Perfection is the enemy of progress.
Ignorance is the enemy of initiation.
There is a time to question, reflect, ponder, research, think, and plan.
However, more often than not, that becomes too long a time.
More often than not, we need to say, “Screw it. I’m jumping.”
One time, when I thought bungee jumping sounded like a fine idea, this happened.
Bungee guy: Okay, ready when you are.
Me: ….
Bungee guy: ….
Me: …heavy breathing…
Bungee guy: Okay, how about I count down. Jump on ‘one.’ Three…two…
Me: No! I will jump when I am ready to jump.
Bungee guy: Okay, let’s count together.
Me: I WILL JUMP WHEN I AM READY TO JUMP.
[3 minutes of back-and-forth clarification on the expectations for the jump]
Bungee guy: You’ve got this! Three…Two..
Me: Stop. counting. I said. I will jump. When I want. To jump.
…
Me: Three…Two…One…AHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhh
hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
hhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
hhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
………………………..
My friends, whether it’s on your own count or on the count of a trusted advisor:
Take the plunge.
*Have any experience just “taking the plunge”? How did it go? Would love to hear about it in the comments below!*
**Wow, I am channeling my inner Dr. Seuss. It didn’t last long!…Moose.**
Did anyone see Pat’s Facebook post the other day? No? Doesn’t surprise me.
It was basically a list of ten things to do to be…shall we say…generically….”better.”
Here, I’ve taken the liberty of copying and pasting it for you:
1. Do 30 minutes of walking (or aerobic activity) a day
2. Strength train 2-4x/week
3. Stretch
4. Hydrate
5. Avoid sugar
6. Get lots of rest
7. Use proper form when lifting
8. Consistency for strength, variety for conditioning
9. Eat mostly vegetables, lean protein, and quality fat
10. Have fun, laugh; learn to love the process
This looks great, you think. An easy guide, you think. I’ll start this next week, you think.
STOP IT. Stop putting it off!
Yes, eventually it’s helpful–probably imperative–to have a plan. If you need one of those, let me know. Or check Pat’s fall online group coaching program. (I think he may be starting another run soon, and it can never hurt to apply.)
But for right now, you don’t need a fancy plan. Stop thinking, and start doing.
Here’s Pat’s 1-10, defined super-action-ably, such that you can and should do them immediately. Like, right now.
[Fine, if not “NOW, right this second” then at least
“NOW, at some point today.”]
1. Take a walk around the block.
2. Do the Sweaty at the bottom of this post.
3. Stand straight with your rear end against a wall, knees not locked; reach straight up, biceps by ears, then reach forward, hinging at the hip until you are reaching out as far as you can with your back nice and flat; then just release any tension so that you sort of drop into a delightful forward hang; your arms should fall, knuckles near the floor, and your head should be hanging such that there is no tension in your neck.
4. Go drink a full glass of water.
5. Go drink a full glass of water. Or seltzer/sparkling water.
6. Do not look at a screen within 45 minutes of wanting to be asleep.
7. Maybe you can’t do this immediately, but…video your next lifting session and review your form. If you want a second opinion, share it with knowledgeable friend or me (one in the same, isn’t it?) at alydifitness@gmail.com.
8. Subscribe to Pat’s emails HERE. (And grab 101 of his best workouts, free!)
9. Eat chicken on a salad for lunch. With some avocado.
10. What’s the difference between a dirty bus stop and a lobster with breast implants? One is a crusty bus station and one is a busty crustacean.
For your #2 (no, not that #2)….
5-Minute Body-weight SWEATY
For 2.5 minutes:
10 curtsy lunge R
1 reverse lunge R
8 curtsy lunge R
1 reverse lunge R
…cutting curtsy lunges by 2 reps until “2 curtsy lunge R with 1 reverse lunge R”;then start from 10 reps again.
For the second 2.5 minutes,
Repeat on the left!
…
– Alyssa