Settle for the easy life or make life easier?

Published: Tue, 03/08/16

Hi

What is the easy life?

Or, put it another way, what makes it easier to get through the day?
  • less working hours?
  • lie ins?
  • sofa time?
  • minimal time moving?
  • food delivered?
  • convenience?
  • escalators, lifts or travelators?
  • cars?
Of course these things are 'good' inventions to make our lives easier and we are very resourceful at inventing ways to make sure we expend less physical energy as we go about our day.

Can anyone else see a possible problem with this?

With the headlines today that 40% of deaths in the UK are related to lifestyle choices....something needs to be done

(it makes me really sad!)

What holds people up in their fitness journey has been studied many times and we know that the less conditioned, strong and tired a person is and the lower the enthusiasm a person has to change the harder it is to make that first step.

The larger the distance and steeper the curve the harder the first few steps are.

Obvious on one level of course, however when we think deeper on this then there is an issue in there the health and fitness industry needs to focus on.

We need to embrace the fact we need to work harder and move away from easy.

We need to see anyone making any effort to improve their health as a total hero and praise them unconditionally!

As a muscle gets stronger with increasing stress..so does your drive to make the next, bigger, step.

The obstacle IS the way.

Be smarter at noticing, highlighting and celebrating the improvements our bodies make with as many interventions as possible...ESPECIALLY the small ones

The healthier, stronger, fitter, sufficiently rested and better fed with good nutrition we are, the FASTER the enthusiasm grows in US to make an incredible change on our health and outlook on life...

We need to work on improvements in:

  • mobility: stretching, SMR, moving often all create a body which moves EASIER. From turning in the driving seat to see out the back window whilst reversing to springing out of bed in the morning. Every movement we make that is easier makes our lives easier
  • CV fitness: running for a bus or taxi really highlights how our fitness is progressing or regressing. However, being fitter makes our fun/ work/ activity packed days easier to coast through. Want more out of life? The answer is here
  • strength: being stronger makes things easier to carry. Stating the obvious I know...yet ever stop to think how much energy even something as innocent as your handbag or laptop can weigh heavy on our bodies when carried all day without a good chunk of muscle
  • sleep: yes, I'm banging on about this again. You can derail ANY effort you are making to improve your health by not sleeping well. Quit the screens late at night and remember that every hour before midnight is worth TWO after!
  • nutrition: we have all had those times when cooking from scratch is the last thing we want to do and that fast food has crept in. However, try to remember always that you will pay the price in performance the next day. Energy saved the night before...you have to pay it back with interest tomorrow

The bottom line is we have to make our bodies WORK for a fit and healthy life.

We are primed by our evolution to be moving, adapting and challenging ourselves physically for HOURS each day

A paradigm shift needs to occur in our thinking.

The future will get easier and we will have more energy from the effort we put into our life right NOW!

It doesn't need to be Crossfit, sprints in the park every night and heavy squats...it can just be adding in a bit more INCONVENIENCE and EFFORT to your day when you can.

Wait for that time when it is you that is sitting in front of the Doctor telling you that you need to take a pill for the rest of your life, have an emergency operation, or need a walking stick to make a difference?

No?  Me neither!

40% of the population will do so....

Want to quit [insert naughty habit] but can't?

Replace 'can't' with 'WON'T'...it is your CHOICE to NOT give up, no one is forcing you to keep doing it.

Make the correct, proper decision and stick to it...it works!

I certainly don't want to be part of the additional 10% of people getting sick that will see the above headline being at 50% in the next 5 years.

One chance at this game folks!

Just make it a little bit harder to make it all easier!

J
James Chandler
Personal Trainer
07870 262741
www.eatwellandworkout.com


'To inspire, educate and support our clients on their journey to better health'