3.5 Weeks ago I embarked on a challenge for myself. I wanted 20 more yards with my driver (controlled yards).
Why? There are many reasons!
I only play 4 to 5 times per year, and 80% of the time it's in a scramble, with the people that invited me expecting me to be the BIG hitter. Then I swing too hard, and by 5th hole they're saying, "hey Mike, maybe you should use 3 wood on this one, we need one in the fairway!"
I want to experience what my clients go through! I went through all our testing (movement, strength, power and 3D) to get a good idea of where I needed the most work. I took a lesson to see if there is anything I could do there for more distance.
If you haven't seen that video I suggest you check it out here.
I am a big goal setter, and set a lot of goals for myself, but don't have anyone holding me accountable, but myself. So I figured, by putting myself out there and sharing my journey and telling people what I'm doing, that, that would make me really stick to the program. Boy, was I right on that one. Every time I think about skipping a workout, or my SuperSwing Golf sessions, I think about how that would reflect if I don't reach my goal.
So those are the reasons I am doing this challenge, and here are my lessons learned so far.
Lesson #1 Be open to change along the way
I thought I had a pretty good idea of what it would take to get my swing speed up. I knew I was strong, I knew I wasn't flexible, I knew I could swing faster.
The truth is, I've never taken formal lessons. I've had my swing coach friends look at my swing and give me 1 or 2 tips, but that's it.
My thought was get my body moving faster and my speed will go up. But, after taking a lesson, it turns out my body is moving too fast and my arms/hands are way behind. So for me I needed to create a program that would get my hands moving faster.
That meant more stability in the body, more flexibility in the upper body so my program is very different then the majority of my clients. I have seen many junior boys that need to focus on this, so my mindset had to be changed to programs more like theirs.
If you'd like to see the program details you can still receive those weekly emails by filling out the form on the right of this page.
Lesson #2 Find an accountability partner, coach or be vulnerable and put yourself out there to be judged or followed by others.
It was the first day of the program, I had a workout planned for the afternoon. Then the crap hit the fan! A client called to see if they could get a workout in that afternoon, my daughter wasn't feeling good and wanted to leave school early, I still needed to make arrangements in my schedule for the following week. It just wasn't looking good for me to get a workout in.
But then I remembered I was going to document everything, all workouts, and how would it look if I missed the first workout. I thought well, maybe I'll start tomorrow. I had to get that workout in! So, there I was Friday night in the gym getting it in, and it felt AWESOME, and huge feeling of accomplishment. That feeling is powerful and goes way past the program.
Obviously I know the power and importance of having a coach, I've been one for the past 20 years, but it's been a LONG time since I've had one myself.
By putting myself out there on social media and to my peers, colleagues, clients and fellow golfers, it really lit a fire under my butt.
Like I said above, I can already count many times I could have, would have missed a workout, but I knew there were more people than myself rooting for me!
Lesson #3 I need more willpower, a better plan when it comes to nutrition.
I threw the goal in to lose a few pounds in the process because I knew it would be a struggle, but the accountability factor would definitely help me.
I have never really been one to focus on nutrition, maybe because I knew it would be hard, maybe because I felt I workout enough to counter my poor eating habits, probably because it would take me way out of my comfort zone.
I will always remember my high school coach saying "you can't out train a bad diet", and man, he is right about that!
I LOVE to workout! What i love about it is the immediate feeling I get. The feeling of accomplishment, the endorphins I get, the feeling of being exhausted, but inspired at the same time. It's tough to explain unless you've been there.
But, when it comes to eating! Ugh! That has always been tough. I have a nasty sweet tooth, love carbs, and beer! I know, I know not a good combo.
So, 3 weeks in and not a whole lot of progress, so it's time to change that. It is probably the hardest time of year for me too. I live for Summer time, 4th of July, BBQ's, vacations, all things that involve food and drinks. But, I am committed, my goal is to report to you in 5 weeks that I have lost lb's and inches. Wish me luck!
This has been a fun, eye opening experience so far and I am enjoying the process. I hope you are too.
I challenge you to try something like this for yourself, it's such a powerful learning experience. Think of something you've been wanting to do for some time and just commit to it!
Need someone to hold you accountable? Send me a message, I would love to be that person, and provide as much support as I can!
Thanks for reading this!!