Something very interesting happened during those two months that I wasn't really expecting.
Everyone's goals could be divided into two categories. They were either performance goals (performing a certain amount of pushups with good form) or weight loss goals (losing 5 lbs.).
Here is the interesting thing:
The people who had performance goals had great success in hitting them.
The people who had weight loss goals did not have great success or even good success, really.
Something else I noticed was the fact that those with performance goals came into the gym with focus and enthusiasm. If their goal was to hit a 95lb. squat and it was squat day they were into it and when they hit their number they were pumped up and proud!
In stark contrast many of the people with weight loss goals didn't even remember what their goal was!
I don't want this to be a long posting so I'm not going to go into all the reasons I believe this to be the case but I will point out one thing I've seen many times over:
When someone's only measure of success is a number on a scale they'll never be happy with their progress and they'll most likely never see much in the way of lasting results.
Why do I believe this to be the case? I think it has to do with wanting to accomplish something out of either a positive or negative mindset. People coming from a positive mindset tend to understand that weight loss isn't the real goal. It's what the weight loss can do for you. People coming from a negative mindset just don't see that and can miss much of the good, aside from weight loss that comes from exercise.
I've had clients drop body fat, fit into clothes that haven't fit in years, feel better and get stronger and not enjoy any of it because the number on the scale didn't change enough.
On the flip side, I've had people enjoy the fact that they've dropped body fat, fit into their clothes better, feel better and gotten stronger and as a side note also enjoyed seeing the scale numbe drop.
Which of these two outlooks do you feel will result in better long-term success?
I'll just finish up by saying that the more I do this the more I see that someones mind-set, not their diet or workout plan is actually the most important determining factor in their success. I've seen many people make that switch and it's truly a wonderful thing to behold.
Have a great day!
Mitch Rothbardt, CPT, PN Lean Eating Coach, FMS
2861 Grove Way in Castro Valley
510-754-7113
I Help People Discover Their Strength!
