Do you need to understand why your fitness plan actually works?

Ever find yourself stuck in the "why" of things?

You know, that endless loop of trying to understand why something works the way it does?

I do it all the time.

In fact, my entire philosophy is based on helping others understand the science behind nutrition, lifting, and physique enhancement.

But sometimes, the "Y" is more important than the "why."

I heard physique coach Cliff Wilson mention this on an episode of the Iron Culture podcast.

He was talking about how when we take action ("X") and it produces a result ("Y"), that is often all you need to know. You don't always have to know "why" it works (and we might not even understand it anyway, depending on how far the science has come).

Therefore, "Y" is more important than "why."

In the world of fitness and nutrition, we often get bogged down by the science and mechanics of it all.

"Why do carbs spare muscle?"

"Why does strength training grow muscle?"

And while understanding the "why" can be intellectually satisfying, it's not always necessary for achieving results.

Too many people get hung up (read: EXCUSES) on understanding why that they're paralyzed with inaction.

Even if the "why" can help you OPTIMIZE your actions, 99% of people aren't even taking the action to begin with, so let's start there.

What really matters is the "Y" - the outcome.

Take the concept of carbs sparing muscle, for example.

You could dive deep into the biochemistry, exploring how carbs reduce muscle protein breakdown.

Or, you could simply observe that when you include carbs in your diet, you maintain more muscle while losing fat (the "Y").

Here's another one: strength training.

Sure, you could delve into the biomechanics of muscle contraction, the role of different energy systems, and the science of muscle hypertrophy.

Or, you could hit the gym, lift heavy, and watch your muscles grow (again, the "Y").

The point is, while understanding the "why" can be helpful, it's not always necessary.

In fact, it can sometimes serve as a distraction from taking action and achieving your desired outcome.

So, the next time you find yourself spiraling into the "why," take a step back.

Ask yourself: "Is knowing the 'why' going to significantly impact my ability to achieve the 'Y'?"

If the answer is no, then it might be time to shift your focus.

Here's what you can do instead:

• Take action: Yes, do implement evidence-based strategies that we've learned about from years of research and practice that are known to produce results, such as a eating sufficient protein and carbs and using progressive overload with your training.

• Measure and adjust: Then just see what happens by tracking your progress. Focus on meaningful data like your lifts, your calories/macros, your circumference measurements, and your biofeedback to get the full picture. Don't get lost in the "why."

• Rinse and repeat: Continue to take action based on your measurements and adjustments, regardless of whether you know why it works. After all, you might be an outlier and what works for 95% of people might not work for you (and vice versa).

Your individual results speak louder than population data from studies.

Are you getting lost in the "why" in some area of your training or nutrition?

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