At the weekend I realised that I had started in the fitness industry 20 years ago.  

It doesn't really feel that long, insert your own cheesy line about it not being work if you love doing it ;)

During that time I have witnessed a lot of stuff that works and probably 10 times that which doesn't.

I thought I'd share 20 lessons I have learnt from being in the industry so long.

Don't worry it's not going to be a massively long message, I'll break them down over the next few days.

1.  There really are NO short cuts to weight loss.

There are quick fixes but they are short lived and in most cases your bounce back weight will be higher than your starting weight.  

Long term results need planning and commitment.  

If the person selling you results got their education from the product catalogue, you should be wary.  Even if their friends dogs, sisters aunty lost 20 stone and now works as a super model.

We have helped some of our members achieve amazing results quickly when necessary; however, the long term plan will always be health.

2.  It's ok to take things slowly.

I used to think that losing a pound or two per week was pointless, that a trainer who only achieved that with their clients wasn't that good.  Long term, the body finds it less of a shock and will thank you for it with better results.

3.  The thing isn't very often the thing.

Our members who have achieved long term success are the ones who have tackled our coaching programme.  

Those who have answered their own difficult questions.  

Those who know their WHY.

Wanting to lose weight or get fitter, is the starting point but the WHY will get you there.  

I know that if I was 10kgs lighter it would be easier for me to run long distances, it would be easier to get up hills on my bike.  However, that isn't a strong enough why for me to put the focus in to that goal.

I also know I get more action when I'm leaner.  That is a good enough reason why ;)

4.  It's ok to struggle.

You don't have to be perfect all of the time to achieve results.  

Sometimes you will be on form and your mojo will be through the roof, those are the easy days.

Other times you will struggle to get out of the door in the morning.  You will stop at the garage for a croissant and a bacon batch, notice how I put the cake first :).

As long as you are consistently striving to eat well, you will get a little closer to your goal each day.

5.  It's ok to ask for help.

Especially if you're male. 

We have so many hang ups about being strong and not showing weakness.  We also have the highest suicide rate by far.

It's madness to not ask for help.  In every aspect of our lives it's acceptable to ask for help.

Need your teeth doing, you're not going to pull them out yourself after skimming an article about dentures.

Yet every day people struggle to find the best information for them, scouring the internet to read conflicting arguments and agendas.

Speak to somebody who will help YOU plan something specifically for YOU.

That's enough for today, more tomorrow.

Darren 'has it really been that long' Checkley