm about to launch a free 7 day fat loss challenge, if you'd like more details, comment "interested" on this post (Facebook) and I'll send them over to you directly.