How many times have you heard someone you know say “I wish that weighed what I weighed five years ago!” Then another five years passes and that same person complains again “I really wish that I weighed what I weighed five years ago!” The point being had that person just maintained their present weight then this problem wouldn’t be cropping up on them every couple of years. So for many, maybe, the ultimate progression in being the best you that you are capable of being is weight maintenance.

Now I know what you are thinking how I can tell someone who is desperate to change to be satisfied with maintaining their present condition? I am not telling them to be satisfied or that they should stop pursuing their ultimate weight loss goal. What I am saying is that if someone has a tendency towards progressively gaining weight over a long period of time, and they begin an exercise regimen, start eating healthy, and maintain a consistent weight over a long period of time, the fact that they do not gain any more weight is progress.

This same rule applies for the guy who goes to the gym and is in good shape but never really gains much muscle. This guy does basically the same exercises and uses the same resistance for years and makes no real progress. I used to make fun of this guy constantly for wasting his time. But maybe this guy isn’t really wasting his time. He is maintaining his strength, not gaining body fat, and staying relatively fit while many friends and associates who do not exercise are deteriorating.  Over time his maintenance bcomes progress.

Everyone theoretically should have clearly defined fitness goals that lead to consistent progress in the gym. But if you go through a period of time, even if it’s a long period of time, without making progress don’t beat yourself up. At least you will not be complaining that you wished you looked like you did five years ago.

Brandon