Work Within Your Means

One of the biggest reasons people fail to achieve their workout goals is they need to work harder. Yes, you need to work hard to achieve results. However, while hard work is essential to progress, too much can quickly compromise your long-term potential. 

You only have so much time and energy each day. You may often have fewer resources than you would like due to work, family, and other interests, so you have to work with what you have. And that’s where the age-old advice of “living within your means” is sound advice for a healthy lifestyle. 

I know spending as much time and energy as possible to “optimize” your results can be tempting. I used to believe I needed to spend every second and ounce of energy in the gym, or else I was leaving potential results on the table. That approach was why I was always tired, injured, and burned out. 

Leaving a little in the tank at the end of each day does the same thing for your health as saving a little each month rather than spending your entire paycheck. It builds a buffer that allows you to weather life's stressors better. It also goes a long way toward improving recovery, preventing injury, boosting motivation, and improving your overall quality of life.

“Living within your means” may seem like boring advice that makes life less fun, but that’s not true. Holding yourself back just a touch means taking a lot of stress off your mind, body, and lifestyle, which brings a more rewarding fitness experience. 

There’s also another way you can dramatically improve results and work within your means; INCREASE YOUR MEANS!

In the financial sense, this means making more money and increasing wealth, but in fitness, that means increasing your time and energy level. The best way to do that is to follow the most fundamental principles of healthy living. 

Get plenty of sleep, don’t abuse drugs or alcohol, and don’t abuse diet and exercise either. Remember that your workouts should enhance your quality of life rather than compromise it. Physical Training should boost your energy level and make you feel good. Something needs to change if your workouts leave you feeling chronically drained and physically beat up. 

Calisthenics has the advantage of providing an effective workout while being less stressful. You don’t need much time or energy to get in a quick workout at home. You also don’t have heavy weights placing stress on your body. Bodyweight training makes spending less time and energy easier while providing a fantastic stimulus for results. 

So don’t be afraid to back off if you feel your training is taking more from you than you’re getting back. Working within your means is one of the best ways to give an inch to advance a mile in your training.