1. You ‘Workout’ but you aren't Training
There is a major difference between a 'workout' and a 'training session'. Simply put, a workout's objective is to burn calories, while training is planned improvement in a structured progression. There must be a method to the madness. If you are looking to attain long-term fitness goals, random workouts - no matter the intensity - will not drive your physical success. You may even follow a traditional "Program". For example: Push, Pull, Legs or something to that nature. While this is certainly not a bad place to begin, plateaus will inevitably arise. Challenges, adjustments, and growth are necessary to continue physical success. Just like baking, ingredients, measurements, and procedures are introduced at specific times to achieve desired results. Training is a process in which smaller goals are set, measured, and evaluated in order to obtain a greater, long-term achievement.
2. Inconsistency
One of the most difficult aspects to master - being consistent. Unfortunately, training programs don't work overnight. It's difficult to stay motivated when results take time. Inconsistency can be fought with 3 primary tactics:
Proper Goal Setting
Following a Schedule
Accountability
Consistency is essentially the foundation of your goals. If the foundation is unstable, the entire goal is at risk. A foundation has to be strong before anything else can be built, and this takes time. Consistency is ONE aspect necessary to achieve results. But results will NEVER be achieved without consistency.
3. Nutrition
Ever heard that fitness is 20% exercise and 80% nutrition? Not quite. Successful training requires 100% exercise and 100% nutrition. Not only do you need both, but you need to invest 100% of yourself into both. If you aren't fueling your body with the nutrients it needs to perform, you aren't operating at your optimal level. That can mean consuming too much, consuming too little, or consuming the wrong calories. Unlike us, not every calorie is created equal. Your training is directly correlated to your nutrition and not every nutrition plan matches every training program. You could be over saturating your body with empty calories or starving your body of nutrients. Alcohol consumption is also a key element in affecting your training and nutrition.
4. Overcomplicating Nutrition
There is nothing 'wrong' with counting macros, monitoring calorie intake, or measuring servings, but is it necessary? That honestly depends on your current training goals and it may be essential to your success. On the other, most-likely, hand - it's not. We tend to overcomplicate things without first mastering the fundamentals. How much water do you consume daily? Sugar? Simple Carbohydrates? What are some of your current indulgences that can simply be taken out of your daily intake? Start simple. Fundamentals are the most important aspect in everything we do - including nutrition.
5. Goal Setting
Proper goal-setting is a skill that, if mastered, can create immense differences in your training, but most importantly, your life. We all have (or should have) goals, but getting from point A to B isn't exactly as easy as it seems. Why is that? Here are a few reasons:
Setting the wrong goals - Your priority should be a long-term, measurable endpoint with smaller goals/milestones that keep you engaged and focused on your long-term goal.
Failure to understand your goals
No "Why" - This is huge. What is your "WHY"? What are you trying to achieve and for what? What is your reason for continuing when you have nothing left? This is different from motivation - think of it as your core. This is what will power you when you are at the end of your rope. Until you have a true "Why", you'll continue to fall victim to distractions, lack of motivation, and struggle to find success.
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