Ever wonder why some people train so hard and never really see results? It could be due to many reasons – poor eating, not consistent in their training, not intense enough, stale workouts…. Or it could be that they are always trying to lose weight, so they binge and restrict, binge and restrict…and the body doesn’t know what to do with all the roller coaster stuff that is being thrown at it.

Or they simply restrict too much, year round. No fuel for the fire, so to speak. Remember ladies, you have to EAT to build…you simply cannot build in a deficit. If you’re like me, you are a hard gainer. (It takes a long time for me to gain muscle: I’m small framed, older, and genetics are not on my side. So when I want to change my physique, I increase my calories, I pay super close attention to my macros, and I aim to lift heavier). There is no magic. Just good old sweat and tears.

And we need to beware what the press is putting out there too. When we read that so-and-so eat such-and-such and take in this many calories, we think we can do the same. But these pro’s are genetically gifted. That’s why they are pro’s. I am NOT saying they don’t work for it (have you ever seen a pro train? My gosh, it is INTENSE!) The pros have superb recovery and a strong immune system that they have built up over the years through quality nutrition and consistent, progressive training.

Your relationship with your body is the most precious of all relationships, and it takes time to learn and grow together. It also takes consistency in eating and lifting, day in, day out, year after year. Progress is slow, to be sure, for most of us anyway, but know that there is progress with every workout. No workout, no progress. The formula is simple: eat, lift, rest, eat, lift, rest…and repeat over, and over, and over again. It’s cumulative. It’s on-going. And it’s pretty fulfilling too!

– Coach Karen

PS Check out my 8-Week BLISS Body Makeover Program – videos, workout cards, eating and lifestyle lessons to help you melt the fat and get lean, shapely and strong!