After a 6 weeks hiatus, I am finally back to write some goodies for all of you. It was a bit hectic for me juggling between studying for my Strength and Conditioning Certification (which I’ve earned), working in my 8 to 5 job, and training clients but now that I am free (for now), let’s dive in!
If there is one thing I have learned from this fitness journey so far, is that you need to develop consistency. Without it, your chance of seeing results will be little to none. But let’s assume you did find a way to be consistent in your training, there will be a force majeure that can grind your training to a halt.
We’ve all been there and it’s frustrating. But we got to keep going and we find a way to stick to the plan regardless of the circumstances. Some give up and chase something else and others continue to grind and show up to the gym and train hard.
For the latter, they have a skill that some dream of having and it goes hand in hand with consistency and that is Adaptability (the chameleon pic is there for a reason). Whether you are constantly traveling, returning late from work, or overwhelmed with exams, you can try to adapt and keep training.
Adaptability comes as a support to Consistency. The latter is built once you have become familiar with training and overcome the initial resistance of going to the gym and training in general. Once this sets in, then you will have to look out for any interruptions that can make things difficult.
After this happens, you have to quickly form a plan to roll with the problem and still keep showing up to your training without throwing the towel too soon. It can be frustrating and demotivating at times but if you are concerned about your health, then you have to adapt and overcome.
Take me for example. I was training 6 times a week or even daily, but I realized that wasn’t ideal as the muscle soreness was taking its toll on me and my performance was dwindling big time. Then I scaled back to 5 days which was ok, but with more clients to train, and studies to finish, it seemed that 5 days was also a bit too much.
Not to mention shuffling my programs to stay in shape and reach my fitness goals, but the latter had to be put on standby because I had priorities and some of the fitness goals were a bit elusive. So again I had to put my adaptability skill to the test and changed things up.
Despite the many setbacks, I was getting at least 4 days of training, and my nutrition was still on point (which was huge). I am far from the ideal shape and Fitness status, but you have to adjust to life’s curveballs and carry on.
“It is not the strongest or the most intelligent who will survive but those who can best manage change.” — Charles Darwin
Reread that quote. Soak it in. Realize that life is a game of adaptation. You adapt, you survive. You do not adapt, you suffer and presumably seize to exist. You are still alive because you have found ways to adapt to life’s unforeseen surprises (the bad kind). It requires some sacrifice on your part but what is better, to sit and blame the world or take full responsibility?
If you have a passion or a vision you’re pursuing, you won’t let anything come your way and stop you from achieving that vision. Surrender is not the answer. Learn to accept what is and adapt. If you can’t stick to your training regimen, tweak it so you get your training hours in.
Be malleable, be wise, and be adaptable. Always have your vision in mind and work for it by giving it your all. No matter what happens, keep training and your body and mind will thank you for it.
Wish you Strength and Wisdom ✌️