The "Missing Link" that has changed Lives - and could change Yours!

If you’re active and knowledgeable about health and fitness, but still aren’t in the shape you think you could be, you’re probably just missing one crucial thing.

You try to eat well and exercise. You’re pretty smart and knowledgable about fitness. You know what you need to do... But you still don’t look, or feel, the way you want to.

Here’s the good news: this is nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, you’re probably a lot closer than you think.

And, in this post, I’ll share one of the most key strategies I have ever learned as a Trainer for getting clients on track.

I know 2014 is right around the corner and people want to start the New Year off right and focus on fitness goals... but most are setting themselves up for failure because of this "missing link"!

I often get emails that look like this:
“I work out a lot, but I still have this layer of fat around my stomach. I don't know what to do differently? What do you recomend I should do?”

Now, being asked to how to change someone's body completely and give exercise or nutrition advice over email may seem weird, but it actually happens a lot to me as a Trainer.

These kinds of requests generally come from people who are knowledgeable about fitness — men and women with a little fitness experience, but are facing one or two uncomfortable things:

1. They’re not being as consistent with exercise and eating as they’d like and are having a hard time sticking to things.
2. They’re not getting the results they should based on how much they know about working out and eating healthy.

Because the New Year is less than one week away and I know people are going to start setting their resolutions, it is extremely important to me that you have all the tools to be successful in reaching your goals in 2014!

Does this sound like You???

• I admit that when things get busy, it’s hard for me to be consistent. I often get off track with healthy eating and skip my workouts.

• I have tried a bunch of different workout programs and diets and know what to do. But I am missing something important, something that could really help make a difference.

• I am a bit frustrated and embarrassed. I feel like I should have a better body to show for my knowledge and hard work.

And as it turns out, I know exactly what You need.

The “missing link” to being a Healthier, Happier You!

No matter where you are in your level of knowledge and experience, beginner or advanced fitness fanatic, the missing link is no longer a new exercise program, the perfect nutrition plan, or a new supplement to try.

The one thing you’re missing is this: being accountable — to someone or something — for your workouts and nutrition.

“Accountability is the acknowledgment of responsibility for your actions with the obligation to report, explain, and be responsible for the resulting consequences.”

In other words, accountability keeps you consistent because you have to report back what you’re doing — or not doing — in the gym and in the kitchen to someone else.In fact, accountability is more important than personal motivation for this simple reason:

NO ONE ALWAYS FEELS MOTIVATED TO GO TO THE GYM OR EAT HEALTHY.

There I said it!!! But if we have someone who’s checking up on us to see how things are going, we’ll get our butt in gear. Even if we don’t feel motivated in the moment.We actually do the exercise — and eat the food — needed to look and feel great. And we do it over and over again, even when the going gets tough.

That’s why you can know exactly what to do. And you can even do it — exercise, eat good food, get 8 hours of sleep — for short bursts. But you can still end up struggling.

Simply put: if you can’t be consistent, you can’t make progress.

And that’s why accountability is the thing that turns everything around. I know it can turn things around for you!

So, the big question? How do you get accountability?

Here a simple strategy you can use immediately.

Your 2014 Accountability Strategy:
Get some help from at least one other person.

Let me tell you a quick personal story.

Becoming a new dad just a few months ago, was when I started skipping one or two workouts each week. Why? Because I was “busy.”

The exercise didn’t matter much in the context of one week — it’s not like I was getting out of shape every time I skipped one — but after a month, I’d missed 7 total workouts, nearly half of my gym time. Not good.

For me it was about how I felt, as a Personal Trainer I feel it is part of the 'gig' to represent what I teach, and my actions weren't reflecting that. I gave myself some mercy, I knew that I was getting used to being a parent and my workout routine would have to adapt. As a trainer I know how to eat, and I know how to exercise, but

What I had was an accountability problem. No one was checking to see if I was doing my workouts. And because of that, I was slacking.

When I recognized the issue I visited with my wife that night.

Even though I know how to work out and eat healthy, I asked if she would ask me everyday if I got my workout in that day when I got home.

I made myself accountable to her.

Not surprisingly, ever since I became accountable to my wife, I haven’t missed a single workout. And I feel incredible to be back on track.

What can you learn from this?

First, know that we all sometimes struggle with staying in shape. (Yes, even fitness professionals like me.) It’s no big deal and doesn’t mean you’re deficient in any way. It just means you’re human.

