Fit for Life: First, You’ve Got to Want it

Sunday, July 17, 2016

Matt Espeut, GoLocalWorcester Health +Lifestyle Contributor

A guy came up to me last week after a presentation I was doing and told me I really tell it like it is, no BS or sugar coating the truth. He stood about 6’ 3” and weighed over 250 lbs. and said that he needed a little reality check to get him off his behind, and start moving again. Then he said, "thanks, I'll be here tomorrow."

Well, if you know me at all, you know that I tell it like it is. I rarely use a filter, and people have been known to say to me, "I can't believe you just said that to someone". I always respond with "Why? What did I say wrong?" You see, I'm not trying to insult, criticize, judge, or hurt anyone's feelings, so if what I say doesn't sit well with you, it's because I speak the truth, and the truth can hurt. If you are overweight and out of shape, it’s because you eat garbage, and don't take care of yourself. Now who would get offended by this statement? And - why? If someone told me that I would be more successful if I continued my education, or I would have more clients if I knew how to sell and run a business better, I wouldn't be mad or insulted by them, I would agree with them, and do all the necessary things I needed to do to improve, make changes, and move forward. Instead of taking things out of context and whining or complaining about your current situation, take accountability for your actions, and make some positive changes that will improve your life. If what someone says about you hurts, or hits home, it's time to do something about it, instead of moaning and groaning about what someone said to you.

I am here to help people. That's my mission, passion and goal, and I will do whatever it takes to get my people to work with me and follow my path to ultimate health and fitness. I’m not trying to sell a workout or a meal plan. I am trying to convince people to make a lifestyle change for the better, and follow my lead on that journey. Three workouts, three weeks, or even three months isn’t enough; incorporating changes and new lifestyles into one’s daily life if what is needed.

I do give constructive criticism, and I do hold people accountable. I don’t hold hands or coddle. If you need that then it’s best not to work with me. I also don’t give constant praise for “trying”, because I’m one of those people who don’t go for giving medals for “participating”. Trying, only, is a cute word for failing. You’re not working hard enough. If you try – hard – to lose weight and get fit - you will be doing it – not trying to.

Why?

It takes hard work and discipline to reach your goal. One of the first questions I ask people that attend my orientations is " why are you here?". I ask this because you need to have a purpose and goal in mind before you start your journey. Are you here to get fit and healthy? “Yes” is always the answer. Then we peel back another layer, and I ask, "why did you choose my place instead of the other gyms in the area”? Is it because you dislike crowded gyms full of intimidating equipment and people? That usually brings a “yes”. Then I explain the steps it will take to be successful with my program. Hard work and discipline. That's the only formula to health and fitness. You need work hard, have discipline, eat properly and avoid eating the wrong things. When, and only when you incorporate these things into your lifestyle will you see the results.

I'm good at what I do, but I can't want it more than you do. And to be successful, you need to be willing and ready to change. Statistically, we are in trouble as a nation. Obesity, heart disease, and diabetes are skyrocketing every year. People are getting bigger and sicker every day. There isn’t a nice way to put it. If you continue to eat processed garbage on a daily basis, and don’t incorporate some sort of exercise regimen into your life, you are going down the path to self-destruction. You will become a statistic. It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when.

I work with people from the beginning until they reach their goals, and then help them to maintain what they’ve accomplished. But! I can’t do it for you – can’t come to your house and drive you to the gym, or follow you around and knock the donuts out of your hand. We’re all adults, and adults need to be accountable for our own actions. That way, wherever you are, temptations will be there, but you’ll also have the strength from within to resist. Can’t say it better – or nicer - than that.

Matt Espeut, GoLocal's Health & Lifestyle Contributor has been a personal trainer and health & fitnesss consultant for over 25 years. He is the owner of Fitness Profiles, a one on one, and small group personal training company, as well as Providence Fit Body Boot Camp, located at 1284 North Main St., on the Providence/Pawtucket line. You can reach Matt at (401) 453-3200; on Facebook at "Matt Espeut", and on Twitter at @MattEspeut. "We’re all in this life together – let’s make it a healthy one!

Related Slideshow: The 7 Best Health and Fitness Apps

Here is a list of some of the most obsession worthy health apps.

Prev Next

MapMyRun

MapMyRun is the number one selling running app for a reason: it is easy to use, offers community support if you want it, and tracks and stores your exact routes for you. If you are training for a race or a serious runner, users say that the extra perks in the upgraded paid version are well worth it.

Made for iPhone, Android and Blackberry

Prev Next

MyFitnessPal

MyFitnessPal seems to be the clear favorite amongst everyone polled. It is helpful not only for the fitness tracking aspect, but everyone polled mentioned how much they loved the food/diet aspect as well. From carb counting for diabetics to recipe ideas to complement your fitness goals, users love this app.

Made for iPhone and Android

Prev Next

JeFit

JeFit is another fitness app that has rave reviews. It not only tracks progress for you, but offers a huge database of workouts. While many apps offer community support, JeFit allows you to sync workouts with friends who use the app, offering a (real) virtual buddy system.

Made for iPhone and Android

Prev Next

Strava

Strava gets the highest mark of all the cycling apps. While it is also great for runners, the cyclers seem particularly inclined towards the fierce competition that can be ignited by this app. You can track all of your rides via GPS, then you can compare your efforts to those logged by others in the community on the same stretch of road. You can also join ongoing challenges that can net you great prizes (in addition to bragging rights).

Made for iPhone and Android

Prev Next

YogaStudio

YogaStudio gets the top vote for Yoga apps. It has a lengthy collection of full class-length videos available at your fingertips. Unlike many other apps, this one also allows you to customize your own video yoga class. All of the poses are done by qualified yoga instructors, and you can find classes suitable for all levels of yogis.

Made for iPhone only

Prev Next

SimplyBeing

SimplyBeing meditation app offers the best of both worlds. You can choose to run this app as a background for your meditation with soothing music or natural sounds that run for a set amount of time. Conversely, for those of you who have trouble focusing during meditation, you can choose a soothing voice-guided meditation.

Made for iPhone and Android

Prev Next

Fooducate

Fooducate is an app all about educating people so that they make healthier food choices. Although not perfect, this app is easy to use (you can even take pictures of bar codes to instantly find foods in their database). It gives food a letter grade, tells you the pluses and minuses, and gives you better ranked alternatives. You can also use it as a weight loss tool by tracking your daily calories.

Made for iPhone and Android