January 26, 2015
I recently wrote for the sidebar of a local newspaper the following: The Fitness Mission is an initiative to help people to understand that they have a right and an obligation to themselves and their loved ones to perform the self-maintenance that allows them to fully express themselves as human beings. Most people pay much more attention to maintaining their car than their own physical and mental condition.
We believe that the big thing is to get people to believe that big change is possible….that they are not just the product of their genes and their environment. Rather, they really do have the freedom to decide if they are worth at least a little tune-up; perhaps even a major overhaul. We believe that if they have the latest and best information, with a little confidence they will be able to make better decisions.
We understand the frustration to the point of despair that some feel after years of suffering through overpromised diets and exercise regimes that result in no meaningful change. We have seen where simple changes in perspective and attitude make the awful sense of defeated resignation impossible.
With solid, practical information and the right attitude dramatic change is not only possible, it is guaranteed. It really should not be as hard as many people have had to suffer in the past.
So, what does self-maintenance look like? It varies with different people, depending on their current level of strength, endurance and mobility; their progress to date in turning positive behaviors into habits, and their personal level of “messedupedness” (and almost everyone over the age of eight has already developed debilities, dysfunctional compensations and bad habits). In other words, almost everyone can benefit a great deal by fixing what is already broken or working to prevent what their personal circumstances and environment puts them at risk for.
We look at three groups of people where, although a lot of the maintenance techniques and procedures are often similar, the priorities and emphasis varies:
First are the majority of people (approximately 70%) who do participate in regular exercise or physical activity. Most, of course, acknowledge the importance of such activity and that it would likely enhance their mental and physical wellbeing; however, they just don’t have the time and have likely experienced considerable frustration in the past trying to keep with any program long enough to see results sufficient to motivate them to keep going.
Second are those that feel they get some exercise and do make a concerted effort to regularly “eat right” and have managed to adopt a few fitness habits into their daily routine. However, they most likely suffer from any number of minor to serious issues that result from modern lifestyles. For example, Upper Cross Syndrome, and Lower Cross Syndrome affect almost everybody to a degree and result primarily from sitting too much.
Lastly are those people where exercise is a very important part of their lives. They often go to the point of planning their days around their workouts and participating in competitions and other events with like-minded people. For these folks, avoiding injury can become as consuming as the workouts themselves. It is estimated that 80% of runners suffer some sort of injury in any given year. Avoiding muscle imbalances, postural distortions and technique compromises that lead to overuse injuries is a major benefit of a regular program of self-maintenance.
For those new to this discussion, here’s a few links to previous articles that help to illustrate what we are trying to do. Please make a comment below or email me directly at mrkehl13@gmail.com with any questions or topics you would like to see addressed.
1. Want to meet a couple of people that have struggled with fitness issues and especially their weight for years? Check out Heidi and Jay at Health Binge. Heidi and Jay are just great people with a great attitude who never, ever, give up.
2. It’s clear from Heidi’s Health Binge above that she is finally succeeding in controlling her weight with low carb meals. More later on the total fraud of fat is bad, carbs are good that we’ve all been indoctrinated with. In the meantime, here’s some tasty recipes that I enjoy scarfing: Life Stuff.
3. From That Strong Old Guy: To dispel the notion that becoming weak and frail is the inevitable consequence of aging. New Paradigm.
4. Are any folks out there Harley Davidson Riders? Do you have friends that ride? Please show them this posting. I’m clearly off in an alternative direction than where Corporate seems to be taking The Motor Company. Please comment on Harley’s Young Old Guys. Am I just full of it, or can Harley Davidson do better than trikes for us?