At some point during your fitness journey you’ll feel like skipping your strength practice session.
There could be lots of reasons. You may be pressed for time, you may be unmotivated, you may feel tired or sore from your last session… whatever the case, you don’t feel like getting off your butt and going to the gym.
It’s times like this when you get the chance to build your resolve, self-discipline, and “never say die” attitude.
Today is one of those days for me…
My quads are still really sore from the high intensity tabata protocol I did yesterday on my rest day, plus I didn’t get enough protein to help recover.
And I must of ate something bad last night because I woke up at 4am this morning throwing up…
So now I have two options: 1.) skip my strength training session today or 2.) Do the session as planned, but adjust as needed.
What am I gonna choose?
I’m going to do my session as planned and adjust as needed!
So How Can You Make Progress When You Don’t Feel Like It?
When I get in the weight room today, I might discover my warm up sets are feeling extra hard. Maybe the weights aren’t moving as easily as I would like.
I’ll probably still do my first set at the prescribed poundage, but I may have to back off a little on the next two sets… no matter.
Consistency Is Key
The key is I’m going to get in there and do my strength training session just like I had planned. Why? Because I know it’ll be better for me in the long run.
Even if I can’t perform at “maximum” it’s ok. I’m still getting a TON of other benefits just by exercising. Plus, I’m building the not quitting habit.
What’s more — you’ll never continually make steady progress — you will have awesome days, not so awesome days, and downright crappy training days… it’s all just a part of the game.
The key is to follow through with what you started and reap the rewards for being consistent.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Awesome post, Caleb.
I sometimes feel like this everytime I skip my training session since its gonna make my body a little more sore if i return the following day.
Thanks for this.
@ Justin: glad you liked it bud!
This is just what I needed this morning. It could not have came at a better time. I am going to go to the gym today. Thanks ( it's like this was directed at me today)
You're very welcome Scott — hope you kicked ass!
Ur completely right on this I fell out of shape completely by missing a few days and those days ended up missing weeks and months. This time around though knowing this helps a lot. Thanks
Yessir! Gotta do it
Hey I think this website is great, I just had a question: I’m almost fourteen and I’m really skinny and a picky eater, any tips for me in particular?
read this:
http://doubleyourgains.com/how-to-lose-fat-and-no...
Especially the "caveat" for hardgainers — do that
read this:
http://doubleyourgains.com/how-to-lose-fat-and-no...
Especially the "caveat" for hardgainers — do that
Dear Caleb,
Really appreciate you taking the time to give all this information…
Question – How many times a week should strength training be done? Is there such a thing as "overtraining"?
Thanks,
There is such a thing as overtraining, but if you're not feeling like complete garbage for many days in a row … you're probably not doing it.
In short: you'll know when you need to back off.
That said: 3-4x per week of hard strength training, with 1 week deloads every 4th week is usually about right for most everyone
Later,
Caleb
Hi Caleb l am new to the program and l have a very very strong reason for working out. And a big thanks to your program the fasting is a piece of cake the weight is going down nicely keep up the good work.