One of my lifetime ambitions is to remain fit and healthy until I reach a ripe old age. Part and parcel of this, is exercise. Of course, there are many ingredients to holistic health, but, without a doubt, exercise is one of them. For me, it's the most fun. However, just because I enjoy it, doesn't mean it's immune from my neuroticism. In fact, specific exercises, workouts, and training programs have been subject to the worst side of my pedantic nature over the years, all in search of one great, big, spectacular, be-all, and end-all, personal fitness blueprint.
What would this blueprint be for, exactly? Well, obviously, for everything. At least, everything fitness-related. It's a grand plan for how I would approach staying fit for the entirety of the rest of my life. A plan capable of transcending time, space, and all other worldly variables. A plan that could tell me what form of movement to do on which day, and how to do it. A plan catering for any current sporting goals and all possible future goals. A plan for the ages. A plan to take over the world! Are you with me?!?...
Sorry. I got a bit carried away there. As you might guess, my endeavours to create such a blueprint always ended in failure. Often more than failure. Often, they would result in me curled into a little ball, sucking my thumb, unable to answer the question as to what I was trying to do in the first place, and why I was trying to do it. Ah, the cruelty of it all.
Yet, in spite of my failure to create a master plan for world domination through fitness, I have always managed to stay, believe it or not, quite fit. I have consistently participated at a national level in track and field, specializing in the "man-killer" 400m Hurdles. I can run a 5km in under 20 minutes. I can hold my own against most in the gym. I have hiked for days in the mountains. And, when it comes to sports that I don't frequently engage in, I pick up skills quickly. By most accounts, I am quite a bit above average in terms of all-round fitness, while being some way off from being elite.
Unfortunately, I cannot be satisfied that things will continue in the future the way they have in the past. I am in a constant state of angst about the possibility of becoming unfit. So, I've continued looking for a master plan, a blueprint. But, I acknowledge that I should probably loosen the reins a little bit. An all-inclusive, exceedingly detailed plan for how, when, and why I need to do what form of movement on any given day, was never going to be a reality. So I've decided to be a bit more flexible rather than rigid. Basically, it comes down to three principles. Not rules. Principles.
First, and most importantly, some movement is better than no movement. When in the mood, it's easy to run, jump, swim, or lift heavy things. However, when I'm lacking motivation, injured, or sick, that's when this principle is most important. Basically, if I can't (or don't want to) run, then I'll walk. If I can't (or don't want to) walk, I'll do some yoga. Whatever I feel is the bare minimum I can do - I'll do that. Even if it's a single push-up. Even if it's getting out of bed to walk to the bathroom when I'm sick. I won't get obsessive about what the right thing to do is. I'll just do something.
Second, prioritize balance. This spans across so many dimensions. If I went hard yesterday, I'll consider going easier today. If I can run fast, I'll ask myself how far I can run. If my cardiovascular endurance is already awesome, I'll try to work on building some strength. If I've been doing the same things for weeks, I should start mixing things up with something new. Note that this should never compromise the first principle. Most importantly, some movement is better than no movement. If I ran yesterday, and I feel like running again today, while I'm dreading going to the gym, then I should run. But, if I have the energy to do the right thing, on top of just something, I will prioritize balance.
The third and final principle is to set goals. This is where things get fun. If I'm getting movement in, and I'm maintaining a good balance, and I still feel like I need a little something extra, then I'll set a goal. Pick a date. Run a marathon. Work towards a new personal best. Anything. It can really be anything. Whatever feels like the most exciting, most fun thing to do, I'll do that. And again, this should not compromise either of the first two principles. If a goal is so heavy that it cripples me into not wanting to exercise at all, it should be dropped. Or, if it gets in the way of me maintaining balance in my approach to fitness, then it's also a stupid goal. Otherwise, goals are awesome. They're fun. And they give me a sense of achievement. So, goal ahead!
And that's it. My trifecta blueprint for fitness to immortality. Inevitably, I'll be back in a few months scrutinizing this to death and convincing myself it's all wrong. Or, I need to add more detail. Or, what's the point, even. Or, maybe I won't. These principles feel true to me. They feel solid without being a burden. And so, I hope they'll stick. Well, there's only one way to find out.
Until next time, amigos. Adios.
"If you are facing in the right direction, all you need to do is keep on walking."
- Buddha