This is the second in a series of four blogs addressing the difficulty of finding motivation, making changes, and sticking with your plan even when it gets difficult. In my last blog, I discussed the importance of imagining if you said “yes” to any change or challenge that you’re facing. Today’s blog is on a subject that, at first, might be a little more difficult to understand.
It’s getting to that time of year again, team. The time of year when the days get shorter, nights get longer, and energy seems to be in short supply. The time of year when it’s much more difficult to convince yourself to go workout in that cold garage, or go on a frigid run, or wake up for a workout hours before the sun will even start to come up. The time of year that is full of family and friends and joy, but also candy and pies and pumpkin-spiced everything. There are many wonderful things about the fall and winter seasons, but it is also a very difficult time to find motivation, and to stay motivated. With these facts in mind, this will be the first in a series of four blogs addressing the difficulty of finding motivation, making changes, and sticking with your plan even when it gets more difficult.
Some of the most common questions I get involve ketosis. Is it healthy? Should I do ketosis? How much bacon is too much bacon? The answers to these particular questions are usually, maybe, and the limit does not exist. But I think I can perhaps explain things a little bit better. I want to take some time to make a few suggestions on who is and is not right for the ketogenic diet, as well as give some background information.
You’ve gotta drink your water. Drink 8oz of water at least 8 times per day. Drink when you’re hungry. Drink when you’re not hungry. Drink a glass of water before all of your meals. During meals. After meals. Drink water when you wake up, and when you’re exercising, and when you pass your exam, and when you fail a muscle up. Drink. All. Of. The. Water.
These are some of the first words written on the homepage of my website. I strongly believe in giving my athletes curated information, support to keep them on track, and a healthy dose of “get it done, no excuses” when necessary. What I don’t believe in is trying to push products and services on my clients so that I can make a little extra cash on the side (or for any other reason). This all being said, when I find a product or a service that I personally believe in and find valuable, I will always share that information in the hopes that my clients might find them useful as well. This is one of those times.
For better or for worse, I am a person of extremes. In fact, if I had a life motto (and perhaps this goes to show that I do), it would be “moderation is for cowards.” I like to either do a thing and do it fully, or not do it at all. This characteristic permeates almost every aspect of my life. I think it is perhaps most evident, at least to those who know me well, in my appetites for information and stories that will deepen my understanding of human wellness (second only to good red wine and well-cooked steak). It is with this in mind that I got the idea to write a blog about the top six books that every athlete - and human - should read (and yes, I know that top five has a nicer ring to it, but I simply couldn’t cut any of these books from the list). So, without further ado, I would like to give mention to these six books, along with a description and a meaningful quote. I hope I can inspire you to read even one of these, if not all of them, in an attempt to make you a happier, healthier, and perhaps even a more thoughtful human being.
I love how supportive and understanding Caitlin is. She is always checking in to make sure I stay on track, giving positive feedback, and reassuring me when I feel like things aren’t progressing as quickly as I want them to. The accountability helps keep me motivated to hit my numbers. And Caitlin understands that sometimes life takes over and there will be setbacks, but she helps me refocus and keep driving forward. I feel like my plan is definitely personalized to help me reach my own personal goals, both performance, and aesthetics.
One of the most frequently asked questions that I get from my athletes is, “What should my rest day look like?” The confusion is understandable. As it seems to be with almost everything, the internet is full of conflicting information on the subject. Over the years of coaching and competing, reading articles and books, and attending lectures and seminars, I have compiled a list of rest day do’s and don'ts. I will share some of these with you below and provide some explanation.
