When we talk about health and fitness, and particularly weight loss – of course exercise is very important, and as Personal Trainers, it’s the backbone of our plan to help you achieve your goals. 
BUT the other big part of the equation is nutrition. While we don’t agree that it’s 80% diet and 20% exercise, we DO agree that you can’t out-exercise a bad diet, and nutrition plays an incredibly important role.
But when it comes to ‘diets’ and nutrition, there is so much conflicting information out there it can be completely overwhelming to even know where to begin. There’s the Paleo Diet (caveman – no grains, sugar or dairy), the Atkins diet (no carbs), the Raw food diet (nothing cooked); you can count carbs, count fat, count sugar, count calories – and still end up feeling deprived and not getting the results you want at the end of the day. No wonder 95% of weight loss plans fail!
So what is the answer?
Well, just like with exercise, the right approach to nutrition is very individual, and there’s no ONE correct answer for every person. It’s important to identify the areas you struggle with, the areas you need to improve on, and the ways that you can fit those solutions into your lifestyle.
There are some general pieces of nutrition advice that tend to be appropriate for most people, but it’s important that you find a way to build it into your lifestyle. If it’s not something you can see yourself doing forever, chances are it’s not going to work.
Some people like to use an app on their phone to track their intake, others prefer a good old fashioned pen and paper. Some people struggle to control their own portions, so they choose pre-portioned meals that are sent to their doorstep. Some people like a VERY strict regimen, while others prefer more freedom.
Ultimately, common sense is key when making good nutrition choices. You should eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, eat more ‘whole foods’ and less processed foods, eat a well-balanced diet with a variety of different food sources, eat sensible portion sizes, drink plenty of water, and limit your intake of things like alcohol, added sugars, salt and saturated fats.
Everything in moderation
Does this mean you can never have chocolate or a glass of wine? Absolutely not! We believe that moderation is the key to success. By completely abstaining from something you enjoy, you are actually more likely to feel deprived and over-indulge. Allowing yourself to have small treats in moderation is not only fine, it’s smart! You will feel satisfied, but by managing your portions, you remain in control.
If you are trying to lose weight, the overall amount of calories going in, needs to be less than the overall number of calories your body is using in a day. A combination of reducing intake and increasing output (through exercise!) is the most
successful approach.
You can work with your Fitness Enhancement Personal Trainer to come up with a plan of attack, using our fantastic food diary to help keep you accountable and focussed on your goals. If you’re interested in a more detailed, specific plan for you, or if you have special nutritional needs, Fitness Enhancement also has Dietitians available to help.
Whatever option you choose, it needs to be right for YOU – you set your goals, and we help you get there!