All Or Nothing?

People do strange things when it comes to fitness. In a newsletter I wrote a few months ago, I talked about people who continue to do exercises they enjoy even though they continue to get injured with those activities.

One has to ask the question: Is the activity bad for the individual or are they suffering from incorrect form?

I like to use running as an example.

Few will argue that running is one of the best calorie burners when it comes to fat loss. Not to mention, it takes little to no equipment to perform it.

However, other factors contribute to the high injury rate associated with running. (Have no fear runners, I'm not picking on you. There are other suspects as well!)

-Does the individual have too much weight to lose, thereby adding excessive pressure on their joints when they run?

-Is the individual wearing proper running shoes (fitted appropriately based on gait, arch, etc.)

-Is the body given ample time to recover from a run before embarking on another or is the individual "fighting through the pain" to be able to exercise?

This list isn't comprehensive but rather a brief look at things to consider.

So I'd like you to consider something else as well:

The Extremist.

This person can float within different spectrums. They can be the obsessive dieter, the hardcore fitness enthusiast, the holistic wellness snob, etc.

Frequently what you see, is someone who will either completely embody something or completely abandon it, with no cognizance of a middle ground.

Examples like:

"If I can't work out 5 times a week, I won't work out at all."

"If I start the day with a bad meal, I might as well eat poorly for the rest of the day"

Or using our previous example

"If I can't run, then I just won't get to exercise"

I have to say, all approaches are incorrect.

If you've been sedentary for awhile or if you have a significant amount of weight to lose, you just can't go from a base level of zero to 10 in the matter of a week or two.

Often times, it pays to start things off gradually and build a foundation for yourself.

Remember that for many people, drastic and abrupt changes don't work well. They have to be slower and with moderate progress so both body and mind can adapt without being overly taxed and shutting down.

To use a frequently heard phrase: burning out.

It bears repeating (as I've mentioned in other newsletters), some forms of exercise just DON'T working for some people. Maybe your body does really well with Zumba but not with Yoga. Unfortunately, you hate dancing but you love "downward facing dog". Sadly, you may have to give up on yoga or find a practitioner who is more flexible with instruction (or willing to give private instruction so you're not as likely to be injured).
Or maybe you like lifting heavy weights but your body is prone to injury and lighter weights for more reps are actually more beneficial for you.
And to use the running example one last time, maybe your inability to recover from long distance running is keeping you from being able to enjoy other types of exercise.

Your body is constantly sending you signals. You can prefer to ignore them and risk injury that may be difficult (or impossible) to recover from or you can listen to the signals.

Exercise, dietary adherence, and personal wellness should never be an all or nothing approach. You just have to be flexible with what works and doesn't work for your body so you can have a lifetime of healthy patterns and habits without making things more difficult on you than they should be.

We're here to help discern the difference!