I have a theory about lifting that I am not sure is true or not, but from my own experience it sure seems like it is true.  As our bodies adapt to the lifting they are begging us to push to a new level.  Our progress is exponentially increased as we push to higher and higher limits.

Numbers Game

The most obvious progress is seen in the numbers.  Heavier lifts, more intense lifts and higher repetitions can all be measured.  The numbers are obvious when mapped out on a spreadsheet or chart.  You can track the progress and based upon the numbers, know you have succeeded.

Visual Confirmation

If you are taking daily photos progress becomes even more evident.  You can see changes over time that you would probably miss.  This type of progress can be very inspiring.  For me, I get very pumped up when I see the changes in my body.  The clear changes motivate me to work even harder.  Results in and of themselves are extremely motivating.  To me there isn't much better.

Conclusion

I think there are many different ways to measure progress.  I think that the numbers tell you about your progress.  I think that pictures tell you about your progress.  I believe that you can see your progress through the eyes of others.  There are just alot of ways to measure your progress. 

During the game I am always on the bench as the equipment manager.  Today was even frustrating for me.  The kids have learned their positions during practice, but during the games they slack off and don't hustle.  I began conversing with them on the bench about the importance of hustle and I quickly discovered that they all have no clue what it means to hustle.  Let me explain.

During one particular conversation, the two boys I was speaking to had just made a major mistake that resulted in a goal being scored.  The play had developed into a scoring opportunity for the other team because one of the two boys had assumed the referee was going to blow his whistle to indicate the other team was off sides, but that didn't happen.  The player making the assumption made absolutely no effort to come into the play and help out and that gave the opponent an easy shot on goal and that player converted that opportunity into a score.

As the two defensemen entered the bench at the end of that shift, I asked what had happened on the goal.  They both exclaimed "Matthew should have come out about another foot and he could have stopped that shot, but it was an awesome shot!"  I asked them why they didn't hustle to get into the play.  "Hustle?  What do you mean?"  I explained that while on the ice they must give their full and complete effort at all times.  Hockey is a very fast paced game that requires the players to push themselves at all times.  This is why short shifts are so important.  Hustle is when you give it your all at all times.  It is getting to the puck first. It is finishing your hits.  It is not worrying about whether or not you are going to get a whistle, but playing as though you are not going to get the whistle at all times.  "So we should have skated back even though that guy was offsides?"  I was stunned for a moment.  When I regained my composure I asked them a few questions.

"Did the referee call offsides?"  Obviously the answer was no.

"Did the fact that the referee didn't call offsides change your reaction to the play?"  Obviously the answer was yes.

At this point I explained that a player who was using hustle would have come back into the play no matter what.  They would have expected to not get the whistle.  I explained that had both of them done this, they would have been in position to check the puck carrier, thereby saving a goal.   This goal turned out to be the game winner for the other team.

The expenditure of effort

If I am going to be at the gym I am going to give my best effort.  There is no point in going through the motions ever.  If you do nothing, nothing will happen, but if you do everything, everything will happen.  That's the reason we go to the gym–we want changes.  How much are you willing to work for those changes?  That's the expenditure of effort issue in a nutshell.

The time spent

Going to the gym takes time.  Most of us barely have enough time for the other essentials in our life, so adding in workout time is not an easy feat.  However, the time spent is going to be worth it if the effort spent is there as well.   I've said many times on this blog that I get irritated by people who basically waste away their gym time.  I don't understand that mindset at all.

The results received

I care about working hard because of the results I receive as a result.  My results will always be equal to the effort I put in.  This is a simple principle and one that should not be forgotten.  If you slack off in the gym your results are going to slack off as well.  Hard work isn't for everybody.  I know that the type of intensity required can be intimidating, but never lose sight of the fact that your results mirror your intensity level.  Work hard and it will pay off.