I'll be blunt - doing everything right may be preventing you from reaching your goals.

Sounds strange, I know, but hear me out...

I work with some incredibly impressive people...

Some are "all in" with their careers, others are caring for aging/elderly parents, and some are even retired, but busier than they were when they were working lol (their words, not mine). 

Often times, they come to me extremely frustrated because their determination and goal-driven attitude has worked in every other area of life but it doesn't seem to be working with their fitness.

They check all the boxes. They do exactly what they're supposed to do... and then do even more.

And the results just aren't there.

What they see is...

I'm eating in a calorie deficit, I'm training 4-6 days per week, I'm doing cardio 3-4 days per week... I should be crushing my goals!

It doesn't make sense to them.

What I see is...

Stress + stress + stress = not making progress.

Which makes perfect sense to me.

Oh, and let's just add on the fact that they typically are dealing with the regular stressors of life. Ya know, like a family and kids/grandkids.

So in reality it's stress + stress + stress + stress + stress = not making progress.

The amateur equation to use for results is calories in vs calories out.

If you are only interested in a very short term outcome, sure, go for it.

Only focus on calories, eat less, move more, and you'll absolutely see short term movement.

In fact, you've probably already done that about 100 times before.

Interestingly enough, it didn't get you the long term results you were looking for.

That's because it's not designed that way.

The formula that matters for health and long term results is...

Stress in vs stress out, coordinating with your "fitness personality"

At its core, your metabolism is a stress barometer. Not a calorie calculator.

Calories simply contribute to the equation. They aren't the whole equation.

We can use calories as one tool to tilt the stress equation in our favor.

If you're under a lot of stress and not seeing the results you desire, we can use calories as a way to reduce stress vs adding to it.

For example, eating in a deficit = stress
Eating at maintenance = stress reduction

We can also use food quality the same way.

Eating poor quality food = stress
Eating nutrient dense food = stress reduction

Then there's the training side of things which is always a stressor.

So when you're constantly adding more days to your workout schedule.. you're effectively adding more stress.

Which isn't good or bad (without context), it simply is.

The awareness key is understanding that additional stress comes with additional requirements for recovery.

It's easier to recover from 3 days per week of training than it is 4 or more.

Same thing with added cardio. More stress with more recovery requirements.

Now, if we look at all the various sources of recovery in your life, you may be able to get away with more training and more cardio.

Sources of recovery might look like... walking, breathing exercises, reading, meditation, journaling, stretching, sleeping like a boss, sauna, massage, red light therapy, cold laser therapy, grounding, sunlight.. just to name a few.

What I often see with my clients is the scale is heavily tilted towards the stress side of things vs the recovery side of things.

Which is why doing everything "right" is preventing them from making progress.

Not only that, but they are such motivated and driven individuals that the sheer fact they are trying so hard and not making progress increases their frustration which contributes to even more stress.

Do you see this cycle of doom?

The other challenge is that these types of people are often pretty stubborn.

I don't mean that in a bad way.

I simply mean they don't like asking for help. They're independent and feel like they can figure everything out on their own.

So once they reach the point of asking for help, you know it has gotten really bad.

The first thing I do with them, they typically don't like to hear it.

Simplify.

That might mean cut back on cardio, eat more, insert more recovery habits.

Basically... do less.

And they love to negotiate this process. Wait, what if I just cut my cardio back by 1 day? And I'll only workout for 70 mins instead of 80. Deal?

Ummm, no.

You tired of being frustrated that nothing is working? You tired of banging your head against the wall? You tired of feeling like your physical results are out of your control?

Thought so. How about we do this for a week and see how you feel. Fair?

Fair.

That's literally all it takes.

Because once they see and feel the difference, they're completely bought in...

Let me guess, you actually felt real energy for the first time in a while and you got leaner by doing less and eating more.

Yes! How'd you know?

I don't know, it's almost like I've done this thousands of times lol.

Now, it's not all smooth sailing from there.

Goal-driven individuals are wired differently so once they start to see progress, their instincts tell them to push the gas pedal again.

As the results begin to happen, they have to resist the urge to keep adding and doing more.

That's where coaching is imperative.

There's a time to push the gas pedal and there's a time to simply take your foot off the brake.

I phase things appropriately based on how we can tilt the stress equation in their favor to continue to achieve sustainable results.

It's incredibly effective.

There's a reason why my success rate is as high as it is. There's a reason why my 1 on 1 clients lose an average of 20-30 lbs of fat in 6 months and have total confidence in maintaining those results forever (or continuing to make progress).

There's a reason why I've helped so many individuals go from lean to leaner. Lose the last 10 lbs that were a cloud of frustrating looming over their head...

... or simply learn to maintain without obsessing or removing all fun in life.

The stress formula is another way of metabolism optimization. Again, if you know that your metabolism is a stress barometer and it'll adjust to inputs and outputs accordingly. Then, we also know your body has to feel safe if you want it to consistently and predictably let go of body fat.

That's why this phase is so important to your overall success.

I pair that with my weight loss and fitness personality principles so we have a plan that... well... 

... matches your personality and your nature. 

And we integrate the process into your lifestyle so you can do this forever while still enjoying yourself.

And the results speak for themselves.

Day in and day out.. the results keep pouring in...

She came to me feeling like nothing worked for her. Well, clearly something works, she just needed a little guidance on the right direction for HER.

Simple and effective. That's how we roll.

Anyway, I'm enrolling new clients for November...

And most importantly, your first two months are paid for.

It's something special I'm doing to celebrate my 50th birthday.

Here's how it works...

First, I don't accept just anyone into the program. It just has to make sense on both sides.

Your first step to take advantage of this offer is to submit an application here.

One thing I can say for sure... is if you're the type of person who inquires but doesn't respond to any further questions I may ask, you are definitely not the right fit for what I do.

I value honoring commitments and open communication (ask any of my clients). If those aren't things you value then there's probably a better program out there for you.

If you do value those things, go here and let's see if I can help. And if it ends up being a good fit, your first 2 months are paid for (as long as you submit an application no later than tomorrow - and you might as well do it now because you and I both know you may forget and miss out on this). 

All the best!
Coach Mike