Periodization for the Long-Term Success... OR Is It ?Part 1 Long-Term Success "Secrets " Many things in life can be challenging to do, but people can finish this challenging work and maintain the success of achieving this tough work by continuing for a few more days. However, as days go on and on you will see more people having a harder time to carry on with this task, and then start withdrawing one by one. Only a small percentage of people will keep going and maintain the long-term success so noticeable and whereby more rewarding results can be obtained. And what a joy it can be when you harvest your hard efforts and long-time investment, nothing beats that feeling. So what is the secret of this small percentage of people who keep distinguishing themselves from the rest and stand on top of the pyramid? I think it is genetics!! Not really, but I just wanted to see the look on your face and hear you saying “Well I don’t have that in my genes so I am not even going to try!” I hope you’re not giving up on me already before I reveal one of these secrets if we can call them secrets that can make you obtain the long-term success for whatever you want to achieve. And before I forget, I doubt it very much if it would be genetics, so forget this idea at least for now, and keep reading. Like I said above, these secrets or “unseen techniques” are applicable to many tasks that we need to conduct in our daily lives. However, in our case we are concerned with being fit and maintaining a healthy body through exercising and more specific goals to achieve like: - long-term weight loss - long-term muscle gain - long-term strength gain - long-term exercising
Whatever above goal you want to work on you should break it down into smaller steps or objectives; that way you can have a laser focus on a smaller task at a time when you desire to move on to the next one and the next, until your goal is achieved. Periodization Training One technique that I have experimented early in my weight training life was using the periodization method, and must say I was fortunate enough to know about it and use it too. Even though at that time I did not necessarily need an incentive to make me exercise for the long term because I just loved weight lifting. However, it gave me mental and physical advantages and prepared me for challenges I have confronted with in my future weight training setbacks. So what is periodization and why you should you use this method? It is an organizing method which uses time blocks called macrocycles (ex., 8 weeks or months) which can be split into even shorter time blocks called mesocycles to perform resistance training for accomplishing a specific objective/goal. Also you should know the it started originally from the Eastern European Bloc and the Soviet regions then the Western periodization training it is also known as Linear periodization came into view. An example will be provided; but let me answer the other half of the question, and that is why you want to use a method like the periodization training. First, this type of technique has been proven again and again in its effectiveness by getting satisfactory results whether your goal is weight loss or, muscle gain or, just exercising on a continues basis. Of course there are some experts that don’t fully agree about the effectiveness of this adapted training method which is the linear periodization weight training. You, as a fitness enthusiast or passionate weight lifter, don’t have to worry about that. Like I mentioned before, other fitness researchers and coaches do agree about it’s effectiveness to a certain point like any other training method. So beside it’s effectiveness, what is equally important is the mental set up that gives the person the determination to commit and has an organized outline of training to follow through all the way to the end. When you have something like that you construct: - A daily specific purpose (ex., increasing the load or repetitions) and not just randomly performed weight training; it creates more laser-like focus and dedication on your behalf - Following a periodization method will open your mind to other weight training methods . And that is a must in the weight lifting zone as you know the body is always trying to adapt to the load you lift. Which brings us to next point and that is.. - Periodization method is a wonderful and effective system. But to a certain degree, therefore, it is a good idea to experiment with other weight lifting programs. Once you reach a plateau periodization training gives you the courage and the knowledge to venture into other weight lifting programs . - Periodization can be designed to provide a variety of exercises for the same muscle and/or different muscle groups which lead to more fun workouts . And fun workouts usually translate into continuing exercising, or you can call it a long-term success. Finale As you see these are benefits you should establish as you go along with exercising to get stronger, leaner and obtain an optimum health for you to enjoy during your work career life and after retirement as well. In Part 2 we will continue talking about the long-term success technique by laying out a periodization model that you can see for yourself and follow it or something similar to FIT YOUR GOALS.
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