Some Obscure Sporting Event
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you may have noticed that there’s a small sporting event going on at the moment over there in China. A little running, jumping, lifting, punching, tumbling and swimming by a few (thousand) athletic types. Apart from the fact that I subject my body to two weeks of sleep deprivation, the Olympics ranks right up there as one of my all-time fave things. So many stories. So much inspiration. So many examples of people maximising their talent, exploring their boundaries and overcoming adversity… and let’s be completely honest, doing some pretty freaky shit.
Peaking
As an alleged exercise expert, motivator bloke and Olympic junkie, there are many parallels between life and sport that become apparent to me as I marvel at the uber-athletes doing their thing. Have you noticed how athletes seem to find a way to perform like they never have before at the right time, on the right day, in the right place? Some of them will never perform like that again. Ever. Of course there are many explanations for this, both psychological and physiological. In the world of sport science we call this peaking. That is, preparing and tuning a body to perform optimally on a given day or over a limited period of time.
The athletes show up to Beijing, do what they do, and then they go home. And then they de-tune. Mentally, emotionally and physically. A month after the Olympics many of the athletes we’re watching right now will be very different specimens; fatter, slower, weaker and less focused. Decidedly less ‘Olympian’. Why? Because they will stop doing what they were doing leading up to (and during) the games. They need some down time and/or a drop in intensity in order to recover and avoid burnout, injury and exhaustion.
We Ain’t all Olympians
Unfortunately some of us non-Olympians seem to adopt the process of peaking with our own health and fitness endeavours. But not in a strategic, logical or athletic manner. That is, we spend a lifetime getting in and out of shape. We alternate between fit and fat. In the zone and off the rails. Disciplined and disinterested. Motivated and apathetic. We ignore logic and let our emotions dictate our behaviour. We start things that we know we won’t maintain over the long term. We know what to do but don’t do what we know. Not consistently anyway. We get in shape for events; weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, reunions and even summer (in search of the beach body). And then we get fat again.
From Fat to Fit… and Back to Fat
Years ago I trained a lady for a period of eight weeks leading up to her wedding. She lost about twelve kilos (26.5 lbs) during that time. Over the eight weeks I continually emphasised the need for her new pre-wedding behaviours to become life-long habits rather than some temporary phase. I knew my message was lost and realised that her intention was to peak for her wedding; look amazing on the day. And she did. On the designated day she looked beautiful and slim; just what she wanted. Two days after she returned from her honeymoon (a twelve day cruise) she came to see me. She walked through the door, saw me and started crying. She must have seen the look on my face. She looked like she had eaten her husband! I put her on the scales. She had gained nine kilos (20 lbs) in twelve days!! Quite the effort.
The Problem with Normal
So why did this happen? Well, the obvious explanation is that she simply stopped doing what worked (consistent exercise, quality nutrition, intelligent choices). She got on that boat and ate everything that wasn’t nailed down and did zero exercise. That’s the real-world, practical answer but in order for us to learn from her experience (and hopefully do different), we need to understand the psychology behind her behaviour. While she obviously changed her day to day behaviours for the eight weeks with me, what she hadn’t changed was her attitude and thinking on a deeper level. Consciously she was behaving differently (to look good for her wedding) but subconsciously she couldn’t wait for it all to be over, so she could go back to being ‘normal’. Normal being too much food, too little movement and her unhealthy lifestyle. Simple.
In her mind, the pre-wedding regime with me was always going to be a temporary thing. She never actually intended to create life-long change, she just wanted to look awesome for those photos. And if life was a photo that would have been a good plan. But it isn’t (a photo) and it wasn’t (a good plan). She was peaking for her Olympics. Which just happened to be in a pretty white dress.
Maybe some of us need to stop getting in shape for events and start getting in shape for life.
Just a thought.
Share your thoughts on this post by clicking on the comment thingy (below).
And don’t forget my upcoming workshops kicking off in Perth on September 14, followed by Adelaide, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. I look forward to meeting those of you who can make it along.
