As personal trainers, we often help to provide nutritional guidance to our clients. We help them make informed decisions about their food choices which directly affects their overall health. At times, it can be a challenge as many clients are looking that quick fix, the “minimal effort, maximum outcome” plan.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, there is quick fix that is healthy and no “diet” that provides long lasting results.  Your health, nutrition and fitness, is a lifestyle, not a pit stop.

Think of your body as a car, if you don’t gas it up, have its oil changed and have its tires rotated every now and then it’s not going to perform the way you want it to, or the way you need it to. Your body needs fuel, it needs regular maintenance. All the fad diets and get skinny (or built) quick schemes are just that, schemes. Now don’t get us wrong, you will likely to lose the weight. However, Metabolic damage and muscle loss are major concerns when dealing with fad diets. No to mention that you are likely to gain back all the weight you lost and then some.

One of the main issues we see with clients is that they don’t eat enough food, or they eat too much of the wrong thing. According to ASMC, eating less than 1500 calories for an adult is considered starvation! Many of these clients have eliminated food groups, or eliminated meals all together to try and lose weight. Eliminating food groups can have detrimental effects on your health. The problem with just eliminating food groups all willy-nilly or because your fancy diet plan said so, is that you are also eliminating vital micronutrients and macronutrients (also known as your body’s fuel, oil and tires).

Your body NEEDS macronutrients, these are what make up your daily calorie intake. Macronutrients include: Protein, Fats and Carbohydrates (both complex fibrous AND complex starchy), these are non-negotiable. To quote one of my favorite trainers to follow, Mike Vicanti; “Macro Diets, aren’t a thing. Marcos or macronutrients are in every single food that has ever existed for all of time. This isn’t a fad, it isn’t going anywhere, it’s science!”  And yes, you read that right, your body needs fats and carbohydrates, those dreaded fats and carbs that every fad diet yells at you about. Your body needs them, period.

Your body also needs Micronutrients. These come from eating a variety of foods, such as fruits and vegetables and other micronutrient dense food. By eliminating micro nutrients, you are starving your body of the vitamins and minerals it needs to keep everything running smoothly.

Nutrition is not a simple thing, it’s not a quick fix, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. What it means is that if you put in the work and make a lifestyle change for the better, you will have great success. If you have no idea where to start come see us, we’re here to help.

 “If at first you don’t succeed, try doing what you trainer told you to do in the first place.” – Anonymous Client

-Cortney