So much damn information.
When I first started lifting weights there were no internet gurus. I learned the basics from my dad and older guys in the gym.
Now there is too much information. Some good. Some bad. How do you sort through it all when you’re a beginner, or even an intermediate? When do you have enough info?
You know that saying “Back in my day we used to walk barefoot/ uphill in the snow. Both ways”?
Well I did walk. A lot. Sometimes in the snow.
Only barefoot in summer though.
My point being, we had to go find information back then. It wasn’t just a click of the mouse away.
When we had a project for school we went to the public library. Some of you older folks know what I'm talking about.
Now what do we do? Google it, man. Find some articles and learn what you can. Maybe even watch a tutorial on youtube and you’re prepared to remodel your kitchen or master a complicated yoga pose.
Programs and Diets Galore
With regards to strength training and nutrition you can only read so much. Learn the basics and put in the work.
If you want to get stronger, do the lifts that will help you get strong. If you want to get lean or build muscle, eat accordingly.
But there are so many programs and diets! Should I do paleo, p90x, crossfit, whole30, intermittent fasting, yoga, bootcamps, transformation programs, juice cleanse?
This expert says to do mobility (stretching) before.. or was it AFTER my workout?
This one says only do foam rolling at night. This guy says carbs only post-workout, this one says eat double your bodyweight in carbs. Can I eat more than 20 grams of protein at a time? How about bcaa’s and pre-workout? It goes on and on. Too much information.
Don’t let your energy get sucked up by all this crap. Want to know if vitamin C or D is legit or not? Take it every day for a whole winter season and compare to the previous season. Did you get sick less? Did it make a difference?
Put in the Work- Doesn't Sound Sexy Does it?
Here’s a personal example.
At one point I decided my squat was weak and I was sick of it.
I read tons of articles, watched videos, read more articles. Some of the information helped, some didn’t. Some of it conflicted with other information. I searched and searched for that magic phrase or rep and set scheme that could help me improve.
What I needed to do was to just squat. A lot.
I started taking videos and experimenting with all positions of hands, feet, torso, head.
No article would help me at this point. I just needed to do the movement and find what worked for me. Put in the hours, stop overthinking and get the squat to feel natural.
Sometimes you may run into new tips that you haven’t thought about.
Maybe something you forgot, or a new cue for a lift.
Being open is a good way to constantly evolve and grow. Just don’t let being open take you away from what’s important. Consistency and hard work.
Less Talk More Lifting
Don’t let information overload paralyze you. If you find yourself spending more time debating tiny details on the interwebs than you do training/cooking meals, then you might need to check your priorities.
There is no perfect program or diet that will work forever. A program as outlined may work for 2months or 2 years but is not meant to work forever.
Like I wrote about in my post about program hopping, don’t jump ship after a week if you don’t achieve what takes months to years. Stick with it. You want to go paleo? Fine, do it for 6 months. Start a nutrition log. Write down your daily observations and decide for yourself if suits you.
I'm Here to Help You
Email me at strengthessentials716@gmail.com with any questions you have about getting started with a new program or to look over your current routine.
Too much conflicting information, clouding your mind?
Simplify.