Follow through: This time it's for real, 2

In Part 1 of this article, I began a discussion on what may hold people back on follow through with their goals...mainly action. In this segment, I'll explore that a little more deeply.
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I refer back to my question: ““What can I do to help folks succeed (win) in their fat loss goals?”

That is a tough one to answer, because ultimately, the end result is out of my control. I’m only one guy. I can’t really go to each and every individual I train and supervise their every choice with respect to nutrition. I’d be divorced from my wife on the grounds of neglect after just a week.

If I were to rephrase the question as such; “What can I do to ensure that I get the type of clientele that virtually guarantees I’ll have nothing but success stories?” That one has a really straight forward answer, and it may just shock the heck out of you.

You know what it is?

Charge more money.

That’s it.

From a business standpoint, if I want to attract the type of clientele who are virtually guaranteed to go for the gold and see success, I can simply charge enough to ensure that the people who do show up have simply got to be serious or they wouldn’t pay that much. This has been proven by a myriad of good trainers around the country.

I recently had a similar conversation with a client who is an attorney. We talked at length about this same issue. His comment? “Do you know what I charge as a retainer and hourly rate?”

My answer: “A lot?”

His reply: “A lot more than that. And you know what? The people who pay it do exactly what I tell them to do and we get good results. The people I do things for as a favor almost never do what I ask and they are the ones I’m usually wasting my time on and arguing with. It really frustrates me. (long pause) You charge someone enough and they will do exactly as you ask.”

Surprised?

Does charging people more actually guarantee their compliance and percentage for success? No, of course not. But the odds for it are exponentially higher.

So why haven’t I adopted this stance…yet? I really don’t have a good answer here. Maybe I’ll come up with one some day. Again, from a business standpoint it makes perfect sense. For me, however, money has never been a motivating factor. I enjoy helping people and I enjoy seeing people succeed. Some people need very little guidance and/or encouragement whereas others need several layers of each.

And that’s what intrigues me…and frustrates me.

Our society has so blinded us from the reality of “good health” that we seemingly can’t see the forest for the trees. I see it clearly…but that’s my job, my passion. Others aren’t so centered or clear sighted because they haven’t spent the hours I have reading, researching, studying and digging for the truth. It's why I do what I do and I love it.

The rules for fat loss and good health are really simple:
1) You simply must create a caloric deficit. This should ideally be wrought from your diet as well as through your training.
2) You simply must do some form of intense muscular work; i.e., weight training. Muscle is your body’s primary fat burning tissue… if it's not working vigorously you simply aren't burning efficiently.
3) You simply must do some type of energy system work (cardio) as it will more than likely be a valuable addition to your regimen; however this is the single most overused modality. Overdo it, or do it incorrectly, in this area and your efforts will founder.

What about the aforementioned “rules” is so difficult for many folks to grasp? My answer is three-fold:

1) Misinformation
2) Ignorance
3) Lack of discipline or laziness (some call these “bad habits”)

Misinformation
We live in an age of advertising and we are constantly bombarded by (mis)information with each and every glance. Manufacturers understand that in this arena, keeping their “brands” in your face and on your mind is the one sure method for getting you to choose their products…whatever they are. The bottom line is their bottom line: cash.

Nutritionist Brad Pilon comments on this after reading Brian Wansink’s book, “Mindless Eating”:

“You know how everybody these days seems to be blaming the food companies for our obesity problem? - As if it's some giant conspiracy?

“Well the number one thing I learnt from "Mindless Eating" is that there is no "fat conspiracy". Food companies DO NOT CARE if you EAT their foods. They only care if you BUY their foods and continue to buy their foods.

“The people at McDonalds don't care if you buy a happy meal, turn around and throw it in the garbage, just as long as you buy the happy meal.

“Also, food isn't designed to be "fattening" (whatever that means). Food is designed to be inexpensive for the companies to make and desirable enough for you to repeatedly purchase."

“So while food companies, restaurants and shopping centers go to great lengths to figure out how to make us BUY food, WE are the ones making the decision to eat the food."

Food manufacturers understand that you have the freedom to choose. As well, Brad’s comment reminds of a quote by one of my favorite authors, Dr. Edwin Louis Cole. In his book “Treasure” he states:

“The level on which you live is under your power of choice. You have the freedom to choose, but once the choice is made (decision), you become the servant of that choice.”

Here's the question: What choices and decisions are you willing to be a servant to no longer?

Next time: part 3

God bless,
Steve