“A rock pile ceases to be a rock pile the moment a single man contemplates it, bearing within him the image of a cathedral.” Antoine de Saint-Exupery, Aviator and Author

Q: I’m a competitive speed skater and I compete at the state level. I have always had a passion for training, but recently, my training sessions lack the intensity that I normally feel. I am beginning to feel discouraged. Have you experienced this type of dilemma? If so, how did you get past this negative phase? I feel like I am losing the progress that I have made and it really gets me down.

A: Regardless of your venue of athleticism, be it bodybuilding, strength training, running or speed skating, you can expect to run into obstacles along the way to achieving your goal. The key is to view this minor setback as another form of growth.

Perhaps it is not so much a “negative” as you may think... At times, we do not realize that we need to back up in order to get a running start to move forward with greater force. Think of this “wall” that you have hit as a “roadblock” and unfortunately at this time, the “roadblock” is hindering you from forward progress. However, you must get over, around or through this roadblock in order to reach the finish line.

How will you accomplish this task?

Assess the situation. How did you get to this place? Did you take a wrong turn? Are you not taking short, cyclical, strategic, lay offs? Are you training beyond your body’s ability to recuperate efficiently? Are you carrying too heavy a workload outside the gym? Is there a new stress in your life that wasn’t there before? In sport, as in life, unexpected instances occur. What sets champions apart from the rest oo?f the pack is how they confront and handle the situation. Many champions are created as a result of being presented with negative situations. You know the saying, “If it is too easy, it is usually not worth the effort.” Obstacles are merely tests to prepare you for what lies ahead at the next level.

Once you have taken the time to re-evaluate your situation, it is time to figure out the source of your obstacle and create a positive plan to overcome it. Perhaps you are overloaded at work. Possibly try training at a different time to see if this improves your frame of mind. Maybe it is just time for a variation ­ shake it up a bit! I personally change my training programme every six weeks.

Remain aware of your nutritional intake. By not fuelling your body with the proper type and amount of nutrients, you will end up tearing down instead of building up your body. Remember, training is important, but another major part of the equation for success is your nutrition. Your body is like a machine, your nutritional intake is the fuel to keep it running. In order to support and promote growth, you need to ingest the proper amounts of protein and carbohydrates to sustain your progress. Balance is of the essence in regard to protein and carbohydrates. By not getting enough of either one, you may lose ground as you become tired, weak, and moody and lose motivation and desire. Your body’s natural reaction is to sustain itself. By training, you are adding to the workload of your body. If you do not keep up with your protein and carbohydrate intake, your body will use the source it has by feeding off itself. Don’t lose ground!!!

Also, supplement your diet with higher levels of quality, absorption-enhanced protein between meals. This tip alone has turned things around for people who have hit a plateau.

Protein comes from the Greek root meaning primary or first. Adequate daily o? protein consumption must be a priority to ensure sustained growth and repair of muscle tissue. Especially when following an intense exercise programme. Your body couldn’t grow or function without it. The best way I have found to accomplish this is to not leave the house with out my shaker bottle and my UDA Protein powder. Remember, it’s not what you consume that counts but what you absorb. Gram for gram, UDA delivers more amino acids into the blood stream over any other source and it’s not loaded down with high glycemic sugars or hormones. As I tell my clients, supplement your diet daily with UDA Protein from Venice Beach and you can be 100% sure that you’ve got the whole protein issue covered.

Positive thoughts bring about a positive result. You mentioned a lack of motivation in regard to training. You may want to look around at the environment you find yourself in on a daily basis. Perhaps you can add some positive reinforcement such as a photo of other champions you look up to in your field, or finding positive quotes and hanging them where you will be able to view them frequently throughout the day. Each day as you train, you must remember why you are there, where you want to go and what it will take to get there. Today’s training session is not necessarily about today. It is about getting one step closer to attaining your goal. Each day that you remain in a positive frame of mind and stay the course brings you one step closer to success.

