I want to take this time to thank all our clients for another great year at Motiv. We’ve seen some fantastic results this year; let’s all make 2011 even better!

I would also like to invite those reading this to take action on any New Year’s resolution involving fitness. Now, what you do doesn’t’ have to involve Motiv (but I would be more than happy to help you), so please find the solution that works for you.

Please allow me to provide some constructive advice:

1. Nutrition matters more than anything else. Yes, you heard that from an exercise guy.  But any real, meaningful fat-loss must start by changing your diet.  For example, we often have new clients come in to start a fitness program and they haven’t been working out at all. Now, that’s no problem of course, but think about the amount of lifestyle change they are making. Committing to hours of “new” work/exercise every week. Well, do the same thing for your nutrition — make a new time commitment. Spend an extra 3 hours every week preparing, planning and tracking healthy foods.  It will take more time to eat healthier.  But it is worth it.  And STOP BUYING UNHEALTHY FOOD! Get it out of your house.

2. Admit what doesn’t work in your fitness routine. 30 minutes of running on the treadmill doesn’t work anymore, does it? Admit it. There is a reason we have no treadmills at Motiv – because they are not a long term fat loss solution. Being more active by, say, taking the stairs, doesn’t work either. You must really work hard to burn fat. And that will require constantly changing and challenging yourself in your workouts.

3. Get help if you need it.  Find a workout buddy; get up early together. If you want to lose weight, enlist your spouse to lose weight too. Don’t do it alone — it’s hard to eat healthy if there are still potato chips in your home that your partner enjoys. But get the right help, too. Did you know that only 29% of those who belong to a gym use it every month?  Ask: How will this gym support me in 3 months. Don’t buy something you won’t use in 90 days. (FYI: If you don’t show up for a week at Motiv, expect a phone call from one of our trainers…)

Finally, remember that losing weight is not easy or fun. It’s hard work.  We’d love to help you here at Motiv.  Don’t take my word for it, see what our clients say here.

Happy New Year

I have a good excuse:

Sophia Lucille Lunt was born Sunday, December 19th. 7lbs, 12oz.  Both Jen and Sophia are doing great.

In particular, I’d like to brag about my wife Jen for a bit. As many of our clients know, Jen worked out at Motiv all throughout her pregnancy, often 3 times per week. And she did all of her workouts too, squats, lunges and all. Sophia is our 3rd child, and by far, Jen has had the easiest recovery of all her deliveries and had the least overall weight gain. So, if you are considering becoming pregnant, don’t rule out continuing strength training — it will help you. (FYI: right now we have 3 pregnant clients working out at Motiv…)