Recently, I started watching Sons of Anarchy (SOA). For those that have never heard of it, please come out from under your rock.
Ok, here is the gist: the story evolves around a motorcycle gang in California, that mainly makes a living out of gun-running and other questionable activities. From gun-running, they “expand” into extortion, black mail, drug mulling, and porn.
What does have to do with gains?
Quite a bit. The SOA can never seem to get ahead since they are always in jail, under investigation, broke, threatened… you name it. Instead of sitting down and drawing up a strategic plan, they always chase the next shiny thing, just to have another disastrous outcome.
See where this is going?
The SOA are your average gym goers, running from crossfit to bigger biceps in 15 days and to losing 30 lbs in 30 days when eating goji berries. In order to break the circle, you need to sit down and ask yourself some fundamental questions.
What do I want?
Most people would put in either lose fat, gain muscle or improve a body part. Whatever your goal is, define it clearly. How much fat do you want to lose in what time period? What body part do wish to improve and by how much in terms of strength and size?
How much time can I dedicate to my goal?
The number of hours you can dedicate to training will ultimately define your workout split as well as your level of success. If you can train (effectively) five times a week, you will make it faster to Rome than if you train only twice. Every body part should be trained twice a week, so you can fill in the blanks from here.
How badly do I want it?
This category covers lifestyle, nutrition and overall focus. To put it very bluntly: you get out what you put in. The best program will not make up for a poor diet or a party/ booze-filled lifestyle. As long you are aware of the consequences of your actions, it’s fine. Just like the SOA know they will either end up dead or in jail, you should be aware that keeping a 60% diet will not get you beach-ready.
That said, the SOA never lose hope!
Maik Wiedenbach