Fit-Bullets Friday: Friday November 25th, 2022

Fit-Bullets: Getting Back On Track After Thanksgiving, Why Now is a Good Time to Join a Gym, and What Counts as Strength Training

Happy Fit-Bullets Friday!

Here are 3 things I wanted to share with you this week...

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• Getting back on track

To those of you who celebrated: I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

But now's the time to get back on track. Here's how:

1. Make the decision you're going to get back on track.

2. Decide which leftovers you're going to get rid of (the calorie-dense mashed potato and pies would be a good place to start) and which leftovers you're going to keep (the turkey and the veggies are going to be great for a high-protein, low-calorie meal).

3. Actually get rid of the leftovers that won't serve you. Throw them in the trash, give them away, it doesn't matter - just get them out of the house.

4. Plan. Pre-track today's calories. Go to the grocery store if you need any ingredients for your regular meals.

5. Don't overcompensate. There's no need to starve yourself or spend the day on the elliptical - just get back on track with your usual habits and your regular calorie intake.

6. Be thankful you had a great day :)

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• Why now is the best time to join a gym

Are you thinking about joining the gym in January?

Terrible idea.

Why?

Because it'll be so incredibly busy. When I was an in-person trainer, the first 2 weeks of January between 5-7pm were horrendous. I had to rewrite my clients' programs on the fly because the equipment we needed was almost never available. There were just too many people.

And I can only imagine how intimidating that environment must have felt to someone who was brand new to the gym. I'm sure that's why so many people join in January, go once or twice, and never go back.

So instead of waiting until January...

Join now.

Seriously, gyms are desperate for new members in the time between Thanksgiving and the end of the year. Their sales staff often work on commission, and they will do just about anything to convince you to join.

A free month.

Discounts.

A complimentary workout with a trainer.

It's a great time to join.

What's more, most gyms get super empty in December.

Especially the last 2 weeks of the year.

Which makes it such a great time to get comfortable in the gym environment, figure out where all the equipment is, and learn how to use everything.

"But Daniel, what's the point of joining with all the events I have in my calendar? I'll be eating too much to lose weight!"

Even if that is true - you're looking at exercise in the wrong way.

You don't strength train to lose weight. You strength train to get stronger and because it's so f*cking good for your health.

Ditto for cardio - you do it for the heart, lung, and mood benefits, not because you're trying to lose weight.

In other words, these are lifelong habits, whether you're trying to lose weight or not. You can deal with nutrition - the real driver of weight loss - when circumstances are better.

Although there's no reason why you can't eat more veggies and protein at the meals in between your events 🤷‍♂️.

Anyway...

Join now.

Get comfortable in the new environment.

And you'll be fine when the January rush happens.

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• What "counts" as strength training?

As someone who talks about the importance of strength training while losing weight, I'm often asked if something "counts" as strength training.

"Hey Daniel, does pilates count as strength training?"

"Does yoga count as strength training?"

"Does following along with my favourite fitness influencer's YouTube videos count as strength training?"

Here's the simple answer...

If you have to ask, it doesn't count as strength training.

Here's a slightly less simple answer...

If you can imagine a big strong dude performing that workout in an attempt to become bigger and stronger, it's strength training. If you can't, it ain't.

Look.

There's definite value to things like yoga, pilates, and follow-along workouts.

You could even describe them as a light form of strength training.

If you're currently doing them and you enjoy them, awesome, keep doing that.

Just don't think they'll give you the toned and defined look that strength training and a calorie deficit will provide.

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See you next time,

Daniel