Physics are involved, one way or another...

I don’t know if Einstein actually said this, but the internet says he did:  The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.  Sure, he was talking about physics and the universe and relativity, but I’m going to use the quote for a fitness purpose because I’m fresh out of cosmic problems to solve.  I recycle like that.

When we are new to fitness or when we try a new activity or sport or when we learn a new exercise, sometimes we discover that we have way too many body parts to keep track of at once.  It can be overwhelming.  We get the feet under control and suddenly our arms are flailing around like the tentacles of a panicked octopus.  Meanwhile, the ball or puck or beat has blown by us.  This is totally normal, if not always pleasant.

In the Pilates workshop I went to recently, we were discussing assessments.  Often, clients have a whole bunch of issues going on at once.  The very helpful advice?  Pick two things to focus on.  Do some work on those compensations, those particular issues of form, and see what happens.

The point is, we have to start somewhere.  Maybe getting our feet under control is enough for now.  We can deal with the tentacles later, and the ball/puck/beat after that.  It’s also possible that when we figure out the tentacles, the ball/puck/beat will handle itself—we get the benefit of some chain reactions.

When we give our bodies and our minds time to process new information, we get better.  It can be hard to be patient, but it is usually worth it.

We can do this.

Minimums and Monsters

I have written many times before about my depression and anxiety and about how exercise helps me cope with them.  My experience is anecdotal, of course, but science backs me up:  depression symptoms are often improved by exercise, particularly cardio.

This is one reason why I have a minimum daily exercise goal and a nearly foolproof plan to make it happen.  I have to walk my dog for about half an hour.  If I do that, I don’t have to do anything else.  Most days, I do plenty more, but on days when the Depression Monster visits, that is enough.  The foolproof part is that if I don’t walk my dog, she harasses me.  It is less trouble to walk her than to deal with her unwalked.  (I did not get a dog for this reason, but there are worse reasons to get a dog…)

What works for me may not work for anyone else.  Cardio is no substitute for professional help, but in most cases it won’t hurt to add it on.  And if it helps us outrun the Depression Monster, so much the better.

Let’s be well.

Monday Workout: TRX

This week we’re playing with the TRX.  That means we get bonus points for working our abs on every exercise.  We are also working our balance and stability!  I love workouts that accomplish a whole bunch of things at once!  Four rounds.

1 min cardio
atomic oblique pushup	20
side plank with rotation	20
sprinter start with hop	20
chest press deep angle	20
1 leg squat with hop	20
kneeling roll out	20
TY deltoid fly	20
back row, deep angle	20
hamstring curl	20