Chart your course to assess your progress. It is a great idea to print out the MET Tracker Sheets including the MET Goals Tracker and create a training journal so that you may refer back to it for many reasons. Think of it as an outline to guide you. Seeing a plan on paper will better allow you to remain aware of where you stand in reference to your goals and keep you headed in the right direction. It is always refreshing to be able to viewo? your progress and feel a sense of accomplishment. Also, a training journal can serve as a way to look back at what you may not have done as well. As you chart your progress, be sure to include indicators of your mood, dietary intake, and any added stresses that may occur at that time. Know that each indicator plays a role in achieving success. To print out free MET Tracker Sheets and Progress Reports to create a training journal that you can customize go to www.bodyfitness-uk.com and click the MET icon. All my clients use them form this website and they are indispensable.

Establish a support system. Inform those that are in your life of your goals. By expressing your intentions to a support system, you are more likely to find encouragement along the way. Kind, encouraging words are priceless, especially on a “down day”. A strong support system gives you a solid foundation on which to build, increasing your likelihood for success. By the same token you must eliminate the negatives. If there are people in your life that may bring you down or discourage you as you strive toward your goal, you really should try to avoid them. Try to find people that share your interests, or even someone that is training for a competition at a level that is close to yours. That way, you can keep each other in check.

One of my favourite quotes is from Norman Vincent Peale. He states: “Become a Possibilitarian. No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your sights and see possibilities ­ always see them, for they’re always there.”

Everyone has “off days”. Days when you may feel as though the sacrifice is not worth the reward. These are the days that you really need to eliminate the negative thoughts. Remember that today’s challenge exists to make you stronger, wiser and more successful tomorrow. The harder you work, the more effo?ort you exert, the less likely it will be that you quit. Use and appreciate obstacles as tools to strengthen you as you grow, as opposed to roadblocks to throw you off course. Take time to reward yourself along the way. Appreciate all the work that goes into reaching your goals. Obstacles are presented for you to conquer, so get motivated, get focused and get it done!

“Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.” Michael Jordan, Legendary American Basketball Player

Q: I’m proud to say that I’ve successfully completed two cycles (12 weeks) of the MET Programme. I not only feel proud, my body is slimmer, trimmer and stronger than it has been in a long time, and I owe it all to the MET Programme and Tracker Sheets. I’ve been doing the programme for just over three months now, so I’ve completed two cycles. But I know I can do better. What changes do you recommend I make to increase my results?

A: Now that you know it works, why change it? You did the right thing the first time around: you finished your first six-week MET training cycle and decided to go another round. Bravo! The programme worked quickly for you, as it does for most people. But the MET System and the Venice Beach philosophy have a lot more to offer than just a quick fix. I recommend that you continue to focus on getting good nutrition and stay on track. Also keep planning and recording your workouts, and set a new goal. Review your records of your workouts and after a one-week break, start your next training cycle.

You’ve embarked on a new, empowering, higher-energy lifestyle that will continue to benefit you as long as you stay on course and reach for higher and higher goals. Integrating your new “Positive Mind Set” over the long term is a major key. The most obvious gains nearly always come in the first couple of cycles, but your health, fito?ness, confidence and physique will continue to upgrade each and every time you complete a six-week MET cycle.

Why hop off the train or make a big change in your itinerary when you’re obviously doing things right? Congratulations and welcome to that special “doers” group that go after change and make it happen.

Don’t sell yourself short. It’s not what you have but what you do with what you have that will ultimately determine your success or failure. Abraham Maslow, the great psychologist, said that the story of the human race is the story of people selling themselves short. He said people have a tendency to settle for far less from life than they are truly capable of. Conceive, Believe and TRAIN WITH PASSION!

Editors Note: The MET 30-minute-a-day training system is having a big impact in people’s lives. If you would like get the instruction course on how to put it into practice and get your own FREE MET Tracker Sheets to make a customized training journal, go to www.bodyfitness-uk.com and look for the MET icon. All the information to get started is there. For information on the Venice Beach absorption-enhanced UDA Whey Protein or other second generation Venice Beach testosterone enhancers direct from Venice Beach call 0845 6066 126.