Keep It Simple Stupid

The task of exercising can be a daunting one for many people. Unfortunately, we weren't all blessed with an inherent sense of motivation or drive. To be honest, even us fitness pros have days, weeks perhaps, when exercising sounds like a awful idea. As terrible as it may seem though, we all need to find our way back into an active lifestyle; our longevity depends on it.

Since I work in a corporate wellness setting, this is the probably the largest obstacle I have to deal with. For one reason or another, people just don't want to step foot in the gym. I've heard all the excuses: "I'm too old," "I work 12 hour days," "I have bad knees," "it's just so boring..." I could go on and on with the excuses people give me on why they just can't seem to make it into the gym. This fact comes as no surprise to me though... I learned at an early age that 'excuses are like assholes: everyone's got one and they all stink.' (Thanks dad!) I carry that saying with me nearly everywhere, as I am constantly reminded of how it's just human nature to find a reason NOT to do something, even though it may be in our best interest... but I digress. This message isn't for those people who continually make up reasons to not be healthy (stick around though, I just might change your perspective). This message is for the people who want to change for the better but just can't seem to figure out how, so here we go.

Although the most important aspect of exercise is overall health, most people decide to start working out to lose weight. As it turns out, most of America doesn't seem to grasp the simple concepts behind weight loss. Believe it or not, there is no secret to shedding those extra lbs; it's really just a simple math equation:

If (total calories consumed) is less than (total calories burned) then (weight is lost)

No where in that equation did I see an 8 minute ab video, or a personal trainer, or a zero carb diet, or a $500 workout plan you bought from some bikini model turned fitness consultant. Yes, some of those things may help you on your journey, but if you have been running yourself in circles trying the newest fad diets and buying exercise videos at 2am from Johnny Muscle and his ridiculously good looking friends, you need to take a step back. Everyone of those videos and diets are only as effective as the user chooses to make them. In the same manner that a gun simply does not load and fire itself, these items will not remove the fat magically in your sleep, so save your money.




Okay Wes, fine... I won't buy into any of the hyped up marketing I see on TV about diet and exercise. But what the hell am I supposed to do? You said I don't need a trainer or a workout plan... now I'm lost, like last year's Easter egg.

Now, Now... settle down Daniel-son, it's time to paint the fence. Seriously though, you need to walk before you can run... and once you've conquered running we can tackle strength training. Quit complicating this super simple process by over-thinking and under-doing.  All you need to do is eat less food and move in a fashion that makes you sweat on a daily basis.

Allow me to share a short personal story. I want you to know that I have been there, battling in the trenches, fighting to get my body and life back. About six years ago I stopped playing sports for the first time in my young life. I had just finished a dismal year of collegiate football at a Division II school and was excited at the thought of not being forced to exercise. For the first time in my life I had the option to be lazy all day every day, and I loved it... I only moved when I needed to, I ate whatever food I could get my hands on, and I drank beer like a 20 year-old college kid. A year and a half later, I had gained 40 lbs and looked terrible. I remember my grandpa calling me out in front a good sized crowd of his friends, baffled at how much I'd let myself go. Then one day, I decided I wasn't happy with my life and needed to do something about it. I started with the one thing I knew I could control: my exercise habits. I developed a simple goal: I was going to run every day for 30 days. It didn't matter how much I ran, just so long as I ran every single day. Some days I would barely get around the block and others I would run a mile or 2, sometimes twice in a day. During that month I ate like I hated food, and did it only because I needed to stay alive. After 30 days I had dropped well over 20 lbs without seeing the inside of a gym.

Ultimately it was this new beginning that led me to where I am today: a certified health professional with two degrees (from a different school), and a career path that I absolutely love! The bigger picture for all of you is seeing that it doesn't take a special formula or plan to get the job done. So, here are three quick recommendations to start you out on the right foot:

1. Move Every Day Monday to Monday you need to get off your ass and sweat, no matter how sore and tired you are. You can use a goal similar to mine if you'd like, and force yourself to run every day for 30 days. If you literally can't run, do some brisk walking until you get you legs under you and can run. Don't be afraid to go running twice a day, it will only help you reach your goals sooner!
2. Eat Only What You Need To Survive You don't have to be a dietitian to know if you took in enough calories for the day. Eat 3 small meals, incorporate lots of veggies, drink lots of water, and close the kitchen down for the night as soon as you finish your 1 plate of dinner. You're fat for a reason, and this is the main reason. Now is as good of a time as any to learn some self-control.
3. Track Your Progress This can be as simple or interesting as you like; you can take a picture of yourself every day, track your weight daily, or even cross off days on a calendar so you can see the light at the end of the tunnel. This will keep your mind fresh, and eventually you may even look forward to running just so you can put a big red X on that calendar!

We don't get to choose when we leave this earth, but we can choose to be awesome while we're here...