Momentum is perhaps your greatest asset as an ectomorph, even as a human being overall. Starting strength training (and all that it entails like changes with your diet and a focus on the recovery period) is really what causes the most friction, and where most people drop off.
But once you’ve built the habit of doing what needs to be done, it becomes effortless (almost). Sure, you still have to push yourself when lifting heavy things but there’s very little will power required to actually motivate yourself to do that.
The most important question though is, how would one go about building momentum?
- Do simple things, over and over again. Trying to build momentum off of training as a whole is difficult; it’s a big habit too adopt and often too overwhelming. Instead, build momentum with each exercise. I started with the pull up, spending a good 1-2 months focusing on it exclusively until my love of it became a runaway train. Now I get excited to attempt to beat my previous bests.
- Compete with yourself. On that note, get excited to beat your previous bests! You don’t need an official chart or anything. Just count your reps, and then each time you end a set compare your “score” to the equivalent set you’d completed in your previous training session. Humanity is competitive – embrace this primal aspect of yourself.
- Start the day well. Receive regular infusions of motivation and inspiration. The best way to do this is to start your day well. Get up early (not using an alarm, but by going to bed earlier), have a great breakfast, and consider having a cold shower. This brings the idea of momentum to every day of your life, and over time that momentum builds up to form a long, sustaining form of momentum.
- Do it for a reason. Anytime you feel your momentum slipping, ask yourself: why am I doing this? Is it to experience life in a new way? Develop self confidence? Test your limits? Understand your “reason why” and hold to it during times of doubt. In the bleakest of times your purpose will pull you through.
- Don’t beat yourself up. There will be days where you stumble, and times where you fall. Beating yourself up over these will only drag you further down. Getting into muscle building ruts is normal. Just accept the situation for what it truly is (a temporary, and certainly fleeting set-back), and take a break for the day. Then, be roaring to go when you wake up the next morning.
- Leverage past successes. The benefit of being an ectomorph is you can put on at least a small (yet noticeable) bit of muscle fairly quickly, and, likewise, small bits of progress don’t take too long (like living slightly heavier weights or downing more calories in a single meal). Don’t ignore these. Be proud of even the smallest of achievements as signs that you’re moving the right direction.
- Love what you’re doing. If training is fun, momentum will build naturally. Focus on doing a few different exercises that you enjoy in an enjoy that works for you (either a gym, at home, with friends, or whatever you prefer), even if you have to sacrifice effectiveness. There’s no point in wasting your life for a goal if the process doesn’t satisfy your soul.
- Ease into it. As a beginner don’t try to push yourself too hard. Start doing simple things, like sets with reps lower than your maximum (or even near-maximum) or eating just a small amount of extra food each day. The point is to get acquainted with this new lifestyle your adopting in manageable, bite-sized bits and to avoid being overwhelmed.
- Believe. In the words of Marcus Aurelius: “Do not think that what is hard for you to master is humanly impossible; but if a thing is humanly possible, consider it to be within your reach.” Inspiring words.
When you have momentum you’re unstoppable. You’ll never back down. You’ll never quit. You’ll never give in. And that’s a very powerful force to embrace. How could you possibly fail if you never give failure a chance to get it’s foot in the door? (Answer: you can’t.)
