Periodization (the best way to train)

I would like to start my first ever blog by discussing what I consider to be one of the best tools for improving your overall health and fitness, periodization.  Periodization is a technical term that simply means variety.  Not just variety though, planned variety.  Periodization came to life many years ago when olympic weight lifters realized that they would invariably plateau if they continued to train the same way over and over.  Sound familiar?  Do you struggle to lose that same 10 pounds?  Do you struggle to increase your while running?  Do you struggle to lift just 5 more pounds on your bench press?  Well periodization may be the answer.     

In periodization you take "periods" of time when you work on different aspects of your training.  You begin with a goal, and a goal date.  Then you you determine what components of training will help you to reach that goal (i.e. cardiovascular training, strength training, caloric reduction).  Next you determine the order in which you will utilize these components.  And lastly you determine the length (periods) of each of the components (generally each period lasts 4-6 weeks).     

Here is an example:
Goal- lose 15 pounds    Goal date- 16 weeks from now
So if I want to lose 15 pounds there are a few components of training that will help me get there. 
1) Cardiovascular work
2) Strength training
3) Diet
So if I just do the same cardiovascular work day in and day out, and I do the same strength training routine day in and day out, and I use the same diet day in and day out, I will probably reach a plateau.
However, if I use periodization-
The first 4 weeks (I'm going to concentrate on boosting my metabolism by focusing on strength training).
-I lift weights 4 days per week alternating muscle groups.
-I do cardio 3 days per week for 25 minutes per session at 70% of my heart rate max.
-I consume a well balanced diet making sure to get enough calories per day to maintain my weight.
The second 4 weeks (I'm going to concentrate on increasing my cardio to burn some body fat).
-I lift weights 3 days per week alternating muscle groups.
-I do cardio 3 days per week for 30 minutes at 70% of my heart rate max, and 2 days per week I do intervals for 25 minutes.
-I continue to consume a well balanced diet while maintaining the same amount of calories per day that I ate in the first 4 weeks.
The third 4 weeks (I'm now going to reduce my calories to shred some body fat).
-I lift weights 3 times per week working total body each time.
-I do cardio 5 days per week for 30 minutes at 70% of my heart rate max.
-I reduce my calories by 300-500 calories per day.
The last 4 weeks (I'm now going to reduce my calories and increase my cardio to burn and shred body fat).
-I lift weight 2 times per week working total body each time.
-I do cardio 3 days per week for 35 minutes at 70% of my heart rate max, and 3 days per week I do intervals for 30 minutes.
-I stay at a calorie reduction of 300-500 calories per day.

Please keep in mind that this is just an example.  There are many variables that can come into play with the strength training, cardiovascular training, and diet.

Other huge benefits of this type of traing are:
1.  Keeps things interesting.
2.  Gives you a plan while your in and out of the gym.

Personally I use year-round periodization.  I have periods of increased stregth training, periods of increased cardiovascular training,  periods of increased core training, periods of increased power training, and periods when I am more and less focused on my diet (this is huge and gives me a chance to have planned periods when I can eat more of the things I really enjoy, like ice cream).

Thanks for taking the time to read my first ever blog post.  Questions?  Thoughts?