First Strength: Hiring a Coach

Author: Coach Kevin Tamte, CPT, PN TFW

Up to this point, I had learned some big lessons: starting small, cleaning up nutrition, pushing through plateaus, and staying consistent. Each step built on the last, but I was still missing something. I had made progress, but I also had limits I couldn’t see for myself. That’s when the next breakthrough came, finding a coach.

At the time, I was training at a box gym. I’d show up, do my cardio, and mess around with some weights. But after a while, I realized I was just going through the motions. I wasn’t pushing myself, and I wasn’t sure how to take the next step.

That’s when I started talking to a coach who worked at the gym. At first, I hesitated. It felt expensive. I questioned if it would be worth it. But after going back and forth, I took the leap and committed to working with him once a week. He gave me workouts for the rest of the week, and that’s where everything began to change.

I started gaining muscle and real strength. My body composition shifted in ways I never thought possible. Even more, my coach saw potential in me before I saw it myself. He knew I could be pushed further and challenged me in ways I wouldn’t have dared to on my own. That’s the power of a true coach.

A coach isn’t just there to make you sweat or lift heavy. A real coach brings out the part of you that believes you can do this, even when doubt creeps in. They prepare you mentally as much as physically. I learned that the mental side of training is just as important as the physical side.

It was during this part of my journey that I discovered my love for lifting, especially lifting heavy. My coach pushed me in ways I never would have pushed myself. And in that process, I realized I couldn’t do it alone anymore. I needed someone in my corner, guiding me, challenging me, and helping me grow both physically and mentally.

Looking back, this was a turning point. The struggles before, getting started, improving nutrition, breaking through plateaus, and building consistency, prepared me for this. Hiring a coach gave me the structure, accountability, and belief I needed to keep going and reach new levels.

And that’s the first real strength I want to share with you: don’t be afraid to ask for help. Having someone in your corner can change everything.

Fourth Struggle: Staying Consistent

Author: Kevin Tamte CPT, PN, TFW Level 1&2

Let’s be honest, consistency is one of the hardest things to master when it comes to training, nutrition, and making positive changes in your life. I touched on this in an earlier post, but it’s such a powerful topic that it deserves a deeper dive. Because the truth is, consistency is where transformation really happens.

You can have the best intentions, the most detailed plan, or the flashiest new program but if you don’t stick with it, none of it matters.

Start with a Goal, Build with a Plan

The first step to staying consistent is setting a clear goal. Not just any goal I'm talking about a SMART goal:

• Specific

• Measurable

• Attainable

• Realistic

• Timely

I’ll be honest I didn’t fully get this at first. When I started with Training For Warriors, we’d set SMART goals each year. Early on, I kept mine in my head. I didn’t write them down. I didn’t tell anyone. Why? Because deep down, I felt embarrassed. I thought they weren’t “good enough,” or that they were too much.

But once I started sharing them with a few close friends and family members, things changed. It felt like a weight lifted. I wasn’t carrying those goals alone anymore. I had a support system of people in my corner who believed in me and kept me accountable when I wanted to fall off.

Choose Your Circle Wisely

Not everyone around you will understand your goals. That’s okay. Some people might not get it. That’s why it’s important to surround yourself with people who do. People who will lift you up not pull you down. Whether it’s training, nutrition, or those mental battles we fight every day, the right people make all the difference.

You want people who cheer for your wins, remind you of your “why,” and hold you accountable when motivation fades. Choose those people intentionally.

Life Will Happen But Don’t Let It Derail You

Let’s face it life is going to throw curveballs. Schedules get busy. Kids get sick. Work gets demanding. But here’s the truth: if you let life be your excuse every time, you’ll never build consistency.

I started by treating my workouts like appointments. I scheduled them in my calendar just like a meeting. I got so consistent that my friends and family knew not to ask me to do anything during that time they knew where I’d be.

Do things still come up? Of course. But the key is not letting a missed workout become a missed week. Reset. Restart. Show up for the next workout, even if it’s just 15 or 30 minutes. That’s how you keep momentum.

Also, delete the word “busy” from your vocabulary when it comes to your health. If you really break down your day, there is time. You just have to be willing to carve it out for yourself.

Show Up Especially on the Hard Days

And here’s something important: the days you don’t want to train are often the days you must. Those are the days where you build grit. The days you come out stronger not just physically, but mentally too. You may not feel like it at first, but you’ll feel accomplished once it’s done. That’s how habits are built. That’s how transformation sticks.

Recap: Stay the Course

Let’s wrap it up with some real talk: No, it’s not easy. No, you won’t see instant results.

But if you stay consistent, you will see change. And it will be worth every effort, every early morning, every rep you didn’t want to do but did anyway.

So here’s your blueprint: Set a SMART goal, Write it down, Share it with someone you trust, Schedule your workouts, Show up especially when it’s hard, Give yourself grace, but keep going.

You’re doing something most people won’t even try. That’s powerful. Be proud of that. Because you’re not just chasing a goal you’re building a new version of yourself.

And that version is worth fighting for.

Are you interested in getting some personal advice or coaching? Contact Kevin at  651-815-9747 or email me at kevintamte@gmail.com 

Third Struggle: Hitting Plateaus

Kevin Tamte, CPT, PN, TFW Level 1&2

Now, with the success I was having and the confidence I was gaining, things were going great, but that confidence was about to be tested quickly. I hit a plateau in my weight loss journey. The progress I had been making suddenly stopped. I found myself asking, “Why isn’t this working anymore? Is this all I can lose? What am I doing wrong?” These questions, and many more, swirled through my head.

Frustration started creeping in. I wondered if all the effort I was putting in was even worth it anymore. But as tough as it was, I knew I didn’t want to give up on the improvements I had already made. I had worked too hard and came too far to stop now. So, I decided to dig deeper and figure out what adjustments I needed to make.

I was confident that I had the exercise part down, at least that’s what I thought at the time. So, I shifted my focus to my nutrition. I started tracking what I was eating during the day, and that’s when I had an eye-opening realization. Something I probably already knew deep down but hadn’t wanted to face: I wasn’t eating enough vegetables or getting balanced, quality meals. Sure, I was eating, but I wasn’t fueling my body in a way that supported my goals.

Once I faced this truth, I began making changes. I started incorporating more vegetables into my meals. At first, it felt impossible, kind of like drinking enough water can feel when you’re used to skipping it. I could eat less healthy foods all day long, but getting even one serving of vegetables a day felt like a massive challenge. Still, I pushed myself to try. Slowly but surely, I began to consistently include veggies along with healthy proteins in my meals.

And guess what? The weight started coming off again, little by little. Progress resumed, and with it came a renewed sense of motivation.

It’s important to note that I was doing all of this with limited knowledge at the time. I was learning as I went. But even with my gaps in understanding, my commitment to keeping momentum in the right direction paid off. Later on, I’ll share more about some strategies and tools that might have helped me avoid frustration or navigate those tough moments more effectively. For now, the lesson is this: progress requires both perseverance and a willingness to adapt. When you hit a roadblock, don’t quit, reassess and keep moving forward.

Next, I’ll dive into the importance of staying consistent and how it can make all the difference in your journey.

If you want to connect regarding 1\1 personal training, programming, nutrition coaching or my Iron Brotherhood men's group please contact me at 651-815-9747 or email me at kevintamte@gmail.com