Today I was involved in the final planning session for the 2008 fiscal year and it brought to light some interesting thoughts. The team I was planning with consists of 9 executives (myself included). We were tasked to come up with the Top 2 or 3 initiatives for our department and to plan out the milestones per quarter for those initiatives in the new year.
As we went around the room talking about our plans, the sales director commented that he had two plans for increasing sales. When pressed as to why, he stated that he didn't have alot of confidence in his first plan, so he had made up a contingency plan. He was obviously quite proud of himself that he had done some contingency planning. However, the president of the company spoke up and asked why he would need a second plan at all. He asked “If you think the first plan is going to fail, why not make your second plan your first plan?” This got me to thinking about how planning works and I want to apply it to shredding fat.
You've all read (if you've been reading my blog very long) that I believe failing to plan is planning to fail. I am very focused on my goals and creating synergy towards completing them, but at the same time, I am realistic and understand that no matter what, we are going to produce results. These results are either going to make us happy or they are going to make us unhappy. It is what we do with the analysis of those results that gets us closer to our goals.
Yes, it is possible to make a plan that doesn't work out, but you don't just switch to another plan, you make tweaks to the existing plan. You change the ratio of macronutrients. You can increase the amount of cardio you are doing. You can decrease the amount of cardio you are doing. There are hundreds upon hundreds of small tweaks that you can do to get your plan on target. The key is to measure the results and make adjustments as you go along. Don't stubbornly cling to a plan that isn't producing the results you want. Be flexible enough to change your plan midstream.
I have personally done this on a weekly basis. Sometimes it is harder than others to be flexible and make the appropriate changes, but eventually I get there and I'm happy when I do.
At the same time, be cognizant of how long something takes to be effective. Completely gutting your workout program one week in is not very productive. It takes time to see results. You have to give the program time to do what it is supposed to do. Be realistic as you consider the results you are getting. Even if you think your goal is a giant stretch, don't shy away from it just because of that reason. Make yourself stretch to reach the goal. You will be proud of the results you get as a result.
My foot felt much better today and I was able to do a pretty intense workout. I was amazed at how strong I was today:
| Exercise | Weight/Reps |
| Squat | 205 x 15 205 x 15 205 x 15 |
| Deadlift Shrug | 205 x 15 205 x 15 205 x 15 |
| Bulgarian Split Squats | 30 x 15 30 x 15 30 x 15 |
| Step Ups | 25 x 15 25 x 15 25 x 15 |
| Reverse Crunches | 15 15 15 |
Now if you follow my workout logs, you'll notice that the weights are the same as my 5 x 5 day. I sat the night before this workout and thought about the intensity level with which I've been approaching my workouts. I realize that I give it my all, taking nothing back with me after doing an exercise, but I also realized that I could push myself harder and that's what I did today. Did it hurt like hell to do the squats or deadlifts at that weight? Yes! At the same time, I know that I really pushed my body to the limit. I could not have done another squat or deadlift if I tried. My legs and lower back were wasted!
If I want to get into the shape I am aiming for I have to do my workouts with this type of intensity. I'm not alone in thinking that I couldn't up my intensity any more. I challenge each and every one of you to do what it takes to get that intensity up another notch. Don't sit back and relax where you are at. Push yourself to new limits. Blaze a new trail for yourself.
“Walked out this morning
Don't believe what I saw
A hundred billion bottles
Washed up on the shore
Seems I'm not alone at being alone
A hundred billion casatways
Looking for a home”
(Message in a Bottle, the Police)
Stop looking the other way and do what you know you need to do. When we stop pushing ourselves we are only shortchanging ourselves. Nobody else is going to care.
Until tomorrow…
