Tag: balanced

Be Selfish with Your Time

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It’s interesting that the word ‘selfish’ has developed such negative connotations. 

Narcissistic.

Egotistical.

Inconsiderate.

All synonymous with a modern perception of ‘selfishness’. What if we were to rethink the value of this trait?

There are never enough hours in the day. Whether our time is being consumed with social media, working our butts off to try and get on the housing ladder, or alternative millennial clichés. Whatever it is that’s occupying our time, it’s doing a damn good job.

Yet, we’re often criticised for saying ‘no’. Well, I’d like to undermine this tendency, and highlight the importance of putting yourself first. 

We’ve all been roped into plans we’re not wholly invested in, quite literally, in these instances, living for others. Of course, we have commitments to people; that’s natural. There will be the odd occasion where we have to do things we don’t want to. I’m not encouraging you to become an asshole.

Equally, I’m not asking you to bail on plans, or let people down last minute. That’s actually pretty shitty. What I’m getting at, rather, is that we should be more inclined to consider circumstances fully, before agreeing to them.

We live in an age of FOMO; a mindset that could ultimately lead us into a mindless cycle of overcommitting to others, should we let it. Don’t be afraid to say ‘no’: what’s the worst that will happen?

Happiness will never be extrinsic. That night out probably isn’t going to change your life, and your friends (if they’re decent humans), will still love you if you decide to stay in and catch up on sleep, instead of going to watch that movie with them.

Protect your time, invest your energy wisely. Spend time with yourself, working on yourself, for yourself. Find contentment in your own company. Don’t undermine the importance of a little selfishness.

‘Why Do You Go Out So Much if You’re A Fitness Professional?’

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Of course, I understand where people are coming from when they ask this question. However, I think it’s all too easy to place fitness professionals on a (in my case, arguably somewhat precarious) pedestal.

The phrase ‘practice what you preach’ comes to mind: how can I inspire others to be healthy (‘health’; that somewhat ambiguous and abstract concept, but let’s not get into that), if I spend the weekends with a cocktail in hand?

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Well, in my opinion, I’m practicing exactly what I preach. I’m 24 years old, and enjoy a night out as much as the next person. It just so happens that I live in a city where both food and alcohol are a prevalent component of most weekend plans.

Yes, alcohol is very calorie-dense.

Yes, I will probably go and eat an extra burger if I’ve had a few drinks.

However, manipulation is key: there is always a solution.

Here are a few factors I like to implement during a boozy weekend, in order to minimise the negative effects of one-too-many rosés.

  1. Always train the next day. Always, always, always. No excuses: you got yourself into this position, so ya better move ya damn peach.
  1. After point 1, you’re probably thinking I’m mad. If you struggle badly with a sore head and can’t face the gym, get out and go for a walk. I tend to train in the morning and then walk in the evening. I like to grab one of my besties, take to the beach (the countryside/city will more than suffice if you live outside of Dubai), and have a catch up. Before you know it, you’ve accumulated 10,000 steps, and you know alllllll the gossip from the weekend. Double whammy.
  1. Be clever with your alcohol choices. Ok, so perhaps rosé is ya jam (obvs). So, why not start with a couple of glasses of rosé, then switch it up to something a little lower in cals. Think spirits and soda (add some fresh lime juice if you need a lil extra pozazzzzz), diet mixers, etc.
  1. Don’t eat like a moron when you’re hungover. You’ve had your fun, now it’s time to reign it in a little. We’re fortunate in Dubai that we can get pretty much anything delivered, so if you’re feeling like a total lazy bum and don’t want to cook, opt for something fresh, as opposed to a dense, oily, calorie-laden fry up. You’ll feel better for it. I promise.
  1. Eat moderately less/move more in the coming few days. You guys know by now that calorie restriction isn’t my favourite activity, so I always opt for moving a little more. Either way, it’s about re-establishing an adequate energy balance (calories in vs. calories out) to avoid weight gain.

Weight loss requires a lifestyle overhaul: there’s no point at which the hard work stops permanently. Yes, you can ease your foot off the gas a little from time to time, but the reality is, you’ve got to be fully invested.

I’m a big believer in allowing clients to enjoy the things they love, whether that may be a pizza or a pint (or both, in many cases). The moment that fat loss becomes excessively restrictive, is the point at which adherence dwindles.

Society propagates short-term transformation ideals every day. But, ultimately, if you want to maintain any sort of positive development, this is a long-term process. Surely, then, it’s of utmost importance that we learn to manipulate certain lifestyle factors, in order to incorporate the things we enjoy?