New Year, New You?..

New year, New you, New me, New start, New whatever else?

Yes it's open season for all the hopers, dreamers, and born again fitness fanatics to begin their journeys once more towards health, wealth, and the body of their dreams.

For the next few weeks anyway..

It's also the time when certain fitness gurus come together to start ridiculing and belittling these people into a sense of shame and failure before they have even taken those first tentative steps into a world that can be quite frankly intimidating, confusing and down right terrifying.

Yes it may be the case that the vast majority of this years January fitness intake may fall by the wayside long before the Easter bunny comes along, but for some it might just be the year that change actually happens for them.

People within the health & fitness industry sometimes have a very short memory when it comes to these times and forget that they were once standing in those brand new gym shoes as a complete beginner in their own personal fitness journeys. They weren't always super fit and healthy, clean eating individuals, and they once upon a time didn't know the difference between and burpee and a box jump either!

What we should be doing is encouraging not discouraging anyone who is looking to make a positive change in their lives. Motivation, encouragement, and results are the 3 most important factors when it comes to anyone sticking to their New Years health & fitness goals.

The problem is that motivation is a finite source. And unfortunately too many people lose their motivation before they see any significant results. And if we don't encourage these people either then that's the last of the trio of necessary driving factors gone leading to an epic failure and return to normality for the person concerned. Back to square one until next January is the outcome!..

So if you are reading this and thinking about making a fresh start this new year then here's a few pieces of advice from someone who does remember what it was like to be in your shoes.

1: Just make a start. It doesn't matter what with, just one thing that will make you a better version of yourself than yesterday. Don't over think things, it may be something as simple as eating a piece of fruit instead of a chocolate biscuit after your evening meal today. Drink a glass of water with your lunch instead of a can of cola. Take the stairs at work instead of the lift this next week. Hell maybe even take that gym class instead of watching some crappy soap opera on Monday night. Just pick one thing and make sure you do it!..

2: Don't do too much at once. Take that one thing you decided to do and do it consistently. Don't worry about changing loads of different things at once and overloading yourself with new routines and habits. It's much more important to do one good thing consistently than loads of things occasionally. When your new healthy habit becomes a part of your every day routine then move on to something else. Turn that Monday gym class into a Monday and Thursday gym class. Make a healthy breakfast your number one priority when you get out of bed each day. Basically build good habits up one at a time and before you know it you will have changed your entire daily routine into a much more healthy and active version than you were used to. But remember, consistency is key!

3: Don't listen to or read too many different opinions on what you should and shouldn't be doing. Do what is right for you. Do what fits your lifestyle. If you can't manage 3 or 4 visits to the gym every week then try to get in 1 or possibly 2. It's better than none! If you don't have time to cook fresh healthy meals every night then do as many as you can. Try not to demonise certain foods just because someone said its bad for you. Try something, see if it works for you, if it does keep doing it. If it doesn't, change it. Simple!

4: Do not get suckered in by fad diets! The perfect human diet does not exist! If someone is trying to sell you something that seems too good to be true or promises you to lose 20lb in 2 weeks then avoid it! Moderation works. It's as simple as that. Nothing fancy, nothing new, just plain old common sense and logic. Eat well, eat often, and eat according to your goals. That's what works. Every time!

5: Be accountable to you're goals. Tell someone what you are trying to achieve, tell the world if you feel the need. When you become accountable to someone or something other than yourself then there is added impetus for you to follow through with your plans. This is where I'm going to make a shameless plug. Hiring a coach or trainer is by far the number one way to be accountable to your goals. Beside the fact that a good trainer is priceless in designing you a tailored fitness or nutrition plan. The sheer fact that you are paying someone good money and having them watch your progress on a weekly basis is a huge motivating factor for you to step up and make sure you are hitting the mark. A good coach will guide you through the intimidating early period of beginning a fitness program. They should devise a progressive training plan that matches your goals. They are a source of valuable knowledge and information on diet, nutrition, training plans and all things relating to your new healthy lifestyle. And if they aren't living the lifestyle they are promoting then alarm bells should be ringing!!..

So yeah I'm more than happy to be that trainer and coach. I'd love to help you. If not me then please find someone you can relate to and trust. If they don't inspire you or treat you with respect then find a coach who will!..

But this isn't about me trying to sell you something. This is about you and the new lifestyle you are about to embark on. And that's what it has to be. A lifestyle, not a diet, or a chore, or a new fitness regime that is unsustainable and impossible to keep up. It's about picking some goals and sticking to them for as long as it takes to get there. And not throwing in the towel after 3 weeks when the going gets tough. Worthwhile change takes time. Its a process you must go through and the payoff is huge when you get it right. Make some positive changes, build momentum, become the person you want to be every January but have never managed to see.

You can do it. You just have to believe in yourself and do it the right way this time.

I wish you every luck and success on your journey. If you want me to help you just have to ask..

All the best,

Mark