Ten Habits Of Highly Effective Athletes
What’s the difference between a good athlete and a great athlete?
Attitude!
We all know about the physical requirements of training, but there are mental requirements too. These ten habits will help you take your training to the next level.
Persevere: Getting fit and healthy is a marathon, not a sprint. You cannot expect total transformation to happen overnight. But keep at it. You will reach your goal eventually, whether it take weeks, months or years.
Set timed goals: Without a deadline, goals can become fuzzy and undefined. Saying “I want to lose 25 kilos in 6 months” is better than saying “I want to lose 25 kilos eventually”.
Eat to build muscle: If building muscle is your goal, a low-calorie diet will not help you achieve that. It is not about cutting calories, but about eating the foods that help build lean tissue.
Don’t worry about fat: If you put on a bit of fat as a result of the above, it’s not the end of the world. As muscle mass increases, the fat will decrease naturally.
Forget about your abs: If you are following the right training program, that six-pack you crave will come naturally. There is no need to concentrate on your abs to the exclusion of all else.
Set manageable targets: Major long-term goals can seem daunting at times. Breaking them down into smaller chunks can help to maintain a positive attitude.
Don’t forget to rest: Leaving adequate rest times between workouts is vital to helping muscles rebuild themselves. You can even, whisper it quietly, skip the occasional workout without too much harm.
Seek out people who are better than you: If you’re the fittest, leanest, most muscular person in the room, then it’s time to get a new room. Having people around you who are further advanced in their training than you are is a great safeguard against complacency.
Keep on learning: Learning is a lifelong process in many areas, and athletic training is no exception. Never stop looking for new information that can help you reach your goals, whether it’s through your trainer, online, in the library or through a formal qualification.
Stay focused: Always keep your eyes on the prize. The best athletes will do whatever it takes to get fitter and and stay healthy.
Taken together, these habits will help you be the best version of yourself that you can be.