Minimizing Misery

We have been over-conditioned to think that chasing body composition changes - leaning out, losing that last 10 pounds, or just feeling better in our bodies - require suffering: eat as little as possible & work out as much as possible.

No gluten, no sugar, no soda.

More cardio, no meals out.

Meal prep, skip dessert, eat chicken and broccoli for every meal.

But that’s not the solution.

It has been shown again and again and again that this cycle does not lead to long-term results.

(NEWSFLASH: Gagging down gross but ‘clean’ tupperware meals during the week then crushing a plate of nachos and five drinks on Saturday is not the road to big success).

Yoyo-ing between restrictive diets does not result in sustainable changes - no long term weight loss, no positive changes in eating habits.

Reaching your body composition, health, or performance goals does not have to be a miserable process.

THE REAL MAGIC IS IN MODERATION.

Because, it’s sustainable.

Moderation looks like:

1. Eating in a calorie deficit (eating fewer calories than you burn on average), but not a giant deficit that leaves you starving and deprived; a moderate deficit that still allows you to enjoy foods you love.

2. Staying active. This doesn’t mean you need to have six intense training sessions a week or always leave a workout sore and fatigued. Rather move consistently in a way that feels good. It means being moderate with your activity goal and making sure that goal is reasonable. Lift, run, spin, walk, Zumba…do whatever you enjoy.

3. Being patient and moderating expectations. We promise you…no matter how good it sounds, you don’t want to lose 10 pounds in a week. Because there is no way those 10 pounds are body fat; they are water weight. Aim for 1-2 lb of loss per week (that range obviously depends on differences in body composition) and be patient.

Here’s what we want you to take away from your time with AIM:

Consistency at a moderate intake over time. Less restriction, fewer rules. Have pizza when you want pizza. Remove the guilt from an “off” meal or day. Have a social life, but still work towards your big goals. Steady progress over time.

Here’s to minimizing misery where we can.