When it comes to Measuring Progress.... The Journey Matters

People want to measure progress in weeks and months. I get messages every day in my DM’s and on my posts saying, “I’ve done X, Y, and Z for weeks and have seen no change.” 

Well, of course! Your mind may be ready for change within a few days or weeks of you starting a new training regimen, seeing a PT, or even when doing our programs, but the truth is that your body needs tons of time to adapt and change - more than your social-media-minded brain can handle. 

I’ve been working on the Nordic curl for years. I am stoked with the small progress I am making. It doesn’t look much different than it did a year ago, but it FEELS way stronger. 

My goal is to do a full Nordic without hyperextending my back like so many people do. This would be an extreme test of glute and hamstring strength. I will eventually start doing them with my back hyperextended, but after that, I will work to keep my pelvis neutral throughout the movement. This position isn’t as advantageous for the hamstrings as letting the pelvis tilt forward. 

I have always wanted to measure my progress in days, weeks, and months, but progress is always more clear in hindsight - when looking back after years of work. I KNOW I will achieve my goal because I have done it many times before. I overcame my disc herniation in 2 years, hip impingement in a year, built a successful business in 4 years (then lost that and have since restarted), and am building another successful business. What is the common theme between all of these things? Work was put in nearly every day for many years to achieve them. Sometimes, progress was hard to see. Sometimes it was very clear. 

What areas of your life are you beating yourself up about your progress? I am willing to bet that you have made tons of progress, it just hasn’t matched your expectations yet. Whenever we feel defeated about our progress, it is probably a result of the lofty expectations and goals that we have set for ourselves. Adjusting our expectations and setting mini goals for ourselves will help us identify progress. 

I am nowhere near completing a full, unassisted Nordic without my pelvis being super anterior. However, I need to celebrate the small wins along the way. Yesterday, I measured progress in the fact that I literally felt way stronger and more connected to my hamstrings throughout the movement. The visible progress is minute, but my feeling of it proves to me that I am heading in the right direction. 

What unreasonable expectations have you made for yourself?

I have excuses for why this particular movement is so hard for me:  I am 6’5”. The taller and heavier you are, the harder this exercise becomes. My body style may be a mechanical disadvantage, but this fact will make my successful full Nordic Curl so much more fruitful of a win.

What excuses have you made for yourself?

The journey is what makes achieving the goal so amazing. Don’t try to skip the journey.

Are you struggling with pain somewhere in your body? Hop into our Limitless or Hypermobility program, both of which have helped over 22,000 people worldwide overcome their persistent pain below.

They will help you make small, noticeable improvements each week and work toward overcoming your pain.