This week’s blog is most likely going to be one of my most controversial blogs to date. As someone who has worked in the fitness industry for over two decades now, I’ve learned quite a bit about the human body as a whole. As a Personal Trainer/Coach, it’s obviously important that I know my basic human anatomy and physiology. And I do. But I also need to have a general understanding as to how our bodies operate and function on a daily basis if I’m going to help a client build muscle, lose fat and become overall more healthy and fit. And again, I can say with the utmost amount of confidence that I do.

With that being said, I will admit that when I first started training clients I was fairly ignorant to what it truly takes to help someone transform their physique and improve their quality of life through diet and exercise. I had always just assumed that most people would be self motivated to want to make a positive change in their lives and would do anything and everything I told them to do in both the gym and the kitchen in order to help them achieve their goals. However I was wrong. I was very wrong…..

The Mental Struggle 

The first mistake I ever made as a young trainer was that I assumed everyone loved going to the gym. As someone who has spent the majority of his waking hours in fitness facilities and absolutely loves the intensity, high energy, sense of comradery and endorphins packed atmosphere that comes along with the clanging and banging of weights in the weight pit, I never thought it would be a hard sell for anyone to want to exercise and workout. The problem was that I was not taking into consideration how intimidating and overwhelming a gym can be for someone who has either no athletic background, has been sedentary for years on end, and/or is embarrassed/ashamed of their physique.

The Life Struggle

It’s no secret that being consistent with your training and diet takes a lot of discipline, dedication and determination. If you work 40+ hours a week and have young children to look after you can then multiply that discipline, dedication, and determination by ten. As a young trainer I used to think that people who didn’t/couldn’t find time to go the gym were just lazy. I hate to admit it but I also viewed these people as weak and as a result, I had little to no respect for them.

Fortunately I eventually got off my fucking high horse, checked my ego at the door and realized most people have lots of other shit and responsibilities going on in their lives that prevent them from finding the time to exercise and take care of themselves.

The Physical Struggle 

In my experience of working with the general population, there is a large percentage of the people of all ages that struggle with either some form of physical limitations and/or injuries that can prevent or discourage them from training in a busy gym full of healthy and fit people. I can’t imagine how difficult it would be both physically and mentally to be unable to to perform a basic squat, lunge, or pressing movement because my body won’t allow me to do it. I can however empathized with people who struggle with these limitations and injuries on a regular basis because I have worked with many of them over the years.

Body Positivity vs Glorifying Obesity & Sedentary Behaviour

Finally, the clickbait that attracted you to read through this week’s blog. What’s my stance when it comes to promoting body positivity vs glorifying obesity and sedentary behaviour?

Well, I’ll tell you!

Next week…….

Yours in Good Health,