It’s not a diet! It’s a LIFESTYLE!!!

In the 90’s and early 2000’s, everyone and their mother’s sister’s cousin was on a diet. Even those who didn’t realize it were likely dieting in one way or another. And then somewhere between 2003 and 2007, the word ‘diet’ became a four letter word. 

Look, I don’t love the word ‘diet’ either. It has negative connotations of calorie-counting, scale-stepping, food-restricting obsessions, and those are all things about which I am not. But I also don’t necessarily agree with those who tout that weight loss is a lifestyle. If fat loss were the lifestyle, you’d continue going on losing fat – or plateauing and then not knowing what to do. It’s much more complicated – and simple – than that.

Last night I posted this on Instagram:

Putting my personal sentiment in the post above, the key takeaway is this:
Weight loss isn’t the lifestyle – maintenance is!

[Tweet “Weight loss isn’t the Lifestyle – Maintenance Is – via @TrainerPaige”]

While the word ‘diet’ does have a stigma attached to it, I have always stood firm in my belief and coaching method that fat loss and weight loss goals should be a temporary thing.

If you’re like SO. many. women out there, you might have lived in a perpetual state of “wanting to lose weight.” Of constantly working out to get more lean, toned, or to lose weight. Of not remembering when the last time you weren’t trying to lose weight.

Friends, this isn’t how it’s supposed to be. Would you rather be ‘trying to lose weight’ for 5 years, yo yo-ing back and forth between harsh restriction and “oh-f*ck-its” or to buckle down for a temporary amount of time, do what it takes in a smart, sane, and effective way, and then move on your merry way to maintenance?

Too often, I see women – even friends and loved ones – who are always trying to lose weight. This is typically because one of two reasons:

a) inconsistency, or a lack of understanding of what works for their body, lifestyle, and schedule

b) making progress from more extreme measures, and then reverting progress once they go back to real life

It’s a shame, because not only is progress not made and sustained, but it’s a REAL mind f*ck along the way. Self-image, body confidence, and self efficacy is usually ripped to shreds along the way, and it takes some time to build that stuff back up.

This is why I look at being in a fat loss mode as NOT a lifestyle. Sure, you’re implementing habits and healthy changes into your life that will likely benefit you as you move into maintenance.  Hopefully you’re eating more vegetables, cooking from home more often, incorporating a regular exercise routine – all of which should be part of a healthy lifestyle. But weight loss itself is not a lifestyle. The goal is maintenance. Healthy, satisfied, positive maintenance (or heck, even gains, if that’s your goal!)

As I mentioned in my IG post, I fully support those who have fat loss goals. 90% of the women I work with have initial goals of leaning out and seeing muscle definition;I may change some things up to strive for fat loss in a couple months myself (or maybe I won’t – who knows.) I’m saying that my programs and plans aim to achieve those goals in a results-driven, but sustainable manner, and then move on to healthy maintenance from there. The lifestyle part.

I am opening up sign ups for my new online boot camp that has an increased focus on nutrition, as well as metabolic resistance training on Monday. This program will start on Monday, February 8th. If you’re interested in more information, leave your email below or email me: yourtrainerpaige@gmail.com with subject: BOOT CAMP. Spots are limited to 10-15 women, and several are already filled from the waitlist, so don’t wait if you’d like to join!