This can be really frustrating and disheartening, but don’t worry. The reason for this is typically linked to either; incorrect nutrition, poor hydration, incorrect programming, unrealistic goals and / or hectic lifestyles.
Below is our guide on how you can help yourself achieve the results you want.
Nutrition
Don’t let the media and food agencies cloud your thinking with buzzwords like “low cal,” “sugar free” and “zero carbs”!
There are no shortcuts when it comes to feeding your body the right fuel. “Nutrient dense”, “unprocessed” and “whole foods” should be your top criteria when shopping for your health and fitness goals.
Skip the protein shakes and fuel your body with natural sources of lean protein, complex carbs and healthy fats. Buying foods with minimal ingredients, and ones that you can pronounce, is a great starting point.
For personalised nutritional advice, book an appointment with our nutritional therapist who can guide you to achieve your goal!
I cannot stress the importance of good hydration enough!
You lose water every second, through breathing, sweating and digesting your food. Every cell in your body contains water and it’s essential for maintaining temperature along with many other physiological functions. Staying hydrated can also help with maintaining a healthy weight. Have you ever been told to have a glass of water before giving in to a hunger pang?
Drinking 2 litres of water throughout each day will give both physical and mental benefits.
For more nutritional guidance, why not book in for an initial consultation with our nutritional therapist who will work with you to achieve your 2018 goals.
This is where us Personal Trainers come into play.
Lots of people come in to see us for their initial fitness consultations with unrealistic and achievable goals in mind, for which I blame the media!
To succeed, it’s crucial to set targets that are:
a) realistic and
b) achievable
If you’re a 5ft 5 inches, size X, brunette, yes you can dye your hair blonde (if you want), and yes, we can work with you to achieve a size you are happy with and maintain it, but you are never going to be that 6ft cover model.
When we work with clients to set personal goals, it is also crucial for us to consider your lifestyle and create a plan that can fit in with your schedule, otherwise let’s face it you aren’t going to stick to it!
It’s important to have professional support and work with someone who is able to set you realistic goals that you are happy with.
If you feel that you are struggling to fit exercise into your day, you feel like it is a chore, or you just aren’t ‘seeing results’ then our skilled team of personal trainers are here to help.
Lifestyle
Probably the biggest issue for us Londoners and one of the hardest for us to change are our daily habits and schedules, which can do more damage than good without us always realising.
No matter what your level of fitness, the stresses of work, home life and even the gym can all contribute to why you might not be seeing results, even though you have clearly been putting the time in.
There are few people we see who aren’t stressed! This ongoing long-term stress can contribute to weight gain – especially around our waists as when we are stressed, our hormone cortisol increases, which can also increase our insulin levels, in turn lowering our blood glucose levels and making us crave sugary, fatty foods.
Why not take some time to assess your weekly schedule and try to rework it so that you can give your body and mind adequate time to rest and recover?
I have found meditation, yoga, and at least 8 hours of sleep to be helpful, however I know others who find reading for 10 minutes before bed a great way to unwind.
The key is to find something that works for you!
For more information on stress and how it could be affecting your health, why not check out our latest blog piece written by our Nutritional Therapist, or book in for your initial consultation to see how we can help you!
Victoria Englemann
Personal Trainer
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