Your Truth or Mine
The funny thing about nutrition is that no one person is ever the same. What people want is results but most people have no clue how realistic their goals are in relation to their effort. Recently, I have been told that my plans have given to much leeway by some, not enough by others. I think what it comes down to for me is three things.
1.) What effort does your schedule allow?
2.) What effort does your goal need?
3.) What effort are you willing to give?
1.) Your Truth: Most people have a set schedule that revolves around work and family. So, fitting a plan to that schedule is important to me. No one wants to cook two meals for dinner, so dinner has to be family friendly. No one wants to be the weird guy at lunch, so the plan has to be accessible at local restaurants and eateries. They have no time in the mornings, so they need something fast and easy.
My Truth: Your goals and your expectations only align when your effort matches. I can adjust around most schedules but if you choose not to make the effort, then all the adjustments in the world do not matter.
2.) Your Truth: Most folks have a goal in mind but is that goal their own? They want to look like X or Y but they don’t take into account that genetics and body types they are looking at. They also don’t take into account how hard those folks have worked to get to where they are.
My Truth : It has taken me 17 years to get to where I am and what I have learned over that time is that each goal I have has taken a certain amount of effort. You have to keep it in line. If I have a goal of single digit BF%, my effort is needed to be strict. I must stay on the plan and I need to make sure I do not stray. Once I get there, I can be a little bit less strict but, to maintain, you have to make sure your output and input line up. For 99% of people, you have to be strict. You cannot get your macros from refined and packaged sources.
3.) Your truth: You are able to give a certain amount. Some people feel that they can be seen as selfish for taking that time for themselves. Reaching your goals of health and wellness can become an obsession. Having a coach keep your expectations in line with your effort.
My Truth: It is my job to feel out your expectations with reality. In the decade I have been working with nutrition clients, I have seen people tell me they were all in, given them a plan and then received an email saying they cannot do this. The reality becomes that people who really want to make a change will. People need to come into change with the right mindset. If someone pushed you to change or someone suggested you should and you do not believe it, then you aren’t 100% committed.
The thing is, this is a template. Everything we do is based on each person’s proper caloric intake and RMR. This is science based. But no matter how great the plan or how precise the numbers, if you do not commit and follow it, the goal will never become a reality. If the numbers are not followed, then adjustments to the plan become guesses. No one hates guesses more than me. Your health is not a bartering system though. The Thought of, “If I work out, I can have an extra donut.” May pay off for motivation in the short term but you are creating poor habits for the long term. Think about that when you are making choices or God forbid, having our youth pay attention to your relationship with food.
