Let's Take a Moment to Reflect...

Given how hectic and busy our lives are, it is rare that we take (make) time to pause and reflect on our current situation.

I believe this process is absolutely crucial to ensuring continued improvement in life, not merely health and fitness.

So here is a task for you. Review the following questions I have borrowed largely from Menno Henselmans of www.bayesianbodybuilding.com and answer them honestly. This may provide you with all the necessary information you need as to why perhaps you aren't making as much progress as you would like to be. 

 

Diet

  1. How do you track your macros: do you weigh all your foods or eyeball many things?

  2. How many days in the past week did your nutritional intakes meet calorie recommendations?

  3. What are your main sources of dietary fibre?

  4. What are your main sources of omega-3?

  5. How many social eating events or ‘cheat meals’ did you have last month where you didn’t track your macros?

  6. How many meals within the past week were consumed more than 2 hours away from their regular meal time?

Reflecting on our current habits may provide greater insight into why we may or may not be making the progress we desire

Reflecting on our current habits may provide greater insight into why we may or may not be making the progress we desire

Training


1. How many planned training sessions did you miss in the last month?

2. Have you ever watched a video of yourself performing every exercise in your program to assess your technique?

3. How many training sessions in the last month took place more than 2 hours away from your regular training time?
 


Lifestyle
 


1. How many days in the last week did you sleep soundly for at least 7.5 hours?

2. How long does it typically take you to fall asleep?

3. How often do you typically wake up at night to go to the bathroom?

4. How often do you typically wake up at night for any other reason?

5. How many days in the last week did you go to bed more than an hour away from your regular bedtime?

6. How would you describe your stress level?

7. Would you say your life is hectic?

8. Do you often think about work during leisure time?

If you regularly review your training, diet and lifestyle in this way you may find you don't plateau as quickly or find progress hard to come by. Don't underestimate the power of reflection and self-analysis.