ME vs. MYSELF vs. I

 

Why do we constantly compare ourselves to others? 

What is it about human nature that makes us our worst critics? 

How can this internal dilemma be solved?

    There is a lot of truth in the statement: "We are our worst enemy." The fact that we seem to hinder our progress by getting in our own way. Self-sabotage is a plague that we all contend with at some point in our lives. The "scorched earth" or "burn it to the ground" mentality are vengeful thoughts that seem too familiar. At times we feel our minds are permeated with negativity or feel attracted to chaos. This internal battle within can be a formidable opponent, but an adversary that can be conquered. 

    We are the gatekeepers of our minds, so the information we acquire and the people we associate with will have a profound impact our lives. Taking control of our immediate environments and routines is a proactive approach for setting ourselves up to flourish. Creating an empowering mental narrative is crucial for overriding the barrage of negativity we are exposed to on a daily basis. Experiencing voluntary hardship alone forges resiliency and enduring difficulty with others builds comradery. These moments greatly enrich us and give our lives meaning. We all have to be aware and vigilant against kicking our own asses. Quite being your own enemy and become your strongest ally.  

Recover or not to recover?

    Recently I've been getting asked about proper recovery by clients and friends and how it compliments a training regimen. This is a great question and an area of fitness that has many opinions. Most of recovery techniques are predicated on personal preference and individual need. I'll discuss what I believe to be the fundamentals of an effective recovery routine. 

    First and most importantly your recovery has to be congruent with your training in order to be effective. For example, if you're not exerting yourself or exercising for prolong periods of time utilizing deep tissue massage, acupuncture, and cryotherapy would be excessive to say the least. Conversely if your workouts are comprised of high frequency, intensity, and volume the above recovery techniques would be beneficial. If I'm being honest a lot of individuals use recovery to avoid getting started or from pushing themselves outside their comfort zones. 

    My personal training regimen is comprised of 4-5 days of exercise using various training modalities with 1 day of active recovery:(biking, swimming, hiking, climbing, etc.) and complete rest on the Sabbath. I've used an array of recovery techniques to address specific issues or to achieve certain results. Understand that recovery isn't an either-or proposition it's done simultaneously with exercise not to avoid doing the work, but to enhance it...

What Will it Take?

    Here we are on the other side of another chaotic year. The pandemic we thought was going to be over in two weeks has lasted two years. The "RONA" virus has proven to be a great equalizer amongst our society. Everyone has been affected by this event in one way or another. Now we as a nation are confronted with a choice on how we prioritize health and wellness going forward. 

    The virus has revealed just how unhealthy and vulnerable we are. We have more fitness resources than any other country on the planet yet we are plagued by chronic disease and obesity. For too long we have chosen what is easy over what is right. Comfort and convenience are opiates of an affluent society. We have been lulled into neglecting our physical and mental health. We choose to sacrifice our bodies in the pursuit of lifestyle. 

    Now that I've stated the obvious let's discuss solutions. Healthy living has to be prioritized and incentivized in this country. It takes each of us to make all of us so, change is going to start with YOU. We all can make incremental and consistent improvements in our lives. We have witnessed the havok this pandemic has caused, so if this doesn't wake us up WHAT WILL IT TAKE!

Post - Pandemic Playbook

   Here we are at what appears to be the back side of the worst pandemic most of us have ever experienced in our lifetimes. With all tumultuous events that occur in our lives there are always lessons to be learned and harsh reminders of all the things we have taken for granted. As a fitness professional I've had a unique vantage point to this entire experience. This virus has devasted some and emboldened others. I want to present some information that will ensure that you are part of the latter group.

