During the first private training session with any new client I always perform an assessment to determine exactly where the client is. I get body fat estimates, body weight, blood pressure, pulse, and more.

What is the point of all this measuring?

Well, how are you going to know if you’re improving or declining if you don’t measure the specific components that you’re trying to improve? If you want to decrease your body fat, don’t you think it is a good idea to know how much body fat you currently have? That way you can measure your progress. You can then make adjustments to accelerate your progress if necessary.

Another common question I get after we measure ANY component of athleticism or body composition is:

Is that number good or bad? Or, do I suck, or what?

 

Well, what is normal for you could be abnormal for somebody else. We are all individuals. We cannot and should not compare ourselves to each other. We all have unique experiences and abilities that have shaped our bodies and minds. So, what is the point of comparing yourself to anyone else?

If you are at 35% body fat and I tell you that sucks, how will that help you?

If you’re a happy camper, just blissed out everyday, smiling because life has blessed you and you are 35% body fat, then 35% is good.

If you are 35% body fat, feel depressed and like someone keeps stealing your clothes at night replacing them with smaller replicas of your old stuff,then 35% body fat is bad.

Certainly, there are health consequences that have been associated with carrying excessive body fat, but that isn’t the point. What you need to do is find your WHY.

You have to find out your specific reasons for wanting to change. What is your WHY? Figure that out. Find out why you really want to lose body fat.

Build a list of 5 positive things that will happen in your life if you meet your body fat goal.

Also, build a list of 5 negative things that will happen to you if you don’t change.

Doing this is FAR more important than comparing yourself to others. If you want to compare yourself to anybody, get clear about who YOU are now. Get it all on paper with an assessment. It’s a health audit. Then you can make some changes, and compare your new and improved self to that other person you were when you first measured.

The only person you should ever compare yourself to is the person you were OR the person you know you are capable of becoming. Strive to become your best. Make a series of tiny changes and over time you will have a huge change.

Do that and continue to create your dream life.