TIRING or INSPIRING?

In your efforts to work out/train/exercise, are you surrounding yourself with people who are TIRING or INSPIRING? 
If you are not achieving the results you are after, perhaps you need to recruit the help of someone who could inspire you to think out of the box, try something new or change your approach to what you've been doing mindlessly for far too long.

Sometimes that's all you need. 

So what does that mean?  Research, read; or observe those who ARE achieving effective results and glean what you can from these sources.  I've found all three methods to be hugely motivating for me. 

We may not always find a good training partner, or personal instructor or even a suitable facility to workout in, but we can ALWAYS invest in our bodies by learning about how to keep them in motion, whilst respecting the integrity of the bodies design. Peter Egoscue, an anatomical physiologist and pain relief expert, says: 


"...muscles that don't move lose strength and function.  On this point there are no exceptions.  The musculoskeletal system was designed to maintain itself in a motion-rich environment, and does not readily take to management by drugs, surgery, or other forms of outside therapeutic imtervention." 

Some of the best coaches, trainers, therapists and CSCS's have a strong online presence, and I've made it my business to tap into their knowledge and attempt what they suggest is currently most effective.  It does not matter much where you are physically.  Give attention to where you are MENTALLY first.  I speak from experience.

I had the priviledge of being trained by a truly INSPIRING, skilled and experienced PT named Fred Sesler, in Westport, Connecticut just over a year ago, which was a catalyst to an incredible year of transformation for me.  Without the boost of 4 weeks of "Fred-love" (all of his clients know EXACTLY what i mean..!) I don't think I would have even IMAGINED it possible to accomplish what I have these past 12 months. 

That was the start of a process that led me to kettlebell training the RKC way, as well as discovering the highly motivating thoughts, writings and tools of some of the leaders in the field of strength training.  Specialists like Pavel Tsatouline, Dan John, Gray Cook, Andrea Du Cane and many others have been a constant source of motivation for me.    (My Favorites list to the left, is a starting point if you'd really like to dig and discover!)

But perhaps I can share some of my 'lightbulb moment', all-time-most-inspiring-thoughts with you in my next few posts.  I'll start with the thoughts of an incredibly gifted physical therapist named Anat Baniel who trained with Dr Moshe Feldenkrais for more than fifteen years and has helped plenty of people, young and old to 'move beyond their limitations and achieve greater energy and strength'. 

"Most, if not all, experts in the health-related fields agree that movement, or what more often is referred to as exercise, is central to our health and continued well-being.  We are encouraged to exercise both our bodies and our minds.  Yet it is important to note that movement alone, done automatically, without attention, does not provide the brain with any new information.  On the contrary, such movement will tend to groove already existing brain patterns more deeply.  Over time, that leads to loss of strength and flexibility in both body and mind.  We then think that we are losing our vitality due to age, life circumstances, or simply back luck.  But not so.  The moment we bring attention to our movement, any movement, research shows that the brain resumes growing new connections and creating new pathways and possibilities for us.  And that is when we feel most vital."  "Move Into Life"  Anat Baniel (p25)

Till next time,

Mandy