by Ellen Como
Ellen Como is a Santa Clarita Personal Trainer and has been in the fitness industry for over 30 years. She writes a weekly column, published on hometownstation.com and on her personal website, ellencomo.com.
Are you following a Social Media Fitness expert? These “experts” all have compelling stories about how they were overweight most of their lives but found the secret of fitness. And, they give you glimpses into their healthy lives and add lifestyle pictures that show a life filed with joy all centered around fitness?
Well, for most of these experts, this is their day job. They have mastered the art of social media and fitness is their product of choice. They will give you little teasers showing you “the workouts and the way they eat in order to have their coveted body”. And, seeing them take care of their bodies is a great thing. But, when you try to mimic your life to look like them, make sure you are honoring the body you were given and are not comparing yourself to them.
They have amazing bodies. Although, it might not be the body you see in their pictures or videos but their bodies are great and I wish they would be more authentic about this and just show how they really look. I believe they would have just as many followers. But, they get caught up with selling perfection with lighting, filters and photoshop along with the perfect angles to suck you into whatever they are selling.
The truth is, there is not a secret to fitness. It is hard work, dedication, consistency, mindset and life changes.
How many of you already know that? The top thing I hear in my gym is “I know what to do I just don’t do it” sound familiar? This is unfortunately true. When I have a client that refuses to give me a 3 day food journal and just wants me to hand feed them a diet to follow, maybe 2 out of those 10 will follow through and actually change their lifestyle habits because they are asking me to do all the work. If they will not even put the dedication into a 3 day journal, the meal plan I have created for them will be used for a couple of weeks and then it is forgotten. When I have a client show up with a 3 day food journal I know they are serious and ready to change their life and they are willing to be inconvenienced to make it happen.
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The secret of fitness is, you will get out of it what you put into it. And, that is what the ‘Experts” have figured out and mastered. And you can too!
If you consistently workout 4 to 5 days a week and eat a diet with Protein, Healthy fat, and little to no sugar or starchy carbs. You will lose weight. As long as you continue to live this way you will continue to lose weight and/or maintain the body you attained by following this formula.
The bottom line is this you were born with the perfect body for your life journey and purpose, how you take care of it will determine what it looks like. Its good to have mentors as long as you don’t idolize them to the point of beating up on yourself for not looking like them. Learn to love your body and allow your body to be the temple that it is. Become your own bodies mentor, fight for your bodies health, make it a priority to free it up to carry you through your life then enjoy your healthy body you created! Don’t beat up on it for not being the perfect vision you see in your head. Instead see it for its unique perfection.
If you are struggling with staying committed to your body or struggling with the health of your body. Reach out to me. I promise to simplify your fitness journey, make it attainable and will be with you every step of the way in person. Not, a version of myself filtered, photoshopped, with the perfect angled picture on your phone or computer.
Ellen Como has been in the fitness industry in Santa Clarita for over 30 years. With her experience working in Gyms and as a personal trainer she has developed fitness training programs and fitness plans for men and woman of all ages. Her passion is creating overall wellness in all her clients and sharing menopause fitness with women going through all the phases of menopause. Visit her website for latest news, products, and personal training at ellencomo.com.