We Get By With a Little Help From My Friends - Part 1
They're smarter than me
Welcome back to another edition of the free Friday newsletter here at the 5DLC, where every week we will do a deeper dive on a chosen aspect of health and fitness. To get full access to all my best work and to have a planned progressive workout program delivered to your inbox 3x per week, consider $5/month for a full subscription.
I think you are all probably getting tired of my voice, right?
In that case I have got a new series for you.
We Get By With a Little Help From My Friends.
And I mean actual friends, not just professional colleagues, although they started out as that.
These humans started out as personal training coworkers when we were younger, they became real life friends to this day, and they have all gone on to dope professions.
One friend is an RMT, Acupuncturist and Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Two friends are physiotherapists.
One friend is a chiropractor.
One friend works in health promotion at a university.
One friend is a strength and rugby coach.
And then there’s me. I write words on the internet.
So in the interest of helping you and farming my work out to other people, I have asked my friends one very simple thing:
What’s one simple piece of advice you would give to someone just starting out with strength training and trying to be healthier?
Goood morning and happy Friday my friends.
Another weekend is upon us.
Oh shit, it’s August now? Damn.
Anyway, I asked my friends for one simple piece of advice that they would give to someone just starting out with strength training and trying to be healthier. I’m going to give you their responses exactly as they were given to me. You’ll probably notice some commonalities here…
Today I’ll bring you perspectives from 3 of my friends.
So let’s get to it.
Anthony
Anthony - former training colleague, current rugby and strength coach, avid Irishman.
Anthony says:
“Consistency is king.”
Straight, simple, to the point.
I dig it.
Gina
Gina - former training colleague, current pediatric physiotherapist.
Gina says:
“Personally - I’ve always been the healthiest when I do an activity with a friend. I’m more consistent, feel accountable to them and I have more fun! It not only helps with my physical health, but also improves my mental health when I’m consistently checking in with someone about my fitness progress and weekly life stresses.”
There’s more than one lesson in that statement.
But there is actually some literature supporting what Gina says here about training with a friend, which is one of the reasons that group fitness settings are so popular!
Another good one.
Gemma
Gemma - former training colleague, current physiotherapist
Gemma says:
“First, focus on the basics - prioritize good nutrition, sleep, recovery, and overall health as your foundation. Next, consistency is everything. Showing up is more important than going hard. Finally, give it time. Strength and muscle come slowly. Think of the big picture - what would things look like if you kept this up for a year? Keep stacking those bricks!”
Hmmm, I’m wondering if you, dear readers, are noticing a theme forming here, because I sure am.
There are several lessons in that statement too.
What did you all notice from those 3 perspectives?
Keep in mind, these are actual professionals in this business, not just influencers with abs as their whole personality.
Maybe you should take their advice next time you try to do something that is super unsustainable and unrealistic.
I’m going to leave you with those 3 perspectives for this week.
Come back next week for a few more.
Remember, listen to the professionals.
I appreciate you all for being here.
I’m in your corner
-Justin
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