Worthwhile Work
I'm guilty. I've tried to kill things. Mostly fat cells, but it's a violent, pathological pattern. I've also coached thousands of people to work until their legs ache, their lungs burn, their sweat pours and they probably question why they started. It's a common motivational tactic designed to help people work harder than they would on their own. It's not a completely bogus idea because we can all attest to doing more together than when we're alone; it's crowd mentality at it's best. And fitness pro's are pro's at it. We have all seen, and probably have all, at one point personified, the slogger at the gym who checks in but doesn't do much or gain much. Attendance doesn't make the grade, actual participation does. And not just going-through-the-motions kind of participation...it's got to hurt a bit. However, not very many adults are buying this, and I'd like to propose a new approach.
“If our bodies could talk, I believe we would hear a resounding shout everyday...MOVE ME!”
If you pick up a book on any self-help shelf, you are guaranteed to be advised to pursue your passion, find happiness, relax, enjoy your life by doing what feels good, etc. Part of this push to pursue ease may come from opposing the side of life that is driven, competitive, expensive and survived only by the strong, those who sacrifice time and energy and relationships to be successful. It is true that if we don't get some enjoyment out of life we end up burned out and angry. We live in the middle of a dichotomy of working our tails off so that when we are done working, we can then enjoy living. We are told to work hard, so that we can play hard. As if hard work is not to be enjoyed, but only when we are off the clock are we to really live. This same opposition is swallowed whole in fitness. I've coached cyclists to work until their thighs are on fire and just look forward to being done, just get through the hard stuff. But there is a component of work that we need to settle into. If I'm perfectly honest, I don't much like anything burned, even my quads. But because I know the result of that hard intensity, I'm more willing to go through it. And do we have to feel the burn before we can be satisfied that our session was worth it? On some level we do, because there is science behind the burn. It's part of our physiology to create the pain sensation when our muscle lacks oxygen, our metabolism is cranking out by-products of energy use and our vascular systems are overloaded. It's partly so that we don't actually harm ourselves, but the best reason is that it signals when the chemical changes of metabolism are finally occurring. It's a good thing, but it hurts. That does not mean that all exercise has to be painful all the time, because all moving has value, but at some point, we need some discomfort.
Selling pain is not an easy gig, and it's really not being bought by most. Coaching people to inflict discomfort on themselves seems counterintuitive. So how are we to keep going, or try to convince the 80% of the American adult population that doesn't get the recommended 2.5 hours of exercise per week (CDC, 2013), that it's good to feel the burn? I believe it comes down to one mind shift. We have to recognize that our bodies really do like moving and a lot of it. If our bodies could talk, I believe we would hear a resounding shout everyday...MOVE ME! Our bodies are designed for function, not hours of stillness. No other machine is as intricately and perfectly positioned for motion. If you aren't convinced of this, try keeping a baby from moving. It's impossible if you want to keep your sanity. We innately like moving and pushing and trying hard things, but sadly we are eventually rewarded for sitting still for long periods of time and moving becomes a luxury or a punishment. The key is to deeply know that when we move well, our bodies are the most efficient, content and high functioning. Enjoying exercise makes exercise more doable, your pain tolerance rises, and you begin to see results. If we can understand that a positive attitude toward exercise actually makes our bodies respond better, then maybe more of us will participate.
“The point is, simply being alive puts you on the playing field of moving, you just have to find what you like and do it. Do lots of it and bring as many people as you know to do it, too.
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It's no mystery that when we do good work, we are rewarded with the sense of accomplishment that comes from discipline and follow through, and hopefully some financial gains. However, if we dread our occupation, if we don't like the work environment, if we do the bare minimum, aren't paid well, and see no future, it's going to be hard to stay on the job. This must be the way 80% of adults think of having to muster through HIIT training, WODs and 90 minute yoga classes. Did you actually process the statistic from the CDC...only 20% of the adult population in America gets enough exercise every week. This is not acceptable or sustainable. We have to move more and if we can believe that our bodies want to go, then maybe we can accept some of the painful effects of exercise with gratitude. It doesn't all have to be awful but it does have to be consistently often enough that we prevent disease. Our bodies like exercise. So we need to like exercise, too.
If you haven't found an activity that is minimally enjoyable to you, then you haven't looked hard enough. Making inroads into health begins very functionally...just move more in your day. It's really that simple and progressive. Once you begin that, then you can learn new ways to add activity. Maybe you need to walk the dog or push the kids in the stroller, or both! Maybe you'll find that if you like walking things, you'll like running, too. Maybe you'll find that walking is your thing and you start to add frequency and distance. What if you discover a great way to strengthen your body with just your body (who knew?). Maybe you'll discover kayaking, trampolines, rollerblades, water skis, surfing, biking, tennis, golf, hiking or maybe you create the next movement craze! The point is, simply being alive puts you on the playing field of moving, you just have to find what you like and do it. Do lots of it and bring as many people as you know to do it, too. Eventually, you will recognize the work you've done has included some element of pain, but it's some of the most worthwhile and necessary work there is.
