2 things I wish I would have known before I was fit.

When I look back on my fitness past, I see a lot of trial and error.  I learned a lot of things the hard way and sometimes that is hard for me to accept.  I didn't have the guidance I wished I would have had and, truthfully, I was probably just to full of pride to seek the advice that I really needed to be successful.  Part of my mission now is to help pass on some of the things that I have learned to hopefully have a positive impact on those who are seeking advice.  My hope is that you can learn earlier than I did what I wish now that I did know.

1) It takes a lot of food to gain muscle.  I spent way too much time in my younger years pounding the iron with little to no attention to my nutrition.  I would hit the weights 7 days a week for 2 hours a session in hopes to get bigger.  I was extremely frustrated when after a year of weight lifting I had only gained 3 lbs and didn't appear to be any leaner than I was.  After meeting with a local bodybuilder, I learned the importance of calories and also learned that I was only taking in about 1500-2000 a day.  I look back on this now and cringe!  I needed a good 3000 calories dense in high quality protein, fibrous carbohydrates and healthy fats to support my young male body that was putting so much work out.  Once I was able to consistently hit the 3000 calorie mark, my weight started to climb gradually and I even had to bump my calories up more!  If you are looking to gain muscle and don't have a HUGE emphasis on nutrition, change now.

2) Your training should have a rhyme and a reason.  I used to decide what I was lifting for the day once I got to the gym and pretty much made it up as I went.  This was a "fun" way of lifting but it did not challenge my body in the right way and did not provide me with the plan of attack I needed to be successful.  Your training plan is important and, if I were talking to you, I would place emphasis on the PLAN.  Map out your training regimen into micro cycles and macro cycles.  Make your training goal align with your nutrition intake, supplement choices and cardio plan.  For example, if I am following a heavy weight, low rep strength training program I will back off on my cardio a bit and bump up my calorie intake to support this.  On the flip side, if I am following a higher rep program utilizing lower weights, this might be a good time to incorporate my cardio, thermogenic and lower the calories a bit.

Learn from my mistakes.  If you find yourself in a place where you can learn from my history, do so and save yourself some time, hassle and frustration!