Momentum

I wanted to discuss a topic that’s very important in the world of fitness, gym strategy and in hitting your goals and objectives: Momentum.

It’s hard to believe that after all these years of going to the gym on a regular basis, completing workouts and setting myself different targets and challenges, that I still experience that ‘loss of momentum’. 

What I mean by this is, I could go to the gym 5 days in a row, then miss a day or two, and then automatically feel like I’ve lost everything I’ve previously worked for and gained. That I’ve gone back to being a skinny, puny guy with no muscle! As ridiculous as that sounds, it’s something I know many people experience.

A day without working out when you’ve set yourself challenging goals can feel like a lifetime. For myself, it goes back to the time when I was 17 and my friend suggested we try out Creatine.

For those of you who aren’t aware, Creatine is a supplement that helps stimulate muscle-growth, gives you more energy at the gym and retains the water in your body, making you look bigger than perhaps you really are.

I decided after a few weeks I’d stop taking it as it gave me headaches and I felt sick whilst training. As soon as I stopped, it felt as though my body had completely deflated, like a helium balloon that’s just been popped. Everything I’d worked towards, had disappeared in just a few days.

Now that my only supplement is Protein, things are very different. What is important to remember is that muscle growth occurs mostly when resting, away from the gym i.e. when you’re sleeping. 

The important thing is to focus on the basics and in keeping it simple. 

Train Hard – stimulating and pushing your muscles to their limits on every exercise
Eat Healthy – avoiding the obvious poor foods, snacks and alcohol
Go Often – the more you put your body through, the more change you’ll see

So don’t feel bad for taking a Rest day. They are just as important for building your momentum and in meeting your goals, than what you do when you’re actually training hard. 

Adam