No Commitment, Part 2 & The Continuing Saga of Bootcamp Becky

Before I published yesterday's blog post or told anyone my thoughts about the sign I saw, I received an e-mail from one of my bootcamp members. If you're new to my blog you may want to catch up with Becky's story in these other two postings...

Becky's experience at a big box gym

What happened when Becky tried No Pink Dumbbells Bootcamp (You'll have to scroll down about halfway.)

When I got on the scales this morning, something which you know I don't like to do, and would only do backwards, I lost 5 pounds ! WOW ! Now I have the courage to "face the weight on the scales", and it feeds my determination to keep on pushing and challenging myself !

On my way home from Boot Camp this morning, with sweat still dripping from my hair, I passed XXXXXX XXXXXXX. There was a sign in front of their gym, which caught my attention...

NO COMMITMENT. Now, I know this was their membership advertising, but what popped into my mind was, you have to have commitment, personal and that of your trainer, to reach your goals. You get what you pay for !

I love that e-mail. Obviously, it was great to hear that Becky lost 5 pounds but I was also excited to see her comments about the sign. As I mentioned, I hadn't said anything to anyone about that sign; I just made a mental note to blog about it. It was great to have a client make that connection and to take the time to let me know!

Disclaimer: This is not the same gym Becky had her problems with so she doesn't have an ax to grind.

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No Commitment

The other day while driving to an appointment, I passed a local franchise gym. The sign out front said...

"NO COMMITMENT
NO KIDDING"

I, of course, knew what they meant but the wording really left a bad taste in my mouth.

One of the main reasons, in fact probably THE main reason, people don't maintain a regular exercise routine is lack of commitment. Too many people want instant results involving the least amount of work possible. If they didn't, most of those late night "fitness" infomercial products would disappear.

Why promote that type of thinking? They could have easily said, "NO CONTRACT."

My next thought about the sign was that it was an unintentional statement about big box gyms and their lack of commitment to their members. Most of them provide little, if any, orientation and instruction to newbies. The vast majority of them don't care if you come in at all as long as they get some money out of you.

If people feel overwhelmed or confused, the chances of them making exercise a habit is slim to none. Obviously, if people don't stick with their exercise program, they don't get results.

And America gets fatter.

Here's the truth...

NO COMMITMENT
NO RESULTS

Newsflash: If you want to get healthier, stronger, more confident and slimmer, you need to make a commitment to a lifestyle of nutritious eating and regular exercise. It won't always be easy, especially in the beginning, but with consistency it will get easier.

Sometimes you'll eat fast food because you didn't plan ahead or because you had a craving. Sometimes you'll skip a workout. It doesn't matter; what matters is what happens next.

No one is perfect and you don't need to be. Those types of slip ups will be minor if you've made a real commitment to getting fit. One missed workout is no big deal; you just do it the next day. You don't let one binge derail you; you just start again the next meal.

Getting healthy and fit doesn't have to overtake your life; baby steps will work but without commitment you will never succeed.

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Happy New Year!

Realize that the perspectives you adopt, such as hope and promise, are choices.  Realize that the actions you take in the days and weeks to come are the determinants of the quality of life you’ll enjoy in 2009.  Realize that the decisions you make today will contribute to the intensity of the adventure you're about to experience over the course of the four seasons to come.  Realize that the greater importance you place upon your own ability to function and perform at your best, the greater joy you bring to those who rely upon you as well as those you love. 

2009 is yours to create.  This goes far beyond another resolution.  You can chart the course, and love every minute of it.  You can choose your emotions.  You can choose your health.  You can choose your body.  There isn't any need, nor is there any value, in emotions such as envy and regret.  There isn't any value in self-criticism and desperate resolution.  Don’t resolve.  Commit.  Really commit.  That doesn't mean be perfect.  We are prone to human fallibility and perfection is a quest that only leads to a sense of failure. 

Don't be perfect.  Be your best.  

~Phil Kaplan

Do You Really Want to Drop Body Fat?

The chief cause of failure and unhappiness is trading what you want most for what you want now. ~ Zig Ziglar


People say all the time that they want to lose weight, be able to play with their kids, get healthier, etc. But if you look at what they do, there's a clear disconnect.

People often claim they have no time for exercise but in the next breath they're discussing in detail what happened on American Idol, Lost and/or The Big Give.

If you're serious about fat loss, you need to start making commitments instead of excuses.

I have a client who claims he wants to drop some weight but he often talks about his wife being a terrific cook and baker. I've suggested he approach his wife by asking for her "help" but he doesn't want to. I know the woman and she'd cut back on the sweets and lighten up the dinners in a heartbeat if she thought he really wanted her to. In all fairness, he doesn't blame her; he accepts responsibility for what and how much he eats. The truth is he doesn't want to cut back on the treats and the seconds.

I had another client a while back who busted her butt in the gym but never lost any weight. Why? Although she worked out 3 times a week, she never did her "homework" (20-30 minutes of activity the other days of the week) and, contrary to her claims, she ate too much. Three hours of tough workouts a week will not make up for 165 sedentary hours and a lousy diet.

You can always find someone or something to blame.

* There are no healthy food places near my work to have lunch.
* My family insists that we have junk food in the house.
* My trainer doesn't work me hard enough.
* My family refuses to eat the healthy dinners I make.
* I don't have time to work out.
* I'm just too tired after work to exercise.
* I don't have time to prepare food.
* My husband/friend/co-worker/mother sabotagues me.
* My co-workers bring donuts to work every day.
* I can't afford a personal trainer.
* Family get-togethers always center around food.

It's up to you. If you're not ready to do what it takes to get what you want, fine. Just stop saying it can't be done because it can. You have to decide to start making lifestyle changes and then follow through. You have to want it more than you want to vegetate on the couch or eat an entire box of Girl Scout cookies.
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