What we do consistently is what we become. Physical fitness is completely dependent upon choice and consistency. Either show up and work hard or turn to mush. Sounds simple right? Is it that easy? If this were the case, our nation would not be facing an obesity epidemic that affects nearly half of our adult population. As in most or all widespread societal issues the answer lies somewhere in the middle ground between personal responsibility and societal realities.
When something comes naturally to us or we excel at a certain activity we tend to downplay its complexities. At different points in my life, the amount of empathy I felt for overweight or obese individuals has ranged from absolutely zero empathy (Young, narrow and immature view) to some range of empathy (Current state). The technology era (Sedentary era), our freedom to choose our lifestyles, and our dangerous food culture have all been contributors to this epidemic. The path of least resistance is an instinct that is difficult to overcome. Couches are comfortable. That being said, there are ways to mitigate this effect and live an active, energetic, and adventurous life is you so choose. One of the benefits of the technology era is that if you are struggling with an issue, there is vast information and a multitude of tools at your fingertips to obtain the necessary knowledge and direction to change your life. Accessibility is at an all-time high, use it to your advantage. With this increased knowledge we can prioritize fitness, incorporate variety into our routines, and naturally reduce stress.
Prioritize
As with all healthy and difficult habits, it sounds easy until you realize that it must be balanced with every other aspect of your life. Life gets in the way quite frequently and energy is finite. Barriers to a regular fitness routine will be there throughout your life, so get in front of these obstacles by installing weekly or daily preparation and planning into your regimen. Ample preparation and planning reduces the urge to skip a day or skimp on your workout. In addition, lack of preparation and planning also leads to increased logistical complexity and or time constraints. Fitness is meant to be a stress relieving and enjoyable activity. But it can easily turn into another hour of the workday if you let it. Set yourself up to succeed.
Reduce Redundancy
During my corporate office job tenure, I have seen the same narrative over and over again. Back when I played sports man, I was in the best shape of my life, wish I was still hitting the gym. The narrative of I once was active is quite limiting. Do not speak of yourself as a has been athlete or in-shape individual, it is not healthy for the psyche or the body. There are plenty of activities and sports that you can still participate in. And by the way, you can now afford all the best gear or trips due to that job you hold. There are five week nights and two full weekend days each week. Pick out one or two evenings to do an active activity outside of the house and interact with some people while getting more fit.
Sometimes our day jobs can become monotonous and repetitive. To combat this, I choose to create unique experiences in my personal life that combine my love for fitness and grow my relationships simultaneously. Here is the short list of the different activities that I have participated and excelled in after my college baseball career ended: IsshinRyu Karate, Skiing, Rock Climbing, Running (Half Marathon), Fowling, ShuffleBoard, Yoga, Bike Riding and Spinning Class. Redundancy reduction is essential to avoiding burnout in any one fitness area. If you still picture the fitness culture of old, then I implore you to expand your horizons. We are no longer in the endless cycle of Bench Press – Squat – Deadlift – Curl – repeat next week. The fitness industry is vast, change it up every few weeks or once a month and try new activities. Avoid the plateau at all costs.
Action Request:
Never quit. If you have not started, then start small and work your way up. Fitness is fleeting. For every week off, it takes two weeks to gain back your strength, be consistent even when it is not convenient. The natural stress relief and creative energy that flows from working out is freeing and worthwhile.