Please, don't lie to yourself: 7/6/2004

Virgil Aponte

Let’s see if you’re doing everything you can to reach your goals

Every now and then I take a close look at my health and exercise program to see if I'm really doing all that can be done to achieve my goals.

Here's what I ask myself.

- Am I really following my training program? In other words am I consistently training 3 to 7 days a week?

- Am I really applying the advice given to me by many of the health and fitness industries top experts? In other words am I really using this valuable health giving and life saving advice? Remember applied knowledge is power.

- Am I really focusing on the exercises which give you more bang for your buck? For example exercises like the squat, lunge or pushup which target major muscle groups as opposed to bicep curls and crunches.

- Am I really pushing a bit harder when the exercises get too easy? In other words am I becoming complacent?

- Am I really using proper form on all of my exercises? In other words am I really focusing and paying attention to what I'm doing or am I just going through the motions.

- Am I consistently doing the little things to take care of my body? For example doing my stretching, getting my feet up after a long hard day, meditating, and relaxing and treating myself and my body with respect.

- Am I training hard when it's called for and training easy when it's called for? In other words am I listening to my body? Remember, you can't push hard all the time.

- Am I consuming enough quality nutrients from real quality food to nourish my body and allow it to flourish? Downing protein shakes and meal replacement bars don't replace the life and health giving nutrition found in real food as many might think.

- Am I drinking ½ my body weight in ounces per day of pure clean water? I weigh 190 pounds so I should at least be drinking 95 or more ounces of water per day.

If I can't answer yes to all these questions then I really only have myself to blame for not reaching my goals and/or lack of progress.

Here's a Funny Story related to these questions:

Many times I bump into people I've consulted with and they tell me that their program isn't working and they are not making progress. They of course ask me why they are not making progress and I proceed to ask them these type of questions to get to the bottom things. Most of the time the answer to many of these questions is no. So the answer to their lack of progress is simple: Follow your program and make progress or don't follow it and don't make progress.

One day a woman I consulted told me that she had followed her program religiously and made no progress. I knew the program I set her up on was so effective for hundreds if not thousands of people so I just couldn't believe she was really following it and making no progress. Because I didn't believe her I asked her to do 100 straight strength endurance squats on the spot and she could barely do 20. I told her if she was really following her program this would not happen. She then said: well maybe I wasn't really doing all I could. She then proceeded to tell me she was also skipping on eating properly and drinking enough water. I then finished by saying you know what to do: Just do it, do it everyday and you'll be on your way.

I'll leave you with this: Ultimately we're responsible for achieving our strength and health related goals.

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