Today’s guest-post is by Dan Petraglia of Fitness and Weight Loss Central
Today he runs through the reasons why you may be stunting your fat loss progress.
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Why aren’t I seeing visible results with my fat loss?
A recently trending question that many are asking themselves is why they aren’t seeing noticeable results from their fitness and weight loss plans. This question is becoming more and more common in modern day society so consequently, it should addressed more. Two areas to be noted here for physical improvement are muscle development (firming, tightening, toning, growth), and of course weight loss. Many suspect that doing what they feel is enough, is enough flat out. The reality is much different.
Room for improvement
Like the old expression goes “there’s always room for improvement”. Why is this? Because after all no one is perfect, and that even includes perfectionists. So where does that leave you? You’re in a position to be continually learning and growing while improving on every aspect of your weight loss game. Always understand this concept and have it in the back of your mind even if you’ve already come a long way. This is simple self improvement psychology 101.
The more you improve on anything in life, the better it will ultimately make you feel.
Setting the bar and then raising it
There come times in everyone’s life where they set a goal or task to complete but don’t finish it in the allotted time that they gave themselves. This can be from anything like finishing a large school project by a certain date or getting around to cleaning something and never doing it, or just doing it last minute. In other aspects of life this many times isn’t a big deal. However, when it comes to losing weight and getting into a better shape it is a big deal. If you set a weight loss goal of 10lbs to be lost in 3 months, you better be sure by the third and final month of that timeframe you have already set yourself up in a good position and don’t have that much weight left to go.
Prioritizing mini goals within a main goal is a great method I’ve seen work for so many over the years.
Cheating and mid less self-indulgence
Don’t get careless when it comes to treating yourself because you did well and are proud of the physical performance you just put on. Burning 500 calories in a single workout is quite a lot for many of us. When we first achieve such a feat we think its okay to go eat some junk food when we finish because we deserve it. I remember a friend of mine in college did this and got a gigantically sized cheese steak after a solid workout. I knew even though he didn’t that he was undoing and reverting everything he just did!
Forget what you did before
Sometimes it’s best to look at a previous dieting schedule that you had that might have worked for you to a bare minimum and just forget it. Maybe you had an exercise routine that was working for you somewhat but wasn’t an outstandingly effective regime. Sometimes it’s best to let go of certain things we already know about and start a new plan. By doing lots of new research (like Dr. Kal) you can put into place many new ideas that you’ve absorbed and see how they fit your lifestyle.
Visualising the finish line
So you want to see results, literally.
When it comes to weight loss, it is best to track everything in an almost micro managing type of sense. It may not be visible to you immediately, but your waist size could be shrinking without you actually seeing it. Get a measuring band and track your progress with different areas of your body like your waist, bust, neck, etc. Track everything from measuring yourself consistently, improvement in times and repetitions in exercise, and even down to the last calorie if it means that much to you.
Why aren’t I seeing visible results with my fat loss?
Losing weight and getting into a more solid shape is about the long run more than short term progresses. I know this is probably the last thing you want to hear. If you want to accelerate the process than up the caliber of intensity in the actions you take toward your goal (it is solely up to you how far you can push the envelope). Sure you can track every inch you make, but be patient and persistent. If you devote enough time and energy to both fair shares of dieting and exercise, it is simply a matter of time.
About the Author
Dan Petraglia runs a weight loss and fitness information blog. Unique exercise, dieting, and nutrition information, products, programs, and services are provided. For more information, please visit fitnessandweightlosscentral.com
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People need to ask themselves are they happy with their current level of health and fitness? If the answer is no, then they need to make some changes in their lives. After all the great Albert Einstein defines Insanity as: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Love the Einstein quote. In regards to fitness goals or anything in life really, I address it like this: Am I happy with where I am or achieving? If the answer isn’t a resounding yes, then it’s time to do some tinkering and make an educated change.
Dan, I think most people just starting out on a fat loss plan expect to seem immediate results, even if they know it doesn’t happen overnight. But it’s hard to use the set it/forget it mentality when one is amp’d to make change happen. Your tips strengthen the all the points that will help foster real to success.
-Mitchell
In regards to cheating. I know for my self that this is an area where I need to be careful. After a great workout it can be so easy to justify that large pizza.
Great Post,
Niko is right, that people need to ask themselves if they are happy with their current health and fitness level. I think we all have room for improvement, no matter what shape we are in.
The points that Dan bring to the table are excellent and when we create our fitness plan, we should be looking at them.