We I speak of strength, I typically am not talking about our physical state. Although that is trainable, and we can measure changes and gains. What I want people to understand is that strength is diverse, and powerful in your lives. When you make a commitment, you follow through. That is strength. When you see a friend in need, and you arrive with a helping hand. That is strength. When your body is shaking, weak, and wanting to quit, but your mind pushes you to go further. That is strength.
You see, none of those had to do with weight, a number on a kettlebell, or how many reps you could do.
Any of you reading this, who want to focus more on your strength, use the tips on introspection and see what you come up with:
1. Start Journaling. Yes, like Doug Funnie, pull out your journal get the day out on paper. The mind is intended for creativity and creation, not storage. Unload the mind, and allow it to do its job. The same goes for your programs. No longer just walk into the gym and wonder what to do. Get your program on paper, and journal every workout. The best of the best do this. Why not do what they do.
2. Start Writing. This may sound redundant, but what I want you to focus on here is a single topic, thought, or event and write. This doesn't have to be read by anyone. But it will allow your mind to expand and develop in a way that it was not trainer before. Our brain and our subconscious crave knowledge, education, and language. Feed your mind, and train it to make gains. You first topic (one all of my students get): Fear.
3. Start Walking. You may think, "I run X miles per week. I workout X days per week. I am fit, and weigh X amount. So what is walking going to do?" Walking, OUTSIDE, is going to do more than just get your legs moving and act as steady state, low heart rate cardio activity. When you get outside, in the elements, in nature, your brain is like a border collie that was let off the leash. You look around, your thoughts and brain activity eliminate the stress and cortisol levels. Your free to take a breath, relax your shoulders, relax your neck, to stop crushing your brain stem. Your blood flow increases, allowing all the tense areas in your body to calm down and relax... making you MORE MOBILE AND FLEXIBLE! (and I didn't even have to tie a band around your or tie you in a pretzel!) You mind begins to raise its levels of a very amazing hormone called Oxytocin.Many pregnant women and Mamas are familiar with this chemical release but we all use it, and need it regularly. Oxytocin, when released makes us feel calm, relaxed, and surpresses our fight or flight responses. It is the same chemical released by human touch and why hugging feels good! After a mother deliveres her child she has a rush of this, and they immediately go skin to skin. This is where their deep connection lies. This is why the best of the best in the sales, motivation, leadership, etc world shake hands and make eye contact. That connection allows our body to release oxytocin and makes us feel good, but most of all makes us feel safe. Oxytocin immediately inhibits our cortisol levels, which have their purpose, but in our society we have a constant drip of it. When our cortisol levels raise, immune functions drop, growth stops (hair, finger nails, skin, etc). We wonder why we are so sick, balding, and fat. So... Make oxytocin important in your life.
Try these few things, don't overwhelm yourself with them, but give them a try and see what life brings you.
Stay Strong,
Kris
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