Shreddy Krueger: Nightmare on Fat Street
Coachman's month of February is converted to Shreduary and the challenge to rid our bodies of fat is now upon us, but what does it even mean to start shredding? A lot of you are probably thinking we will be stepping on a weight scale each week and recording those “results”....i.e. expecting the number you see to lower as these fat pounds start “dropping”. If this is the image in your head, get rid of it NOW. Not only is it inaccurate, but it’s complete garbage! The idea that weight loss, or your weight for that matter, has really any indication of your well-being and health has been a huge misconception and myth we’ve been bred to believe our entire lives. Stay with me on this folks...
Weight scales are honestly pointless.
If you’re confused and baffled by this, trust me, I know, it was a difficult concept for me to grasp and took a lot of mental recalibrating after years of self shaming and mental abuse from the scale to realize it. I was glued to those numbers on the scale as a teen, and worse, my self worth and health were wrapped up in them, too. At 5’8”, I was always 110 lbs (115 max) and I thought if that number ever got over 115, there was something wrong with me and I wasn’t going to look good. My weight was matching all those people plastered on magazines and social media out there, so I was good right?! I wasn’t out of shape and I must be healthy because that was a “low number”, right?! WRONG. So, wrong. I’m 141 lbs now, so is that “bad”?! Does that make me fat now, or out of shape, or unhealthy?! All of you reading this are smart enough to say no, and you need to understand this concept for your own well-being (trust me from my own experience, you will be better off emotionally and physically once you do!). The idea that we should be a certain weight, or never get over a certain pound number, is a very distorted thought process that is actually much more common than you realize. Our world of constant images and messages of what a healthy lean body should match, get distorted and misconstrued all the time.
What does the number on the scale actually mean?
Well, it definitely did not tell me I felt good (because I didn’t), it never told me what my body fat percentage actually was (which to my indication now was probably sickly unhealthy), nor did it tell me my clothes fit well or that I looked good (and looking back now, I don’t think I looked good at all). All a scale is telling you is the force of gravity on your body. Yup. That’s it. Who cares! Unless that is your honest intention to understand, or if you’re trying to trick the people at Cedar Point in order to win a prize, then don’t even step on a scale. Seriously. Those are the only two legitimate reasons I can think of checking your weight.
If you’ve spent years of your life chained to the scale and thought that is what Shreduary is all about, don’t panic! Luckily you’re with the Coachman team (if you aren't, you should be no matter how far away you live), and we are here to guide and coach you to achieving your body goals, by working on FAT loss through safe, healthy ways and muscle gain…..strong bodies and overall improved fitness!
The difference between weight loss and fat loss is crucial to both your overall health and well-being, as well as your success. Losing body fat is going to fuel your fitness improvement, give you peak performance, reduce your risk of diseases, and overall make you FEEL good. This will also help you in your personal/professional life! That is the goal! Losing weight would mean losing muscle as well, which you do not want! Actually increasing your muscle mass is essential in driving your fat loss success. Muscle has superb fat burning qualities due to the amount of mitochondria it contains, which are responsible for the production of energy, thus making them responsible for use/break down of fat. Because of these active characteristics of muscle/mitochondria, your body will actually burn fat throughout your day, even while you are sleeping! Unlike fat cells, which just sit there and accumulate. Make this easier on yourself and think of replacing the areas on your body covered in fat with lean muscle in order to look and feel your best….zing!
THE MOST IMPORTANT PART is establishing and maintaining a healthy balanced diet. You can’t expect to build muscle and feel good while eating horribly (obviously). All of these factors, techniques, and areas for growth are where we as your trainers come in to play, so don’t feel overwhelmed or lost in the process. They will all be addressed and taught further as we go along this fat loss journey! Stay focused, keep your discipline strong, and we are all here as a team to help!
Please do not let the scale sabotage your success or be a determining factor in how you are performing this Shreduary (or any time). We have a body fat tester to help us measure and record everyone's fat percentage. Whatever that percentage says, please do not let it deteriorate your spirit or let it determine who you are. This is your starting number. This is the chance to push yourself to new growth and an improved you! We are so excited to see you all CRUSH this!
*Author's note: If we have not had the pleasure of meeting yet (and I hope we do!), my name is Leigha Shoaf and I am the newest addition to the Coachman training team. I am beyond excited and honored to be working with all of you (legit a dream come true)! It is my greatest hope we can impact each other's’ lives in a more positive, healthy, and encouraging way! Please never hesitate to reach out for questions, advice and encouragement, or simply in need of a smile...I’m always here!
