Fit or Thin?

Whenever I meet with new clients and begin to discuss goals, I am always curious to hear which is more important to them - being fit or thin.  Now I don’t necessarily think that you can’t be both of these things but in my experience, many women tend to choose one over the other and more often than not it’s the latter. So which would you rather be, is one better than the other and how do you get there?

I would be lying if I didn’t admit that the number that appears on my scale isn’t important to me.  I’ve mentioned in past blogs how I weigh myself often and keep a close eye my weight. However, with each passing year my own priorities on the topic of “fit or thin” have shifted. When I was younger, the main reasons I exercised and ate well were related to vanity. The way I looked was of the utmost importance and the way I felt took a back seat.  Not that feeling good wasn’t a nice perk but it also was not necessarily my end goal. Yet today I care just as much -or dare I say more - about being strong and healthy than about being able to squeeze into my skinny jeans. 

I think so many of us get caught up in that last five or ten pounds that we’ve been trying to lose forever and forget that in the grand scheme of things, those few pounds may not be all that important nor do they define us.  When someone starts a training program with me I really want them to focus on things like how much stronger they can become, how much faster they can be, and how their flexibility can improve rather than that last ounce of fat on their thighs or the number on the scale. And what I’ve found is that those who focus on the fitness objectives – speed, agility, endurance and the like - and stop obsessing over pounds also achieve their weight goal.  

Thus, I am not necessarily suggesting you choose one over the other when it comes to fit or thin, just that you change your approach and thought process.  If you are trying to lose a few, start thinking about how you can become more fit. Try different things. Shake up your routine a bit and focus on strength, endurance, balance and flexibility and watch your body change, both inside and out, for the better. Keep me posted on your progress!