The 4 Layers of Why for Sustainable Weight Loss

When you have a fitness goal you’d like to achieve, like losing X amount of weight or becoming leaner and having nice, shaped muscle tone, the first thing you should ask yourself is “why that goal is important to me”. Knowing the purpose of your fitness journey may compel you to stretch further in the process than you would otherwise do.

Whenever I am on a consultation call, I will aim to ask this question from future clients, but not just once. Learn why it’s important to dig deep and go at least 4 layers deep into your fitness goals.

​The 4 Layers of Why

Layer 1. – What Everybody Thinks

Most clients who come to see me first would say things like “I’d like to lose a dress size”, “I’d like to lose 10lbs” or “I want to have flat abs”. When I ask them why that’s important to them, the first answer will be something they likely heard someone else saying so many times that it’s become their reasoning.
​
In reality, it’s often about how other people’s perceived judgement effects their own judgement. The first layer answers are almost always about the look. “I’d like to look better in bikini”, “I want to look good for a wedding / my holidays, etc.”

Layer 2. – How What Others Think Make You Feel

Next question after that is “Why is looking good in bikini important to you?”. This is more likely followed by a pause, which means people start getting that layer off and look underneath not knowing what’s there.
​
Usually the reply includes “feeling embarrassed, ashamed of my body, so I would like to feel better about myself when I put bikini on”.

Layer 3. – Why and How You Got Here

This is where it gets a little shaky and some people may not want to go deeper, because they realise they need to face something that is painful. Without accepting reality though, you don’t have much chance to be able to change it.

Your next question is: Why and How I Got Here?

There is normally a big pause here on a consultation. Facing the truth the first time is like a massive punch in the stomach, from yourself. 

​The answer: “I eat too much.”

The first step to change is to accept reality and take ownership. Nobody else can do that for you. If you got this far, I salute you!

Layer 4. – The Revelation

​If you’re doing this right and willing to open fully in front of yourself, however painful this will be, it will help you move to the right direction to start your weight loss journey.
The Question: Why do you eat that much?

What I hear more and more from people when we get to this point: “When I feel down, having a treat makes me feel better”, “I’ve always used food to handle emotional stress”.

Then when we go into it, it turns out the person in front of me has very little feeling of self-worth and self-confidence. When we get to this point I normally recommend them to find a way to deal with that problem, because you can train as much as you like, eat as good as you can, but when that emotional sandstorm hits the fan, you will go back to your old habits in an eyeblink.

In brief, dig down as deep as you can to find out the real reason why you are where you are now and why you’d like to change that and use it as your reason for no excuses, pushing through the bad days and making sure you take a step closer to our goal every day. 

Have a question? Don’t hesitate to get in touch and ask.

P.S Whenever you’re ready, here are 4 ways I can help you get happier, healthier, fitter and stronger in only 120 days!

1. Grab a free copy of my High Protein book. It’s the missing piece of the puzzle for your nutrition. If you want to lose weight right and keep it off this is not to be missed - https://bit.ly/3znCj9r
2. Join our FREE Facebook Common Sense Coaching Group. If you're wanting to learn how to get leaner, fitter, healthier and stronger and understand the pillars to keep your results for a lifetime:
3. Work with me privately if you’d like to work directly with me to help you lose more than 10+lbs of body fat and get you 2x stronger in just 90 days - https://bit.ly/3zsY9bV
4. Book A Vision Call if you ever want to get some 1:1 help, we can jump on the phone for a quick call, and brainstorm how to get you moving in the right direction with your weight loss journey - https://bit.ly/3At1dpN