Syndicate Health

Change Talk Series #3

Testing

This is a tricky, yet vital part of any habit acquisition or training program. You're not just doing this once and it's done, we are after a life long change!

One thing I wish I did more of when I first started training was measure and test myself. I didn't want to because I wasn't proud of where I currently was and in not being honest about where I currently was, I let my ego get ahead of me and injured my shoulder.

Not only can testing illuminate problem areas to improve upon prior to jumping under heavy loads, but it's also a powerful tool in motivation to see yourself improving and look back on how far you've come!

Test ➡️ Plan Actionable Steps ➡️ Consistent effort ➡️ Retest 🔁

When you workout, where is your attention?
The to-do list for the day ahead?
The movement?
The rep count?
Maybe the exit sign?

One thing I believe we don't pay as much attention to as we should is how the movement feels and how it looks 👀

Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned gym rat, having a portion of your training dedicated to always improving HOW well you are moving is a must!

We often get caught up in seeing the progress on the weights and doing more overall work.

However, with more load comes more stability demands and what was once a good looking movement pattern may be compromised because of an ill-timed change in exercise or jump in load.

Remember your body is an adaptation machine! But it takes time, so be patient and keep going!

Change Talk Series #2

Visualise Your Why 👀

Our visual and motor systems are amazing in the way they interact and shape our experience.

When adopting a new habit it's important to know your Why, but it has to have meaning and importance to you (see yesterday's video for more on this)

When we can visualise an end goal, track progress towards it, and be reminded of it daily, our RAS (reticular activating system) starts to draw our attention towards anything and everything that is relevant to our goal/focus.

We also see changes in our body/physiology despite it not really moving. I'm sure you've felt your body experience all kinds of things from the video content you consume. Your body may not have moved but eyes are perceiving the world and preparing your body accordingly.

If you focus on the negative, you'll perceive the world more negatively.
If you focus on the positive, you'll perceive the world more positively.
If you focus on your why, you'll perceive the world as full of opportunities for you to action towards that goal.