text: The Psychology of Weight Loss: Part 6 - It's not about Numbe
  The health clubs are always racking their brains trying to figure out why they have such a hard time keeping members coming back. Most owners would argue that cash flow and profit margins are the most important reason to retain membership. Yes, but what drives customers to these health clubs?
  These owners have lost touch with what matters most, the customer! Give the customer more than they expect and they will continue to do business with you. Selling a product or service is about people more so than numbers on a spreadsheet.
  SINK HOLES VS. POTHOLES
  I want you to think of this principle in your workout. You know it is very easy to get burdened down with all the details of an exercise and diet program. While guidelines are necessary, at times focusing too much on the numbers can and will set you up for failure.
  You may start to think all this counting calories, reps, and keeping track of heart rates are too much to accomplish. Unexpectedly, you start to lose sight of your goals and it becomes more of a job than a hobby or stress release. You may even quit exercising. This can be an immediate sinkhole for you.
  It would be unrealistic to think you are not going to have some tough days. It's hard getting in shape. It takes determination and discipline. More importantly, it takes looking over those down days to the end goal. Do not get too worked up about hitting all the numbers on the charts all the time.
  The bigger challenge lies in the follow through. In order to follow through, you have to have a certain amount of PERSONAL FITNESS ACCOUNTABLITY!
  IT'S BEING SOLD OUT! The only way you will follow through on an exercise program is to be sold out. The military calls them "lifers." These are people who are committed to something for the long haul. Are you a lifer? Could you be a lifer?
  A lifer has a sold out mindset. He or she realizes that there will be potholes to go through; there may even be a sinkhole up ahead, but they get through it or they go around the situation. It may take support from others, but it gets done. You may not be a lifer today, but you could be if you don't make changes now! Why do you think New Year's Resolutions don't work? Waiting to start a good exercise program begs the question, "Are you serious enough about it to begin now instead of putting it off till a certain time?" Now is the time to start. BEING SOLD OUT IS AN ATTITUDE OF THE HEART! IT'S THE BIG PICTURE Each of you is different. You will put into exercise a certain amount of effort and everyone will get something different from it. You cannot just package good intentions and say, "If you do this or if you buy that, you will receive this in return." It just doesn't work that way.
  I have bad days. I have good days. I have days I had wish I had never started exercising. I want fried foods some days. I eat fried foods sometimes. I want to take a vacation from it all. I take a vacation from it all. Yet, at the end of the day, some small voice inside reminds me of that decision I made many years ago. I can't turn back even when I want to. I made a commitment to myself years ago:
  Never be afraid to ask for help and realize every day to focus on the big picture.
  What about you? Are you going to sell out to being miserable, achy, low energy, and suffer from low self-esteem? Or are you going to make a meaningful decision to get in better health? Let's do it together.
  While guidelines are needed, try not to get bogged down with the details. Make a decision to make exercise and eating right a priority in your life, even if it is not up to your expectations. Exercise and better eating will give back a very fulfilling life. But you have to keep your eye on the ball. Speed bumps and potholes will always be there in season. The process of avoiding them can be a lot more fun than you can imagine.