The Importance of Preparation

As athletes, we prepare for anything and everything through our daily training and workouts. We are training our bodies to become more efficient machines with better physical preparedness for daily life, but preparation goes deeper than just your hour(s) at the gym. To truly prepare our bodies to become the best possible version of themselves, we must be strategic and mindful about not only our time in the gym, but also the hours spent outside of the gym. Often times it’s the small things outside this time frame that pay the most dividends.

Nutrition. Nutrition is the foundation for all physical adaptation and the key to unleashing your body’s true potential. If you are not properly fueling your body with quality food, you’re missing the largest opportunity to maximize your hard work in the gym.

Sleep. Sleep is tremendously important to your body’s ability to recover and build muscle. By getting 7-9 hours of sleep each night, you are providing your body the time to repair damaged muscle fibers and grow stronger.

Mentality. Our mind is the most powerful tool we have when preparing to achieve and work towards goals. Your mentality is one of the most dominant factors in your ability to overcome adversity and challenges. Practicing mindfulness, the process of bringing your attention to the internal and external experiences in your present moment, can be very effective in preparing yourself for what ever life throws your way. By being mindful we are able to better understand and appreciate our experiences for what ever they may be. When you tap into the power of your mind in this way, you become more prepared to recognize challenges and react with thoughtfulness to identify solutions along the way!

Down time. Be sure to take some time each day to do something that brings you true happiness. This may be taking your pups for a long walk, reading for a few minutes at the end of each night, or even unplugging from electronics here and there. Your body needs time to relax and de-stress on a daily basis. Prepare to crush your goals by listening to and giving your body both what it wants and needs!