3 Ys to Success
Posted by alexahentay on February 15, 2007
In my exposure to the field of health and well-being, I have seen numerous fad diets, miracle pills, and exercise regimens that all purport to do the same thing; enhance your physical and mental health. While some of them are bunk, some do touch on certain key concepts. Ultimately, in order to make a lifestyle change or to maintain an already positive lifestyle, one must follow the three Ys to Success; Consistency, Recovery, and Intensity.
The three Ys model can be applied to almost any situation, be it work, play, health or love.
Consistency: The most important Y, consistency tells us right away that there are no shortcuts to success, no losing 10 pounds in one week. Consistency is about being committed to something, whether that is an idea, a task, or a career.
To sculpt a body of work, literally, one must show up to the gym at least 4 times a week. Those weekend warriors who come to the gym Saturday and Sunday are doing nothing except slowing their decline… and paying for a membership. Furthermore, showing up to the gym 6 times one week and 2 times the next will not yield positive results. Although the total number of gym days is the same, the more evenly and CONSISTENTLY spaced intervals will prevent breakdown and yield better results.
In the workplace, just get to the office. Your performance will happen, but the first step is to always be in attendance. Employers want to see that you’re there and “committed”.
The attendance factor goes even further in academics. If you’re in college, most professors reward effort. The professor sees that you’re in class every session and thinks you’re willing and motivated to learn. By showing up you’re listening to the material so half your studying is done. When preparing for exams, you will be experiencing the material for the second time.
Recovery: The body is not a machine that can just keep churning. The mind and body both need time to rejuvenate and, like a machine, re-lubricate.
Just like food digests, so too do muscles grow and poisons get filtered. I include nutrition in this section as well. One must feed their body in order to grow muscle and maintain brain and nervous system function. Physically, one should not be doing the same workouts in the weight room everyday. The muscles need time to adapt, grow, and get rid of toxins. Starving oneself or going on a low carb diet is doing a disservice to both your brain and body. Carbohydrates are the key to life and aid in important cellular processes so they should not be “marginalized” by Atkins, Southbeach, or whatever the newest deprivation craze is.
Adequate recovery also is contingent upon sleep. Are you getting enough sleep each day to allow for cell repair and rejuvenation? Naps are healthy but they are no substitute for approx. 8 hrs. of continuous sleep. This is the time when your body secretes Growth and other hormones that will aid in your recovery.
Take a vacation! Working continuously can lead to high stress and lowered performance. Humans were not designed to sit behind a keyboard and crane their necks 16 inches away from a computer monitor. It is ok if you use those vacation days that you’ve accrued. Your family and your body and mind will thank you!
Intensity: I have put intensity as the last (and least important) Y, as I believe it will closely follow the first two. The hardest part of most things is to show up, to get started. Whether in the office working on a presentation or on the couch contemplating a workout. Once moving is the time to focus on intensity and put forth as much effort as possible. Intensity does not mean that one should expect the same amazing results every time. One cannot ace every exam, win every girl, or lift world record weight. One can, however, make sure that each time they do something, it is to the fullest of their ability on that day and at that moment.
Consistency, Recovery, and Intensity are the three Ys. Love much and treat your body well, for it is the vessel that will carry you to new heights.
Keep showing up and good things will happen.
Stiletto Girl said
Excellent post. You really know your stuff. I mean, you hit the nail on the head. This is exactly the way I work out and what I firmly believe. Thanks for reiterating it.
It never ceases to amaze me that people think a shortcut can out maneuver good old fashioned exercise and a healthy diet. Companies profit greatly from society’s stupidity and laziness.