Stellar Image Media is honored to introduce one of the nation’s top weight loss coaches, Donovan Maycock. Donovan has so many spot- on, weight loss tips; as well as great advice to share with us so let’s get right into it.

Donovan, Can you give me an example or two of foods that are what you call, Donovan-approved?

I love fresh spinach because it is so versatile and is full of nutrients. I usually put a handful in my smoothies in the morning and add it to my salads. Another favorite is blueberries. They are full of antioxidants which help keep me young and healthy and taste great in smoothies, by themselves or even frozen as a treat.

How about the foods that are NOT Donovan-approved?  Can you mention some of those?

This is easy, the worst options are found at the front of the store. An example is Walmart, even though they have some amazing healthy options and have made great efforts to increase them over the last several years, the front of the store by the registers is still full of ultra-processed candy bars, chips, sodas that are too tempting for people to avoid and make a last-minute decision to get while they are in line.

Do you imagine that your own weight loss would have been faster or easier for you if you had had the advantage of your current knowledge and products back then?

For sure. Hindsight is 20/20. If only I had a time machine. 🙂  I have learned so much over the last 13 years both with nutrition and psychology. Half the battle was in my head, but I just toughed it out and at times it was very difficult. I learned that willpower is not a dirty word. Willpower is the key tool I use to retrain my habits and yes, I still have some bad habits that try to come back into my life. Especially during vacations when I want to snack while driving. Arghh.

What would you say are the biggest struggles that most people have with weight loss?

The mental game is the biggest struggle. First committing to the goal of losing weight is hard for a lot of people because. They associate it with crazy diets and deprivation. This isn’t true in my world but it is what they think. The second is being consistent, people want results now and fast, but they did not gain the weight overnight, so it will take time to lose it. Even though it would be great to have a quick fix, it does not exist. I get so upset and angry that there are so many commercials and advertisements about quick-fix solutions that just are not true. Instead, let’s be honest. Anything worth having is worth working for. Why does this work? Because when you put in the work to lose weight, you appreciate reaching your goals and you are much less likely to go back to old weight. You learn a lesson on how hard it is to lose weight vs. how easy it is to gain it.

Another example I use is: The quick fix programs are like someone paying off your credit card for you. There is no lesson in it and you are likely to max it out again and pay on it forever. But if you do make those payments and pay it off, you are LESS likely to spend money you do not have.

Statistics show a continued trend toward why are people becoming so overweight in the first place? 

It is because we are eating more processed and prepared foods that are loaded with calories. Plus, we are less active because of all our cool technology. For example, we are not that active in our cars, we sit for hours and in some cases all day while on our phones and computers. This is a big problem for our waistlines. Now this doesn’t mean give all that up, but instead make small changes.  One change I do is to get up and walk around every hour and I even have a reminder on my Apple watch that helps. One of my clients uses his Virtual Reality Games to workout. Others have a standing desk or even a treadmill desk. This all helps, but remember that the most important and first thing to work on is your nutrition. It is easier to eat less than it is to exercise more and more. It is the small changes that have made the biggest difference in my journey.   Like me, you just have to do it.

Is it changes in our food, or our lifestyle that’s causing this epidemic or are we just getting lazier?

It is hard to hear, but yes, many of us are getting lazier with our nutrition and exercise. I personally get lazy especially after a stressful and long day. I get tempted to just pick something up quick from a drive through, take out or delivery. But, I changed that 13 years ago because it was hurting my health and waistline. I stopped going for the “fast” option and stopped telling myself the lie that I don’t have the time or energy to make something healthier at home or pick up something healthier. The truth is that it does not take that much time or energy. As far as exercise, the couch to 5k idea is amazing, because getting off the couch is half the battle. I used exercise as a motivation tool, because I wanted to run a half marathon. So by setting that goal, I had to make weekly progress and it gave me a sense of urgency. The bottom line is if you have a goal and motivation, you will find the time to exercise.

Weight loss products are sometimes known to be hit-or-miss for some people. What makes your clients so successful with your strategies and methods?

I help my clients understand why they are following the plan and how the foods improve their health. Not just, here is the plan, follow it. Do it because I said so.

Instead if you learn that certain foods can increase your risk of diabetes and heart disease or even increase your pain, you will avoid them. Getting back into the sexy jeans feels good. It really is a MINDSET shift that I want them to have and that is exactly what happens given enough time.

Which is more important – exercise or nutrition? Or does it depend on the person and their goals?

In my experience it is Nutrition. This was a hard reality for me because I came from the Personal Training and hard core Aerobics background. My old rule was eat good, and exercise to lose weight. But this just resulted in more and more exercise, especially when my nutrition was so-so. And it even resulted in being stuck at the same weight which was so frustrating. So I decided to test a new technique.
I decided to invest all of my energy into nutrition as my 100% way to lose weight and cut my workouts back to only 30 minutes of circuit training. This worked amazing. Over the following months I lost 50 lbs and cut my workout time in half. Now I had 30 minutes a day to work on another goal in my life. Yeah! I enjoy working out, but not when I feel guilty if I don’t workout and worried that I will gain weight. So this was a huge Mindset shift for me.

You offer multiple programs that have all had great success for your clients. How does a person know which of your strategies or supplements is best for them?

We just need to talk and find out what they want to achieve. The programs are designed for their goals. If they want to lose weight only that is completely different than if they want to lose weight and get more fit. If it is for a health condition then there is more customization. Nutrition is unique to the individual and also why it is not the best idea to do something just because your friends are doing it. Your body is different. Your goals are different. That is also why it is so important to get a weight loss and nutrition coach, so you can get the right plan for your needs and goals.

Is there any one all-encompassing piece of advice that you have for people with excess weight?

Have hope and be positive about your life. Never give up and be consistent until you reach your goals.

How can people get your help?

Call or email me

Donovan Maycock

210-560-1082

Donovan@donovanapproved.com 

https://www.DonovanApproved.com