Let's face it.  It's over.  We've done all we can.  It's time to just give up on the idea.

Of exercising.

Time to start training.

We've talked about goals in the past.  Maybe you've filled out a goals worksheet.  Remember that?  Trouble is, we've all lost sight of why we're here.  Me included.  Time for us to forget about just coming in to the gym, changing our shoes, warming up, suffering a bit, stretching, and heading home.  Sounds like an exercise routine.  I admit that I like routine as well.  But routines have a way of lulling you to sleep.  Think about this:  you probably take the same route to work.  Driving it in your car is very routine.  You could do it in your sleep, so to speak, because it's so familiar to you.  So here's the challenge.  Walk to work.  Look at all the things you are missing because you doing the same thing...over and over without thinking.  If that is the way your workouts have become, then you're in a rut and need to change it up.

When you walk in the door of the gym, don't think about what you saw here on the blog and how hard the workout might be or what new skill you're gonna have to endure learning.  Think about how you can progress a step closer to your goal.  Don't have a goal?  Then get one.  Maybe you want to get that dead-hang band-free pull-up you've been chasing for over a year.  Maybe a muscle-up is in your sights.  Like to pull 500 pounds on a deadlift?  How about knocking five minutes off your 5K?  Wanna compete instead of participate?  Once you have a goal, look at it with razor sharp focus every time you think about a workout or "exercising", and think about how that workout is going to get you closer to your goal.  The modes/pathways/movements in a workout don't fit with your plan?  Change the workout.  Remember CrossFit's "scale, modify, substitute" mantra?  It doesn't just apply to injuries or range of motion limitations...you can scale up the load/distance/time/reps/rounds, or modify to a higher degree of difficulty, or substitute a movement that is more conducive to your progress.  In other words...customize your workout to meet your needs.  I can put a workout on the board every damn day until the end of time, and chances are you will get stronger and more conditioned, but it might not be exactly what you need for your goals.  Use your head and your questions will force the coaches to use theirs as well.

Anyone can exercise.  Pop in the P90X DVD or show up to the gym and do what the whiteboard says.  That's exercising.  Having a goal, creating a plan, working diligently, evaluating progress, reassessing...that's training.  So from now on, forget about exercising at ONDEG.  You'd better have a goal and a plan because I am gonna ask you about them.

The coaches here at the gym can help you with the plan, but you've got to have the goal.  It's got to be personal and meaningful.  Pity the fool who says "lose weight" or "get stronger".  Vague and imprecise.  And dumb.  Don't be dumb.  Be smart.

And if you are truly committed, you'll realize the best progress is made by committing to more than just the hour we spend at the gym.  Proper fueling and recovery is key.  But so is research...talking to people who have accomplished what you want to accomplish, seeking outside counsel or coaching, reading, watching videos, listening to podcasts...we're going back to school folks.  The information is out there, you just gotta take the time to find it.

So there you have it.  It's done.  Over.  Kaput.  I don't care if you want to go somewhere else or support someone else's "exercise" program.  At ONDEG, we train.