THE REALITIES OF TRANSFORMATION PROGRAMMES
As a body composition coach, I regularly get approached by clients wanting to achieve transformations.
It’s not something that comes easily and half of those who aspire for such a goal, aren’t aware of the implications surrounding it. Therefore today, we’re going to talk about the realities of getting very lean, including the opportunities and risks that may present.
Below are the primary considerations to be aware of before embarking on this journey.
BREAK THE MOULD…
For those that spend their days in a daily routine of work, gym and home, with little visible progress, life can become like groundhog day - tedious.
So to undergo a personal project that challenges you physically and mentally is a great way to break the mould.
Those that reach a body composition they’ve never thought possible, can develop a new lease of life. Doors have been opened into the realm of what’s possible, and suddenly dreams that were once unattainable, become realistic targets.
“I want more muscle development in my legs.”
“I think I’d like to try competing on stage.”
LESSONS LEARNED…
As they say - process over outcome.
The discipline that carries you through the latter weeks of a dieting phase can stick with you forever, and spill over into other areas of your life. Once life finds balance again, harder days become more manageable and you know that you can do anything you set your mind to.
The lessons learnt along the way are nothing short of life changing.
COACHING DEVELOPMENT…
Coaches actually benefit from these journeys the most. To truly appreciate the potential of the human body, it must be pushed to its limits. Most coaches don’t pull out their clients’ full potential until they’ve committed to, and completed their own personal transformation. On top of this, being able to truly empathise with your clients will not only improve coaching service, but the ability to problem solve through a dieting phase.
This isn’t to say it’s the best target for everyone… There are very particular drawbacks to this kind of challenge.
SACRIFICES…
A journey committed to achieving low levels of body fat can put a lot of pressure on an individual’s lifestyle. With the constant prioritisation around nutrition, training, recovery management, it can suddenly seem like a very selfish endeavour.
Relationships can be tested, and without a strong support network, they can sometimes break down. In the final stages of an extreme diet, social events may also be put on the back burner - not ideal if you have any special events at that time!
RELATIONSHIP WITH FOOD…
Behaviours around food are ever changing, based upon our environment, goals and internal thought processes. This is a very important area to consider if getting very lean is a goal of yours.
With the right coaching and support network it won’t be an issue, however it should be considered throughout the process so that a poor relationship with food doesn’t manifest, as it’s not something that is easily undone.
As a general rule of thumb, we don’t tend to begin working towards such goals unless the client highlights green lights in their relationship with food.
FEMALE HEALTH…
For females, menstrual cycle is a vital area to be aware of, and having an understanding of the consequences of losing a menstrual cycle is crucial. It should be no-one’s intention to lose their cycle, in fact, the longer it can be sustained the better. Missing 3 consecutive menstrual periods would categorise an individual as having amenorrhea, often caused by chronic stress or problematic low energy availability.
Whilst it doesn’t sound harmful, it can actually take years for some females to regain their menstrual period, and there are long-term implications to reproductive health too - a high price to pay for getting lean!
So getting very lean… is it worth it? Well for some, maybe, and for others maybe not. What differentiates a positive and negative journey is the quality of the coaching you receive. After reading this blog, you should at least have an idea of the costs and benefits to building a world-class physique, from here, it’s up to you…