Is NOW the Right Time for You to Prioritise Losing Body Fat?
Dieting is a stress on your body. It requires you to establish a calorie deficit in which your body has a negative energy balance—consuming fewer calories than it needs to produce energy. For larger individuals with more stored energy, this might not pose much of a problem initially. However, as body fat decreases, or for someone starting at a relatively low body fat percentage, this process can take its toll.
For this reason, you need to assess whether the time is right. As a coach, this is something I delve into during an initial consultation call. I want to understand whether a person is ready and if a goal can not only be achieved but also sustained. To assess this, I ask three simple questions:
- Are you ready for this (psychologically)?
- Is your support network ready for this and behind you?
- Is your body ready for this (physiologically)?
These questions can be expanded and discussed in greater detail.
1. Are You Ready?
This might sound like a silly question if someone is eager to achieve a result. However, sometimes a person may not fully understand what the process entails. It’s my role as a coach to ensure that the goal is specific, measurable, attainable, and realistic, with an appropriate timeline suggested.
If a client is not ready, it’s my responsibility to be upfront and honest so that they don’t develop false hope or unrealistic expectations.
For example, if someone wishes to lose body fat for a photoshoot, this goal requires a rather aggressive approach to dieting. If they are already experiencing a stressful period in their life, putting them under additional stress would be unethical from my standpoint.
Another scenario might be that the person doesn’t yet have the mental fortitude required to achieve their intended outcome. This doesn’t mean they can’t achieve the goal—it simply means that now is not the right time. We may need to nurture and develop their mindset before making future changes.
2. Is Your Support Network Ready for This and Behind You?
The environment and the people around you will have a huge impact on your ability to achieve your goals.
To make lasting change, it’s important that those around you support rather than hinder your progress. Therefore, open and honest communication is always best. Discussing your goals with your support network ensures they understand what to expect and how they can help you along the way.
The journey you are about to embark on will not only affect you but also those close to you. Your goal is personal and may require some selfishness—and that’s okay! Recognising this will help determine whether now is the right time for you.
At times, you may even face resistance from those who don’t support your goals. This can stem from their own fears or discomfort with change. It’s important to remember that people’s values evolve over time, and those who truly care about you should respect your decision to want more for yourself. Surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals who share your values is an essential part of your progress.
3. Is Your Body Ready for This?
Your past and current choices, habits, and health status can impact your ability to start working toward your goal immediately. While this can be frustrating, the long-term outcome must always take precedence over short-term gratification.
Where might this be applicable?
- Perhaps you have been following a very low-calorie diet for an extended period.
- Perhaps you are currently training 6-7 times per week, and your recovery is suffering.
- Perhaps you are dealing with an injury.
- Perhaps consideration needs to be given to your current medical condition and the effects of any medication you’re taking.
Sometimes, your body simply needs a break. Prioritising your overall health before pushing toward your next goal may be necessary for long-term success and sustainability. Ignoring this reality can lead to hitting an unwavering plateau in progress—or worse, developing more serious health complications down the line.
