I am not impressed by short term intensity, but instead by long term consistency. This is a truth that is continually reinforced for me the more people I work with. Anybody can make a resolution to train like a maniac and eat like a monk for 4-6 weeks before Memorial Day weekend, a big college reunion, wedding, 1/2 marathon, etc. These short term (unsustainable) burst of focused effort and dedication towards a specific goal are fairly commonplace. They are certainly effective and serve a purpose as well. However, this all or nothing style is a flawed method for long term success.
I am not advocating against having periods throughout the year when you “intensify” your training in order to peak physically for a competition or specific event. In fact, I’d argue this is necessary for any competitive athlete. However, these periods of intensity must also be tempered with regular, reasonable, sustainable training. From my experience, the best athletes, and the folks with results that stick are the ones who are in the gym every week no matter the other circumstances in their lives. Notice I didn’t say they were in the gym 6 days a week, or in the gym crushing PR’s every training sessions. Simply showing up and putting in the work is more than half the battle.
Have the courage to set goals for yourself on the much longer time horizon- 3, 6, 12 months from now. Have a vision of where you want to be with incremental goals along the way. Recognize that Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither will your physique or 300 lb deadlift. This fitness, performance, and wellness game is with out question a marathon not a sprint. Enjoy the journey and the process of training, don’t be in a rush to “arrive” at a particular landmark. Give yourself time to improve and grow gradually, and allow success to happen at its own pace.
I am not advocating against having periods throughout the year when you “intensify” your training in order to peak physically for a competition or specific event. In fact, I’d argue this is necessary for any competitive athlete. However, these periods of intensity must also be tempered with regular, reasonable, sustainable training. From my experience, the best athletes, and the folks with results that stick are the ones who are in the gym every week no matter the other circumstances in their lives. Notice I didn’t say they were in the gym 6 days a week, or in the gym crushing PR’s every training sessions. Simply showing up and putting in the work is more than half the battle.
Have the courage to set goals for yourself on the much longer time horizon- 3, 6, 12 months from now. Have a vision of where you want to be with incremental goals along the way. Recognize that Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither will your physique or 300 lb deadlift. This fitness, performance, and wellness game is with out question a marathon not a sprint. Enjoy the journey and the process of training, don’t be in a rush to “arrive” at a particular landmark. Give yourself time to improve and grow gradually, and allow success to happen at its own pace.
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