It happens almost every time I work with a new client. They come to me wanting to “lose weight,” which usually means they want to lose body fat. But I digress. While this goal is noble, and certainly doable, it should not be the primary driver for starting a workout program. That said, here's a look at why this approach can set you up for failure and learn some other ways to reframe the conversation:
Think bigger
First of all, really, you should think more in terms of your overall and lifelong relationship with fitness. For instance, perhaps working out consistently means a better quality of life, sleep, relationships, mood, work-life balance, etc. When you approach your fitness program with those intangibles in mind, you tend to increase your likelihood of adherence, not to mention enjoyment. This basically means, “are you going to do the damn thing?”
Love what you do ( yes, really!)
Second, I just had this conversation the other day with a few of my clients. If you pick an exercise because you think it's going to fast-track your weight-loss goal, and you don't like the exercise, you're actually setting yourself up for frustration and failure.
In my case, I briefly took up running and hated every minute..err...second... of it. I didn't end up getting to my goal any faster. In fact, in some ways I regressed. So bottom line: the best exercise is the one that you enjoy and will actually do. Trust me!
Go beyond the surface-level
Third, I find it helps to use exercise as a way to burn off stress and relax instead of fixating on the calorie burn or other concepts found in diet culture. Studies show that movement, even gentle and low impact, increases endorphins. These are the feel-good hormones that create a sense of wellbeing. So your brain ends up craving the movement more and more. So again, it becomes more about the feeling and less about a certain physique.
Check your attitude
Next, reframe your outlook on exercise. Is it just another thing on your already crammed to do list? Or is it a privilege — something that helps your body feel stronger and helps you feel more in control? You get to decide!
I like to say that weight loss is often a natural byproduct of your efforts, but it’s certainly not the only and most important outcome.