1. Being ‘skinny’ won’t solve your problems
Happiness is not a number on the scale or a clothing size. We all want what we can’t have and we all have little things we are self-conscious about, but this doesn’t mean that our happiness should be compromised as a result. I truly believe that physical and mental health go hand in hand and when we are physically and mentally healthy this is when we can be truly happy.
2. Exercise isn’t a punishment — it’s a privilege
One of my favourite sayings is: “Don’t exercise because you hate your body, exercise because you love it”. Exercise because it strengthens your muscles and joints. Exercise because it is good for your heart. Exercise because it is good for your wellbeing. There are so many people in the world who wish they could exercise, don’t take it for granted.
3. You can’t out-train a bad diet
You can exercise all you want but if you’re eating the wrong foods in the wrong amounts then you won’t get the results you’re after. Whenever I tell people the amount of exercise they need to do to burn off that extra pizza they ate on a Friday night, it often stops them in their tracks. Never forget that what goes in must be burnt off. Working out and good nutrition go hand in hand when it comes to losing or maintaining weight.
4. One workout can’t undo a sedentary lifestyle
One 45 minute workout per week is not going to undo 40+ hours of sitting at your desk. Sitting for prolonged periods of time can increase your risk of many lifestyle diseases, including obesity, and can also decrease your overall mental health and wellbeing.
5. There is no such thing as a quick fix
Weight loss is not a linear process. You’ll be constantly learning, adapting and then gradually becoming the happiest, healthiest version of you. This will not happen overnight. You will fall off the wagon but every time you get back on you are one step closer to your goal. You live, you learn and you continue to make progress every single day.
6. You can’t spot reduce
We all have areas we want to change more than others but you cannot burn fat at an accelerated rate in one particular area. It’s Murphy’s Law – the fat usually comes off the place you want it the most…last. Consistent overall weight loss will gradually get you there and then you can dedicate exercises to focus on toning particular areas.
I pride myself on being the friendly fitness guy who truly loves his clients. It’s knowing when that love needs to be tough love that ensures I am able to help my clients dig deeper, work that little bit harder and make those changes that prove to them they are capable of more.
Sam Wood is the founder of online training and nutrition program 28 by Sam Wood and Australia’s largest personal training gym ‘The Woodshed’.
