Fitness

The Fundamentals of Fitness

I have come to the conclusion that mental and physical fitness are so deeply connected that it is impossible to separate them for the purpose of self improvement. Acknowledging this, has allowed me to look at my fitness in a holistic manner. When I think fitness, I think mental & physical fitness together; as one.

Through the years, I have studied fitness from lots of different angles, I have tried out lots of the new ideas that have come along, and lots of the older ones that have been around for centuries. I have read countless studies, absorbed the conclusions, and tried to implement any positive findings into my own life, I have studied the textbooks where the ‘truths’ from yesterday are stored, and I keep up-to-date with the latest scientific research that gives us the ‘truths’ for the textbooks of tomorrow.
Having all this information is great, but sometimes we can just get lost in it all. There is so much information out there that we can easily be overwhelmed and end up doing nothing to improve our situation. Paralysis by analysis is extremely common. Being uncertain of how to start, or what programme or method to follow, can evaporate any motivation we have to get going. We want to move forward but feel stuck, so we don’t even start, making us feel even worse about ourselves.

It’s highly unlikely that blindly following someone else’s methods or programmes would end up being the best way for you to reach your potential. However, trying things out and seeing if they really work for you is a great way of exploring options, learning new skills, and finding out about what your mind and body actually need. The key in this process is to really connect with what you are doing. This raises your awareness and understanding of where you are, and where you want to go, it allows you to build a better picture of your current health, fitness, and wellbeing. Practicing this with fitness based activities also impacts other aspects of your life. Understanding and practicing connection opens the door to appreciating the process, it helps to create a state of acceptance and contentment, which ultimately increases happiness.

Starting this process can seem daunting at first, which may produce some anxiety, so if you find a good coach or mentor, it can make things a lot easier. Saying that, it is not necessary that you pay a professional, you can make amazing progress if you are reasonably self-aware and have the fortitude to put the work in yourself. A good coach is there to guide you through the process, listen to you, be honest with you, bounce ideas off, act as an accountability partner, support and encourage you, help you find your inner strength, and even inspire you. Having this resource helps a lot, but it is not essential; great progress can be made on your own, or with a friend or partner. You can go on this journey alone, or find someone to join you, and you can support each other through the process, with both of you benefiting greatly.

No matter what programme or method you choose to follow, or if you are out there experimenting with things to see what works best for you, whether you’re starting this journey on your own, with a friend or partner, or with a coach or mentor, there are a few phrases to remember, these are:

These phrases are beneficial when embarking on any type of self-improvement journey (these also apply to developing any new skill or habit). If we take these ideas on board and apply them to the areas we want to improve, we will see progress.

The Fundamentals of Fitness

I consider the components highlighted below to be the Fundamentals of Fitness, and I believe making small adjustments to these will enhance your mental and physical fitness greatly. You don’t have to focus on them 100% of the time, but if you keep these things in mind when making your daily choices, you will undoubtedly improve.

Personally, when I take these things into consideration when creating my daily routines, I definitely make progress. Seeing the improvements makes me feel good, which in turn, fuels my motivation to continue. I feel the secret is to take small steps, be consistent, celebrate your victories (no matter how small), and always keep in mind – ‘I am a work in progress’. I see my health, fitness, and wellbeing as a continuous experiment, so I am always trying new things to see what impact they have on me, keeping what works and letting go of what hinders me.

The Heart of Health & Happiness

Many studies have shown that if we feel the things shown below, it can greatly impact our longevity and our quality of life.

There are huge health and wellbeing benefits when we feel –

Working on the Fundamentals of Fitness can change how we feel about ourselves, and how we react to the world around us. It can alter our mood and change our lives for the better

If you are interested in receiving coaching on the Fundamentals of Fitness and would like to change your life, please get in touch.

Remember, if nothing changes, nothing changes.