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{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Craig,
Wow what a story. How disappointing to completely reverse all that hard work. This is something that terrifies me about losing all the weight I have to lose. I know it is a lifetime thing…and why Weight Watchers has the lifetime component to their program. (I guess the difference is I am doing it for my health and not a specific event.) (ooh btw lost 22.1kg in 31 weeks now!)
I too am enjoying the Olympics, they are all so awesome. I have a keen interest as I know Craig Mottram’s mum who is also the mother in law to Jenni Screen from the Opals so plenty of cheering from here!
Have an awesome olympic watching day (GO AUSSIES!!!!!)
Hugs
Michelle
I am in awe of them all, but particularly one swimmer who was disappointed with gold because she hadn’t swum her best time……achievers they just never stop!!
Craig
If i stop eating those big ass muffins and work really really hard then in 4yrs london will be mine right?
I have to be honest with you now. It’s something that’s been on my mind lately but i didn’t want to hurt your feelings. I hope i don’t get you all depressed and crying like a girl but… could you try writing about something other than motivation, life changes, thoughts, goals,communication etc etc. Don’t get me wrong i like all that stuff but i feel that…..jesus i need a break. I can’t take this brain stuff anymore, i’m in overload. I can only deal with one change at a time and your giving me too much homework lately. Sometimes i need to stop and not think for awhile and just have some dumb fun.
I’m sure there are a lot of people reading this that won’t agree with me but who cares. I think it’s time to spread your wings and see what else is out there. Your capable of writing about a whole lot more than just this motivational business. I’m happy to give you some ideas. For example, sex. You haven’t written much about sex and i don’t mean as in that gender/scientific crap, i’m talking about plain old sex as in, do you like sex? Or, you just wrote an article about the olympics, how about writing something about sex as an olympic sport? That would be ok. Or you could write about maybe the most memorable dump you ever took(everybody has had their great relief moments) or how about another ‘craig the fat kid’ story. Those are always good, reminds me of my own childhood. By the way got any fat photos you could post? I wouldn’t mind seeing photos of fat little craig. Have you done something like ‘a day in the life of craig’ before? If you have it’s time to do another one. I know you’ll probably tell me to ‘bugger off it’s my blog and i’ll write what i want’. True and i’m ready to get a good telling off but craig i’m trying to help you here. How about a post without a list. As much as i luv to read those, print them out and start highlighting i’m running out of steam. A post with no lists or points would be nice.
I believe in you craig, you can do this. If you do i promise i won’t post any comments on whatever it is you end up writing.
Ok that’s it from me, just wanted to say hello. Yeah i know, bugger of Ange.
Hey Michelle – 22.1 kgs is AWESOME.
Good work Champion. Keep it up.
( )
Hi Anon – I would have been happy with the Gold!
Hi Ange.
1. Thanks for the feedback. I think.
2. Article on sex huh? Hmmm. Dunno that I’m the guy for that. Could I make it funny?
3. A list-less post huh? You may have some opposition there… but okay. Todays post?
4. London is a possiblity for you… not too sure about the event.
5. Less scientific crap huh?
6. Never want you to bugger off – you keep me grounded – I’m never gonna get a big head with you around.
Wanna hug?
Guess not.
Bastard! I mean that in the nicest possible way.
I meant a post with no list and no headings. Just craig rambling.
Ange
I like this story but could you tell me what you felt when she got back.
You went from: She had gained nine kilos (20 lbs) in twelve days!! Quite the effort.
to:
So why did this happen?
What did you feel?
Hello Craig-
1st… big ups to my boy… Michael Phelps Olympian Extraordinaire!
Skilled beyond mere mortals!!!!!
Secondly, good post…
Slightly sad post…
Real post.
Been a victim of the “peak” syndrome.
Victim?
That shifts the blame doesn’t it?
So the next post is about sex?
I’ll be sure to tune in!
