Resilient of Body
Resilient of Body.
Wild predators have fascinated me for as long as I can remember. Their intense focus, unbelievable abilities, and resilience in harsh conditions are the stuff of legends. Predators were also a big influence on my fitness journey…well, predators and superheroes. I always imagined possessing the wit and agility of Spider-man, mixed with the strength and grit of Wolverine. I might not be a superhero, but my origin story started out like many of them.
I was a scrawny kid… all knees and elbows. Confidence and coordination were definitely not my fortes, and I embarrassed myself more than once in organized sports. I remember as a kid wanting to melt into the wall, the last one left, with the team captain that was supposed to pick me saying he would rather play with one less player – good times. My lack of self-confidence took its toll on my social life and I began dismissing opportunities in order to avoid failure and humiliation. I was terrified of what people thought about me.
Then I discovered the gym. At first, I was afraid people would laugh at me for even trying, and some did. But I knew I needed to make a change if my life was going to improve, so I stuck with it. I felt empowered. Focusing through pain and pushing to achieve that last rep taught me one of the most important lessons I’ve ever learned, and one that I often repeat – discomfort is not your enemy, it is a beneficial tool for accelerated personal growth. I began to see changes not only in my physique, but in my mindset. Challenges didn’t seem quite as overwhelming and my focus and determination grew with my body. I pursued things I was always interested in but too scared to try, such as martial arts, and excelled at them. Having developed a strong mind-muscle connection, sports of all kinds became easier and more intuitive.
Growing up on a farm and performing physical labor every day taught me that I needed a body that not only looked good, but was built for real life. That meant developing strength and hardiness that lasted much longer than the 1.5 hours spent in the gym each day. It meant avoiding shortcuts – no fad diets or steroids. Instead it meant integrating wellness into every part of my life, always staying motivated, and continuing to challenge myself and test my limits. My primal hunter/gatherer instincts had been activated and I set to work constructing a body I could rely on in any situation at any given time.
My fitness philosophy is based around building a sustainable, resilient body that withstands the rigors of a strenuous life. I want to feel good, look good, and continue doing the things I love when I’m well into my old age. When creating a resilience based health and fitness plan I focus on 5 key concepts. I’ll go into more detail on each concept in later articles:
1. Train for Real Life
I base my training around developing real strength and skills that will benefit me in any situation. This means developing a good foundation of flexibility, endurance, and raw animalistic strength. You should be able to trust your body to function and adapt when needed. Sprinting, climbing, self-defense, and heavy lifting with proper form are essential life skills.
2. Gut and Organ Health
Keeping our insides healthy can’t be a part-time job. Counting our calories and macros may work to build muscle or lose fat, but using this method alone won’t keep your insides happy. Instead focus on eating clean. Stay away from preservatives and artificial sweeteners and be mindful of your digestion. I try to focus on consuming foods and supplements that benefit my brain, heart, and digestive tract.
3. Quality Time with Mother Nature
There is nothing more invigorating than taking a deep breath of clean air and immersing yourself in the sights and sounds of nature. Visiting natural areas and parks shouldn’t be an afterthought. Not only is it fun and exciting, it can also provide some pretty serious science-backed health benefits such as lowering blood pressure, stress, anxiety, and the risks of type II diabetes and heart disease! Routinely explore the outdoors. You won’t regret it.
4. Mindset Mastery
Certain emotions and habits can hold us back more than we can imagine. I was terrified of social situations, and missed out on opportunities and friendships that I can’t get back. Training can be a tool to put you back in control of yourself. In addition to gaining confidence from a healthy body, working out will also teach you the art of self-discipline, goal setting, and pushing yourself the extra mile. To dive deeper into mastering your mindset check out ex-bodybuilder Ben Pakulski’s website, and stay tuned for future articles from The Rugged Scholar.
5. Train for the Long Haul
So many people turn to extreme diets and workouts for fast results. The problem? These results almost never last. Your body is constantly seeking balance. It responds much better to consistency than random spikes of activity. Choose foods and exercises that you can utilize throughout your life. You might not drop 20 pounds in a week, or pack on muscle as fast as Bruce Banner turning into the Hulk, but you will increase your longevity, regulate healthy hormone levels, and build a body you can rely on AND be proud of regardless of your age.
It’s been 15 years since I set down the path of physical preparedness. I’ve discovered new knowledge and adapted my workouts constantly since then. Sure you’ll hit obstacles and plateaus, we all do, but don’t stop. Keep moving forward, even if it’s just a baby step. Add one more rep. Drink one less soda. Remember, small and simple things can lead to the greatest changes. If you start to lose motivation reassess your methods and switch things up. It’s not easy, most worthwhile things aren’t, but the self-discipline, confidence, and proficiency you’ll gain are worth the sacrifice. No matter where you are on your fitness journey remember that each day is a new chance to give your all and take control of your life.
LEARNED OF MIND. RESILIENT OF BODY. NOURISHED OF SOUL.
THE RUGGED SCHOLAR
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