Saturday, June 5, 2010

The Butterfly Effect

I saw a science fiction show about time travel. A man went back millions of years to when the earth was very young. His curiosity got the best of him and he stepped out of his craft and unknowingly killed underfoot a single ant.  When he returned to his own time he discovered it was a desolate and lifeless place. So much was the influence of that tiny incident so long ago.

OK, it's science fiction, but there is no doubt that even the smallest effects can have profound results for both bad and for good.  The habits we develop at an early age become ingrained and part of our natures over time, and hopefully these habits are positive ones and will benefit us as years go by.  Of course, we all know, often there are also unhealthy habits that come along for the ride and gather steam and influence and result in some very unwanted aftershocks. A harmless visit to the ice cream shop can topple even the most diligent health proponent, and an innocent puff on a cigarette in the boys' or girls' room can become an incredibly stubborn albatross around the neck for that person later on in life. I think for most of us we can pretty much remember the history behind our struggles with the challenges that ultimately become infamous New Years' resolutions.

If this were the end of the story then it certainly would seem a hopeless one.  For many people who become indoctrinated into the culture of despair that seems to constantly bombard us, the result is an acceptance of an inevitable although very long defeat.

But just like the flapping of a tiny wing can generate a huge storm so can the smallest bit of determination and commitment gather momentum and produce incredibly beneficial results.
It can be as simple as looking at some old pictures of ourselves as high school athletes or finding your running shoes and lacing them up or looking across the aisle at the restaurant patron siting uncomfortable squeezed into his or her booth and feeling a bit of a chill run down your spine as you wonder how it got that far and could that be you in 5 or 10 years??

Do you recall the magazine article you read in the doctor's office while waiting for your annual check-up?
Do you remember the friend who asked you join them on a run or gym workout?
Do you remember being up late at night and seeing an add for a workout that stuck in your mind?

These small puffs of wind are all we need to eventually fill the sails of our fitness lifeboat.
It works both ways. The ingredients are all around us. If we keep very quiet and stand very still we'll feel the breeze and know which way it's blowing and can set a new course towards a better fitness future.
And what does one do if after all this there still appears to be no wind at all?

Then, my fitness loving friends, all together

WE ROW!

Tip of the Day: Quality over Quantity

It happens to all of us at one time or another especially as we get further into a fitness program that we imperceptibly drift in our form and technique especially during resistance or strength workouts. A few weekends ago, Chuck and my dad were doing Legs and Back from P90X, and Chuck noticed that my dad's pull ups were becoming shorter in stroke length  and made it a point of  spotting my dad for form on the next set. Within a minute or two things were on track, and as a matter of fact today I heard from from my dad and he has begun to pay particular attention in the other strength routines such as Chest and Back. Although his rep count dropped off for both push-ups and pull-ups he felt the effects were just as good and that the workout was less of an aerobic sprint for numbers and now a real strength building day as it should be.

A few things are worth pointing out here.
First: We've been talking about the benefits of community and workouts buddies. Even those of us who've committed to a fitness program are not immune to slipping into bad habits. Remember that practice makes permanent and not perfect! A buddy can keep us on track and help us avoid some frustrating pitfalls.

Second: Good form is almost synonymous with good results but also less risk of injury. Your body will tell you when it has had enough. When your form heads South you are done. Write it down, and shoot for it the next time.  There is no point in twisting and jerking about just to get a few more low quality reps in.

Finally: While it is very important to write down the information and numbers for each workout I can't stress enough that this is NOT your goal! Your goal is to participate at the best level for your own physical fitness program. Don't let your ego take over and undermine an otherwise productive and rewarding day and discourage you from the next workout.

So the tip of the day: If you are working out and are finding it is becoming routine, monotonous, and perhaps even a bit like drudgery then maybe it's time for some fitness technique rehab. Call up a friend and  have them make some casual observations, and I think you'll be surprised at how a few minutes of constructive criticism can keep us focused and recharged so we can bring it very day.

Now, dontcha wanna put your shorts on and get into the gym and push play!