Terribly curious how it’s done across the ocean.
Ange, is right, no lists in the sex post…
Something disturbing about making a list for that one
Oh yeah- the iron girl…
I did so-so.
Swim was good but could be better…
Will be better.
I was horrible at my first transition time…
Biking (my nemesis)… dramatic pause.
First mile, my nerves were shot.
I was shaking, actually tossed my cookies twice,
between the traffic and the road construction I was about to quit.
But I stuck it out and on the second mile I broke away from the resort traffic
and began to enjoy the ride… up/down… up/down terrain
I even passed a few people, then tragedy…
The dreaded 6th mile I was reaching the base of a rather steep hill,
and began to pedal to for the onset of the next hill when much to my surprise…
There was no resistance in the medals and I almost flew head first off the bike…
I down shifted to 1st, back up to 2nd… and so on…
NOTHING!
I got off and walked it up the hill, jumped back on and glided downhill…
On the 7th mile there was bike assistance fella,
He flipped my bike over and started trying to get the gears to stick.
At this point, I knew it was a user error.
I had been anywhere from 1st to 8th gear due to the hills,
With my inexperience/fear of the bike, I am sure I did something wrong…
He jammed it in 3rd and said, “don’t move it, it may hold for the remainder, just don’t change it”
I think he’s pretty sure it was a user-error too.
Ok…off I go- by mile 10, everyone I passed, everyone that started after me, two girl scout troops, and hearse had passed me.(maybe I’m exaggerating, maybe not!)
I can’t ride up another hill in 3rd…
So on the side of the road somewhere between mile 10 and mile 11 a girl and her bike was on the side of the road.
(She had the “click-in-the-pedal” shoes (yep, I’m an amateur), she looked sad.
So I stop, for her, for me, who can say?
I asked her what’s wrong, turned out her gears change on the bike’s middle bar between the seat the handle bars.
She was not aware there’d be so many hills and this steep, when she changed gears, she kept falling into the street…
I’m thinking its those damn shoes… no quick eject on those things!
And then came the ambulance, of course nothing was hurt on us but our pride…
All that to say, I kicked butt in the run but my biking time was over…
All in all, it was an ok experience.
But there is so much room for improvement, it is unreal!
I finished like 450ish in an 824 entry.
I guess I could have shortened but then I’m sure you’re growing tired of the annoyingly consistent Olympic stories of success and triumph!
Wasn’t this a breath of fresh air
()
Tami
What a story!! Your description had me laughing!! Hope I managed to burn some calories just by doing so!!
Evelyn
People get in and out of shape because they don’t have the proper mindset or mental foundation, as it exists in the nonconscious mind. When you say “I am going to get in shape for x” you are basically implanting into your brain that its ok to get in shape for a short period of time but not stay in shape over the long term. Continual use of this internal dialog leads to development of habits. The only way to defeat such habits are to affirm to yourself, on a daily basis, 20-100 times/day, that you will work out x times per week because you want to live a happy lifestyle and maintain your health. Set an action plan and jump into the program. Soon enough it will become a habit, a habit that truly benefits your mind, body, and spirit. For more details on how to rewire your brain for success here you can download 2 chapters from John Assaraf’s new book, “The Answer”… http://www.readtheanswer.com/index.php?RTA=web2
Hi again Ange. Rambling Craig..
Ok. I’ll give it a shot – soon.
Hi Cam. To be honest I didn’ feel too much. I knew it would happen. I wasn’t surprised.
Cheers.
Yes Tam, it was a breath of fresh air – good for you. Well done on finishing and persevering. Good work with your boy Phelps but keep in mind that us Aussies are 3rd or 4th (depending on results today) on the medal table with a population 1/15 of the U.S.!!!
Not bragging (much)
Hugs
Glad I could make you laugh Evelyn ( )
Thanks for dropping by and sharing your thoughts thelaw26…
Cheers
Hi Craig
I hear you sometimes on Melbourne radio and I am impressed with your staight forward no nonsense approach.
