Train Smarter Not Harder
There are few things as exciting as new clients eager to make serious lifestyle changes and make up for lost time in their quest to get fit and healthy. Their motivation and passion are contagious, and watching transformations is one of the most fulfilling aspects of being a trainer. But in their excitement, I often have to explain to train smarter not harder because many make a common mistake – overtraining. The thinking goes like this: “If 20 push ups are good, then 30 must be better,” or “If 35 pounds challenges my muscles, then I’ll really get ripped if I do 50!” In other words, more is better and leads to faster results.
Unfortunately, this just isn’t the case, and taken to the extreme can lead to getting hurt and MISSING workouts.
It is important to realize that overtraining in fitness not only doesn’t deliver faster and better results, but it can lead to injury and burnout. Likewise, for those just starting, if you blast out of the gate at top speed with an intensity that you can’t possibly sustain, you will burn out and likely give up. The wisest choice is to be consistent and start with moderation, building from there.
Remember, what you do every day is more important than what you do every once in a while. Those everyday activities may not be terribly exciting while you are doing them. And you may not feel like you are making progress. But give the compound effect time to work. Your effort will pay off. You will become stronger, more fit, and others will begin to notice.
Take care of your body and your mind by practicing consistency and with purpose and intention. Do what is necessary to get you to your goal, one step at a time. Better yet, work with a certified fitness professional to determine your programming needs.
