For Better or Worse

Chicago Fitness Training is moving our blog location! http://chicagofitnesstraining.blogspot.com/2015/04/hello-and-welcome-chicago-fitness.html


Hello and Welcome! Chicago Fitness Training has moved it's blog, so while this is technically the inaugural entry of a blog, it is the continuation of chifittraining. Feel free to look back at some of the earlier posts, and, as always, do not hesitate to contact Chicago Fitness Training for consultation or training needs.

The question is: Are you getting better, or getting worse?

This is not another version of the age-old question about the glass that is half-full or half-empty. It is a simple reminder that your body is changing every day; adapting to the demands placed upon it so that it can better perform those tasks in the future. Even though you might feel the same as you were yesterday, countless small changes have taken place inside your body.

Good posture reduces discomfort and impacts appearance.

This process of adaptation is a survival mechanism that we all have from birth. The more often you do anything, the easier it will become. You can get stronger, faster, and more agile. You can change your appearance and posture by building muscle or burning fat. You can get better at your sport or your profession. Become a better musician, a better listener, improve your memory..become anything you want to be.

But take care to choose what you want to be better at, because your body is getting better at whatever you are doing. It will get better at storing and holding on to calories if you keep eating without reservation; it will stoop your posture to keep your eyes aligned with a computer monitor. Your body will actively change to make you better at whatever it is that you spend your time doing, whether or not those changes are good for you.

Little changes can make a BIG difference!

This brings up an important point. While there are many activities that are beneficial; what of those that are detrimental to your well-being? Many do not have the luxury to dictate how long they sit or stand, how much they have to lift, or how active or inactive they have to be in their career. Most make sacrifices to enjoy hobbies, and gladly suffer a bit of soreness or strain to spend free time pursuing enjoyable activities and sports.

In both leisure and work, two things should be considered. First, are there any behavioral modifications that can lessen the negative effects? These quick fixes can be as easy as using a lumbar pillow to improve posture while sitting or reducing the lift in the heal of any shoes that have to be stood in for a number of hours. Proper diet should be always emphasized, but that goes double for any job that requires long periods of sitting and limited activity.

Second, are there exercises and activities that can balance out the workload that the body must perform over the course of the day? A round or two of squats or back extensions can strengthen and maintain lower back strength that is sapped by hours of sitting. Swimming or twisting exercises using moderate weight can balance the one-sided nature of sports such as golf or softball.

Life is a journey. Train for the road ahead!

So choose what you want to become by practicing the tasks necessary for whatever you are passionate about. You can do anything you set your mind on. But also remember to balance the negative changes that will come from doing any single thing too much by keeping a healthy diet and an exercise regiment that keeps your body fully functional for as long as possible. For better or worse, your body is there for all of your days; take care of it.