Denise Sanger

Starving yourself? Exercising your body into exhaustion? Feeling tired? Maybe it’s time to remember the big picture when it comes to your health. After all, we were designed to feel amazing not to feel like we can barely get out of bed in the morning.

During my fitness classes, we chat about anything and everything. I have learned so much from the folks in the morning classes. One thing that is an ongoing conversation is the frustration many feel when they do not lose weight or do not lose the weight they believe they should have lost. I cannot tell you the number of times someone says “I got on the scale and I only lost five pounds. Or I went to the doctor and I only lost 2 pounds.”

My response? That’s fantastic! How do you feel? They generally tell me they feel pretty darn good. They are active, eating healthy most of the time and have improved their overall health. Why then do we all focus on the numbers on the scale?

Don’t get me wrong. It is very important to maintain a healthy weight. However only focusing on losing weight may actually prevent you from moving forward in your journey. That is why my response back is always “how do you feel?”

Looking at the big picture will actually help you stay on track when you feel discouraged. And you will feel discouraged or frustrated at one time or another. It happens to all of us me included. I have never met someone that has not felt frustrated at one time or another with their weight.  

You may find that exercise, particularly strength training, when combined with a healthy nutritional program could result in no weight loss BUT you will notice your clothes are looser. Think about this question that you have probably been asked at one time or another — what weighs more? A pound of feathers or a pound of gold? The answer is they weigh the same at one pound. Now look at the big picture. The pound of gold is significantly smaller than the pound of feathers.

When you put that in perspective as it relates to your body, muscle takes up less room than fat. You may not see the difference in weight BUT you will most certainly see the difference in your body as it transforms. The transformation may result in you wearing a smaller size in your clothes. Nothing wrong with that right?

Most importantly, be kind to yourself. When you are feeling aggravated, take a deep breath and pause. Then think back over the past week or so and remember everything that your body has done for you. Our bodies never let us down. It has carried us through our days stronger than it may have been the day before. Be grateful and push through until you reach your goals. You GOT this!

To your health,

Denise

Denise Sanger is a certified fitness instructor, FXP Hoop instructor, licensed Zumba, STRONG by Zumba instructor, yoga, teaches morning classes at Dog Pound Health & Fitness.  Denise may be reached at DeniseSanger.com, 386/292-6105 or denisesanger@gmail.com