What Does it Take to Reach Your Potential?

Merriam-Webster defines the word potential (noun) as, "ground for expectation of success, improvement, or excellence." What does this mean in the context of high-intensity exercise? The concept of success means different things to different people, and new clients come to Total Results with a variety of goals that they would like to achieve. I often use the term "genetic potential," which might initially sound vague. Each of us was dealt a genetic hand of cards at birth; half of your genes came from each of your parents. Many of us, based on genetics, have a predisposition to things like heart disease, diabetes, or cancer, but that doesn't guarantee that we will suffer from any or all of these diseases. Lifestyle goes a long way toward determining your ultimate outcome, and at Total Results we want to give you the tools to succeed in maximizing your genetic potential.

What does it take to achieve your best possible outcome? One invaluable weapon is a positive attitude - it doesn't cost anything. Life throws many things at you that are out of your control, but how you respond is a choice. Show up for your workouts week in and week out with enthusiasm, not drudgery. While I find our workouts physically and intellectually stimulating, I realize that not everyone sees it the way I do all the time. Accept the challenge with a positive mindset and understand you will be in discomfort for about twenty minutes. No growth of any kind - be it spiritual, intellectual, or physical - is possible without experiencing discomfort.

In order to reach your ceiling you will need a willingness to learn and be coachable. Most people who want to accomplish something meaningful will possess a desire to improve, and it is important that we provide meaningful markers of progress along the way. Although showing up consistently is important, there is more to it than just being present. You have to want to learn, but also understand that this is a process and does not happen overnight. Putting distractions aside and being locked in for the entirety of your workout will pay dividends. There is a learning curve to understanding our protocol and philosophy, and creating good habits is a step-by-step endeavor.

Give great effort - it is a key component of success no matter what you do! When we talk about effort in exercise, attention to detail is included in the mix; this includes speed of movement, pacing, and turnaround technique, but it also means pushing to and beyond the point of muscular failure. Intensity can be defined as inroad/time, and greater effort translates into a more significant muscular, metabolic, and cardiovascular stimulus. Have it in your mind that although you will encounter discomfort, you are mentally strong enough to work as hard as you possibly can for one to three minutes in each exercise. You will feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment when the workout is over.

Be consistent. Our most successful clients are the individuals who make it a point to be here every week. If you cancel or reschedule frequently, or consistently show up late, you may need to reevaluate your priorities and your schedule. This must be important to you. No matter how busy you are, you can fit less than one hour of exercise into your week.

Don't overdo it with additional activity. Yes, human beings were designed to move, and I believe that a sedentary lifestyle should be avoided. However, your body has finite recovery resources, and as we age it takes longer to recover. Some moderate activity shouldn't disrupt your progress, but pounding the pavement running every day, or playing pickleball for three hours at a clip is going to negatively impact your ability to get the most out of your Total Results workouts. No other form of physical activity can do for you what Total Results workouts can do.

Eat protein. This is the raw material that your body needs to grow muscle. There is considerable debate about how much protein one should consume per day. I recommend starting with 1 gram of protein per kilogram of body weight, and increase as needed. You can find out your weight in kilograms by taking your body weight in pounds and dividing by 2.2. I also suggest that you divide your protein intake evenly across your meals, rather than eating the lion's share in one meal.

Commit to yourself! Believe in what you are doing and don't give yourself an out. Be all in or not at all. Let Total Results help you reach your potential.