The Most Important Ingredient for a Lifelong Lean Body

(This article has been updated as of Dec 4, 2020. Covid has now dramatically accelerated the already growing trend toward online wellness coaching and age group-specific guidance on healthy habits. To address these needs directly I have launched a comprehensive online program for Boomers like me with my longtime colleague and favorite healthy eating expert , Anne Moselle, R.D. Check it out here.)

Before unveiling the hot secret, I want you to consider this challenge: Decide which of these three people, and in what order, are more likely to achieve and maintain a life-long, lean, healthy body?

1. Andrea is a 23 year old fitness model and competitor. She always had a great figure throughout high school with very balanced muscularity, good posture and she never had to worry too much about what she ate before going into fitness as a profession. Now she’s able to achieve 9-11% body fat going into photo shoots and competition events, but walks around at about 20% between them.
2. Barry is 53, a lifelong athlete who played tennis in high school, lacrosse in college and, for the last 20+ years, has played golf, hiked and/or swam 3-5 days a week. His current body fat level is 19%.
3. Colette is a 38 year old salesperson who travels 30% of the time and exercises off and on, often trying a new fitness activity every few to several months. Colette has her 20th high school reunion coming up in a few months, is working with a trainer at her local gym and trying a low-carb diet for the first time. She’s lost 15 lbs over the past six weeks and is currently at 26% body fat, aiming for 18% by the reunion.

Assuming they are all equally serious, disciplined and motivated, who is more likely to reach and maintain their goals long-term?

You’ll have to wait until next week for my answer. I’ll tell you my picks, why and what you can do to improve your chances of success and avoid common pitfalls and the yoyo effect that plagues and frustrates so many.

If you want to log your prediction, e-mail me at Dan@TriValleyTrainer.com with your picks and reasons.

Have a great week.

Dan Taylor, ACE, NASM-CPT, is owner and head trainer at Pleasanton-based Tri Valley Trainer. They provide personal training and small group fitness solutions at their studio and a premium, innovative, medically endorsed web-based group coaching wellness program for the over-fifty tribe.