The Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays. In fact, it's a close second to Christmas. After all, nothing says America like beer, air conditioning, and blowing things up.

Ironically, other than the 4th, I really can't stand the month of July. The combination of the heat, humidity, and that I sweat so much I'd make any NBA player envious, have fully morphed me into your prototypical old, grumpy New Englander. Anything over 75 degrees is simply just too hot, and dare I say, it has me longing for that polar vortex.

But, rather than taking this weather as an exercise in self-pity - as I sit here writing (and sweating) in my hot, sun filled apartment - I figured it was as good a time as any to talk about my progress throughout the year. After all, it can probably help a few of you out there too.

While it's been about four months since I last updated this site on where I stand in regards to my 2014 goals, I'm pleased to say things are really coming along. (Sidenote: if you're curious as to what my goals are, you can view them here)

I was lucky enough to check the Overhead Press off my list a few months ago, I'm only 15 pounds away from my goal on the front squat, and 25 pounds away on the bench press. Lastly, I'm 55 pounds away from pulling 500 in the deadlift.

Since I'm pretty close to many of my goals, it'd be pretty easy to try and push for those extra few pounds, and find what element I'm missing in my own training. Switching programs often help other lifters get over the hump, and there are plenty of other approaches that are much sexier.

But, I'm reminded of one of my favorite Dan John quotes, "Things are going so well, help me screw it up!"

The way I see it, I've had tremendous success on the program and approach that I've been using for the past 6 months. Call me a creature of habit, but If my weights keep increasing, I'm obviously doing something right. Instead of switching programs, I need to dance with the girl that brought me.

Jim Wendler, doing what he does best - moving heavy things.

Don't worry Lindsay, I'm talking about Jim Wendler and 5/3/1. You have nothing to worry about....well, on the other hand, look at that deadlift!

Anyway, the reason I bring up my programming and progress is that it reminds me of the approach I've seen many clients take with their own training. It's human nature to try and find "what's missing" and skip to another program in order to get to a specific number of the scale, a particular race time, or because one just gets "bored" with their own training. Being "boring" is one of the only ways you see results (to a point), and it connects on an issue I think is larger than just training - finishing what you started.

Be patient, see it through, and have faith in the process.

That said, I wanted to share a few links that I really enjoyed reading over the past few weeks:

10 Mistakes Women Make with Diets

While this one was published on Testosterone Nation, it's a wonderful article written by a woman, for a woman. Being that I'm male, I'm probably pretty clueless about certain behaviors of women, while mystified at others. I'm not sure I'll ever understand where those darn chocolate cravings come from!

This article does a great job explaining some of the faults women have in their own "dieting" efforts. After reading the blurb below, I was hooked:

Females will often look for an obscure missing component in their diet rather than zeroing in on the glaring behaviors causing the real problem. Many would rather find out what Dr. Oz's secret fat loss formula is than put a stop to obvious bad food choices. Nah, can't be margarita night, sodas, or ice cream! Must be a deficiency in Amazonian koo-koo berry juice!

Anyway, give it a read, as Dani Shugart's writing is always entertaining and on point.

A Chiseled Bodybuilder, Frail Clients and a Fitness Story for the Ages

This story has a special place in my heart, mainly because it breaks the myth that someone is ever "too old" to train. Often times, it's training and getting stronger that's going to help people move better and feel better. Plus, the 6th paragraph highlights something I've known for some time - it's never too late to deadlift.

OK, that's all I have for now. Happy 4th everyone!