Dump Quantity to Get Quality

Are you thinking about starting or re-starting an exercise and healthful eating plan? Do you know the best way to reach your fitness and weight loss goals? Is keeping a detailed diary of your workouts and meals on your agenda? Would you like to know what I think about tracking all this data with precision and consistency?

It’s not necessary.

There, I’ve said it. Now let the fitness gods strike me down for my insolence and shamelessly displayed flouting of long-accepted (but not really proven) exercise and weight loss conventions.

I never weigh or measure food, never count reps and don’t keep a detailed record of either my own or my clients’ workouts. And yet we are, collectively, some of the fittest folks you'll meet for our age groups, or any other.

So how did that happen?

What most authoritative fitness organizations recommend, especially for new trainers, is that goals are not only specific, achievable and progressively challenging, but also time-bound and measurable. 

But the truth is that while tracking benchmarks like weight, measurements and increased reps can provide short-term, sustainable motivation for some, it can actually thwart your long-term success. Why? Because experiencing setbacks or delayed achievement of objectives can cause frustration and discouragement as easily as they can fuel your enthusiasm and commitment.

The real critical element in the equation is not measure, but meaning. If the improvements are felt in a visceral and definitive way, and they hold a particular resonance for you, they’ll secure your long-term dedication as well.

Here are some of the reasons I and my clients devote time, energy and effort to a healthful lifestyle:

• Far greater vitality and energy
• Significantly slowed physiological aging symptoms (arthritis pain, back problems, chronic fatigue, diminished mental capacity)
• Looking and feeling better than de-conditioned people in your peer group (the majority)
• Personal empowerment, confidence and a more upbeat outlook

The picture above was taken last Sunday on a gorgeous day in Capitola. The gentleman swinging a bat in an impromptu game of waffle ball with friends, Daniel, shares more than just my name. He shares my view.

Exercise and healthy eating is not about inches – it’s about moments.

Want to talk in-person? I’m usually at the studio http://trivalleytrainer.com/ and can always be reached at Dan@TriValleyTrainer.com .