I’d like to take credit for the term Human Veal, but maybe I didn’t come up with it.
What is Human Veal and why am I writing about it?
Before I explain what Huma Veal is, let me preface that in no way am I being disrespectful to this class of people or derogatory. It’s simply the best descriptive term I can imagine. Maybe not PC, but I don’t care.
Human Veal is what I call someone who has never done any activity in their lives.
- No sports as a kid or adult
- No exercise practically at all
- Poorly developed nervous systems
- Poorly developed muscles
Human Veal has basically just sat around their whole lives. Of course they have worked but it is 99.9% of the time at a desk. They’ve lived their lives similar to a calf with it’s head sticking out of a box not moving and eating.
What happens when you live this way?
You grow fat, weak, have a difficult time doing most anything physical, you are clumsy and have poor balance and much more.
For many, it’s not their fault either. Maybe they were not raised by people who saw the value of activity, or sports as a kid. Perhaps they were not comfortable playing sports for a number of reasons? Or worse, as we see today.
Screens!
As a population, we are addicted to screens and apps and games. Sitting, poor posture, sitting, not moving. Mind numbed by an electronic drug that we are addicted to.
Until it’s too late.
As Human Veal gets a little older, some realize that they need to do something about it because they now see they are in poor health.
That is where I come in.
I don’t want to estimate what percentage of my client base is Human Veal, but it is much higher now than when I started doing this. It’s a borderline epidemic.
Add in to this the current epidemic of “I want it now” in today’s society and we have an added issue.
The Veal comes into the gym and wants to train.
That is AWESOME!
So they enroll in a coaching program and want results now!
All good. Any decent coach can give them results right?
But it’s not fast enough for them. They’ve spent a lifetime getting out of shape and have expectations that are simply too high.
The idea for this log came to me this morning (I had a different one planned).
I was training one of my PT clients who is THE definition of Human Veal.
A lifetime of ZERO activity and no exercise. Yes, she works hard and is very successful, but it is not physical. It is high stress. That compounds all of the other issues with being Veal!
Add in a successful person with a strong work ethic and a high stress job, with being grossly out of shape and you have a perfect recipe for serious medical issues.
The person who inspired this article is a very hard worker in the gym and out, but has a level of frustration on a lack of progress with the technical side of lifting that she has not earned the right to be frustrated over.
Yes, you have to earn the right to be frustrated with some things.
If you’ve been doing something for a few weeks or a few months and you are not a virtuoso at it, you have not earned the right to be frustrated.
Let me get back on track…..
As we were going through a set of Goblet Squats, she put her kettlebell down and exhaled and sadly said:
“When will this click?”
I put my most caring Coaching Hat and said it takes a long time and you are doing fine based on your life history and training experience.
I continued with the Human Veal explanation.
Something clicked right away.
She lost her frustration, at least temporarily and the next set was amazing. I believe it was due to the explanation and by me also letting her know that she was indeed doing well, and that I know she gives 100% every time.
The problem is expectations that are too high and her comparison to others.
She was training at the same time as one of our small groups and this group was comprised of people with a long athletic history who have been training with us for a fairly long time. They were doing things very well, moving big weights and making it look fluid and almost effortless.
For her to compare herself to them was a disservice she was doing to herself.
I also explained that.
Again, it seemed something clicked.
The rest of the session went better than prior ones and she left with a huge smile!
That is what we want.
As JL says, sweatin’ and smilin’.
Tips and Advice for Veal
- Lower your expectations for QUICK results-be realistic
- Give 100% and results will come
- Eat well
- Move more-motion is lotion
- Don’t compare yourself to others-be the best YOU can be today.
- You’ll be even better, fitter and strong(ER) tomorrow
- List out attainable small goals with a long term milestone goal
- Achieve the small goals and the big one will present itself
Tips and Advice for Veal Coaches/Trainers
- Go slow and low!
- Teach and focus on the basics-rooting and bracing.
- Be supportive
- Don’t tolerate a lack of effort
- Know what to say and when/how to say it
- Give them tasks that they can perform for the level they are at
- Give encouragement and praise when earned-not too much, we aren’t cheerleaders
- Teach them that their muscles, especially the lower back will be sore and this is normal! (They are veal and movement crates soreness)
- Encourage recovery and good nutrition
I can go on with another 100 tips but I feel these are the big ones for both categories.
If you are Human Veal, make the choice to improve your health today and find a qualified coach to help.
If you coach Human Veal, follow the steps and build a healthy client that will rave about you and your services.
It’s a win-win for both.
Did you miss last week’s log?
Read it here
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Vincere vel mori
C.J. Murphy
January 14, 2021
