No matter how you try…

It’s almost the unofficial start of summer and everyone and their sister are scrambling to make their last minute efforts to get swimsuit ready. Master Cleanse, body wraps, 3 -4 hours of cardio…all in effort to look the way they envision themselves stepping on to the beach or pool side this season.

Many of you have even come to me or other trainers back in Feb all in hopes of having that rock hard body that you dream of every night. You even have pictures of your ideal self posted up around your home and office to encourage you to keep working hard. While reticular activation, good support and an expert trainer are all fantastic steps to take toward getting the body of your dreams there is still one component that many of you neglect.

What you put into your mouth WILL show up on your body. If you are going insanely hard at the gym 3-5 days a week and using that to justify regularly putting the oversized burger, super sized vegetarian casserole, carrot cake, iced coffee drink or other indulgent, fattening, carb overloading, sugar coma inducing, bloat and gas generating food into your system – YOU WILL NOT LOOK DESIRABLE IN A SWIMSUIT! No Matter how hard you try!

Here’s the thing folks. If you already have visible 6 pack abs and live clean and lean most of the time – as in 25 days out of the month, you can feel free to enjoy a cupcake or three at the BBQ or have a second helping of the mac & cheese. You’re in the maintenance stage and have figured out what works best for you in terms of enjoying food and nourishing your self. Way to go! Pass the motivation and encouragement on to someone you know so they can enjoy life with you.

For those of you have identified a goal weight or just simply don’t like the way you look in a swimsuit or au naturel, are engaged in a regular training program to achieve that weight but refuse the meal plan or nutrition guidance – DO NOT be surprised when you don’t look the way you want after 3 months of training. Especially when you’re still eating pots of pasta, buckets of Hagen Daaz and the like every other night.

YOU CANNOT OUT TRAIN POOR NUTRITION!!!

This fact is not contingent upon alternative eating practices – just because you are vegan or vegetarian, etc. does not mean that unwanted pounds won’t find you. It is imperative to nourish your body in accordance with your level of activity and wellness needs. This is best done by a certified professional, medical or sports related, and can go as far as to include healthier variations of your favorite foods if you communicate these things to them. If you have a trainer or coach that is skilled in meal planning or giving nutrition guidance count yourself lucky – but remember to FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES THAT THEY PRESCRIBE FOR YOU! We don’t’ issue meal plans for our enjoyment or to deprive you of good tasting foods. Your body’s functionality is infinitely more important than how yummy something tastes.

You CAN be your healthiest self and have a physique that gets you noticed if you follow a complete wellness regimen including proper nutrition. There are no shortcuts, magic potions or incantations to achieving your best bod other than hard work, total faith & commitment to the journey and a balanced supportive diet.

Eat smartly to Live Well!! It is just that simple!