Have you ever tried a diet, initially experienced success only to find out in the long term you went back to how you were before you started? You regained the body fat that was lost, or lost the muscle that was gained? For some of us it can be even more discouraging, we might initially make good progress in lowering our body fat (for example) and then find it goes back up to a higher level than it was when we started!

I have tried multiple times to get six-pack abs – on some of those occasions I think I’ve actually found the holy grail – an exercise or diet that actually works and achieves the results it says it will give you. I’ll get really excited, and become sure that it’s the answer. Unfortunately we humans have become too quick at judging things, at least I have, as I’ll soon find the initial success I enjoyed was only fleeting. I never get past that finally hurdle and as time progresses I find myself back to where I started – only slightly more dejected.

Is it possible?

Are six-pack abs only available to those who are blessed with the right genetics? No, I don’t believe so. Visible abdominals are simply the outcome of a low body-fat percentage and toned muscles. All humans have the ability to grow muscle, and all humans have the ability to burn fat. So why on earth is it that everyone finds it so hard impossible?

So it’s possible – what’s the problem then?

The problem is that the hundreds of diets, exercise equipment, gym memberships, even free fitness advice available on the Internet, all of these things are predominantly focused on short term results. Almost all of them fail in the long term (and usually well before you reach your goal).

The fitness industry is not interested in the long-term!

Professionals in this industry (by definition) are in it for the money. That doesn’t make them all bad, but it does mean that for them to be successful they have to bring results. Because of this there is a strong desire to bring out programs and routines that bring results very quickly.

The society we live it demands results now. So if results can be promised in 6 weeks, 2 weeks, 10 days, the lower the better, the more people will flock to the ‘solution’ with their wallets open.

Are we after real results or pretend results?

Unfortunately in life there are very few things that are worth anything that don’t require work. It is said that the good things in life are free – that may be true in monetary terms, but those good things do demand your time.
A good carpenter takes many years to become proficient in their trade, it will take at least 7 years (usually more) before you’ll have a quality doctor, so why do we expect to have a ‘good body’ in 10 days (or even 10 weeks)?

Do you want six-pack abs? Do you want bigger muscles or a slimmer shape? Then be prepared to work for it and forgo the diet you’ve enjoyed so much so far. Because I believe it is possible, but we’re going to have to work for it!

Not only do ‘get ripped quick’ schemes not work, even if they did work, your results would only last a short while.

I have had enough of fad diets, fitness equipment and routines that promise results in days. Even if they did work, they aren’t sustainable. You can’t keep the results you’ve gained because sooner or later reality will come in and you’ll realise you can’t eat like that forever, or workout like that day in and day out.

What I am heading towards is the need for sustainable fitness. This means fitness and nutrition that firstly will bring results, and secondly (and just as importantly) will bring lasting results.

Sustainable six-pack abs, are abdominal muscles that you’ll be able to see the whole year through. Not just for a week or so in summer when you starve yourself for the preceeding 3 weeks, and then binge eat after that when your cravings are too much.

Sustainable fitness is something that has largely been ignored by the fitness industry in the past several decades. As explained, there is too much money to be made by offering quick-fix, unsustainable diets and products that the so-called experts keep coming up with.

The problems are not just with the fitness industry however. Take sports stars as an example. Soccer players, basketball players, boxers - when they’re at the height of their careers they’ll be ripped and lean. See them just a few years after their retirement and they’ll have gained a layer of flab over what was once a near-perfect body. Of course there are exceptions (e.g. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) but for the majority they discovered that the way they had kept their bodies in condition was not actually sustainable.

For another example we could look at those who have served in the military forces. There is no doubt that they’ll have been in top shape while in service. Unfortunately almost all retired military men do not look anything like you or me would like our bodies to be like. The fitness methods in the army, although effective, or not sustainable. And the older you get, the less sustainable they will be.

So if sports stars and soldiers can’t get it right, is there hope for me?

Is sustainable fitness actually possible? I argue it is, not only that but it is achievable by all.
These days I am only interested in information and products related to diets, equipment or exercises that are sustainable. Because if they are both effective and sustainable, then they’re going to bring the success we’re all after.

Then, as we make that diet, or that exercise part of our every day life, so to will six-pack abs become something that is part of our lives. Of course the same applies for bigger biceps or slimmer legs – whatever your fitness goals are.

How do we know if something is sustainable or not?

There are a few questions that I like to ask myself when faced with something ‘new’ in fitness;

Diets
Do I like these foods? Would I be miserable eating these types of foods? Could a diet realistically become part of my life?
And don’t forget to ask whether the diet will bring results!
Exercises or equipment
Would I use this on a regular basis? Would I enjoy doing this? Will this kind of movement likely cause problems as I get older (could it increase the chance of injuries)?

And of course, you have to ask whether the particular exercise or piece of equipment will bring results before you add it to your workout regime.

If it’s not sustainable, don’t waste your time!

Sustainable fitness means you’ll continue to make progress when you’re sick, when you’re depressed and later on in life when you begin to age. Results will likely be slower, but they’ll be lasting. No more saying good bye to flab for a few weeks, you can say good bye to it for a lifetime!

Mckenna and I have made too many mistakes believing the ‘get-ripped-quick’ crowd. These days we are only interested in what will bring results that are here to stay.

One way I implement sustainable fitness into my workouts at the moment is by only focusing on bang-for-buck exercises.  As these exercises give out maximum results from minimum input they are classed in my books as sustainable.  If I’m short for time I should still be able to find the time to do these few exercises rather than a longer workout and yet still get back the same level of results.

Is the way you diet (or are trying to diet) sustainable?  Is the way you work out sustainable?

Getting six-pack abs is not rocket science. But if you want them you’ll have to be willing to make some sacrifices. That’s what Mckenna and I are doing so please feel free to follow along for the ride.

Tags: sustainable fitness

Filed under: theory