Three Mistakes to Avoid with Training

Here are three black holes of human behavior to avoid when trying to adopt a new training regime.

Mistake #1: Expecting Immediate Results

Over the past decade of training it’s been a common occurrence to witness folks quit right before they’re about to have a breakthrough with training, which as their coach and advocate is always a bummer.

Eventually, whatever small spark of motivation ignited them to do something different fizzled out and they reach a tipping point where the path forward perhaps felt too sore, too tired, or life got in the way again, and they weren’t motivated enough for themselves anymore.

They let themselves skip one day, which by the way is not a big deal, but then it became two, and then three, and then… ‘whatever, now is not the time and I’ll try again in 6 months’.

The tricky part of having a true breakthrough or habit stick is to not let yourself expect immediate (and we’re talking within one to three months) results or expect the pain of sacrificing the time to get easier. Habits take time to form, and if you were too sore or tired one day and skipped, don’t let that become a second time because it’s a reeeaallll slippery slope after that.

Aim to survive at least a month of consistent workout attendance, and your odds of making real change stick and getting results go way up.

Mistake #2: Letting Your Ego Lead You to Injury

I will humbly admit this has happened to me, and I will say, YOUR EGO IS STUPID. Literally, your ego does not have your best interests and is more like a small drunken leprechaun that eggs you on despite the potential cost of your actions.

Your ego will encourage you to do things you’re not quite ready for - like lift that weight even though your form is slightly compromised, or be too proud to apologize or admit you need help, or push through the pain of an already existing injury because “it’ll be fine” and your ego wants to do what everyone else is.

Remember, you are smart and your ego is dumb. Attempt to act in your best interests as often as possible, it’s only common sense and the key to self-preservation.

Mistake #3: Making Excuses or Complaining

“A positive attitude is not just forcing a smile through gritted teeth in the hopes of feeling better. It is something a lot more profound than that. When we adopt a positive attitude, we are using the power of our mind to remove thoughts and ideas that are no longer helping us to develop.”

— Unknown

In short, complaining and making excuses does not fall into this line of thinking. It’s an easy habit to allow to grab hold of us, but if we truly respect the power of the the mind and our thoughts, we’ll honor that this line of negative thinking will take us nowhere.

With love and respect behind these statements, I make willingly to no one and everyone including myself:

Your excuses aren’t helping you.

Your complaining is pushing yourself away from a greater version of you, and potentially pushing away people who you’d want in your circle who do work to think positively most of the time.

It’s no one’s job to cheerlead you constantly through life, figure it out and surround yourself with people with positive, growth mindsets, or allow yourself to be buried in self-negativity and attract toxic people or environments.

Life is too short to be a bummer.

Ask those in your inner circle for honest feedback, they are less likely to tell you what you want to hear and more likely to tell you what you need to hear if you present as open to receiving that kind of support in your mission to grow.

Strive to live well today, and evolve well with time.