    We as a society HAVE to make health a wellness a priority in our lives. The greatest method of prevention is the investment into one's well-being. Quality sleep, proper nutrition, and consistent exercise will do far more for immunity and symptom mitigation than anything else. In fact, a person who is already in good health will benefit more from peripheral antidotes including: personal hygiene, meds / vaccines, and public safety protocols. What troubled me most throughout this time was the 'quick fix" and instant gratification mentality towards treatment options for the virus. The emphasis on "pop a pill'' or "get the stick" and continue life as usual was the wrong message. If we don't use this pandemic as an epitus for changing how we live, then our situation will only become more dire. This isn't the only pandemic the world has ever known nor will it be the last. Those of us who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it. 

    In closing I want to reiterate on the importance of self-care and personal relationships. We need to start taking better care on ourselves as well as others around us. The stronger and more capable you are as an individual will give the ability to assist others in their time of need. Remember that the hard times wake you up to all the good things you been missing!

     

The purpose of suffering

      I'll start this month's entry by posing a question: Why do we suffer? This is a term that everyone has some familiarity with and it's something most people try to avoid at all costs. When one experiences suffering they are baffled to why it's occurring and wants it to end abruptly. If you pay attention there is always hidden lessons amongst all the chaos.
      My mentor always told me; "The harder you are on yourself the easier life will be on you." We need to embrace suffering at times and pay attention to what it's revealing in ourselves. If everything in our lives we always great there would never be a need to grow as a person. Hardship gives us the ignition to create change or to wake us up to all the good things we've been missing. You rarely understand the purpose while going through the torment, but I can't remember any point in my life where I endured suffering that I didn't come out better on the other side.
    We as human beings need that dichotomy to exist to keep us striving forward and to keep us humble. These difficult experiences draws us closer to: our creator, our loved ones, and reveals to us what's important in life.  We need to get our asses handed to us on occasion, so that we can never say: "we have it all figured out."

Beyond Excellence

   Have you ever imagined what the best version of yourself would be like and the quality of life being a person of that stature would enjoy. What would a "day in the life" be if you had reached and/or exceeded all of your goals and aspirations? What if your reality was better than your dreams? I try to create a compelling future to continually grow and be better.
   
   Why do we constantly sell ourselves short of our true potential? Through my own trials and tribulations I believe that revealing our inner strength is more terrifying than embracing mediocrity. It's been said:  "the thing that you have been dreading is the exact thing you should be pursuing." This can be applied to your fitness training by seeking out weakness and continually developing skill-sets. The objective is to advance your strengths, while mitigating your weaknesses to create a well rounded athleticism that allows you to operate at your highest level. Your health is the greatest commodity and without it life is bleak.

   What if you could achieve the body, health, & physical capabilities beyond what you have ever fathomed? To achieve this you never stop striving to improve and embrace a life of learning. Never constrain yourself to certain training methodologies or nutritional programs; instead your training should be comprised of multiple training disciplines and various nutritional theories. It's time to raise the standards and begin taking the pathway that will take us beyond excellence...

      

Dominate in 2016

   Well you survived this year and get yet another chance to become a better version of yourself. Did you really get out there and live this year or did you just simply exist. Getting caught in the mundane cycle of life and having little to show for it. I recently overheard a gentleman say: "That another year down is just that much closer to the grave." My rebuttal to him was: "everyday above ground is a good day." In this message I want to examine how you see yourself in the year ahead.
  
   Is the glass half empty? Are you pessimistic about what these next 365 days will bring or think it's going to be a repeat of last year. Does the thought of resolutions or goal setting discourage you from facing the new year? You shouldn't be fearful or anxious when the ball drops at midnight in Times Square. If that is the case then you need to examine why and take steps to create a more compelling future.
  
   Is the glass half full? Are you optimistic and want to start the new year mach two with your hair on fire. Do you look at the coming year as an opportunity to be better and enhance your life. This perception of the future gives one the ability to design how their lives will play out and to adapt faster when unexpected circumstances arise. People who choose positive outlooks and good attitudes have everything to gain and nothing to lose.

   In conclusion, nothing is gained by negative or pessimistic thoughts about the coming year. Choose to embrace the "glass is half full" mentality towards your future. The year 2016 is yours for the taking, so get out there and DOMINATE!