How To Measure Your Body

It’s very common among fitness companies to take measurements and weigh their clients on a regular basis.  The thinking process is something like this, “If I can show my clients thru hard data that they are reducing their waistline, increasing their muscle size, and/or reducing their body fat percentage they will stick with my program.”  For most gym or fitness company owners this is what the concept of “retention” looks like to them.  Is it right?  Is it wrong?  

Well it's kinda both but, I like to think we're better off knowing that our commitment isn’t just a passing phase or a band-aid to less tangible injuries in our lives that we aren’t treating.  A good looking body is what I'd refer to as a "nice to have" but, what about the rest of you?

When you hear many fitness companies talk about “Accomplishing your goals” the focus is often on the body.  The logic they use is understandable, that if you can change things about your body you will in-turn see a change in your confidence, your relationships and your other challenges in life.  That’s pretty aspirational isn’t it??  I mean sure there’s correlation between all those parts of life but a nice body being a cause of all your happiness???  

What most people don’t realize is a problem with body image is an effect, not a cause of suffering.  Motiv8 wants you to become strong, healthy and resilient in all parts of your life.    

That's why I'm telling you this: YOU ARE beautiful!  NOW!  Not after a few lbs are lost, or when you get a certain measurement or when you can fit into a certain dress.  NOW!

When we focus just on the body, we’re focused on WHAT we want (an attractive physique) but there’s so much more substance in WHO we want to be.  Knowing how to answer that gives you purpose!

So do I want an attractive body or a purpose built body?  I used to think the former but I’ve found throughout my years in fitness and running that it’s the latter!  Because my focus has completely turned away from all the things about my body I don’t like to all the things about my body that give me power to do what I want to do!

Sure they both get you attention but, one comes with all these other benefits too: 

•        Confidence
•        A sense of achievement
•        Triumph over adversity
•        Character building
•        Respect

You know what else this focus has done?  Those things that used to bother me about my body have mostly gone away like they never did when all I could think about is what I “needed to lose”. 

We talk a lot at Motiv8 about finding out WHO you want to be.  That has REAL purpose!  The reason we ask this question isn’t to get all philosophical and make you re-evaluate what you’re doing with your life but, we HAVE found for some of you that becomes part of your answer!

Knowing WHO you want to be is a way to help illustrate a vision for yourself as you go thru a process to change your daily habits and behaviors.  That’s where TRUE change is made and you transform into a different person with new goals, new perspectives on life and a real sense of confidence in going after what you want.  This becomes your daily driver for success; in your exercise habits, in your food habits and in your mental health habits.  It helps you reach your TRUE potential!

Think about WHO you want to be, let it be the PURPOSE that drives you to make your SETs every day, to make wise food choices, to treat people in your life with love and respect…the WHAT falls into place when you focus on habits that serve your purpose!

Who do YOU want to be?