Methodical Movement for Fitness and Health

As I am pondering this quote from Plato -

"Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise save it and preserve it."

I love this quote. I live this quote. I teach this quote.

I identify with this because it means so many things and yet is such a simple way of approaching life, habits and fitness. For me it instantly takes my mind to exercise. Physical fitness is a baseline for all humans to strive to achieve. It also enables a person to do many things such as move around, take care of yourself and take care of others that you care about. Additionally, physical fitness provides a person with capability to participate in activities. Activities such as hiking, running, jumping, playing ball are just some of the basics. Then, there's a love of fitness that provides a person with a higher platform to perform more advanced activities. Then, this spark, this ability to understand what a body is capable of,  this love of fitness, then translates out into life. It supports activities like organized group sports, individual sports and activities that challenge the body and the mind.

Once you find yourself at that place, where you are training for the love of fitness, only then.... you begin to embrace the quote. Apply this methodology to your life. You need to move your body to respect your body. You need to fuel your body to demand activity from your body and improve yourself. You need to respect your body as  your vehicle to navigate this life. You can demand so much more of your physical being than your mind convinces you of. This is a lesson and a test. You take from it what you put in and you get back what you deserve. If you continue to move you will stay in motion, if you stop moving the momentum will be lost. You can begin again but it is more difficult each time. So it's better to slow down, take a breath and keep moving.

Your body is meant to move. It doesn't have to be fast it just needs to go. It doesn't always need strength but you will find strength. It doesn't need to always be sweaty but then you may break a sweat. It can be fun and it almost always is. It can improve your life in so many ways. It's return on investment is inmeasurable.

Try it... I challenge you! 

Beyond the Rower (Concept2)

"Athlete Development Camp"

Creating Positive Forward Motion

I found this to be such an amazing class with tons of valuable info that is easy to understand and experiment with. First because of CPJ's drive to help people become better at whatever their personal goals are. For me I want to be better at breathing while performing specific movements such as wall balls. I tend to hold my breath when doing wall balls which prevents me from doing very many unbroken. I have tried variations of them playing with the depth of squat to catching the ball more on one side than the other. All of these variations feel as if I am jeopardizing the integrity of the movement so I always end up back at square one. After participating in ADC I have learned how to utilize my breath in conjunction with my body and this really helps. I knew how to apply breathing during Olympic Lifts but for me the feeling doesn't cross over. In addition to ADC, I have kept a regimented meditation program which is focused on breathing techniques. Maybe these two combinations are, for me, the missing link.  

Below is the work that I consistently did each week to improve my aerobic base. 6 sets of 750 meters. Each week the rest time between sets is decreased. The goal is to row at a 500 m pace within a set range of strokes per minutep. This exercise has proven to  be useful and I think that rowing each week for a longer distance (even if there's set rest built in) is a valuable tool that translates beyond the rower. 

Train like there's no finish line

I love this quote. The reason is pretty simple... It's a perfect place to be.  I remind myself of this idea every time I get caught up in comparing myself to others or in a negative place. I train for me first and foremost. If I don't take good care of myself I will not be able to care for the ones that I love. I train to be a better version of myself inside and out.  The time focused training at the gym, on a run in the woods and even in/on the water is time that I can be in the moment. In the moment is a space that is sometimes hard to find but often sought after.  When you make time to be in the moment with yourself you know what it feels like and can apply to the time that you spend with family, friends, work or wherever your day takes you.  It can even be a great tool to be in the moment when you take your dog for a walk.  Focus is a muscle too that needs to be used and practiced. So get out there and work that muscle and train like there's no finish line.