I work with a lot of clients – both online and in person. I have helped a lot of people lose fat, build muscle, and transform their physiques over the years. I have assisted people rehabilitate from both acute and chronic injuries, some that even required extensive surgery. I feel extremely grateful to be at a point in my career where I can choose to work with people who are actually willing to work hard for their results, rather than those that expect me to carry them to their results (such was occasionally the case in my rookie years as a Trainer).

When it comes to diet and training, I only offer my opinion and advice when asked. I’m open to listening to my clients’ views on these subjects, however I’m not open to debating with them over what works and what doesn’t work while training them on the floor or while working with them online. If someone decides to work with me, I assume they are working with me for my expertise in the area of health and fitness. Therefore if they trust me, then I assume that they will trust my knowledge when it comes to training, diet and supplementation.

Sure there are other ways of doing things. And yes, there might even be a few more efficient ways to losing fat and building muscle that I myself might not even be aware of. The health and fitness industry is constantly evolving and as a trusted Coach and Personal Trainer, I have a duty to ensure that I continue to evolve with it. However I refuse to compromise my beliefs and my principles with fad diets and training gimmicks that offer no REAL scientific data or conclusive results to back their fictitious claims. This is not what I would consider to be evolving. In fact, on the contrary, I would consider this to be devolving and diluting an industry that is already full of lies, empty promises, and misconceptions.

Cherrypicking Data

I receive tons of emails on a weekly basis asking me for my opinion and views on current dieting trends and/or training philosophies. Now most of these trends are nothing new. In fact, they are usually just regurgitated programs and plans that have just returned to the mainstream disguised in a sexy new outfit to fool and entice their audience. It doesn’t take long for me to spot a cookie cutter diet plan, or a goofy training program. After twenty years of shifting and shovelling through all this fitness manure, I’ve actually become quite good at smelling and exposing the Bro Science Bullshit that emits from within this industry.

Unfortunately the same can’t be said for many people who fall victim to these fads that promise quick fat loss, and easy muscle gains. Let’s face it, most people would rather watch a video on a topic rather then actually read about that topic. And the problem with watching videos on YouTube pertaining to diet, training and supplementation, is that they offer very little to no actual factual data supporting their claims of these “Incredible Results” and “Epic Transformations”. Therefore the viewer is usually only receiving a small percentage of the entire story to these results and transformations, along with a biased viewpoint by the presenter, who usually has an ulterior motive behind their video to either sell a product or endorse a service.

The Pot Calling The Kettle Black

Wait a second – Don’t I have an ulterior motive for writing my blogs each week? Aren’t I just doing the exact same thing and trying to promote my own service? Well sure, of course part of the reason I write my weekly blogs is to promote my services as a Coach and Trainer. However the main reason I write my weekly blogs each week, is so that I can be a resource of information to my clients while at the same time, remain relevant within an industry that as I mentioned above, is constantly evolving. I also believe that as a business owner, it’s incredibly important to remain consistent with everything you do. A lack of consistency shows a lack or professionalism. Therefore I don’t take “sick days”, I don’t do “personal days” and I don’t believe in “winging it” when it comes to designing a training program or diet plan for a respected client.

Simplicity Works

My motivation for writing this week’s blog was simple. I’m tired of people in my industry trying to constantly reinvent the wheel just to make a quick buck. Losing fat and building muscle is not complicated. That doesn’t mean it’s easy to do, it just means that you don’t have to overly complicate your approach to achieving the results that you desire.

I’ve always believed in taking a very simple, straightforward approach to assisting my clients reach their target training goals. I don’t believe in using confusing formulas, or long drawn out theories, in order to maximize their results. I understand that not everyone is going to respond the same to every workout or every diet plan that I create for them. It’s important to know what works for one person won’t necessarily (or usually) work for the next. Therefore, the approach that I take with each person’s program must be customized accordingly, in order for it to become successful.

Give Credit To Where Credit Is Due

Whichever approach you take, or formula you use, or theory you buy into, just remember that at the end of the day, YOU are the one that has to put in the work and therefore YOU are the one that is responsible for your results.

And as a result – YOU are the one that should get credit for those results.

Yours in Good Health,

Nick Cosgrove
Forever Fit Performance