Second, know that if you’re struggling to get in shape the best thing you can do is hire someone to keep you accountable. It could be a coach you pay money to or a friend who will meet you at the gym.

Bottom Line for the New Year:
Commit & become Accountable.

In the end, the message I wanted to communicate with You is this:

It’s completely possible to know exactly what you’re doing … but still struggle to improve your body. And that’s totally OK. In fact, it happens to a lot of people and it’s nothing to be ashamed of.
But there’s a simple fix, and it has nothing to do with a new workout or diet plan. All you have to do is commit and make yourself accountable to at least one other person.

So if you’re reading this and you’ve struggled with fitness in the past, or are struggling with it right now, I encourage you to do the same: change the way you commit and become accountable to someone else.

Want A-Z Fitness to help keep you accountable and consistent?

If you’d like some help staying consistent with your exercise and eating plan, I would be more than happy to help. In fact, in 2014 I am going to be picking up some new measurement tools to continue driving results based programs for ALL of my clients.

This could be just what You need!

The New Year is less than one week away, so don't hesitate - don't wait to call - Contact A-Z Fitness Today!
#208-697-8112
OR email: austin@a-zfitnesstraining.com

Training times are extremely limited this time of year — for that fact, as always, spots are first come, first served, and when they’re booked, they’re booked.

Make 2014 your year to be accountable and be a Healthier, Happier You!

Trainers "GUIDE" to Thanksgiving!

I was asked yesterday by a client, "is Thanksgiving just a terrible Holiday as a trainer"? And I admit the question made me laugh, because yes clients often stray from their fitness goals during this one day, but it hardly makes me dread it. I understand it is real life, and it is a time of year that brings together families, friends, traditions, and FOOD. That clients question got me thinking, do my clients really know how I feel about the Day of Thanks and what I expect of them when it comes to nutrition? That thought is what drove me to write this brief trainers "guide" to Thanksgiving.

The point of Thanksgiving is in its name, the day is meant to be a time to give thanks for what each of us have in our lives. Though, it has morphed into this holiday to indulge in "having" too much, particularly food. Now don't get me wrong, I looooove food too. And I will be partaking in the annual FEAST that my in-laws will be providing... But after years as a trainer I have come up with some important but reasonable rules that one can follow in order to maintain a healthy & fit lifestyle through Thanksgiving! Here are my Top 5:

1. Enjoy It!
Enjoy the holiday, your family, customs, traditions, and yes the food. I'm not dumb, I know you're going to eat more than you should, or foods that you normally wouldn't dare... so if I tell you to NOT have any at all it just sets you up for failure. So eat, just keep it in moderation! Choose smaller portions of all your favorites and enjoy them. If you want stuffing or pumpkin pie, have a small piece NOT the whole thing! This will keep you satisfied and not feeling deprived which would lead to overindulging later. 

2. Create You Own!
Whether you are hosting at your house, or going to the in-laws, make a dish that you know is healthy and you can be confident in your consumption. Find a recipe for a healthy option for one of your favorite dishes, or best bet is to go with the veggie platter. Having a healthy option that you can go to will help you curb cravings and will leave you feeling successful that you could control your intake.

 3. Move!
Yes, it's that simple. Move! Find a local class or event, such as Turkey Busta'Rymes Bootcamp with A-Z Fitness, that is offered Thanksgiving morning in downtown Boise before your other festivities begin. You could also burn some extra calories by going for a walk or hike before the holiday meal, or start a new tradition with the classic family friendly football game in the backyard. Make it fun, as long as you are moving it will make a difference!

 4. One Day NOT Four!
This circles back to #1 Enjoy It, for one day not the entire weekend. It is too easy to keep that pile of leftovers in the fridge and keep eating those loaded calories for four days straight. Send them in goodie bags with family, the neighbors, or even the garbage. Do it!

 5. Give Thanks!
Actually using the day for its true purpose will let you have some time for reflection and clarity. Choose to "give Thanks" with your family around the table, with your children or spouse, or even quietly by yourself. Being honest and truthful for the things you have in your life can be encouraging and motivational. Use the holiday to remind yourself of your good health and that it is a gift and should be taken care of, this will help you stick to a lifestyle of health & fitness.

 There you have it. I hope this helps you. Go have a wonderful Healthy & Happy Thanksgiving!