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by mzarate06 1637 days ago
> a sprint / heavy session would feel good ... but fatigue ... would cause me to skip a follow up. This year's focus will be on consistency - only do as much as will allow another session the next day

One of my martial arts instructors had a memorable saying for that - "train today, so you can train tomorrow." His point was similar to yours - he often had to temper enthusiasm for hard or over training in favor of consistency and longevity.

Regarding the garage gym - I did something similar and agree it's an excellent health/life investment.

I avoid back squats due to injury, but I do have a station for belt squats, a flat bench w/olympic bar, hex bar for dead lifts, an assortment of plates/dumb bells/kettle bells, all on gym mats. Having a gym next to me has provided excellent motivation to get out of my desk chair 3-4 times a week to use it. I dropped 25 lbs this year thanks to consistent routine, and my body and day-to-day feel so much better; less joint aches, better sleep, and more energy, mental clarity, and confidence.

To tie that back to OP's question on self care, avoiding burnout, etc. ... I'd say it's worth paying attention to mentions of physical fitness and exercise in this thread. Staying physically active and taking care of your body helps protect against some of the negative mental states or outcomes these kinds of threads try to avoid.

2 comments

Belt squats are amazing. Time under tension versus a pure volume approach to hypertrophy just makes so much sense.
That's an awesome setup; congrats on your results, and great to hear how it's affecting all aspects of your life. That desk chair is a slow killer unless combined with workout routines.

(If you haven't already, have a look at the Barbell Prescription book - the plethora benefits of such a routine are almost chilling.)

Your martial arts instructors sound wise! I've had the thought in the back of my mind, but I've resolved to make it my #1 priority this year. I'll be logging volumes, etc, and how I feel the the next morning to arrive at loads I can sustain with daily activities long term.

You mentioned confidence. I have a noted how improved fitness has helped carry myself with a straight back; the benefits on mental health are hard to overstate. I also have ADHD, and likewise for my ability to focus.