There seems to be a trend among new athletes, and even intermediate athletes, that they feel they shouldn’t yet be proud of their accomplishments. They feel as though, once they reach a certain number or weight, THEN they can be happy with their progress.

The problem with this, of course, is that you will NEVER be happy if you take this approach. I think some folks adhere to this way of thinking for fear of reproach from advanced lifters who think their numbers suck. Well I just have to ask: what kind of environment are we, the more advanced lifters, fostering, where a beginner has to feel like crap about their lifts or we will make fun of them?

Now, we all know the guys and girls who’s lifts can’t keep up with they way they run their mouths, but this post isn’t about them. I just got off a call this morning with a client who was embarrassed to tell me her numbers. Why are you embarrassed? Because someone in the world is stronger than you? How does their lift affect your life in any way?

I think some lifters have no idea of just how impressive even “average” numbers sound like to someone that doesn’t lift. Don’t believe me? Go into a chain gym, pull anywhere from 315-405lbs, and watch the groupies with googly eyes start to head your way.

This is because we are surrounded by like-minded individuals, and we forget that we are an incredibly small minority of the population. The majority of the world can’t even deadlift 250lbs, so to think that your 300lb squat sucks is just ridiculous. The world can’t fathom the weights you’re moving, even if they aren’t the heaviest weights in your weight class yet. Celebrate every PR, and be happy with your progress. Otherwise, why are you even doing this?