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One of the reasons why many generic programs do not work for individuals is that generic programs cannot take the individual into account. Get four steps right here to help you achieve your training success.
Many trainees make the mistake of looking for the perfect program. They go from one program to another hoping to hit the jackpot. The reality is that no one program is perfect and no one program will work forever. In addition to knowing exactly what you are training for, you have to know a great deal about yourself.
One of the reasons why many generic programs do not work for individuals is that generic programs cannot take the individual into account. Your stress levels, sleeping patterns, nutrition, physiology, and drive are not part of the equation. Let's talk about goals first.
1. Specific Goals
Following a training regimen without a specific goal in mind is like taking a road trip without a map or directions. You may end up at your destination, but chances are that it will take a lot longer to get there. There is also a good chance that you will never get there.
You are leaving far more to chance without having a specific plan. Vague goals such as I want to get leaner, build muscle, and get faster are not going to cut it. You have to be far more specific that that. For example, having a goal of losing 20 pounds, getting your body fat down to 10%, and doing 20 pull-ups is a specific and measurable goal.
You know exactly what the target is and can devise a specific plan to get there. Next you have to pick a deadline to give yourself a sense of urgency. Otherwise, the goal will just go on your procrastination list. To make it a reality, have a target date.
2. What Are You Prepared To Do?
What are you prepared to give up to achieve your goal? No worthy goal is achieved without sacrifice. You may have to give up hanging around negative people who want you to be a loser like them.
You may have to give up eating out for several months. You may have to get rid of the TV to ensure that you get eight hours of sleep every night. You cannot have it all, all of the time.
3. What Do You Know About Yourself?
Your physiology plays a significant role in your training progress. Not having information about your physiology is like driving a car without knowing what the gas levels are, air pressure levels, oil levels etc. Hopefully, nothing will break down but why leave it to chance?
To avoid car problems, you take your car in for a check up. Your body needs a check-up as well. What you do not know about yourself will hurt you eventually. It is not a question of if, but a question of when.
For example, if your growth hormone levels are low then forget about body composition goals and intense training. Intense training with low GH levels will just deplete your further. Moreover, your training could be the cause of the low GH levels, which means you need to make a serious mid-course correction.
Getting stronger and putting on solid muscle will be much more difficult if your testosterone levels are low. If your thyroid levels are low, fat loss will be far more difficult. The only way to know for sure what your levels are is to have your doctor run some blood work.
Have your doctor test your testosterone levels (free and total), DHT, estradiol, DHEA, cortisol, IGF-1, and thyroid function. Look for a holistic doctor in your area that can give you some meaningful feedback on what you can do.
4. Keep A Training Journal
Fourth, it is important that you keep a training journal to track your progress. Not keeping a training journal is similar to running a business and not keeping records. Money is coming in and it is going out and hopefully you are ahead each month. Does not sound promising.
Moreover, how are you supposed to improve if you do not know where you are? Training journals also keep your accountable. If you had a poor month of training you can look at your journal and see why.
In addition to recording each workout, record the sleep quality the night before, what you ate before training, what you ate after training, your energy levels and so forth.
The more detailed the training journal the better but do not feel the need to turn your training journal into an epic novel. You do not need to include your sexual fantasies in it and if you do, keep it to yourself.
Many trainees make the mistake of looking for the perfect program. They go from one program to another hoping to hit the jackpot. The reality is that no one program is perfect and no one program will work forever. In addition to knowing exactly what you are training for, you have to know a great deal about yourself.
One of the reasons why many generic programs do not work for individuals is that generic programs cannot take the individual into account. Your stress levels, sleeping patterns, nutrition, physiology, and drive are not part of the equation. Let's talk about goals first.
1. Specific Goals
Following a training regimen without a specific goal in mind is like taking a road trip without a map or directions. You may end up at your destination, but chances are that it will take a lot longer to get there. There is also a good chance that you will never get there.
You are leaving far more to chance without having a specific plan. Vague goals such as I want to get leaner, build muscle, and get faster are not going to cut it. You have to be far more specific that that. For example, having a goal of losing 20 pounds, getting your body fat down to 10%, and doing 20 pull-ups is a specific and measurable goal.
You know exactly what the target is and can devise a specific plan to get there. Next you have to pick a deadline to give yourself a sense of urgency. Otherwise, the goal will just go on your procrastination list. To make it a reality, have a target date.
2. What Are You Prepared To Do?
What are you prepared to give up to achieve your goal? No worthy goal is achieved without sacrifice. You may have to give up hanging around negative people who want you to be a loser like them.
You may have to give up eating out for several months. You may have to get rid of the TV to ensure that you get eight hours of sleep every night. You cannot have it all, all of the time.
3. What Do You Know About Yourself?
Your physiology plays a significant role in your training progress. Not having information about your physiology is like driving a car without knowing what the gas levels are, air pressure levels, oil levels etc. Hopefully, nothing will break down but why leave it to chance?
To avoid car problems, you take your car in for a check up. Your body needs a check-up as well. What you do not know about yourself will hurt you eventually. It is not a question of if, but a question of when.
For example, if your growth hormone levels are low then forget about body composition goals and intense training. Intense training with low GH levels will just deplete your further. Moreover, your training could be the cause of the low GH levels, which means you need to make a serious mid-course correction.
Getting stronger and putting on solid muscle will be much more difficult if your testosterone levels are low. If your thyroid levels are low, fat loss will be far more difficult. The only way to know for sure what your levels are is to have your doctor run some blood work.
Have your doctor test your testosterone levels (free and total), DHT, estradiol, DHEA, cortisol, IGF-1, and thyroid function. Look for a holistic doctor in your area that can give you some meaningful feedback on what you can do.
4. Keep A Training Journal
Fourth, it is important that you keep a training journal to track your progress. Not keeping a training journal is similar to running a business and not keeping records. Money is coming in and it is going out and hopefully you are ahead each month. Does not sound promising.
Moreover, how are you supposed to improve if you do not know where you are? Training journals also keep your accountable. If you had a poor month of training you can look at your journal and see why.
In addition to recording each workout, record the sleep quality the night before, what you ate before training, what you ate after training, your energy levels and so forth.
The more detailed the training journal the better but do not feel the need to turn your training journal into an epic novel. You do not need to include your sexual fantasies in it and if you do, keep it to yourself.