You know what the Yearly Reset is, right?
It’s where you kick off the year in the same place (or worse) than you did last year.
No noticeable results - no stronger … No healthier…
Still appear exactly the same (maybe bulkier and a little duller and/or more lined).
Fed up and frustrated from going in circles …
Why does this perennially happen to many folks?
Here’s what I’ve noticed over the last 30 years:
They overcommit .
They think about things like “flawless routines” ...
You know the ones - the kind that have all the Primal Movement Patterns in every workout… Expertly structured... Precisely proportioned...
They eventually overextend themselves physically and emotionally…
And the madness of life swallows them up like the Lightning Sand did to Wesley and Buttercup in the Fire Swamp.
So, my friend, if you find yourself in this place (again), how do you avoid it
Simple.
Keep it simple.
Pick the simplest program that you KNOW 100% you can do - and do it.
(This is why I’m such a Big Advocate of Streamlined plans… Not a lot of moving parts… Simple to begin and stick with …)
Who cares how “boring ” it is?
It’s certainly not more boring than being on Program the endless hamster wheel every year.
“ I swear this year I’ll finally [FILL IN BLANK WITH SAME OL’ RESOLUTION]... ”
Pick your Minimalist / Underachiever program of choice.
Set aside three 20-minute workouts a week on your calendar.
And get to work.
But not too hard - you’re an “ low-effort champion ” this year, remember?!
And then, 365 days from now, bask in your success as you look upon -
Your training log that’s filled with incrementally larger numbers …
Your lighter KBs that are now unused and your heavier bells are finally covered in chalk…
And maybe most importantly - you’re finally observing improvements in your body…
More visible muscle…
Snugger sleeves on your tees…
Bags pants and belts fitting comfortably on that last hole…
Remember - say “NO” to the Yearly Reset .
Stay Strong ,
Geoff Neupert.