In my previous post, I wrote about the worries I had in taking a bit of time off and how the 5-days which I did, certainly didn't change any of the things I feared might have. I didn't gain weight, I didn't lose muscle....but what I did gain somewhere along my trip was a fairly nasty cold. Who knows if it came from the lovely recycled airplane ventilation or perhaps something my son picked up at school, the fact was I now had it.

However, I was so anxious to get back in the swing of things at work and in the gym, that I jumped right back into it all and at full speed. And, although I certainly felt a bit "off", I pushed harder. I had to make up for the time off, I had to push further. This "Warrior" like approach is exactly what led me to injure my calf a few weeks back, and certainly what led me into my bed for the past 3 days. Very quickly, this past Sunday evening I crashed, and by the middle of the night my fever was over 104...I'm sure you can picture the rest of that story.

And.....what did that "Warrior" attitude get me....at least 4-5 days out of the gym, if I recover quickly.

For whatever reason, I like many, have from time to time taken the "Warrior" attitude. It's difficult not to let that silliness enter your mind, particularly the way we are constantly exposed to it. You can see it all around you. TV commercials, music (both lyrics and video), reality television, heck look around your gym, look at the marketing/imagery on fitness products.

I also think that from time to time people mistake "warrior" for motivation. For example, you may listen to the Gladiator or Rocky soundtracks because they put you in a great mindset for working out, however I doubt that you would also like to fight for your life in the Coliseum. But, what I have realized more and more is that the warrior attitude must be a "smart" one. I have written about listening to your body, clearly I need to listen more. I have written about the need for balance, an area I continue to focus on. And, I have written about listening to yourself, not what others tell you (positive or negative). I suppose the old statement "you are hearing but not listening" may also apply in this instance. Sure, I know what I "should" or "shouldn't" do, but that doesn't change the fact that I am human just like the rest of us.

So, how can you be a smart warrior?

Focus on goals, listen to logic, reflect on your own personal progress. Not what the commercial for eliminating "stubborn belly fat" tells you. Not, what the cover of your favorite fitness magazine says about six pack abs in 10-minutes a day, and not by mistaking stupidity for motivation.

I have made great strides. And, since I began working with a pro (Mark), and listening to him, in three short months I have gained close to 7.5 pounds of muscle and a negligible amount of body fat. So, you see when you listen/hear and work hard you can achieve great results. I have continued to stick to my all natural methods. I do not take any enhancements, still no fad dieting, no special pills or energy boosters. The changes since I teamed up with my trainer revolve around a much more specific approach in the gym and a little bit different diet (increase in calories) and additional protein consumption. All which comes from his past experience and education.

I am certainly not saying that hard work and diligence isn't essential, but being smart in conjunction is just as important. Mark had been telling me that it was time to give my body a long needed rest, whether I wanted one or not, I'm getting one now. . .

Josh Neimark - Agent of Change