Building a better you… When “FAILURE” is on your side!

I know this is going to sound crazy, but have you ever stopped to think about the word “failure” and when it might be a good thing?  For a word that carries such a negative connotation, it can be one of the keys to success when you are trying to build a better body.  Failure, in reference to weightlifting, is what is used when describing the inability to safely complete a repetition (with GOOD FORM) during a set because there is not an ounce of physical energy left. This is exactly what you want to achieve in order for your body to change.  When you are at the point of failure you are using every ounce of your mental and physical power to try and do that repetition.  If the only way that you can perform that repetition is by compromising your form, only then are you done!  This is a good thing because after you have taken the time to break the muscle down in this manner during the workout, it will adapt and rebuild after the workout ultimately leaving you leaner, stronger, tighter and more toned.  When it is then faced with the same or similar challenges in the future it is better prepared to handle them.  Invoking enough of these failures causes the subsequent little changes to add up and you are looking, performing, and feeling exactly like you want. BAM! All of sudden your goal is achieved!

WORD OF WARNING HERE…

The mind has an uncanny knack of playing tricks on us! It will try to convince us that we are at the point of failure when they only thing you are feeling is “fatigue”.   Fatigue will definitely creep in and do everything in its power to convince you to stop.  BEWARE...  Because FATIGUE is excellent at its job!!!!  Just keep in mind that you have to mentally and physically push PAST muscle fatigue to get to muscle failure.  Feelings of muscle fatigue without failure are VERY possible and VERY common; however, there is
NO WAY TO ACHIEVE MUSCLE FAILURE WITHOUT FATIGUE! 

So remember...as long as you can continue to do an exercise with good form (KEEP IT SAFE EVERYONE!), even though it may be hard, you have not reached the “failure” you want.  Oh, and one more thing….if a task that you previously were achieving failure on is now becoming easier, make sure that you consistently change it up to create a new challenges for the body to conquer!  Uh oh, there are those “C” words again.  If you have forgotten or don’t remember what I am referring to, take a look back to check out my blog from last Thursday.

Have a good one everybody!