Are you stuck in what personal trainers call ‘the hole’?

A couple of months have passed since Christmas and you’re still thinking about getting a gym membership or finding yourself a personal trainer. But, even though it’s playing on your mind, you’ve not taken that crucial step yet. It’s much easier said than done when work has got you tired and consumes your week days, leaving you exhausted at the weekend.

But, it may not be work that’s leaving you physically and mentally drained at the end of each day. In fact, unless your job consists of predominantly physical work, it most definitely isn’t. The real reason you’re feeling groggy and worn out is actually due to a lack of exercise and a diet that consists of very little nutrition. You’re in a cycle of eating rubbish and feeling rubbish. One thing you may not know is that when we feel tired, we crave less healthy foods, but it’s those unhealthy foods that make us tired, leading you back to craving unhealthy foods again.

Willpower literally works and grows like a muscle.

In the book The Willpower Instinct by health psychologist Kelly McGonigal, we learn that willpower is a biological function that can be improved through exercise, nutrition, and sleep.

It is literally stronger in the morning and becomes weakened throughout the day, having been worn down by regular challenges – whether it be the temptation to smoke a cigarette, throw an extra sugar into your coffee or get a taxi home instead of walking.

Stress and temptation will eventually hijack your brain’s self-control, which is what causes you to break your willpower even when you know you shouldn’t. But, like your muscles, your willpower can grow and become stronger when trained.

“So what do I do?”

Well, the first thing you need to do is become aware of the arguments going on in your head when you meet temptation. When you see a nice sugary cake in a local bakery and your mind goes into battle with itself, remember that those voices are arguing over a short term goal and a long term goal. Simply choose your goal, make the decision and move on before temptation gets stronger.

It’s also helpful to remember that the only reason you’re craving those sugary treats is because of an instinctual reaction that we’ve had for thousands of years… Our ancestors didn’t have access to food as easily as we do. So, their brain made them crave high calorie, energy-dense foods that would keep them going until their next meal.

If you can’t control that instinct the majority of the time, you will fall into a trap of eating sugary carbs all day every day, leaving your body in a calorie surplus which inevitably leads to weight gain and other problems.

Make ONE positive change

Right now, you’re face to face with the negatives. You’re dwelling on things you should be doing, but aren’t doing, and things you shouldn’t be doing, but are doing. You should be exercising more, but you’re not. You shouldn’t be eating and drinking such unhealthy foods and drinks, but you are.

So, it’s time to make the mental change. Train your brain from the beginning. Go on a short walk. Swap a sugary drink for water. Watch some helpful fitness & weight loss videos on YouTube. You don’t have to go from zero to a hundred on day 1.

Just make a small change and get comfortable, before making another change and getting comfortable again. It’s these little changes that will gradually improve your willpower and interest in becoming a healthier you.

“I may need some guidance.”

Don’t we all!… If your knowledge of nutrition isn’t too extensive or you just want someone to help motivate you and guide you through your training at a good pace, the team at Ollie Lawrence Personal Trainers in Manchester can help.

We can write you a bespoke nutrition plan designed around your goals and train you alone in a private gym in Manchester. No distractions and no time-wasting. Just hard work, 1 on 1 in private. You’ll learn all about nutrition and how to train for your goals, so once you’ve got everything you need from us, you can be on your way, taking what you’ve learned with you and keeping it handy for a lifetime. You can train with us early in the morning, during the day or later on in the evenings. Whatever suits your schedule.

So, send us a message via our contact form or call us on the number above to talk to us directly.