I don’t recall even what show it was, one of those goofy 2 minute spots on the morning shows I think, where some diet guru tells us the latest and greatest way to lose weight, be happy forever and be loved by everyone! Yes, I AM being sarcastic here! Anyway, whoever she was, the woman diet guru said that it’s all about “finding your comfort zone” and staying with it.

Well, pardon me, but that is about the worst thing anyone could do. Look around you! Go to the club you work out at, and watch the people who appear “comfortable.” You will notice that they aren’t changing one bit. See the people at work who look comfortable? They’re not going anywhere either. That’s because comfort at its very best produces inertia, which is simply resistance to change, and at its worse it produces deterioration. The real key to life, and the secret to success in a body for life challenge, is getting outside your comfort zone and staying that way for 12 weeks!

Our diet guru, the lady who wants everyone to be comfortable, is selling a product that won’t change anyone one darned bit. What causes muscle change is forcing a muscle to work harder than it is currently equipped to handle. The harder work does micro damage to the muscle, and the muscle responds by getting stronger and sometimes larger as well. What causes fat changes is a little more intricate. You can burn fat without losing body weight by eating a diet high in protein and low in fat, with slow burning carbohydrates. This formula, especially if eaten in 6 very small meals spread out over the day, will keep blood sugar levels stable, which keeps insulin levels stable, which then allows body fat to be used as fuel. On the other hand, when you eat too much in the way of sugary carbs, as we do when we get “comfortable,” the insulin levels rise in response to the excessive blood sugar which is corrosive to the cardiovascular system, and the excess sugar is stored in the fat cells.  Is it comfortable to burn fat? No, it takes hard work in the form of disciplined dieting, heavy resistance training, and occasional short but very intense cardiovascular activity.

Even when you get where you want to go physically and mentally, staying there takes more than being comfortable. The bottom line is that most “comfortable” people are not really happy people. In essence, the secret to life is being comfortable with not being comfortable all the time. Push yourself! That’s what produces change–pushing yourself, and challenging yourself!

That’s what Body for Life is all about. It’s an efficient, healthy, and holistic system to push yourself to a better you. That’s the only real comfort anyone needs!