Perfect Fitnss Tips

QUESTION

How do you draw the line between striving to attain perfect fitness and excellent health without being a compulsive or perfectionist in the process? Can this be done? We all know that perfectionism is not a desirable human trait because to be perfect is to not be human … or “To err is human.” How do you walk this line?
 
George P.
Phoenix, AZ

ANSWER:

That is a really great question because getting and staying lean,healthy and fit for life is about much more than just calories, protein,
carbs and so on.

Too many trainers and dieticians only focus on the mechanics of eating and working out while completely failing to focus on the importance of your mental attitude.

The way you approach this question could be the one thing holding you back and causing self sabotage or it could be the catalyst that hurls your towards success and the best shape of your life.

Here’s my take on this:

If you’re a serious competitive athlete or bodybuilder, I think you have to have a little bit of “compulsiveness” or “perfectionism” in how you approach your training. That’s just a part of the nature and personality of successful competitive athletes.

No one gets to the Olympics or the pros by living a so-called “normal, balanced lifestyle” do they? You don’t become a bodybuilding or fitness champion by being “normal” either.

Athletes, especially bodybuilders, are a unique breed and many of them lead lives that aren’t totally balanced. Their diet and training dominate their lives at times.

Frankly, if you’re going to set your sights for high levels of athletic achievement, then you’re going to have to be willing to pay the price, re-arrange priorities and make some sacrifices.

Although no one will ever be “perfect”, I find that many athletes choose to strive for perfection.

For most people however, and perhaps even for competitive athletes, I believe there is a better attitude which helps you walk the fine line between attaining excellent health and fitness and going too far by being overly compulsive or perfectionistic, and that is…

Set a direction and strive for progress in that direction.

I believe it’s self-defeating to try to be “perfect.” None of us will ever be perfect. But we not only should, we MUST set a course and and begin moving in a positive direction.

In fact, I believe that if we’re not moving forward, we’re slipping backwards. There’s no such thing as standing still. “Grow or die” is a universal law and everything in the universe is either growing or dying, increasing or decreasing, moving foward or moving backward.

we must continually grow and strive to actualize our potential - this is a part of our purpose as human beings. The Japanese have a word for this - they call it “KAIZEN,” which roughly translated, means “constant improvement.”

In my own bodybuilding career, my aim has changed from a perfectionistic, Lombardi-inspired “winning is everything” attitude to “competing against myself.” My goal is no longer first place. I don’t care who I beat or who beats me.I really don’t even care if I get a trophy anymore.

My goal is to be better than I used to be.

Every time I step onstage, if I look the best I have ever looked, then I’ll feel like a winner no matter where I place or how I compare to some so-called “perfect ideal.”

I used to be so dreadfully serious about my training that it started to become a chore. As a result of my new outlook on things, I have a lot more fun bodybuilding than I ever did before. It’s because I’m not so attached to the outcome - I’m just enjoying the journey and gaining the same satisfaction from progress that I used to only get from winning.

the great part is, focusing on progress and self improvement so often leads to winning!

John Wooden, the winningest coach ever in college basketball, put it better than anyone:

“To me, success isn’t outscoring someone, it’s the peace of mind that comes from self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best. That’s something each individual must determine for himself.

You can fool others, but you can’t fool yourself. Many people are surprised to learn that in 27 years at UCLA, Inever once talked about winning. Instead I would tell my players before games, ‘When it’s over, I want your head up. And there’s only one way your head can be up, that’s for you to know, not me, that you gave the best effort of which you’re capable.

If you do that, then the score doesn’t really matter, although I have a feeling that if you do that, the score will be to your liking.’ I honestly, deeply believe that in not stressing winning as such, we won more than we would have if I’d stressed outscoring opponents.”

I think that regardless of your goals - dropping a few pounds, losing a hundred pounds becoming a fitness model, winning a title, just being healthy, whatever, that the mindsets of improving yourself, doing your best and striving to make continuous progress are the most constructive attitudes that will serve you the best over a lifetime.

Until next time, train hard, expect success, burn your fat and feed your muscles!

Your friend and coach,

Tom Venuto, NSCA-CPT, CSCS
Certified Personal Trainer
Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist
Fat Loss Coach
http://www.burnthefat.com

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Burn The Fat Feed The Muscle Testimonials & Success Stories of The Week
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Tom, I just I purchased your Burn The fat book last week and already see results in 5 days! I look and feel better than I did after nearly 6 weeks of low-carb (Atkins) approach.

I think your program may be the Holy Grail of nutrition and fitness.

I had done Atkins a few years ago and lost about 25 pounds, all of which I gained back. I was losing weightbut miserable: wasn’t exercising (I imagine a lot of low carb dieters skip the workouts as well… why not,the pounds comes off without it, right?).

The deprivation of foods I loved was mentally torturous, and the constant net carb counting was an overwhelming burden.

Something just didn’t ring true having to avoid (for the most part)fruits/veggies/whole grains while ingesting high saturated fats.

I not only got physical results already, it’s a huge psychological boost,enjoying oatmeal/brown rice/fruits/veggies (even including moderate amount of potatoes) and eating frequent meals without feeling “distended.”

Thanks in advance, I am already recommending your program, burn the fat to my friends!

Chip Kuzborski