I’ve worked with people from all different walks of life and in all different seasons, so I’m not surprised when people come to me with unhealthy and unrealistic ideas about the gym, fitness, and nutrition. 

Some of these ideas have become so common that people are surprised when they see how I live my life as a personal trainer. I don’t work out 24/7. I don’t only eat chicken breast and veggies. I don’t use the scale very often. 

And the truth is, I’m a healthier, happier version of myself because I tossed those rules out the window a long time ago. Finding health and happiness through fitness and healthy, hearty nutrition doesn’t have to be the most intense journey ever. You can enjoy yourself along the way! 

So here are five things I would never do or recommend as a personal trainer. 

I would never…

1. ONLY MEASURE SUCCESS BY THE SCALE

If your only indicator of success is the scale, you will be disappointed. Even if it’s right where you want it to be, you may start feeling like the only way to keep that number is to stick with specific meals or a special training schedule. And that’s just not sustainable. 

Instead, focus on how you feel, your energy levels, inches lost, digestion, how you fit in your clothes, and your progress pictures. If you’re creating healthy habits that work for you and make you feel great, then that number on the scale shouldn’t matter. 

Plus, it’s a good exercise in revamping your ideas about health – because I can tell you right now that it’s so much more than how much you weigh.

Related: Why Do Women Struggle With the Scale?

2. CUT OUT MAJOR FOOD GROUPS

If you understand energy expenditure and how to balance your macros, there is no need to cut out major food groups to see progress. I believe moderation is key to finding balance in your life, but even more than that, your body needs various nutrients to function – even sugar!

I’m not trying to tell you that candy is good for you, but you can get sugars from a variety of delicious fruits and veggies. Same thing with carbs; your body needs carbs to function, so it’s OK for you to eat pasta, bread, rice, etc.

You just have to find the right macro regimen that will help you reach your goals, and if you need help with that, reach out today! My team and I would be more than happy to help you figure out your unique macro breakdown.

Related: Favorite Healthy Snacks

3. IGNORE MY MENTAL HEALTH, HABITS, & EMOTIONS

You cannot solely focus on the physical goals without understanding your habits, emotions, daily mental wins, personality traits, etc. Fitness and nutrition can help you feel like your best self but not if you’re ignoring the feelings that are coming up for you in this season of life. 

That’s why my husband and I are intentional about practicing mindfulness with our kids. Sometimes we take walks in nature together or we show them how to meditate (even if it’s just for two minutes!). You can also take some time to yourself to journal at the beginning of the day. Here are some other options:

• Nature walk
• Journal
• Meditate
• Breathe deeply
• Make a gratitude list

Your personality can also influence your relationship with fitness and nutrition, so knowing your personality type can help you understand your strengths and possible pitfalls. Check out this blog post for more information!

At the end of the day, you will not be successful for long without a strong foundation, so it’s time to start building. Check in with yourself. Practice mindfulness. And always remember that your mental and physical health go hand-in-hand.

4. START MY DAY ON AN EMPTY STOMACH

Starting your day on an empty stomach and then taking stimulants like pre-workout, caffeine, or coffee immediately puts you into a fight or flight mode first thing in the morning. This will trash your adrenals, making you feel even more rundown in the long run.

So a healthy breakfast is the best way to get your morning going, and it’ll give you that burst of energy that you need to start tackling your tasks and errands. Plus, it helps me slow down a bit before jumping into the craziness of the day. Even if you’re just heating up some protein pancakes from the day before (check out my recipe if you need a quick and protein-packed meal), it can make all the difference!

5. THINK PAIN IS OK

“No pain, no gain” is not a healthy mantra. 

It’s okay to listen to your body. In fact, it’s a necessary part of fitness. If something doesn't feel right, back off and try a modification. Pain is never the goal. 

If you want to challenge yourself but aren’t sure how to do that safely, reach out today or check out one of my training programs. You don’t have to be at a specific experience level to participate. Everyone is welcome! 

We can learn how to grow and build muscle in safe and sustainable ways together.

BONUS:

-SKIP REST DAYS

Rest days are essential for muscle building and recovery. If you continuously skip them, you will burn out. Trust me, I’ve been there. There were seasons when I wanted so badly to change my body or get into shape that I ignored rest days. I thought it would help me get there faster. 

Instead, I felt tired and discouraged, and I wasn’t steadily progressing toward my goals. I was hindering my growth by not letting myself recover between workouts, so now, I take those rest days in stride because I know that they’re a necessary part of my week!

If you need help or want to learn more, I’d love to train you. Reach out today to get started!