Body transformation is one of the most challenging yet rewarding endeavors a person can embark on. Hitting physique goals requires a new level of dedication and effort, both in and out of the gym. It’s essential to understand each person takes a unique path to reach body transformation goals.
There’s an old saying, “if you do what you always did, you’ll get what you always got.” Exceptional efforts will yield tremendous rewards. This rings true in all fitness areas, as the only path forward is progressive effort and execution on the principles that affect physique changes.
This article overviews the realities of body transformation and some of the significant factors that affect results.
No “One Size Fits All”
Body transformation is all about embracing the idea of delayed gratification. Nothing happens overnight, nor should it. You have to get comfortable putting in the work and sticking to the game plan without seeing profound changes every single day. The culmination of weeks and months of discipline with diet and dedication in the gym will bring noticeable shifts in physique, weight loss, lean muscle gain, and reshaping the body.
Some people put on muscle at a much quicker pace than others, but it all depends on your unique physiology, work ethic, and where you are starting physically. Beginners will make the fastest gains yet have the furthest to travel to earn their ideal physique. Intermediate and advanced trainees might be closer to achieving the finished product, but it’s not without struggle. More experienced trainees often must overcome hard-to-break habits and elevate intensity in the gym along with adherence to nutrition to see incremental gains.
So how long does it take to see body transformation results?
The answer to this question is not a one-size-fits-all response. There is no specific timeframe for how long it will take. For some people, it might take two weeks until you start feeling the benefits of exercise. For others, it might require two months of working out consistently to notice changes taking place.
If we must put a timeframe on it, most people can expect to see profound changes in 3-4 months. Results will vary, but the average person can make incredible body transformation gains with consistent effort in the gym and attention given to diet.
It may be frustrating to hear, but the reality of body transformation is that results are generally not typical. We want profound body transformation to be predictable and guaranteed to happen with Y results in X amount of time.
One thing is sure; if you stop putting pressure on your body transformation goals and ignore the power of consistency, the results will undoubtedly slow. Instant gratification does not exist with body transformation. It’s a grind, and it’s a combination of months of dedicated work.
Factors That Affect Body Transformation Results
No “Secrets”
The biggest secret with body transformation is that there is no secret. This is the last thing most people want to hear, but it’s the truth. To achieve your best body, there is no secret concoction or magic pill.
Instead, there is only what you know and what you don’t know. To make matters more confusing, you don’t know what you don’t know. This is why linking up with a knowledgeable personal trainer who understands the most effective and efficient path to your goals is worth the investment. A personal trainer will coach you through the process, introduce you to valuable concepts and strategies, and hold you accountable.
Lifting Weights And Cardio
Without consistent training (lifting weights and cardio), body transformation results will fall short of expectations. A quality resistance training regimen will build muscle, define your shape and keep you lean. Cardio is a valuable tool for burning calories, losing weight, and contributing to overall health.
Training is not an excuse to fall off the wagon with all other things (diet, sleep, non-exercise activity, etc.). People often think that because they’re lifting weights regularly, that’s good enough. Wrong!
When it comes to workouts, more isn’t always better. If you think you need to be in the gym getting after it every day of the week, you risk burning out and over-training. The goal is to deliver a training stimulus, then allow the body a chance to recover. Beginners might start with 2-3 days of lifting and cardio. More advanced trainees might tolerate 4-5 days of hard training with adequate recovery between sessions and continue to see steady progress. Either way, your body needs to recover from the exercise stress to regenerate and grow.
You cannot and should not try to out-exercise a poor diet. This is probably the most significant mistake people make once they have adopted good gym habits. Diet is critical and serves to accelerate all of the hard work in the gym. Increasing protein intake and tracking calories (portion control) are two basic nutritional strategies that get results.
Diet
Diet is arguably the most critical factor in body transformation. Exercise alone will not get you where you want to be. If you need to lose weight, you must be in a caloric deficit. In other words, you should be eating less than you’re burning. People often make the fatal mistake of exercising hard but loading back up with calories and stalling progress.
No doubt about it, changing your diet is hard. But implementing effective strategies like meal planning, educating yourself on the best foods to eat for each macronutrient (protein, carbs, and fat), and learning the basics of cooking can make a huge difference. Avoiding the temptation of low-quality food is also profoundly impactful with body transformation. A flexible approach to dieting is vital, as it may take a while to get calories and macronutrients dialed in just right.
Neat
Non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) is one of the most overlooked components of profound body transformation. NEAT includes any activity that isn’t dedicated to exercise. Walking, in particular, is a fantastic activity to burn additional calories, reset the mind and avoid sitting posture—all without creating unbearable hunger.
Daily walking is the perfect activity to complement regular resistance training and cardio. Lifting weights is the best approach to build lean muscle, but the fact is, we can’t be lifting weights all day, every day. Consistently aiming to walk 10,000 steps per day plays a valuable role in changing physical appearance and gets the blood flowing to help with workout recovery.
Find A Mentor Or Coach
If you want to fast-track your results, get around people equipped with the knowledge you seek. These people have accomplished similar goals and understand the trials and tribulations associated with pursuing those goals. Seeking out a great mentor and absorbing as much practical information as possible will put you in the best possible position to put that wisdom to practical use! Sacramento’s best personal training team at Team Iron Bodies and Minds is ready to guide you through every step of body transformation.
