"Why am I not losing weight?" Read this...

Liz, a client, writes me this email earlier today:

"Truthfully, I'm feeling like it's harder to keep on course because I'm not at home in my usual routine, but also I'm kind of mad that I gained those two pounds and I felt like "Well, when I eat healthy I still gain weight, might as well eat these cookies." Like, what's the point of my effort?"

She's feeling that her efforts aren't paying off even though she's not at home and in an environment loaded with temptations. (I know this based on subsequent emails.)

Let's talk about chicken and eggs. Actually, ya know, I've always wondered, what comes first, the chicken or the egg?

Just kidding.

But, it seems as though we have our own chicken or the egg debate here.

What came first?

The results or the effort?

It seems as though many of us are obsessed with the results. We work our tails off only for results. We make healthy choices only for results. We run for an extra 5 minutes only for results. We make a sacrifice worth making only for results.

And when the results don't happen, when we expect or want them to occur, the very first thing we want to change is the amount of effort we put forth.

It's fascinating.

However, the amount of effort we put forth absolutely has a direct impact on the results we'll see and feel.

When we see results we become even more motivated and are willing to put forth more effort.

Results then can either make or break the effort dial. If we see results, we'll turn up the dial. If we don't see results, when we want to, the first thing we do is turn down the effort dial.

Here is what I can assure you of:

Your body and my body never lie. You can think you're fooling yourself. You can think you're fooling me.

Just like every basket counts in a basketball game whether it's scored in the first 25 seconds of the game or the last 25 - every thing we eat counts -- even if no one sees it.

Individually, each meal and snack we eat might not seem like they matter much but collectively they matter immensely.

The amount of effort we put forth really does matter.

Whether it's running for an extra 5 minutes or fighting through an intense moment of discomfort when we have a craving, every feeling of fatigue, and every period of discomfort really and truly makes a difference.

Results will happen. It's not a question of if. It's a question of when...

Our body has no choice but to work its magic when we're eating right and exercising consistently!

Let's do a quick experiment.

Raise your hand in the air.

(C'mon. Just do it! Who cares if people think you're crazy.)

Now raise it one inch higher.

See?

If we want results quicker, we have to turn up the effort dial. In 99% of the cases I've seen that's the case.

Very, very rarely is about anything else.

We can't control exactly how our body responds to certain things but we can control the amount of effort we put forth.

It's impossible to lose weight week after week. Plateaus happen, our body adjusts, etc.

Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying.

The question isn't if you'll have a week or two without weight loss. The real question is how are you going to respond once you do?

Are you going to turn up the effort dial or turn it down?

It's much easier to get through these weeks, when you focus on how great you're feeling.

What keeps me going - what keeps me believing in what I do so much is this simple but yet very powerful fact:

No matter how much I enjoy eating junk food, and believe me I do - I have never felt better from eating poorly and not exercising than I have from eating great and exercising.

In other words, I feel better - heck I feel amazing - on the days that I eat great and exercise. So much better than I do on the days I don't.

That's the real reward. And if you truly focus on feeling as good as you can - your body will work its magic the way you want it to.

I promise.

Just stop playing the chicken or the egg game!

But certainly feel free to eat both of them. :)

“In baseball, my theory is to strive for consistency, not to worry about the numbers. If you dwell on statistics you get shortsighted, if you aim for consistency, the numbers will be there at the end.” – Tom Seaver

-Adam

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If you're truly honest with yourself, and base your future results on your past performance, are you really consistent with your diet and/or exercise? If you'd like to speak with me for a free 15 minute phone call to discuss your goals and what you're currently doing - get in touch right now. (I must receive your email by midnight 3/1)