2-3 times per year you can go all-out for 3-4 weeks. The rest of the year you have to go at a much slower pace.
To make good progress both methods need to be used together.
Look at dieting. It is very easy and painless to eat 150-200 calories below maintenance per day (as an average sized man). You just eat a little bit less. E.g. If you normally get a large meal at McDonalds then get a medium instead. But over a year that adds up to 15 odd pounds of fat!
Or you can go on a hardcore diet and lose 3-4 pounds a week! If you are smart you will do it for 3-4 weeks and then taper off onto the slow and steady method for the rest of the year.
The problem is people see a huge amount of progress in those 3-4 weeks and think "If it works for 4 weeks I'll keep it up until I have a 6-pack". Then they crash and put it all back on.
All out for short periods and then slow and steady for the rest of the year works well in terms of learning as well.
I've found I can do an hour of study every working day without adding any stress to my life. I currently do half an hour in the morning when I wake and another half an hour during my lunch break.
Twice a year I also do 30-40 hours/week for four weeks. I basically put my life on hold and do nothing outside of work and study.
If I spent any more time in sprint mode then I would not be putting the effort I should be into my wife, my kids, my family, my friends, or my work. I also wouldn't be able to relax and enjoy myself.
Look at dieting. It is very easy and painless to eat 150-200 calories below maintenance per day
Were you intentionally trying to make the reverse point? 'Cause this may be the worst possible example, otherwise: it's clearly not easy and painless to eat 200 calories below maintenance every day, given the huge obesity problem we have.
It is easy and painless. Pretty much everyone has the willpower to be able to order the medium sized McDonalds meal rather than the large (or the large instead of the super-sized). Or to use smaller sized plates when eating at home.
People don't stick to it because the results aren't very visible and they aren't fast. Not because it is difficult.
If you are 60 pounds overweight and somebody tells you to simply eat a little less and in 4-5 years you will be a healthy weight is that really going to motivate you to change?
Comments
2-3 times per year you can go all-out for 3-4 weeks. The rest of the year you have to go at a much slower pace.
To make good progress both methods need to be used together.
Look at dieting. It is very easy and painless to eat 150-200 calories below maintenance per day (as an average sized man). You just eat a little bit less. E.g. If you normally get a large meal at McDonalds then get a medium instead. But over a year that adds up to 15 odd pounds of fat!
Or you can go on a hardcore diet and lose 3-4 pounds a week! If you are smart you will do it for 3-4 weeks and then taper off onto the slow and steady method for the rest of the year.
The problem is people see a huge amount of progress in those 3-4 weeks and think "If it works for 4 weeks I'll keep it up until I have a 6-pack". Then they crash and put it all back on.
All out for short periods and then slow and steady for the rest of the year works well in terms of learning as well.
I've found I can do an hour of study every working day without adding any stress to my life. I currently do half an hour in the morning when I wake and another half an hour during my lunch break.
Twice a year I also do 30-40 hours/week for four weeks. I basically put my life on hold and do nothing outside of work and study.
If I spent any more time in sprint mode then I would not be putting the effort I should be into my wife, my kids, my family, my friends, or my work. I also wouldn't be able to relax and enjoy myself.
Were you intentionally trying to make the reverse point? 'Cause this may be the worst possible example, otherwise: it's clearly not easy and painless to eat 200 calories below maintenance every day, given the huge obesity problem we have.
It is easy and painless. Pretty much everyone has the willpower to be able to order the medium sized McDonalds meal rather than the large (or the large instead of the super-sized). Or to use smaller sized plates when eating at home.
People don't stick to it because the results aren't very visible and they aren't fast. Not because it is difficult.
If you are 60 pounds overweight and somebody tells you to simply eat a little less and in 4-5 years you will be a healthy weight is that really going to motivate you to change?