Repeat after me: "Get Strong, Be Strong, Stay Strong"
Repeat after me: "Get Strong, Be Strong, Stay Strong"
I am certainly no fitness expert, but I have been around the block a few times and have tried to stay pretty active and fit for most of my life. From childhood to high school athletics, to highly skilled and intense military training to my current activities as an adult, which include, but are not limited to, competitive crossfit and long distance mountain bike racing, I've tried to maintain a pretty consistent fitness regimen. Throughout my fitness journey, I have heard many people often talk about wanting to lose weight, burn fat or look better on the beach or in their “skinny jeans”, but not enough emphasis is placed on building strength and getting stronger.
Building strength is not only important for physical health, but also for your mental well-being as it can boost self-confidence and mental resilience. It's about developing a growth mindset that embraces challenges, learning from failures, and staying motivated even when things get tough. This is why my mantra for strength training is "Get strong, Be strong, Stay strong."
"Getting strong" is the first step in building strength. It's about challenging your body to adapt and become stronger over time. Getting strong is not only about building muscular or physical strength but also about improving your balance, coordination, and boosting metabolism. It can also greatly improve your mental health by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. Trust me, without it, some would suggest, that I'm a raging lunatic.
Getting strong by focusing on progressive overload, gradually increasing the weight, reps, or amount of exercise or distance moved over time, not only challenges your body to adapt and to become stronger, but it also improves overall physical fitness and enhances mental health, leaving you feeling accomplished and confident. Getting strong should not scare you as it can and will improve your overall health and well-being. In fact, strength training can be an extremely enjoyable and rewarding activity that increases energy levels and reduces the risk of chronic diseases.
"Being strong" means not only having physical strength but also mental strength. Building physical strength can help build mental resilience and confidence as mentioned above. It's empowering to know that you are capable of lifting heavier weights, doing more reps, or completing a challenging workout, ride or run. This can translate into other areas of life, such as work, relationships, and personal goals.
I know we talk about this all of the time, but in order to be strong mentally, it is essential to develop and master a growth mindset. A growth mindset involves believing in your ability to learn and grow, and applying this attitude to fitness can be incredibly empowering. It means embracing challenges and failures as opportunities for growth, staying motivated through setbacks, and celebrating progress along the way. Strength training is a perfect way to develop and master a growth mindset by providing opportunities to set and achieve goals, overcome obstacles, and see progress over time.
"Staying strong" is about maintaining your strength and health over the long term. Staying strong not only helps maintain physical health but also provides mental clarity and improves cognitive function. A regular strength training routine can enhance focus, reduce stress levels, and boost self-confidence. To stay strong, it's crucial to incorporate strength training into your regular exercise routine. This can include resistance training with weights, bodyweight exercises, or functional movements that mimic everyday activities. It is also extremely important to prioritize recovery through adequate rest, hydration, and stretching. By adopting a proactive approach to maintaining strength, a growth mindset and health, you can enjoy a fulfilling and active life well into your golden years.
To recap, building strength is crucial for physical and mental well-being, and goes beyond aesthetics. The "get strong, be strong, stay strong" mantra for strength training emphasizes the importance of gradually increasing your physical capacity, building mental resilience, and maintaining strength and health over the long haul. By prioritizing strength training and embracing a growth mindset, you can achieve your goals, improve overall health and maintain wellness, and enjoy a fulfilling and active life.
So repeat after me: "Get Strong....Be Strong....Stay Strong".
