Everything you read and all the research shows that active people live longer lives. And not just longer, but more fulfilling lives b/c quality of life matters and no one wants to live longer but be miserable or be in pain or not be able to really enjoy themselves. So the research says to move more in order to live longer and healthier.
I love this! I love this b/c I love working out. I love running myself to the limits of my perceived endurance. I love seeing how much faster I can sprint in the water each time I push off the wall. I love lifting weights and watching my muscles contract while I lift the 12th rep with heavier weights or feel the perceived fatigue set in after the 20th rep w/ lighter weights. I love being sore the next day or two b/c that reminds me that I worked hard and did something fun and exciting!
But, as a personal trainer, I know that I'm probably in the minority of people who actually, genuinely love all these experiences and feelings. I mean, that's why I'm employed, right?! So the thought I had today was in relation to the majority of people who do not live for that paragraph of fun above.
>>> They move and exercise b/c the research and doctors say they should in order to live longer. But they don't really enjoy it. They may enjoy and benefit from the long-term effects of living longer and healthier. So my question is...
* If you are doing something NOW in order to enjoy the benefit MUCH LATER, how much effort do you put into it?
* How much stock do you place in the thing you are doing NOW that it will actually help you LATER?
I'm guessing that lots of people are going through the motions and not really benefiting from exercise. They are taking slow, short walks b/c they were told to move more. Then they are sitting for longer periods of sedentary time b/c they believe they "worked out" for the day and can now enjoy themselves. They "earned it". I've seen clients use one third of their range of motion b/c they don't realize they can go farther. They lift the lightest weights possible b/c they have decided it's all they can do. But, with a little effort, they can move their arm all the way up to their ear. They can bend their knees into a 90 degree angle. They can bicep curl an 8# weight instead of a 3#. It's a matter of perception and desire.
My favorite thing about this blog is the rambling I do, haha. And then I realize I'm rambling and draw it all to a conclusion. The conclusion here is that we need to decide for ourselves what we want. Do we want a little extra effort NOW in order to hopefully have a healthier and longer life LATER? Or do we want to do nothing NOW and see how it goes LATER?
* Find what you love and enjoy.
* Do what you love and enjoy.
*** And do it 100%. Commit to working out for a better future. Or don't. It's your time and your effort.
(But don't waste your time and the fitness instructors'/personal trainer's time only giving a 10% effort.)
Stepping down from my soap box for a moment :)
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