I am a 61 year old male 85 -86 Kg,s.I started going to my local Gym Jan this year I do 3 sesions a week approx One hour forty five minutes whick includes 10 ks Ex bike 2 Ks treadmill(half Jog half fast walk)
1.5 Ks Rower plus a variety of leg and upper body weight machines plus some squats Etc.
I also play golf twice a week.
My question is why after losing about 4 kg,s I am struggling to lose any more I am eat heathy meals and drink alcohol in moderation.
Am I putting too much Emphasis on weight loss.
reading the comments was about as much fun as reading the article today
… personally i LOVED the article … surprisingly enough i liked the bit about the athletes reducing their intensity & taking a bit of a breather – it's pretty relevant to me at the moment (not that i'm an elite athlete). But i've been doing around 7-8hrs a week cardio work for many (many) months and my PTer has basically said "enough" and "time out" … and has given me a very limited (easy) cardio program which i have to stick to for 6 weeks (her theory is is that i'm overtraining – hey, there's a blog topic for you too -).
Anyway, realising that top athletes do also take a bit of time out and still manage to get back to where they were before (or better) once they start ramping it up again helped.
Now on the topic of sex …
Hi Craig, this is my biggest problem, not finishing what I set out to do long term.
I’ve had my ideal body about 6 times in my life, and then I pile on the kilo’s again. Why the hell do I destroy what I’ve worked so hard to achieve?
I have no idea why, so please keep up the great work, I’m sure you’ll help me (and others like me) work it out.
cheers
Bernie
Hi Craig,
Not gonna hassle you about topic choice, because obviusly you are the man, but I do ‘get’ what Ange is talking about here.
There I was busy patting myself on the back for being a good girl and then I got yesterday’s blog with all the “hard” questions and had to spend three minutes looking at myself as a miserable, pathetic failure who has achieved nothing at all. Of course once the tears subsided I answered the questions in my journal and felt better, but GIVE ME A BREAK, I have changed so many bad habits this year I wake up some mornings wondering who I am.
Can you overtrain psychologically?
Love your work.
Cheers,
Jo
Craig
I too am enjoying the olympics, I thought I would hardly watch them but its like the inspiration and motivation is beamed through the telly, I must tell you though I was quite tired after watching the womens marathon.
I actually enjoy your motivational blogs after all thats what I log into the site for.
On the fat/fit thing, I refuse to “diet” ever again, for anyone who does not know DIETS MAKE YOU FAT. I am now into replacing bad habits with good ones. I read somewhere that if you do something for 3 weeks it becomes a habit so I pick 1 thing no matter how small and make sure I do it for three weeks and its working. Much better than when I picked 10 things and fell in a heap within a week.
All the best.
Ginny
Hi Anon,
can you call me on air (radio) between 9 and 10 pm next Tuesday night and I’ll answer your question?
Cheers
Hi Jigsaw… glad you enjoyed it.
Sex article huh?
Hi Bernie – we’ll both do our best.
( )
Hi Jo – we all need to take our foot off the pedal sometimes..
( )
You’re making sense Ginny…
( )
Thanks for the wonderful article Craig.
Is the concept of peaking valid in case of academic performances too? If so, do you follow the same methods to have a peak academic performace that you do to have a peak sports performance?
Craig:
When I read the part about woman who came back from her honeymoon looking like she ate her husband, I dropped my head as if to say, “Oh poor lady” with a chuckle.
That’s because most of us do this. We want to drop off the pounds for some anticipated event and then go back to “normal.”
Last year I dropped 20 lbs. only regain it and then some becuase I “fell off the wagon” and got careless with eating.
I’m now on a “Tim Ferriss Diet” (Hate that word cuz it implies we’ll someday fall off) for the next 30 days. They say it takes 30 days to ingrain a new habit (for me that would be better eating habits, increased awareness, etc).
Fit to fat and then back to fit and fat again – right on target!