Someone posted this question in a forum, and it made me feel all kinds of feelings. And since it’s Monday, it’s nice to do some glass-is-half-full kind of stuff to get the week going. So…
What do you consider beautiful in your field of work or passion?
Let me know. I’d like to share some responses with other readers. With your permission, of course. Because anything else would be a proper dick move.
-J
You’re good when you do your workout, cook a healthy meal for the family and get outside for a long walk.
You’re just as good when you skip a workout, order fish and chips for dinner and binge Netflix. Because life and you just can’t the bothered today.
You’re good, just as you are. And not only when you’re “on it”.
-J
ps. Last day of new client callout. If you’re feeling tired and want to reclaim your energy and strength, but struggle to make exercise a habit because of your work and family commitments, hit reply. Let’s chat to see if my coaching would be a good fit. It’s not for everyone. But it might just be for you.
Rigid meal plans and training programs are appealing because they promise a clear path from A to B. And yes, if you have the willpower on a full-speed arrow and a mind that loves authority, you’re in for a win.
But, if your goal is to keep your results for life without always relying on someone else, obeying rules and mastering compliance won’t teach you the skills to take ownership of your health and fitness.
Instead, it’s the lessons you learn from failures and struggles that make a change possible.
-J
Being outdoors doesn’t have to be about exercise, fitness, or competition.
But simply about experiencing the outdoors. To connect with yourself and your kids. To feel energized. To participate and to complete.
Fitness just happens to be a by-product of it all.
It’s a small shift in thinking. But it might just be enough to turn an effort into an enjoyment.
Making it more likely to stick.
-J
In a recent Huberman Lab podcast, Dr Andy Galpin talked about the four buckets of focus.
1. Business/work
2. Relationships
3. Fitness
4. Recovery/rest/whatever makes you feel recharged and g-g-g-gooooood
You have 10 points to allocate between the buckets. To shove points in one bucket means taking them away from another bucket.
I love this concept because it forces the painful realisation (yet again) that we can’t chase all our goals at once.
Besides the points for recovery being at least half of that of fitness, there aren’t guidelines on how to best allocate the points. Getting them in perfect harmony isn’t the idea.
The idea is to have the points divided to support your current business, life, or fitness goals.
Here’s what up.
Are you happy with how you’ve currently divided your points? Do they support where you want to go next?
-J
“I don’t have the time for it.”
That’s a typical comment from someone who realises they need to adopt a more active lifestyle. But struggle to justify the time commitment because of the hectic work and family life.
Yet, when they do commit to being more active, and stick with it for a while, this happens:
“I need the workouts to keep me grounded during these busy times.”
That’s a client’s comment from last week. He’s surrounded by all kinds of fucked up chaos right now. And it’s his twice-a-week workouts that give him the energy and stamina to move through the chaos. Both physically and mentally.
When you’re stuck in one of life’s electric whirlpools, the cost of time to exercise might feel too expensive. But it’s often an investment that buys you exactly what you need.
-J
Look into the review mirror when you’ve started and stopped following workout routines. What were the obstacles, issues or problems you rammed into that made you stop? Both temporarily and for good.
There’s likely a reoccurring obstacle that keeps terminatoring your efforts. Getting injured or ill, not having time, work, kids, free Margaritas…
What actions would reduce the chance of that same obstacle blocking your path next time?
You might not be able to eliminate the obstacle. But perhaps you can prepare for it.
-J
Related to this post, I’d like to know what podcasts you listen to? Regardless of the genre. Please hit reply and share. Anyhow, here’s today’s post.
Have (or listen to) conversations with people who have already achieved (and can maintain) what you want to achieve with your health and fitness. Ask them about the tools they’ve learned.
And then copy those tools.
But also, Batman probably shouldn’t go to Superman for advice on how to fly. Because regardless of the technical nuance and unbottled enthusiasm that Superman can convey to Batman about how he spreads his arms and clenches his butt and twinkles his toes to fly, Batman’s not going to fly anywhere without getting propelled by some form of transportation.
So, it helps to adopt the tools from people who are like you. Folks you can relate to. Talk to Annie next door. Not Rynold Joseph Magnolia The V who has naughty dreams about barbells and the darker shades of broccoli and carries a teaspoon in his chest pocket just in case he has to measure how much standard Dijon mustard he puts in his salad dressing.
Because WTF and yeah I will definitely not ever do that.
-J
ps. About those podcasts. I’d love to know. Just hit reply and share.
What’s stopping you from stepping onto the next rung on the ladder? Here are some common struggles and some (un)common tools to overcome those struggles.
Negative self-talk? Explore the why and what of what causes this negative talk. Then learn the tools to help you change that self-talk into something more constructive. But also. Depending on the wiring, learning some of these tools might require the help of a therapist.
Not having the time to do the things you know you should do? Keep a time diary for a week to see how you spend time. Most of us can find an extra 10-20 minutes a day.
Lacking the motivation to do the things you know you should do? Dig into the deeper ‘why’. It’s likely not about being fitter and healthier. But more along the lines of being able to still snowboard with your daughter once she’s a teenager, hike with the family without pain, or return to kayaking after a 20-year hiatus.
Struggling to keep yourself accountable? Regardless of the inner motivation, some need the accountability of an outsider to show up consistently. Rope friends into doing things with you, or hire help.
Not knowing what to do with your workouts? Learn the absolute basics of how to work out. Or use this plan instead.
Struggling with an injury and not sure how to train through it? Here you go.
Not sure if your eating habits support your goals? Educate yourself on the basics of healthy nutrition. Or maybe you need the tools to roundhouse kick sugar cravings to the chin?
There is likely more than one tool at play here. Focus on the one tool that makes learning the other tools irrelevant or easier.
-J
The gap between where you feel your strength and energy are now and where you want them to be in three, six and twelve months can feel daunting. Especially when you’re just getting (re)started.
You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to figure out how to get to the next rung on the ladder.
What tools do you need right now to reach that next rung?
Once you’re clear on the tools you need, you can pour most of your focus into learning how to use them.
And then repeat the same process for the next rung. And the next. And the next.
And eventually, you’ll be up there on the roof, watching a topless, 56-year-old Brad Pitt fixing an antenna. Because why not.
-J