Getting in Shape: Are You Choosing the Right Approach?

This week's newsletter will be in two parts.

Welcome as always...

Let's go ahead and kick things off.

Part 1: Choosing the Right Approach

Let me take you back to when I was 17.

While attending college and university, I worked evenings and weekends at my local supermarket. I worked across several departments, even on the fish stall.

(As no one else wanted to do it)

But I didn't mind it, especially once I realised that although a hot shower didn't eliminate the smell of fish, but hot baths did. As a result, I had lots of hot baths during this period of my life.

I remember a woman who’d drop by every Wednesday while her partner trained at the Velodrome nearby. Unless I'm mistaken, it was the wife of a fairly local Olympic Gold medalist.

Anyway, he was on the British team, and the British team was starting to do amazing things thanks to their new philosophy of incremental marginal gains whilst I was over the road.

She'd buy fresh fish every week and do the shopping every week while he trained, fully supporting his goals.

"I'd love to have a wife like that one day", I thought, as we chatted for 5-10 minutes every week, like clockwork.

Full disclosure: I do, but that's for another time.

Introduction established, enjoy the rest of the newsletter.

The Two Paths

While working at that supermarket, I recall having two very distinct and well-intended managers.

Both managers were known for their results, but they couldn’t have been more different.

Let me describe them to you, and you can decide which brought the best out of me back then.

1. The Local Butcher

This manager was from near where I live now, and had a background as a butcher.

He believed in high standards, and the first time we met, he told me to take my hands out of my pockets.

He kept me busy and expected a lot, but he never asked for more than he was willing to give himself.

A grafter through and through, his grit and willingness to work hard made him decent and, oddly enough, easy to respect.

2. The Retail Expert

The second manager had a background in retail.

Self-assured, sometimes with an air of arrogance, he also demanded high standards, but his approach was often judgmental rather than compassionate.

Running to and cold, he would keep you on his toes as you never knew if he was having a good or bad day.

One day, he’d be supportive, the next he would be short and hard to approach.

After some thought, I realised that his critical approach led to much of his emotional reactivity, which impacted everyone around him, leaving them to avoid him wherever possible.

Fascinatingly, however, despite their different styles, both managers valued the same things:

1. Hard work
2. Commitment
3. Not slacking off

As long as you did your part, you’d have their support.

My Point?

These two management styles are similar to how many people approach their health, weight loss, and fitness goals.

When trying to lose weight, get in shape, or build a healthier lifestyle, you can either:

1. Lead Positively, Progressively and Compassionately.?

You can approach yourself with high standards, self-reflection, and patience.

Like the butcher manager, being accountable without unnecessary harshness. (And hopefully with a wife as committed and supportive as The Britsh Hero, who catalysed the British Cycling team in the 2000s.)

2. Lead with Emotional Reactivley, Criticism and Judgement

Or, we can take a more critical, often disrespectful approach, expecting results and focusing on the outcomes instead of the process.

(No judgement if this is you, by the way)

Sure... It might lead to progress, and you might achieve the goal, but at what cost?

For it not to be what you expected, find it wasn't worth it and realise you didn't do it in a way you would have liked and are proud of?

Plus...

Many people, myself included, find that approach leads to frustration and disappointment.

The Choice

Both approaches can achieve results if you're looking to drop the gut and want to look the part, but if you had the choice, which style would you choose?

And (this is the crucial bit) how might that choice impact the quality of your journey?

Next time you set goals for the next 3–6 months, consider how you’re “managing” yourself.

The compassion we show ourselves can make all the difference in the consistency and fulfilment of our efforts.

That's what I think anyway, but what do I know? I've just always been the one who doesn't mind doing things that other people don't want to do and tries to listen and pay attention as I did, too.

It's funny what comes to mind on a quiet Sunday morning drive to the gym.

The Gear Change

Let's switch lanes and discuss the strategies that could actually improve your health and confidence, without the frustration and burnout, if you embrace them fully before year-end,

Sick of Being Drained by Diets?

Here’s How to Find Real Energy & Confidence

Picture this...

You’re on a long-haul flight, preparing for an important board meeting overseas.

You should feel confident and prepared to make a strong impression, yet all you can think about is how uncomfortable you are in your seat and how drained you feel.

That last restrictive diet left you low on energy, muscle size/strength, and confidence, just when you needed it most.

The Reality

You’re not alone.

So many senior leaders, business owners and entrepreneurs are caught in these cycles of extreme diets, confusing programs, and routines that seem promising but ultimately lead to burnout.

These habits often fail to stick, meaning they follow them into every area of their lives, including meetings, business trips, and high-stakes moments.

The Cost?

Here's some stats that might surprise you:

• Over 45% of people engage in restrictive diets at least once a year, with most giving up within a month, leading to frustration and low self-esteem.
• 60% of professionals report lower energy levels at work when they’re overly focused on dieting instead of balanced nutrition.
• 35% of professionals admit to avoiding networking or public speaking opportunities due to body image concerns, which can hold back career growth and confidence.

Now...

The path of restrictive diets and endless quick fixes are like that retail expert manager I told you about earlier.

They only worsen these struggles, depleting energy and robbing you of self-confidence when you need it the most.

A Better Way

To finally break out of this cycle and build lasting results, here’s an approach to consider:

1. Build Nutritional Confidence

The foundation of sustainable health starts with understanding what to focus on in your eating every day and why.

When you have personalized insight into what you need and don't need, you can develop nutrition habits that anchor your results in a way that you can trust predictably and sustainably.

Remember, it's not just about calories in versus calories out.

That's like a business coach telling you that building a business is just "Money in, money out," which is laughably ineffective and woefully inefficient.

There's a lot more to it than that, so ignore the coaches who have never had to lose a significant amount of weight who say they can help you lose a significant amount of weight.

What they tell you, you can find on Google anyway.

Moving on...

Move with Purpose, Not Pressure

Think of movement, shifting your weight, health and body as something that adds to your life and day rather than takes away from it.

Seek ways to consistently get better results without feeling burdened, depleted or demotivated.

When this is something to look forward to, it naturally becomes part of your life.

Level up Your Habits (and Results)

The British Cycling team coaches don't just say, "Just cycle more and fall over less," when coaching their athletes to greatness.

It would help if you had a coach with a proven plan and one that's embedded with the philosophies elite athletes use daily, because true confidence comes from feeling great about who you are, not just how you look.

Focus on small, positive habits that give you energy and help you lose weight without distracting you from your business goals.

These habits will give you the confidence to fully engage at conferences, networking events, and every opportunity to shine professionally. (And rightly so.)

Ready to become the next success story?

Let's talk if you're serious about building real energy, confidence, and a body that aligns with your vision for success.

Book a call with me today to explore how we can make this happen together.

(You can reach me directly by DM or emailing [email protected].)

Regardless, I appreciate you being here and look forward to speaking with you soon.

Mike

PS Remember, your approach to weight loss and health will determine the quality of your results and life.

Focus too much on one to miss out on the other and fail at both.