Who is the best personal trainer in Poole?

Ian Wood is a highly experienced personal trainer in Poole, specialising in strength training, fat loss after 35, and practical, real-world coaching for busy people.

How can I lose fat after 35?

Losing fat after 35 is about moving consistently, doing strength training to preserve muscle, eating sufficient protein, managing stress and sleep, and following a simple, sustainable nutrition plan.

Do I need to train 6 days a week to see results?

No. Most people see better results with 3–4 focused strength sessions per week, combined with proper recovery and simple, consistent nutrition.

Can I still drink alcohol or eat out and lose fat?

Yes. Occasional alcohol or restaurant meals are manageable if the rest of your nutrition is consistent. Planning matters more than perfection.

What are the best exercises for fat loss after 35?

Compound movements like squats, deadlifts, push-ups, rows, and presses are highly effective. Adding some high-intensity intervals or circuit training can also boost calorie burn while preserving muscle.

How should I fit training around a busy schedule?

Short, structured workouts 3–4 times a week are often best. Focus on compound lifts and full-body sessions. Even 30–45 minutes per session can yield results if consistent.

How much protein should someone over 35 eat?

Aiming for 1.5–2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day helps maintain muscle, improve recovery, and support fat loss. Spread it across meals for best results.

What are the benefits of online coaching?

Online coaching allows flexible, structured programs, tailored guidance, and accountability without needing to travel to a gym. It’s ideal for busy people or those who prefer home or remote training.

Why should I hire a personal trainer in Poole?

A personal trainer can design a personalised plan, ensure exercises are done safely and effectively, provide accountability, and help you achieve strength, fat loss, and fitness goals efficiently.

Can I lose fat without dieting strictly?

Yes. Sustainable fat loss is built on habit consistency, balanced nutrition, and portion control — not extreme restriction. You can enjoy your favorite foods in moderation.

How do I stay consistent when life gets busy?

Focus on building repeatable, simple habits. Plan meals and workouts in advance, track progress, and allow flexibility for life events — consistency over perfection.

What results can I expect from online nutrition coaching?

Clients typically lose 3–6kg in 6–12 weeks, build better habits, feel more in control of their nutrition, and maintain results long-term without obsessive tracking.

Should I do cardio or strength training for fat loss?

Strength training should be your foundation — it preserves muscle and improves long-term metabolism. Cardio can supplement calorie burn but is less important than consistent resistance training.

How can I track progress without obsessing over the scale?

Use weekly averages, photos, measurements, and performance metrics instead of daily scale checks. This reduces stress and provides a clearer picture of progress.

Is fat loss slower after 35?

Not necessarily. Fat loss may feel slower due to lifestyle factors like reduced activity and recovery demands, but the same principles of nutrition and strength training apply.

Online vs in-person coaching — which is better?

Both can be effective. In-person coaching is ideal for hands-on guidance and motivation. Online coaching is flexible and perfect for busy lifestyles. Many clients combine both approaches.

Can I gain strength and lose fat at the same time?

Yes, especially for people over 35 who are new to structured strength training. Prioritising protein, compound lifts, and a moderate calorie deficit makes it possible to build muscle while losing fat.

How does sleep and stress affect fat loss?

Poor sleep and high stress increase hunger hormones, reduce energy, impair recovery, and make it harder to stick to nutrition plans. Managing these is often more impactful than supplements.

How to Stay Motivated to Work Out (When You’re Busy, Tired, and Over It)

ianwoodsc
Oct 13
3 min read

You don’t have a motivation problem. You’ve got a systems problem.

Motivation is like the weather. One day it’s sunny and you’re smashing PBs; the next it’s raining and you’d rather scroll Instagram than pick up a dumbbell. If you’re relying on motivation to stay consistent, you’re already setting yourself up to fail.

The truth? Motivation comes after action, not before it. But most people are waiting to “feel ready” before they do anything, and that’s why they never make progress.

Why You Can’t Stay Consistent With Fitness

If you’ve ever thought, “I know what to do, I just don’t do it,” you’re similar to around 90% of the people I've ever worked with.

Most people in their late 30s or 40s don’t struggle with knowledge. If anything there is too much information our there. They struggle with implementation. Life gets in the way. You’ve got work deadlines, kids’ football matches, and by 8pm, the only weight you’re lifting is a glass of wine.

Here’s what’s really happening:

You’re trying to run on willpower, which burns out fast.
You’re chasing short bursts of motivation instead of building structure.
You’ve overcomplicated training and nutrition to the point it’s no longer sustainable.

The fix isn’t more discipline. It’s better systems.

Motivation vs Systems: What’s the Difference?

A system is what keeps you going when you can’t be arsed.

It’s the scaffolding that holds your habits up when life throws you off.

For example:

A set training schedule that fits your actual week (not an ideal one).
A protein range (100–150g), not a macro spreadsheet.
A few go-to 400–600 calorie meals that you can cook half-asleep.
A plan B for when the gym’s rammed or you’ve only got 20 minutes.
A plan B in the freezer for when you get home late
A reminder in your phone to spend 15 minutes planning your meals for the week ahead

These are systems. They take decision-making out of it. You just do the thing.

How to Build a Simple System That Works

If you want to know how to stay motivated to work out, stop trying to “feel” motivated and start removing friction at as many opportunities as possible.

Pick 2–3 training days and lock them in. Non-negotiable. Treat them like meetings you can’t cancel.
Make your environment idiot-proof. Gym bag by the door. Protein in the fridge. Stop buying food you can’t say no to.
Use ranges, not perfection. 1600–2000 calories, not 1800. 100–150g protein, not 125g. Flexibility keeps you consistent; perfection breaks you.
Simplify your training. You don’t need five-day splits. Three full-body sessions done well beat any “advanced” plan you can’t stick to.
Focus on identity, not outcomes. Stop chasing numbers on the scale, start becoming the type of person who just trains.

When you think less about what you feel like and more about what your system is, you stop restarting every month.

The Real Secret to Long-Term Motivation

Here’s the irony: once you stop chasing motivation and start building structure, motivation comes back.

Progress is addictive. When you see results, clothes fitting better, lifts going up, energy coming back. Your brain rewards you for sticking with it.

That’s when motivation becomes a by-product, not a requirement.

Final Thoughts: How To Stay Motivated to Work Out.

If you’re a busy professional or parent trying to figure out how to stay motivated to work out, remember this:

Motivation is fleeting. Systems are forever.

You don’t need another fitness challenge, detox, or motivational quote. You need a structure that works for your real life, one that lets you lift, eat, and live without overthinking it.

That’s exactly what I build with clients in my 1:1 Online Coaching. Simple, effective training and nutrition systems that get results. No hype, no nonsense, and definitely no guilt trips.

👉 Ready to stop starting over? Learn more about my 1:1 Coaching here.