Well, in order to accomplish anything in life you have to first get a “belly full of WANT TO.” Simply put. It means that YOU have decided that it is worth it! That’s what happened when I decided to give bodybuilding at this “SENIOR” stage of my life, a GO. The decision was not taken lightly for a myriad of reasons that I will not bore you with in this limited space.
Once the Commitment was made, I next set the “VECTOR”…. I circled a date for a local contest on my calendar—the dye was cast!
Next, I set up a few rules of training that have served me well and it’s these rules that I regard as “Training Maxims” that guide me and keep me disciplined with every workout:
1.) Do not miss workouts — I have trained twice per day for over 4 years. Missing a workout only occurs when I have another conflicting appointment, I’m sick, I’m injured, or I’m simply exhausted. I do not necessarily advocate two a day workouts for everybody, that’s my curse that will be remedied tomorrow when I meet with some new trainers. Whenever you establish a workout to be done, — BE THERE!
2.) Do not talk during training — It wastes time and you lose your concentration. God, only gives us “X” amount of time and we best be about our business. Put on a headset and stay focused and keep moving. You can talk about you and your “Legend in Your Own Mind” stuff after the workout.
3.) Make haste slowly — This is a little hard to explain, but here it goes. — Never throw large amounts of weight onto the barbells, dumbbells, machines etc. Start low and add small amounts of weight to each set, grind out the reps for that set. Add, again, a small amount of weight and keep going. Repeat this until you have maxed out. It’s not how much I lift — it’s where I peak when I finally am exhausted. This method establishes endurance, enhanced calorie burn, and increasing strength again “small amounts of increasing resistance.
4.) Nobody works harder in this gym than I do — This is an attitude that can become a reality. The attitude says, “This is my gym!” Nobody works hard than I do. If there is somebody else working harder than I need to make an adjustment.
These are my 4 Training Maxims. They keep me focused while I train….There is plenty of time for “self adjulation” and BS after you work out. While in the gym give these ideas a chance to become part of you. They are the things that keep me pressing ahead during my training time. 
Another Favorite Quote: “I am very hard on myself when I train so I can be even more hard on my opponents” — Dan Gable, Wrestling Legend (Iowa State University and Olympic Gold Medalist) and Coach, University of Iowa
Douglas E. Graham
Six Pack and Senior 