Recently I read a book on goal setting, and it had some
important insights I wanted to share with you. The author
provided many tips on setting a goal properly, including
writing it down on paper, breaking it into smaller chunks,
and identifying the obstacles that you'll need to overcome
to reach the goal. However, one concept that stuck with me
was the emphasis on long-term achievements instead of short
term gains. I realize that so many times in my own life
I've been focusing on the immediate returns I might gain
from investing my time, but any worthwhile achievement will
take time and effort to accomplish. My tendency has always
been to start a project with alacrity and hope, but shortly
after starting my new project I would give up because I
didn't see any quick results. What does this have to do
with weight training?
In previous articles I mentioned the importance of
following the fundamentals for weight gain and strength
training instead of looking for a wonder supplement. I
wanted to emphasize that achieving huge muscle gains is
about following the proper diet (increasing calories and
protein) and gradually lifting heavier weights.
Supplements are not the foundation of muscle building, and
they will not determine your success or failure. You may
be wondering, then, why so many choose to follow the latest
supplement fad.
Why do bodybuilding supplements sell so well? They do well
simply because so many bodybuilders are looking for the
magic pill that will instantly deliver incredible results.
Unfortunately, so many people in our society have become
accustomed to looking for shortcuts and short term
gratification. It's particularly sad when you consider
that learning how to gain weight naturally is not as
difficult as it may seem. The real magic pill is combining
the right knowledge (weight gain diet plus proper workout
routines) with determination. The beginner must understand
that weight gain, like most worthwhile goals, requires
diligence over the long term.
This brings us back to a critical concept of bodybuilding
which tells us that supplements should not be the basis for
a muscle building program. A few supplements can be useful
for the advanced trainer who is trying to maximize his
gains and has already developed a solid weightlifting and
diet program. Most supplements, however, are either
useless or are simply not necessary. The essential
components of any bodybuilding program will always be
progressive resistance training and increasing one's daily
calories. Looking for shortcuts when you have not even
mastered the basics will simply lead to disappointment and
a lot of wasted money.
It may be more exciting to look for that special supplement
that will magically deliver the results you are looking
for, but in the long run a trainee looking for shortcuts
will surely be disappointed. This lesson applies not only
to bodybuilding and strength training; rather, it is a
valuable lesson that can help you reach any goal you set.
If you've done the research and gained the necessary
knowledge, and if you set your goal properly (more on this
later), then you can be certain that you're on your way to
accomplishing your objective. Do not be discouraged if
your initial results are disappointing - focus on the
cumulative effects of your daily actions and what this will
bring you in the months to come.
----------------------------------------------------
Jon Cardozo, from Jcardozium research, writes on how to
build muscle naturally, nutrition, and general fitness.
Visit his website for more information on how to gain
muscle at http://maximum-muscle-gain.com
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