TMTSATLFTL

I know, that's a very catchy acronym :) But what does it mean?

Too Much Too Soon After Too Little For Too Long

I should have some T-shirts made.

So, why am I throwing word salad at you? This little phrase explains one of the main reasons people get overuse injuries.

Injuries often come down to doing too much too soon after too little for too long. Whether starting a new exercise program from scratch or ramping up your training for a new goal, keep this concept in mind. This is why I am so adamant about getting and staying active.

A CHRONIC training load (meaning you have been training at some level for quite a while) allows you to accumulate improvements in strength and fitness. This is what will enable you to challenge your body more without breaking down.

So, here is my recommendation for a couple of specific situations:

• If you are just starting out with exercise, prioritize consistency. Don't worry about being perfect; just try to be consistent. If you do this, you will build a better foundation, be less likely to injure yourself, and be more likely to stick with long-term training. This might mean committing to training two or three times a week instead of four or five times a week. More is not always better, especially if you get too ambitious and injure yourself (or psych yourself out and end up doing nothing).

• If you are already highly trained and looking to take things to the next level, consider how you have been training for the past 4-12 weeks. If you have been consistent and feel like you have more in the tank, increasing your training volume is probably ok. If you have been inconsistent, take at least 4 weeks to re-establish your foundation, then proceed. If you have been crushing yourself, take a quick 1-2 week deload, then get into more intense training.

I hope all of this makes sense. Understanding this critical concept can really help you. If you have any questions, please let me know. I'm here to help.