Failing to prepare...

When it comes to exercise and living a healthy lifestyle planning and preparation is absolutely key. Leave things to chance and the odds are you won’t achieve what you’d hoped for.

The phrase “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.” Is an oldy but a goody. Here’s what you need to consider...

Meals...
This is probably the most common downfall with most people’s regime. “Picking up something when you’re out” is the number one NO-NO! There are minimal fast food/convenience food options with a high nutritional value. Plan ahead, cook ahead and prepare ahead. If time is an issue, cook on mass and keep food frozen or stored and ready for the week ahead.

Training...
Before every training session it’s essential to know what you have planned in terms of exercises, repetitions, tempo and rest. More crucially perhaps, it’s important to know how this fits into the bigger picture. Where do you want to be in 6 months time? In order to do that, how will you structure your program for each day, week and month in order to make progress in the direction you want.

Rest...
People are often surprised at how important quality rest is. Do you sleep 8 hours EVERY night? Uninterrupted quality sleep? In a dark, tranquil environment? Unlikely the answer to all of those is “yes”. Simple but crucial for recovery, repair and lowering cortisol levels.

Social Engagements...
So you don’t want to live in the gym and that’s fine. But, prioritising your training over social engagements or at least making time for training is essential to get results. There is always going to be a reason NOT to train: social engagements, family commitments etc but taking these options will inevitably limit results

End goals...
Plan from your end goals backwards. Decide what you want to achieve and then plan your meals and training to the finest details to get you there. Set yourself goals along the way, whether it’s specific strength targets, weight loss milestones or drops in body fat percentage, don’t get to your end date and realise "it didn’t happen". Leave nothing to chance.

So the message...
Don’t leave anything to chance. Plan all details and track progress at regular intervals in order to make sure that you’re on track for success.