One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is helping people achieve their target health and fitness goals. There is nothing more satisfying to me then knowing that I helped make a positive change in someone’s life. Regardless of my clients’ goals, if they’re important to them, then they’re important to me. Therefore when one of my clients has achieved his or her goal, I feel that I have achieved that goal with them. When it comes to getting someone in shape and transforming their physique, there is more to it then just going to the gym and lifting weights. For me to help a client achieve his or her goals, I have to first understand my client. I cannot simply design a basic workout program, hand them a generic diet plan and expect them to succeed. This would be ignorant of me and foolish of them for trusting me with their health, by prescribing them with a one size fits all fitness plan. So when it comes to helping a client lose weight, build muscle and become more healthy and fit, they have to help me first. Because if my clients can’t help me, then quite simply, I cannot help them.

Help Us Help You

Neither myself nor my associate Megan have ever worked with a client before having complete knowledge of our client’s health history and training background. By this, I mean that before a client even steps foot on the gym floor with us, we have an understanding of their training goals, current fitness level and are aware of any current injuries or physical limitations that may prevent them from doing certain exercises and/or movements. Our screening process for our clients goes far beyond a basic questionnaire. We ask very specific questions that require very personalized answers. The answers that we are provided with allow us to create customized training programs and nutritional plans that are not just designed to meet each client’s goals and expectations, but are also designed to be incorporated into our clients’ day to day lives and coincide with any health issues that may currently persist. When our clients answer these questions honestly and thoroughly, our job becomes much easier which in turn makes their training more efficient and their results longer lasting.

Perfecting the Perfect Program

It seems like everyone who is anyone is always looking for the perfect training program or diet plan that will help them acquire the maximum amount of results in the least amount of time. Well, if this is you, then I’ve got news for you – The perfect program does not exist. It’s important to remember that our bodies change over time. A weight loss plan that may have worked for you five years ago, will not necessarily work for you now. As we become older, our metabolisms start to slow down slightly. This is inevitable. Most people also find that as they start to age, they do not have the same amount of energy that they once had when they were younger.  As a result, many people use these aging factors as excuses for exercising less and adding on more weight over time. However, just because you are now older, or may not have exercised consistently in a few years (or ever) does not mean that all hope is lost. By following a consistent exercise routine and incorporating a healthy eating plan, a person can easily slow down and sometimes even reverse the negative effects that can come along with aging. On the other hand, if you spend half your time looking for the next best training program or following the latest diet fad, then you will most likely continue to remain stagnant with your results. Listen to your body and watch how it responds over time to your training and eating patterns. If you stop noticing results, then change something. If your results are consistent and your health is in check, then leave the plan alone.

Reality Check

When it comes to transforming our physiques and improving our overall strength and health, there seems to be a great deal of delusion of grandeur in society today. Luckily for us, the majority of our clients understand that it takes a lot of hard work and consistency both in the gym and with their diets, to achieve any real significant results and changes. However with the emergence of social media, many people are quick to believe that they can achieve the body of their dreams by following the ten minute abs workout that they’re fitness idol on Instagram swears by or by purchasing the latest fat loss supplement being marketed and advertised in their Facebook newsfeed. If you yourself have fallen victim to these scams don’t feel bad, you’re not alone. If you however continue to follow “advice” or purchase the latest “miracle supplement” from someone who has never met you, or even has a grasp of knowledge of human physiology and basic biomechanics, then shame on you. The results you achieve with your health and your physique will be determined by your genetics, your lifestyle and your ambition to succeed.

If you are unhappy with your body and are frustrated with not seeing results then it’s time you change something. Whether that change is hiring a trusted and reputable Personal Trainer, or joining a Group Fitness Class that will help hold you accountable for your workouts or taking a course on proper nutrition and supplementation, a change needs to be made. On the other hand, if you know that you’re not giving your workouts 110% and are not keeping at least 80% of your diet clean, then no trainer or healthy eating plan is going to force you to change your ways. You have to want to change your lifestyle and believe that you can change your lifestyle before hiring someone or buying something that you think will help you do it.

“If you really want to do something, you’ll find a way. If you don’t, you’ll find an excuse.”

Yours in Good Health,

Nick Cosgrove