17 Dec 2009
Physical Culture, TV, Resolutions and THE Secret(s).
What is Physical Culture?
Encyclopedia Britannica, online -
Physical Culture: philosophy, regimen, or lifestyle seeking maximum physical development through such means as weight (resistance) training, diet, aerobic activity, athletic competition, and mental discipline. Specific benefits include improvements in health, appearance, strength, endurance, flexibility, speed, and general fitness as well as greater proficiency in sport-related activities.
Wikipedia, online -
Physical culture is a term applied to health and strength training regimens, particularly those that originated during the 19th century. During the mid-late 20th century, the term “physical culture” became largely outmoded in most English-speaking countries, being replaced by terms such as “physical education”, “fitness training” or simply “exercise”.
I found it interesting that the word “regimen” showed up in both…
Merriam-Webster defines Regimen as:
1 a : a systematic plan (as of diet, therapy, or medication) especially when designed to improve and maintain the health of a patient b : a regular course of action and especially of strenuous training (the daily regimen of athletes)
So what is this and why am I talking about it? Physical Culture is what I’m about. The society we exist in is not. Physical culture is about being and staying healthy and strong; and maintaining that health and strength everyday. Society today is about sitting and drive thru’s, eating foods with low or no nutritional value and mouse on a wheel “exercise” that won’t make or keep us healthy. You can fix anything with drugs, surgery, creams, potions and powders… Right? Maybe that TV has the answer.
TV commercials and infomercials want you to believe that you can correct 10 years of bad habits in 12 weeks eating mail order food (?), shaking a dumbbell for 6 minutes, rocking back and forth on spring loaded rollers with a gizmo under your chin, a patch on your butt and cream on your shoulders, all while wearing a neoprene belt around your waist (with or without electrocution). Magazines are even crazier with promises of bigger arms and smaller waists in 15 seconds while you wolf down a big mac.
RESULTS NOT TYPICAL; this phrase is in EVERY one of the ads. Never mind that the models shown in the advertisements don’t really use any of that stuff to look the way they do. It’s fun to find them endorsing a competing product. Maybe you noticed the “paid endorsement” in the ad.
There is a secret to looking and feeling the way you want. I know the secret, but I’m not telling. You won’t listen or do it unless I charge you 47 easy payments of $79.97, but wait… I’ll throw in two secrets and cut one payment… Hey I’ve got a third secret but you have to pay separate shipping and processing.
You sleep every day. This is a constant or consistent part of your life. If you don’t sleep eventually you will fall asleep. Your body will forcefully tell you that not sleeping is wrong. Just try to stop breathing and see what happens.
If you don’t exercise, though, your body doesn’t make you move. It gets fat, lazy, painful and unhealthy… It’s trying to tell you, but unlike sleep or breathing it can’t make you exercise.
Two books I STRONGLY recommend:
The Female Body Breakthrough by Rachel Cosgrove. This one is available at Amazon.com and has been found in Barnes & Noble. Rachel and her husband Alwyn (I’ve met on a few occasions) may operate THE most successful personal training center in the country. They know what works in the REAL WORLD, not TV land. One of my clients got this book and proclaimed that it could be her bible.
Never Let Go by Dan John. He’ll tell you the secret, but you won’t like it. This is a very entertaining book by an amazing man. I wish I had met Dan 10 years ago. Dan John was my Team Leader at the RKC certification; all I can tell you is that I learned a great deal through him. Not just kettlebell stuff, but healthy strength training in general. I’ve never had so much fun getting my ass kicked. He is straight forward in his approach and fun to listen to or read.
“Look at the rewards.
Look at your behavior.
Does your Behavior match your rewards?”
Coach Dan John
You’re going to make a resolution or resolutions in 2 weeks. Why wait? We all act as if the first of the year is our only NEW chance. Why not your birthday anniversary? Better yet, why not tomorrow morning when you wake up.
We are all given a fresh start, a new chance with every sunrise and every wake up, yes even you. Every time you wake up you are literally given a new chance to be better, whatever that may mean to you. It truly is a NEW day. You CHOOSE to make it the same or you choose to make change occur. By choosing nothing you have made a choice.
Read my post on the Program Minimum. Consistency is key. Do something every day. Is it truly important to you? Don’t overwhelm yourself. Don’t over-think it, don’t over-plan it. Simplify and do… “Do or Do not…there is no try” - Yoda. You will be happier with 10 focused minutes every day (and you will get more from this approach); versus nothing or 90 minutes of scattered shotgun fitness on a sporadic basis. Start simply and small with consistency then build on that.
“Trust only movement.
Life happens at the level of events, not of words.
Trust movement.”
Alfred Adler
You need to fit a healthy nutritional plan and regular (proper) exercise into your life. To do this you must make a strong (think life or death) commitment to you. Plan and prepare. Keep a journal. Ask for help. It’s your life and the quality of that life that is in jeopardy. Those around you will not likely help you, and would be negatively affected if something happened to you.
YOU must take care of YOU.
Swing Hard, Swing Often
Steve
