Here’s 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. But what about 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: 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.
Most fitness trainers just plain suck 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 and hire a trainer to help them do so 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 “make it happen” explains why the world of goods and services is so fraught with mediocrity.
It also explains why things that stand out, that are extraordinary, excel and consequently do so well. 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. “This is the year I reach (insert goal here)!” they say. However, somewhere along the way, they lose their enthusiasm and ultimately compromise their resolve, generally falling back into a life of mediocrity. That is what makes finding someone who actually achieves their resolutions so refreshing; so remarkable. It’s because no so few ever do it!
Assuming this individual follows this pattern for twenty years; which would be better: To actually put forth the effort (proper diet, exercise, sleep, etc) and produce consistent results or to yo-yo in weight and frustration for years? 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?
For me, seeing someone obtain their goals because of their resolve, their refusal to compromise, is truly extraordinary. Most trainers can’t produce these kinds of results in their clients because they 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 who wants to lose 30 pounds? 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!” If you think I am, then yes...I am.
I’ve seen this sort of activity for years, decades even. 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 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 – They 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 boils. Just one little degree and it goes from plain old hot water to extraordinary. (Go ahead, click on it!)
Compromise keeps you from that “one more degree.” Compromise keeps you mired in mediocrity…average…ordinary. Or worse.
I encourage you to step out of the crowded valley of ordinary and strive for the sparsely populated mountain of extraordinary. Sure it's work, but it's worth every step.
I’m here to help you in any way that I can. We can do it, and the Firestorm Fitness Systems Fat Burning Fit Camps, The 28 DAy Miracle Fat Loss Program or my Personal Training experience can help to get you there faster than any other program around.
I guarantee it.
God bless you,
SP
