But first, a joke: A guy gets pulled by a motorcycle cop. You know the kind; tough, no smile or neck, mirrored sunglasses and bugs stuck to his chin. As the police officer arrives at the vehicle, he asks for the guy’s license and registration. The man inquires, “Why did you pull me over?”
“For failure to completely stop at the sign, sir. You rolled through it, instead.”
The guy looks at the cop, gives a little smirk and says, “I slowed down…isn’t that good enough? I mean, what’s the difference?”
At this point the cop pulls his baton and begins to hit the guy in the head. After about five solid blows, he asks, “Now sir, would you like me to slow down or to stop?”
Is compromise ever a good idea?
Perhaps there are instances in the business realm where compromise may be in the best interest of all parties involved. In a familial setting, one where Mom wants to eat Chinese food, Dad wants Mexican and the kids all want burgers, Italian may be a good compromise. But what about compromise in the fitness arena?
In my years of service as a fitness professional I’ve encountered many types of people. Roughly ninety percent of them utilize my services for the hopeful attainment of a singular endeavor: fat loss. And why not? It’s the single hottest issue in health and fitness today. Therefore, with regard to fat loss and the achievement of that goal, ask yourself this question: “Is compromise ever a good idea?”
I’m going to tell you something that you may not have ever heard. You may even be offended by it.
Ready?
Most fitness trainers are useless in terms of helping the client reach their fat loss goals.
Why is this?
Here’s another one for you: Most people who say they want to shed unwanted pounds of fat never succeed. Why is this?
In any organization in the business world with two or more people, in order to get a project completed, a budget O.K.’d, something sold, it is understood that you must compromise. In these situations, and in order to “get it done,” it seems that half is better than none. The refusal to compromise means that nothing would happen, right? Therefore this desire to simply “make it happen” explains why the world of goods and services is so fraught with mediocrity.
It also explains why things that stand out and that are extraordinary excel and subsequently do so well. Could this maxim of business knowledge therefore have some transference of inspiration into the arena of fitness? Let’s delve into it a little deeper…
Compromise actually corrupts the things you are trying to achieve.
Think about it: Many people make “New Years Resolutions” each and every year. Let’s imagine a guy named Lenny who says, “This is the year I reach (insert goal here)!” However, somewhere along the way, he loses his momentum. His enthusiasm wanes dramatically and ultimately he compromises his resolve. It’s at this point, like millions of other “Lenny’s” out there he falls back into his comfortable life of complacency and mediocrity.
That is what makes finding someone who actually achieves their resolutions so refreshing; so remarkable. It’s because so few ever actually do it!
Assuming Lenny follows this pattern for twenty years, which would be better: A) to actually put forth the effort (proper diet, exercise, sleep, etc) and produce consistent results or, B) to yo-yo in weight and frustration for years to come?
Which is more taxing on the body? Doing it right or doing it halfway?
Which is more likely to benefit the individual, both now and in the long term?
Which will solidify in his mind that he is capable of accomplishment and worthy of its’ reward?
I do most of my training in group fitness settings. Some call them “boot-camps”, although I do not like that particular term. I prefer the term “fit camps.” It has a less than militaristic feel to it. Don’t get me wrong, I have the highest regard and respect for our fighting men and women, and I pray for them each and every night. I just don’t think that the average “Joe” or “Jane” wants to train like a soldier. But I digress…
Why is it that some individuals can make great gains from a training program while others on the same program struggle to make gains? They may have the same training age, fiber make-up, have the same eating and recovery patterns, but yet do not see similar progress or gains in training. What, pray-tell, could be the missing link in their training regime?
I believe it is an insidious culprit that I am discussing here: It’s their quality and commitment to effort and consistency. They simply compromise.
In group training, like my Firestorm Fitness Systems Fat Burning Fit Camps, most every individual within the group receives the same nutritional advice and training program. For some of the individuals there are minor tweaks here and there based upon their injury history, training experience and/or body type. Even though everybody has virtually the same training program, how come the same improvements aren't seen across the board?
The variables I mentioned before obviously play a large role in how an individual responds to training, but I often see that the major issue is that the people who don't improve as much simply just don't work hard enough. Consistent hard work and effort are extremely vital to making physical and mental improvements in training, as well as in life. If these components are missing in my clients and athletes, it is my job to encourage them to strive for more so as get this out of them.
My reputation, integrity and credibility are on the line with each and every individual I am blessed to call a client. When they succeed, I succeed. When they do not, at some level I have failed them. It’s that simple. I will not compromise in my resolve to give them my all.
Let’s get back to my original comments: I have found that there are two types of individuals when it comes to the subject of compromise and their efforts to succeed:
The first are the ones that are easy to coach because they give everything they have in everything they do.
They consistently eat well and follow the nutritional “plan” for success.
They give their maximum effort on every rep, set and exercise.
They are the folks who are very special and easy to coach.
They make my job easy and are natural leaders.
The second type of individual is the one who gives an all out effort…occasionally.
They either don't understand or know how to push their limits and thresholds and actually hold themselves back.
They see hard work ahead and their mind and body begins to shut down.
They don't allow themselves to be fully engaged in what they are doing, in their training, diet, sleep patterns, etc.
For me, seeing someone obtain their goals because of their resolve and their refusal to compromise is truly extraordinary. Many trainers can’t replicate these kinds of results in their clients because they, themselves, have compromised what works and produces results for what the latest trend is or what looks “cool.” Much of the so called “functional training” criteria falls into this particular category.
Helping a client to correct muscular imbalances or alleviate impingement disorders is fine, if that is what the client came to me to achieve. So, why would I train someone in that manner if they want to lose 30 pounds of fat? Circus acts and wobble boards aren’t going to get the job done.
I can hear it now. Some of my friends in the fitness industry are reading this and thinking, “He’s talking about me!” Maybe I am…maybe not. I’ve been in the fitness and health arena for nearly 30 years. I’ve seen this sort of activity for years, decades even.
Please don’t get me wrong, I’m also not tooting my own horn. Sure, I’ve had lots of clients reach their fat loss goals. They were the ones who listened to the voice of experience and wisdom and did not compromise their responsibility with respect to:
- Training – they showed up each session ready to go and to go full out. They did not compromise in their days off or slack off when they could have. They set their sights on a goal and went for it full throttle.
- Diet – The followed the 90% rule in their “Accountability Chart”, meals preparation, planning and implementation. They didn’t compromise and say, “Well, just a little bit won’t hurt”, or worse, “Well, I’ve already blown it. Why not?”
- Social Accountability and Interaction – They didn’t compromise in seeking assistance from people in the same boat as they were. They sought out and found accountability partners to encourage them and to which they could be an encouragement.
- Follow Through – They listened to the advice and instruction given and followed it. Period.
It doesn’t take a lot to be extraordinary, just a little bit. At 211 degrees water is just hot; just one more degree and it will boil. Just one little degree and it is transformed from plain old hot water to
Compromise keeps you from that “one more degree.” Compromise keeps you mired in mediocrity…average…ordinary.
I encourage you to step out of the crowded valley of ordinary and strive for the sparsely populated mountain of extraordinary. It is sparsely populated for one simple reason: No compromise!
Here’s a comment to athletes on fat loss and compromise from one of my colleagues in the strength and conditioning field,
You ain’t a sissy, are you?
God bless,
SP
