Seven ways to achieve results

Number 1 – Understand what it means to eat sensibly

Educate yourself on sensible nutritional practices. A correct understanding of the importance of all nutrients – protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals – in your diet cannot be understated. To fully take control of your diet you must also be aware of the affects of certain foods on your metabolism, hormones, blood sugar and other vital bodily processes.

There is a lot of literature out there and not all of it is helpful. Often taking a commonsense approach is best. You will often instinctively know which foods are healthy and which are not. In the same way, you will often be able to weed out the fad diet books from those that make sense, are scientifically proven and can help you.

Don’t get caught up with fad diets. They don’t work! That said, be aware that some books with ‘diet’ in the title actually provide the kind of information you need. Take a look at “Enter The Zone” by Barry Sears, PhD. and “The Paleo Diet” by Loren Cordain, PhD., these are two of the best nutrition books around. Keep an open mind and learn as much as you can.

Number 2 – Set yourself some goals

Set yourself some sensible goals with regard to your health and fitness. The key word here is sensible.

Are you happy with mediocre?

When I first meet new clients, I present them with my optimum plan for developing elite health and fitness. It includes intense exercise, a sensible – slightly restrictive – nutritional plan and strict advice on sleep and rest.

Invariably, I will be asked “do I have to do all of that?” to which I answer, “that depends”. I tell them that it depends on how much they want to achieve. It depends on if they are prepared to be average or if the want to be amazing. I tell them that depending upon what they want and how badly they want it they will determine how diligently they adhere to my plan. I call this degrees of adherence.

Here’s an example: I sometimes advise my clients to follow the Zone Diet. It is a little complicated at first but soon becomes second nature and the results are truly astounding. Most people do not want to put the initial effort in and will therefore not benefit from such a plan. I always advise my clients that they can adhere to the plan to varying degrees and still see some benefit. The further they deviate from the plan the less likely are astounding results.

The theory of degrees of adherence can be applied to your fitness training, work-life and interactions with friends and family. Most people understand how to achieve amazing results. Those who don’t put in the effort to achieve them are simply settling for being average and getting average results.