Two Ways to Fulfill Your 2010 Fitness Goals

1.  Make it challenging, but make it fun!  If it's an absolute chore to walk on the treadmill, then don't do it.  Walk outside, do some sprints, push/pull a sled, flip a tire, swing a sledge-hammer, chop some wood!  Seriously, get creative with it.  You've seen the AST videos; not your average workout.  People are getting results by challenging themselves, all while *gulp* having fun...  Try something new with your training.  "Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. 

2.  Be accountable!  There are a number of ways to do this.  You can get a serious workout partner (this must be someone who won't miss workouts, and won't allow you to half-ass your way through the training).  Have a friendly bet with some friends.  Decide on the goal, give yourselves a timeline, and see who can reach the goal first.  Make an announcement to friends and family.  You won't hear the end of it if you don't follow-through.  And no, making a "deal with yourself" isn't going to cut it.  It didn't last year, it didn't the year before that, and, who are we kidding?  It won't this year either.  Something else more important will come up, right?  Prioritize.  Family and finances are certainly priorities.  Want to know what will seriously prevent you from taking care of your family and your finances?  Death.  Make it a priority to take care of yourself this year (and every year from now on!)

So I lied... Here's a 3rd tip

3.  Reward yourself once a week for a job well done.  Be realistic, though.  A stroll down the driveway to get the paper doesn't exactly deserve the whole pie, does it?   Work hard during the week, then enjoy one of your "guilty pleasures" for ONE meal on the weekend. 

Train Hard.  Get Lean.  Get STRONG!

Tony

"Pretty soon I will be able to do it all by myself"

Notice that the quote above doesn't say:
'I'll never be able to do that.'
'Maybe one day...maybe...'

It says "I will...!"  I will succeed.  I will accomplish the goal I've set for myself.  I am NOT ok with mediocrity!  "I will be able to..."

Yesterday I made a post about how to make your program work for you.  One of the things I mentioned was believing in yourself.   If you don't, you may as well not even waste your time.  "Isn't showing up and not believing in myself better than not showing up at all?"  No.  No it's not.  At that point, you've already defeated yourself.  You've resigned to the idea that you simply will not reach your goal.



Take away message:
It is absolutely imperative that you are confident in your ability to succeed and overcome!


Train Hard.  Get Lean.  Get STRONG!
Tony

4 Simple Ways To Make The Most of Your Training

1. Don't "Program Hop"- This is one of the biggest problems of all.  Naturally, people always want to be compensated for their efforts.  They want to make sure that they are getting the best return (results: fat loss, muscle gain, etc.) for their investment (time, sweat, effort, etc.).  The mistake they make, though, is switching to a new program before they even give the previous one a chance to work!  I mean, if the program you're on is working okay, then there must be a better one out there somewhere; why not try all of them?  Seriously, some people really do bust their ass in the gym, but they're short-changing themselves by not giving the program time.  Results do NOT come in a linear fashion.  Obviously, going on for weeks on end without the slightest hint of progress is idiotic, but if you've been doing well, stay the course for a bit.  It's impossible to make progress in every aspect of your training in every session.  And this is the point where you will build physical AND mental strength.  This brings me to point #2...

2.  Believe In The Program and In Yourself- This is a crucial, yet, often overlooked part of training.  It is absolutely imperative that you believe in what you're doing when you train.  If you don't believe in the program, you will not put forth the amount of effort needed to make progress.  At that point, you've already resigned yourself to fail.

3. Have A Goal and Kick The Programs Ass!- I've never understood the point of going to a gym without a goal.  Even worse, I do not, and will not, understand the point of training, goal or no goal, with the intensity of a 3 year old girl!  Everyone wants to get results as fast as possible, yet no one trains that way.  They train with fear and it will hault progress in its tracks, shoot them in the foot, spin their wheels, kick them in the nuts, [insert witty cliche' here].  As Strength Coach Elliott Hulse says, "If you want to get extraordinary results, you've got to get really comfortable getting [F-Bomb!] uncomfortable!"

4.  Be Realistic-  I don't mean in the sense that you have unreasonable goals (though most people do).  I mean simply this: if you know that you only have 3 days a week to dedicate to the gym, do NOT choose a program that requires you to get into the gym for 6 weekly sessions.  That program is NOT... FOR... YOU!  Not gonna work!  Pick a program that is conducive to your lifestyle.  Dedicate at least 2-3 days a week to the gym.  If you can do more (CONSISTENTLY), then knock yourself out.  Do the best you can with what you have!

Summary:  Pick a program conducive to your goals and schedule, be consistent, believe in it, and train your ass off!  

Another Great Day

A great Saturday morning session!  More videos soon!

There Is No EASY Way...

"The one thing that's never changed is that you still have to work hard. It seems that a lot of people and a lot of programs are trying to sidestep that one main issue. But you gotta go in there and you gotta bust your ass! People need to quit looking for the easy way out and get to work." -Dave Tate


Check out this video of Dave Tate and his words (albeit explicit) of wisdom! Seriously! 
Really, this is one of the things that, as a gym owner and S&C coach, hell, as a human being, drives me nuts!   Everyone wants to get results yesterday and quite frankly, it's ridiculous.  But, I've found the secret.  I'll tell you what it is, but try not to spread the word around too much (you'll put me out of business; actually, maybe not).  


Ok, here it is:
You've got to be willing to put in the time, effort, and... wait for it... HARD WORK!  Attitude is key.


Hey, I'm the same way.  I want to get results now.  But you know what I've started realizing?  There's no satisfaction or learning in that.  It's not gratifying to achieve monumental goals in a day.  Why?  Because there was no journey.  There was no "learning a lot about myself in the process" time period.  That's what this whole thing is about!  Sure, from an "outsiders" perspective it's just lifting weights and trying to look good.  But from the perspective from anyone who has been there and lived it, its about more than that.  It's about the journey.


Have a great weekend and, as always,


Train Hard.  Get Lean.  Get STRONG!


Tony

Training Video

Hey Guys-

Just a quick training video.  Hope everyone has a great Sunday!  Enjoy!



As always,
Train Hard Get Lean. Get STRONG!


Tony

Latest Training

Check this out...  This is what it's all about!


We've turned it up a notch.  Our clients are embracing this mindset:

"If you want to make extraordinary changes... You've got to get really really really comfortable getting uncomfortable!"

The intensity in the gym is through the freakin' roof!  People are getting stronger.  People are getting leaner.  Everyone is training harder and harder each and every workout!  It's awesome.  Everyone is learning more about themselves with each workout.  They're pushing harder to see just what they're capable of.  No kidding... I'm hearing it all the time now.

"I couldn't even come close to that last week!"
"Wow, that's pretty heavy... and I did it!"
"I didn't think I'd lose weight by focusing on getting stronger, but I am and it's pretty cool."
"It's addicting, man!"

It's true.  It IS addicting!  We've started posting on our record board and everyone wants to be on it.  They have goals, motivation, and a kick-ass attitude!  They want everyone to get stronger and faster because it pushes them to work harder!  It's a win-win and it's changing people.  It's helping them see what they're truly made of.

As always,
Training Harder. Getting Leaner. Getting STRONGER!


Tony