THERE are no bad experiences, only opportunities to learn and grow.
As a finance man, Ian Barnett understands fully the path of progress – that in the world of stocks and shares, for instance, there are many fluctuations and no guarantees.
In the gym, where he is making a comeback to fitness and investing in his strength and health on the Amazing 12, it is much the same. There will be fruitful days and there will be difficult days. It’s what is achieved over the long haul, not day to day, that counts most. The idea is to cover a lot of ground with small steps rather than boldly taking giant, often unattainable, leaps.
IN THE BAG: another session complete for Sue
Sue Crabtree, also on the Amazing 12 Chichester, discovered how this process is one of ups and downs also. This was her second week and she was struck off entirely with a cold that literally took her voice away.
When things don’t go to plan, you can do several things: wallow in your misery; give up entirely or pick yourself up and keep going.
So Sue, determined not to be outdone and to complete the program in its entirety, is going to extend her training by a week to make up for the lost days and give herself the best possible chance of maximising her results.
“I just don’t want to miss out on training as I’m loving it so much,” she said. “I don’t get sick often, but when I do, I go down hard.” This week she was hit hard.
SET-UP: Sue prepping her deadlift
Sue is on the mend, though, and ought to be back in the groove for week 3. She’s a nutritionist by profession, so I don’t have any concerns about her following instructions on what to eat and drink.
However, Sue is new to lifting weights – or at least the type of weight training I prescribe. Her previous experience was with light weights only and she found them dull to work with and got bored.
Before beginning the Amazing 12, I taught her and Ian the basics. Then we use the program to make improvements. Every session at Core Results is an opportunity to refine technique, learn and develop experience.
ON THE CRAWL: warm-up time
So while it could be better for Sue – and getting ill is one of those things you can’t legislate for – it’s going well for Ian.
He has been buzzing all week and feeling changes in his body, which is hardly surprising if you have been inactive a long time and begin training again (so long as the introduction isn’t severe).
As a father of three and business owner, the stumbling block to taking part on this program for Ian, 46, was finding time in his busy life.
Most mornings we are in the gym, ready to go, by 6am. And with the weather being as chilly as it has been, the early rising is an additional challenge.
MECHANICS: seeing if Ian’s squat has been affected by years at a desk job
However, on the final day of his first week, Ian said to me, “It’s freezing cold, 6am, but it’s so good we’re doing this. I didn’t think I’d be able to find the time, but I am.”
Anything is possible. Really.
Ian has found some of the training challenging this week. But when I pointed out to him the progress he had made in just a matter of days, he was blown away.
It’s not unusual, in the beginning, to make rapid strides. Ian used to do a fair amount of sport when he was younger, before work and a family took over. He’s put on about 2st (28lbs) since getting married five years ago. My job is not only to get him back into that type of condition, but go beyond.
RUNS TO GUNS: building some muscle
Sue, 48, wants to become strong. She’s a runner, though isn’t afraid of muscle.
“I know I have to change my exercise according to my body and age,” she said, meaning that she understands the need for having a stronger body.
I don’t doubt for a second that Sue and Ian have the commitment that’s needed to succeed. They also both have a maturity, realistic expectations and understandings of how the process works.
That’s a great starting point because, as I’ve said many times previously, one of the greatest impediments to making progress is a lack of patience.
