Helped me a lot to read this piece this morning. About to finish up the LRB Split phase of LRB 365, and have been really struggling with my confidence heading into the Short Cycle phase. I'm trying to embrace everything in the "How do I know what to program for a goal" paragraph in that section. My head is telling me that the best thing is going to be to program even lower than I did for the Strong-15 at the beginning of the program. My heart is frustrated by that, so it helps to read this.
Great article Paul, I spent a long time getting frustrated watching people progress faster than me in what seemed an effortless manner. I fell into the internet guru program hopping trap because of my impatience and killed my progress. It's been 10 years since I started lifting and now understand what true patience really is. I've learned that while I grind out 5 pound PR's and train with purpose, many of the people that made that fast progress that frustrated me are no longer even training. I've learned that while I patiently train with conviction and purpose many of the others are speaking of their old glory days. I will continue to be patient, my glory days are still ahead. My kids will be there to share in my glory days and learn the true virtue of patience while their kids get to hear old war stories about their dad's battle with the iron, mine will be there to see it first hand and benefit from it. Maybe they'll even join me on the battlefield.
I like the definition of patience that is "quiet, steady perseverance; even-tempered care" or consistent persistence. It's a quality I strive for in all aspects of life.
While I did enjoy newbie gains, this past year was primarily learning patience as a lifter. I honestly think that patience doesn't come as easily to guys who got the beginner gains. When they dry up, it's pretty sudden and the idea of 1 week gains is hard to swallow but even those dry up before you get comfortable with that.
I think I made better progress in maturity when I purposed to stop chasing numbers. I'm more proud of the progress I'm making now than when I expected it sooner. I still remember that response to my email you did in your blog pretty much lambasting my training approach up to that point. For that, I thank you. It's helped me grow up some as a lifter.
Awesome article, Paul. Although I must confess...reading it made me sad. I'm still struggling with confidence and have many doubts, especially after having surgery last year. Sometimes its hard to go full throttle scared you may hurt something, but at the same time frustration settles in because you think you may move backwards training-wise. Anyway, I'll be reading this piece constantly, they are great words. Thanks as always, Paul.
Great article, worthy of being bookmarked for future reference and re-readings...it made me think of three of my favorite quotes (forgive the corniness):
"There is something to be learned from a rainstorm. When meeting with a sudden shower, you try not to get wet and run quickly along the road. But doing such things as passing under the eaves of houses, you still get wet. When you are resolved from the beginning, you will not be perplexed, though you still get the same soaking. This understanding extends to everything." - Hagakure The Book of the Samurai
"Time and I against any other two." - Beltazar Gracian
Love this article especially where it says that one needs perseverance and patience. So important. Learned this through my 108lbs loss.
ReplyDeleteHelped me a lot to read this piece this morning. About to finish up the LRB Split phase of LRB 365, and have been really struggling with my confidence heading into the Short Cycle phase. I'm trying to embrace everything in the "How do I know what to program for a goal" paragraph in that section. My head is telling me that the best thing is going to be to program even lower than I did for the Strong-15 at the beginning of the program. My heart is frustrated by that, so it helps to read this.
ReplyDeleteWhen you do that, don't be surprised if you're stronger at the end of it than you were when you did it before.
DeleteGreat article Paul, I spent a long time getting frustrated watching people progress faster than me in what seemed an effortless manner. I fell into the internet guru program hopping trap because of my impatience and killed my progress. It's been 10 years since I started lifting and now understand what true patience really is. I've learned that while I grind out 5 pound PR's and train with purpose, many of the people that made that fast progress that frustrated me are no longer even training. I've learned that while I patiently train with conviction and purpose many of the others are speaking of their old glory days. I will continue to be patient, my glory days are still ahead. My kids will be there to share in my glory days and learn the true virtue of patience while their kids get to hear old war stories about their dad's battle with the iron, mine will be there to see it first hand and benefit from it. Maybe they'll even join me on the battlefield.
ReplyDeleteI like the definition of patience that is "quiet, steady perseverance; even-tempered care" or consistent persistence. It's a quality I strive for in all aspects of life.
ReplyDeleteWhile I did enjoy newbie gains, this past year was primarily learning patience as a lifter. I honestly think that patience doesn't come as easily to guys who got the beginner gains. When they dry up, it's pretty sudden and the idea of 1 week gains is hard to swallow but even those dry up before you get comfortable with that.
I think I made better progress in maturity when I purposed to stop chasing numbers. I'm more proud of the progress I'm making now than when I expected it sooner. I still remember that response to my email you did in your blog pretty much lambasting my training approach up to that point. For that, I thank you. It's helped me grow up some as a lifter.
Awesome article, Paul. Although I must confess...reading it made me sad. I'm still struggling with confidence and have many doubts, especially after having surgery last year. Sometimes its hard to go full throttle scared you may hurt something, but at the same time frustration settles in because you think you may move backwards training-wise. Anyway, I'll be reading this piece constantly, they are great words. Thanks as always, Paul.
ReplyDeleteOrlando
Great article, worthy of being bookmarked for future reference and re-readings...it made me think of three of my favorite quotes (forgive the corniness):
ReplyDelete"There is something to be learned from a rainstorm. When meeting with a sudden shower, you try not to get wet and run quickly along the road. But doing such things as passing under the eaves of houses, you still get wet. When you are resolved from the beginning, you will not be perplexed, though you still get the same soaking. This understanding extends to everything." - Hagakure The Book of the Samurai
"Time and I against any other two." - Beltazar Gracian
"Beware the fury of a patient man." - John Dryden
AP
Nothing corny. That's awesome.
Delete