subject: Real v. Self-Imposed Limitations [print this page] Have you ever wondered what your true limitations are?
Have you ever wanted to really find them? I don't suggest you do, but if you want to, compete in a sport. It'll tell you a lot about what you think you can do, versus what you actually can do, and then you'll have a map to follow in your training.
But what about after you've found them the hard way by testing them too often and under the wrong conditions?
Maybe that's happened to you you've gotten injured, maybe badly, and you're now "gun shy."
I experienced this yesterday. (Of course you probably figured that out already since I'm writing about it)
As you may know, I've spent half the last decade rehabbing injuries. That's a long time for sure. Unfortunately, I think I may have become "over-cautious." I don't want to become reckless and nor do I suggest you do so either. That's not what I'm suggesting at all. But what about a periodic "gut check?" Maybe just a little test of the ol' mettle based on what you think you can do now?
I stumbled upon this quite by accident yesterday. I spent the better part of the day between emails, faxes, and phone calls with my insurance company. By the end of the day, my aggravation levels were sky-high.
So what'd I do?
The only exercise I know of that is really a "cure-all" for me the Back Squat.
Yup, I just got my pattern back last week the old, strong pattern. So what I do yesterday? I tested myself on it of course! No, I didn't RM or anything that stupid, but I did "gut-check" myself. As part of the baseline that tells me that I'm getting in weightlifting shape, there's a certain load and volume in a certain time period that I can hit as the start of my pre-competition training. It's the baseline of the baseline if you will.
So yesterday, I just said, "You know what, this is stupid. I've been training smart lately. I should be able to hit those numbers without even thinking about it, let alone training for it."
So I did.
And I learned something.
I learned the following:
My training lately has been exactly where it needs to be it has served me well.
My body is firing on all cylinders I'm keenly aware of all the right muscles that worked as I type this.
That I have been conservative in my training and it has helped me.
That I had a self-imposed mental limitation I didn't think I was ready for that workload. But not only was I, it was of the highest quality and it surpassed my expectations!
So what's the take home for us?
Have a plan that you can follow that balances your goals with your current abilities and your limitations.
Don't "workout" Train. Have a plan. (Did I say that already?)
Be confident enough to step outside your comfort zone every once in a while set up some sort of test or challenge. I suggest it somewhat mirrors your training plan don't go run a 5K if you're training for a powerlifting meet
Expect that your plan is working and then keep working the plan.
Don't set limitations on yourself think BIG!
As for me, I'm still thinking big. My numbers are moving right along and if everything goes according to plan, I should hit some pretty big numbers PRs by Christmas time, if not before.
What are you training for and have you set realistic expectations or self-imposed limitations?
