I started to cut fat three weeks ago (i.e. I have incorporated running into my training program for three weeks now).

As with when I started bulking up, everything did not go according to plan this time around either. Here are a few mistakes that I have made:

• I started running without first reading about it:
  • I started off running faster and quicker than I should. Now I get a little bit of what is called shin splints, or maybe stress fracture. Whatever it is, I could have prevented it by carefully researching this subject first.
  • I ran with friends who are much better at running than me and followed their advice, assuming they knew what was best for me. This is equivalent to starting out going to the gym with some guys who have been lifting a few years and listen to all their advice without doing any careful research yourselves.
  • Simple as the idea of running may seems, it would have saved me a lot of time and effort had I read about running first. There are a lot of little things about running that never have I thought about but play a crucial role in preventing injuries and sustaining progress.
  • There are even detailed programs to follow. Running without following a well designed program is like working out without a particular program with specific instructions on which exercise to do, techniques to perform, rep and set range to follow, etc.
• I went skiing for the first time yesterday!
  • Actually, I spent the majority of time trying to snowboard, which is harder than skiing. This led to an endless series of falls, two of which were so bad I honestly heard my bones cracking. Now my neck can barely support my head.
  • So besides the fact that I missed training, missed meals, and missed sleep/rest, I also hurt myself badly. And none of that has anything to do with my goal of getting into the best shape of my life.
  • To me, in hindsight, the experience was hardly worth the cost. But my friends are already talking about the next time we can ski again. Should I go again? Hell no. Would they understand my reason? HELL NO!

As someone reading another person’s story, you see these mistakes as failure on my part to do what is right. Even though I have talked about these common mistakes many times in this blog, I still make these mistakes every once in a while. Laugh at my mistakes if you want, but HEED the story and avoid making the same mistakes.