Aaron: Balancing Family, Travel, Fitness, and Football
By: Michael Beiter
Every client's story is unique in fitness and nutrition coaching, and Aaron's journey is no exception. At 34 years old, Aaron is not only a father and husband but also a frequent traveler for work. His commitment to his health, love for football, and desire to be there for his daughter's milestones drive him to make long-term changes.
From Cutting to Maintenance
Aaron started our work with nine months of consistent cutting. Last month, for the first time, he decided to maintain his weight, allowing his body to adjust to the new normal. During this phase, he experimented with gradually increasing his daily calorie intake by 15%. Surprisingly, after two weeks of this adjustment, he had gained only one pound.
Determined to reach his goal of a 3500 calorie-per-day maintenance intake, Aaron continues to stair-step his way up. This approach allows his body to adapt slowly and demonstrates how to take things one step at a time. Additionally, we can stop the process anytime if he doesn’t want to eat that much. This, in essence, creates the problem of ‘needing to eat too much food’ - not a bad problem to have.
Family Milestones and Motivation
Family is at the heart of Aaron's motivation. An extraordinary moment was celebrating his daughter's fifth birthday. He shared a heartfelt sentiment: "Yesterday was birthday 5; I want to be here for her 50th if I can." Aaron's love of his family fuels his determination to lead a healthy life.
Setting a Healthy Example
Aaron's commitment to health includes several dynamics. He strives to model a healthy way of living for his kids. His daughter, in particular, is curious about how he eats and observes him weigh his portions. Aaron's dedication to mindful eating is an educational and inspirational lesson for his children, instilling healthy habits from a young age.
Adapting to Life on the Road
One of the unique challenges Aaron faces is his weekly travel for work. However, he's not one to let obstacles stand in his way. Aaron applies flexibility to his macros and does the same with his workouts. Aaron relies on options like Whole Foods and Chipotle when on the road, making wise food choices even when away from home. Sometimes, he combines portions of different workouts to ensure he meets his weekly exercise goals, effectively aggregating his exercise for the week.
I’ve seen far less travel wreak havoc on clients’ entire months, so seeing Aaron flawlessly flex to fit his constant travel is illuminating.
The Love of Football
Like many men, Aaron has a deep love for football. He adores the game so much that he has four TVs in his basement to make football weekends more enjoyable. His passion for football extends beyond watching; Aaron is a former high-level player and coach. His expertise in the game adds an exciting dimension to his life.
Trading Perspectives on Football and Coaching
Aaron's football knowledge and experience make for engaging conversations. He sees the game differently than the layperson, and it's fascinating to trade perspectives on football and coaching with him. These discussions provide a welcome tie-in to his life as an adult with a coach and increase our relationship because we can connect over football anytime.
In Conclusion
Aaron's story is a testament to the power of determination, adaptability, and motivation from family, personal values, and a love for coaching. His journey, from cutting to maintenance, and his ability to overcome challenges on the road while balancing his family and social life is hard enough. He miraculously handles nutrition and workouts as well as anyone on top of that!
As a fitness and nutrition coach, moments like these remind me why I do what I do. Aaron's journey inspires. He is a reminder that anyone can achieve their fitness goals with the right mindset and support while living a demanding and balanced life.
