President Woodrow Wilson once commented about the time necessary for him to prepare for a speaking engagement.
“It depends. If I am to speak ten minutes, I need a week for preparation; if fifteen minutes, three days; if half an hour, two days; if an hour, I am ready now.” - Woodrow Wilson
Yesterday whilst doom scrolling on Facebook I came across a fitness advertisment.
Someone had commented that the advertiser was a ‘scammer’.
“Losing weight is simple, eat less move more and anyone who charges for this advice is a fraud”
A typical internet argument ensued soon after…
Some good points were made on both sides though.
Notably, losing weight or building muscle and fitness is a simple process, not rocket science and this information is freely available so how can anyone charge for what’s already free?
In fact you could just ask chat GPT to write you a fitness programme, it would be reasonably good and you don’t have to pay a penny.
But,
This has always been the case. There is tons of free information out there on how to do almost anything your heart desires.
Yet people are still struggling to lose weight, build muscle, get better at CrossFit or whatever goal?
It’s probably not just as simple as accountability but this is certainly part of it.
Feedback, yes this too is important. Looking at someone else do something is not guarantee that you look like them when you try it.
And it’s definitely not lack of information in fact it’s possible that there’s just too much information.
Huh?
Ok, too much information and too many choices is what torpedoes sooo many people when they are trying to get to grips with something.
Where to start, what’s important, what order…
Then the distractions - but what about this amazing liquid diet plan over here or I’ve heard that intermittent fasting is the way to go.
Too many distractions and not enough focus.
Right, we’ve figured out all the ways we can fail, how about some of the ways we can win!
For 99% of gym goers approx 10 strength / muscle building movements would be sufficient to achieve their goals. (Ask me which ones)
99% of the machines in a gym are an unnecessary distraction but their presence may alleviate boredom. (Bone-fide stat right there)
Pick one diet plan, they all work in pretty much the same way they just have different window dressings. (It’s science, don’t argue)
Whatever you do in the gym is not going to amount to more than 2% of your week in terms of time spent. (Unless you live in the gym like me)
98% of your week will not be spent in the gym and plays a greater part in your fitness success therefore it would be wise to pay some attention here. (Ask me)
Phew, so many percentages my brain is fried!
Fitness (whatever that means to you) is more about removing what isn’t absolutely necessary than adding more in.
Brevity, simplicity and knowing what to focus on are valuable skills.
Perhaps Woodrow Wilson was on to something.
Might be time to invest in a coach.