S1E20: Abs like Thor, curves like Kim K: are unrealistic expectations holding us back in the gym?

Dec 26, 2024

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As we inch closer to a new year, will you be putting “losing weight” on your list of resolutions - for the nth time?

Synopsis: The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people.

Dropping the pounds is a classic New Year’s resolution for many people, but sticking to it often proves challenging.

Natasha wanted to find out what trips up our weight loss goals, so she turned to the experts, who have seen success stories and epic fails.

On this episode of The Usual Place, she is joined by Mira Azman (@miraacurl), Senior Exercise Experience Coach at Virgin Active Singapore, and Jerome Simon (@jxmonxstar), Senior Club General Manager at Fitness First Singapore.

The new year usually brings them new clients - it’s a ‘New Year, New Me’ vibe, they both concur - but people have been known to drop out within weeks of signing up.

Mira and Jerome highlight that people often come in with unrealistic expectations.

Like one of Jerome’s clients who wanted the physique that actor Chris Hemsworth had when he was playing Thor within two months. (Spoiler alert: The Thor-wannabe went AWOL after two months). Or Mira’s client who wanted to lose 10kg in a month, despite barely having any exercise experience.

That’s why both trainers say that accountability, whether by working out with a coach or finding a supportive community, can keep one on track.

Watch this week’s episode of The Usual Place to find out what else these trainers had to say about TikTok trends, unsustainable diet fads and how to shift your mindset to get fit in 2025.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:18 “New Year, New Me” vibes

5:48 How a Thor-wannabe went AWOL

11:58 Can you achieve your goals with your TikTok fam?

30:51 Facing social sabotage - “Are you sure you can do it?”

Host: Natasha Zachariah (natashaz@sph.com.sg)

Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this topic: https://str.sg/8Wav

Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN

Read Natasha's articles: https://str.sg/iSXm

Filmed by: Studio+65

Edited by ST Podcast producers: Eden Soh & Teo Tong Kai

Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong

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