I'm relatively new to strength training, so I looked around for online fitness trainers. I found what I was looking for. Mario Tomic's videos are consistently excellent. Coaches who have struggled or made mistakes on their fitness journey are often better coaches than those who have had everything fall into their laps.

Here are some tips from one of his videos:

1. Embrace a data driven approach.

Basically, I agree with this. I use apps to document how often I practise yoga and how often I go to the gym. I also note the weights I lift. The machine does this for me. It also makes sense for me to document individual exercises or exercise sequences.

Mario Tomic also recommends constantly counting all your calories. I've already done that too. You have to know how many calories a chocolate bar has or 100 grams of rice. I no longer count my calories. I may come back to it again sometime. I cook. I know which foods are healthy. I listen to my hunger and my feeling of fullness. It still works for me.

2. Keep evolving your approach.

I found this point in the video particularly interesting. There are always new insights that you can use for yourself. Your own body is also changing. The fact that I started strength training has to do with a different approach to my yoga practice. It also helps to try a different approach to get out of a plateau. You never stop learning.

3. Never stop putting hard work into your practice. Progress doesn't happen in your comfort zone. Hard work is non-negotiable.

Yes. Yes. Yes. For me, I call this playing yoga or playing strength training. You can tell yourself that you've done something. But if you don't make an effort, time is lost. You have to make an effort. If you don't feel the pain of stretching, you don't stretch. If your muscles don't burn, they won't get stronger. You have to leave your comfort zone to learn.

4. Master patience.

A healthy lifestyle doesn't happen overnight. Perseverance is important, without question.

5. Actively seek accountability.

For me, this is my yoga blog. When I'm not practicing, I run out of topics for the yoga blog. I want to write authentically. That means I also have to practise.

All of Mario Tomic's videos are worthwhile. Have fun and gain new insights with the channel.