Image credit: Bitrot.
Reader pnp_pc posted in StrongLifts.com Forum:
I turned 40 this year, have my own business, and 2 kids under the age of 8. Sometimes by the time I get time for myself it’s 9:30pm.
I find if I do an all out workout at that hour I can not get to sleep until about 2am, and the alarms go off in the house at 6am.
Reader Brian posted:
I am a 43 year old male with 2 children, one of which is only 9 months old and has never slept through the night once!!
That together with a demanding management job means whilst I have never missed a training session I often train at 9pm at night after a 15 hour day and then only get 5 or 6 hours sleep.
Success Barriers. Pnp_pc & Brian manage to workout, but it isn’t easy. All of you have/are/will deal with things that block you in achieving success.
- Work. Physical demanding jobs. Long work hours. Working 2 jobs. Working shifts.
- Money. You’re a student on a budget. You lack money to get the 1g/lbs protein daily necessary to build muscle.
- Injuries. Lower back pain on Squats and Deadlifts caused by dormant glutes & lack of hip flexibility. Shoulder pain on the Bench Press.
- Equipment. Your gym has no Squat rack. Your gym has no free weights.
Overcoming Barriers to Success. Thruth is that you’re often the only thing that blocks you in achieving success. If you’re determined, you’ll find a solution.
- Tony. 41y, married & 3 children. Avoids missed workouts by working out at 5am. Started with an empty bar 12 weeks ago. Now Squats +220lbs.
- MrOyf. Student living in the most expensive city of the world: Helsinki. Supermarkets sell steak up to 30€/kg. He finds ways to get his protein.
- Rob. Has postural problems caused by his desk job. Often wakes up with back pain. Can’t Squat or Deadlift without pain. Decided to spend 30 days working on his posture daily.
- Mutt. Used the Steinborn Lift for several weeks before switching to a gym that has a Squat Rack. Now Squats 245lbs.
They’re coping with the same problems you are. Determination is what sets them apart. You either want it, or you don’t want it.
Hannibal said it best:
We will either find a way, or make one.
I am the Brian referred to in the article. Since I posted that comment I came to the conclusion I was going a bit soft! I have never been one for giving in and one of the main reasons I give myself challenges is because I like the battle with myself. As Lance Armstrong put it ‘It’s not about the bike’, likewise it is not about the weights.
I have since been doing a lot of face slapping and shouting (in my own gym at the bottom of my garden) and calling myself by a few choice words. As I write now I am getting psyched up for my first 100kg lift in a couple of hours on the deadlift.
@Brian
Great to read that. Good luck with the 100kg Brian.
Great job Brian. I usually do my workouts at 4:15 in the morning (wake up at 3:15) because I have a kid and wife so I know it can be tough to find time. Great job and good luck!
Wow I can completely related. This was a great read and a nice picker-upper = )
Wow that is really great that yall can wake up that early and get a workout in. That shows true dedication to your body and lifestyle.
I usually get my workouts in during lunch at work and ever since I pulled a back muscle, I have been devoted to yoga and stretching.
I applaud all of you for your drive to train on top of your hectic schedules. We all know that sleep is important. Without enough good quality sleep, not only your training but your health and life will suffer. I wonder how many individuals who visit this site are suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Many complain about being tired despite a good diet, strength training, etc. If you have untreated OSA, every time you think you are going to bed to rest and grow, you are actually undergoing a far greater stress than when you are awake! I see many patients every day who unknowingly suffer from OSA. Has anyone ever told you that you snore, stop breathing, or wake up frequently? You may have OSA and will be missing the most important link in your training!
Great Post!!!!
I can definently attest to how difficult training can be as a cash strapped university student (also working). Obviously, class and grades have to take priority. It’s still very hard in terms of nutrition when you have a schedule which limits your ability to eat every 3/4 hours.
If someone says they don’t have time to workout, that’s not an excuse. Everyone has the same 24 hours in the day. When someone says they don’t have time, what they’re really saying is that training isn’t a priority for them.
Which is fine, of course. Everyone’s different, and unique lifestyles and people are the spice of life. It should never be a status thing, nor will it ever be an accurate or fair way to pass judgement. But the idea still stands: just own up to what you’re really saying.