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Waging War on Fat Cells

January 18, 2012

“My fat cells are trying to battle my workout efforts!” This is exactly what I over heard in the men’s locker room yesterday. I literally Laughed Out Loud.

Although, I’ve got to think that this is a common thought among people of all ages. The industry discusses the battle against childhood obesity, but it rarely discusses the battle being waged against our efforts. Fat cells are some tricky and mischievous little guys — well, little guys that band together to make us big people.

It’s ridiculous to think that as much as I hated math growing up, losing weight is nothing more than a simple math equation. It’s like Mrs. Hannah, my 7th and 8th grade math teacher, is forcing problem solving questions into my daily life, past middle school and into adulthood.

Fat cells, regardless of what any of us do to fight them, are plaguing gyms. They stick to us in areas that bug us the most. They smile at the fact that we put them on display all summer long. So, what are we doing right now? We are waging war against these little guys so that we can have an enjoyable summer.

For me, I don’t feel like this war has ever been entirely won. It’s more like I settle for what I’ve done when I throw the swimming trunks on for the first time each year. Do I feel like I put in enough work to look like the Fight Club Brad Pitt hanging out on the lake? Not typically. I believe most people hit the gym around this time of year with the hopes of becoming one lean, mean, fighting machine, come summer time. But, for the vast majority of us, we look about the same as we did the year before.

But, does it have to be that way? The hardest aspect of fat cells has been how to wage war against them. Sun Tzu anyone? War is an art, and fitness clubs are the artists. I know, pretty cheesy, but fat cells aren’t something to joke about. They will find a way to hang around on our bodies as much as possible. They hide themselves in our favorite foods, drinks and adult beverages. They are trying at all cost to take us (your members) down.

This time of year, it’s time to wage war against the fat cells. Use your knowledge of weight loss and exercise to give your members the upper hand in the fight. Look at weight loss this way: Your members are soldiers fighting an uphill battle. You are the Generals with all the knowledge in the world on how to win the fight. It’s time you used that knowledge to instruct your soldiers (members) on how to not only fight, but also win the war.

Motivated yet? I’m just saying it how it is. Your members need help. They need you to show them the math and give them better ideas — eat this, not that type of stuff. In my mind, 2012 is going to be a tough year at the lake. I believe it’s the year that health clubs really give members the power to win the war against fat cells, making a bunch of ripped Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie lookalikes hanging out everywhere.