The nature of the fitness industry over the past ten years has changed a lot since we first opened the doors at CP Fitness.

Both for the good and the bad depending on who and where you get your information. 

The quality of information has increased without a doubt, but on the flip side, there’s a lot more nonsense, and often, the good stuff gets drowned out. 

The industry seems to be full of fat loss focused content. But have we seen a shift in people’s mindsets? From our end, we certainly have.

Women are coming to the gym with less focus on fat loss and more on just feeling good. 

And the question remains, should you focus on feeling good before pursuing a fat loss goal? Or should you focus on fat loss first and feel good later? 

You may be thinking, “Won’t losing weight make me feel good anyway?” And in some cases, it may. 

But for others reaching that magical number on the scales does not make them happy.  A fat loss goal, if not pursued intelligently, can be a miserable experience.

If you associate this miserable experience with the gym, you won’t go back. I am not saying you should never have a fat loss goal.

However, if you focus on establishing some baseline habits like attending the gym consistently, getting a little stronger, fitter and feeling good first, both physically and mentally, I guarantee that if you decide to enter a fat loss phase, it will be an easier transition. 

Fat Shaming and Diet Shaming

This is a hot topic in the industry at the minute, and most people are focusing on the extreme ends of the spectrum. The opinions on opposite ends of every spectrum tend to be heard most and come from people who know the least. 

We have people fat-shaming and people diet shaming, the industry, as per usual, confuses us. If you are overweight, you get shamed; if you are trying to lose weight, you also get shamed. 

Most of the views are driven by whatever political ideology one subscribes to, with not an ounce of common sense involved. “My tribe says this, so this is how I think on the matter.”

This is why I don’t do politics, but it’s creeping its way into my lane with a complete disregard for the data behind this topic. 

As we said last week, we have seen a shift in people’s mindset to be more health-focused regardless of size, which is great and has helped open up doors to the industry and make it more inclusive. 

We know all about this; we are a gym for women who feel uncomfortable in the commercial gym environment. 

We are a gym for women who want to come and train, feel good and not get forced to eat chicken, rice and broccoli for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Or get forced to stand on scales every week to be judged by people who quite frankly haven’t a fucking notion what they are talking about. 

We established last week that losing a few pounds or reaching that “magic”  number on the scales may not make you happy. Most of the time, it doesn’t.

Working on yourself internally is always a good start, and when you feel like you have some solid habits in a place from a health perspective, it’s ok to pursue a body composition goal if that’s what you want. 

Should we shame people for trying to lose a few pounds?? 

If someone feels like they want to drop a dress size for an upcoming wedding, who are we to judge them or if they feel it may make them a little more healthier because their health markers suggest so.

Should we shame people because they are carrying a little extra body fat? Once again, who are we to judge? Whether you’re a size 10 or 20, if you’re happy and healthy, that’s all that matters. 

Social media is amplifying all of this, of course. My view is simple move your body in ways that make you feel good, whether that’s lifting weights, running, hiking or Zumba. 

Physical activity for movement and health is always a good start. At the end of the day you must do what’s right for you and what feels good.

After all, you know yourself more than anyone else. 

if you are pursuing a fat loss goal, remember you can measure it in many ways. You don’t have to stand on scales, how your clothes fit is an excellent metric. 

If, however, you never actively chase a fat loss goal and are happy to focus more on fitness, that’s ok too.

So just because you go to the gym, don’t feel the need to be constantly on a diet or trying to lose weight. 

Paul