As a child, one of my favorite books was "Tom Sawyer" by Mark Twain. In the book, Tom is tasked with the duty of whitewashing the picket fence. Being the crafty, creative, and conspiring lad he is, he convinces others to do the task for him, even paying him for the 'priviledge' to paint for him. Of course, it all comes crashing down on him, but initially, it works quite well.
How did he convince others to do a task that most would find painful? He convinced them that whitewashing the fence was fun. By convincing the others that whitewashing was something he loved to do, something that was more fun than anything else, he made his friends want to do it, so much so that they PAID HIM to let them do his job for him.
In the health care world, they have a saying: "Fake it 'til you make it." In the same vein as Tom Sawyer convincing his friends that whitewashing is fun, sometimes we need to convince our bodies that getting into shape is fun.
Now, don't get me wrong, often exercising is fun and you can definitely find 'fun' exercises. But, sometimes it is just too hard, too difficult, or too crazy to get started. The human body is extremely "lazy"; it wants to do things with the least resistance and will fall back on poor habits when aloud. So, when starting to 'get into shape', sometimes it needs pushing, prodding to get going. At times like this, remember what Tom did; fake it 'til you make it.
See, you really can learn from reading. Fake it 'til you make it! I DARE YOU!
Monday, September 29, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
Aut Agere Aut Mori
The Barclay Clan motto is Aut Agere Aut Mori. It is latin, which initially may seem weird for a Scottish clan, but not when you remember that Latin was the language for religion and the common tongue.
But what does it mean? Roughly, it means "Either Action or Death" or, as I like to say, "Do it or die". That second interpretation is tougher, more harsh, but I like it. However, the first translation is the best or the common translation. Either action or death. It makes me remember Patrick Henry, the early American patriot, who stated "Give me liberty or give me death!". Liberty or death; Action or death; both are to be used for motivation, for spurring someone on to action.
Water is an amazing substance. Without it, we die within three days. It nourishes the planet, cleans the world. When it is moving, it is clean. When it sits, it stagnates and becomes putrid, dirty, poisonous even.
Our bodies are the same. If we are moving, doing things, maintaining the bloodflow, maintaining the ACTION, we stay healthy and stay functioning and able to do. When we sit around and do nothing, our bodies, like water, become stagnant, full of illness and disease.
So, like the motto says, "Aut Agere Aut Mori!" Either Action or Death! Your decision. Who do you want to be? What do you want to be? Are you ready? I DARE YOU! AUT AGERE AUT MORI!
But what does it mean? Roughly, it means "Either Action or Death" or, as I like to say, "Do it or die". That second interpretation is tougher, more harsh, but I like it. However, the first translation is the best or the common translation. Either action or death. It makes me remember Patrick Henry, the early American patriot, who stated "Give me liberty or give me death!". Liberty or death; Action or death; both are to be used for motivation, for spurring someone on to action.
Water is an amazing substance. Without it, we die within three days. It nourishes the planet, cleans the world. When it is moving, it is clean. When it sits, it stagnates and becomes putrid, dirty, poisonous even.
Our bodies are the same. If we are moving, doing things, maintaining the bloodflow, maintaining the ACTION, we stay healthy and stay functioning and able to do. When we sit around and do nothing, our bodies, like water, become stagnant, full of illness and disease.
So, like the motto says, "Aut Agere Aut Mori!" Either Action or Death! Your decision. Who do you want to be? What do you want to be? Are you ready? I DARE YOU! AUT AGERE AUT MORI!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Journey of a Thousand Miles...
Those that are familiar with me know that I like martial arts. There is a great martial art that also happens to be an excellent body awareness exercise. It is also great at helping the elderly prevent falls and increase bone mass. It also happens to be a devastating martial art. What is this "Great ultimate fist"? TAI CHI. What? Tai Chi? Are you kidding?
Nope, not kidding. In fact, if you know the full anglicized name, it is TAI CHI CHUAN, or, roughly translated, "great ultimate fist". It is a great martial art, and quite devastating when it is sped up.
Now, to study Tai Chi, it helps if you know some of the history and philosophy behind the art. One of the philophers that is prominent in the history of Tai Chi is Lao Tzu. He is often quoted because of the wonderful words of wisdom he shared. One of his pearls is the saying, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with just one step." I think that is an awesome saying and very motivational. I first read it as a child, when I was looking at my father's high school year book of 1967. He was student body president and they had a full page picture of him with some of his words of wisdom. It just so happened that my dad started off his insight with that quote by Lao Tzu. He didn't know the quote came from a Tai Chi philosopher, but it was appropriate nonetheless.
The great thing about that saying is that it helps put things into perspective. When confronted with life challenges, especially about getting into shape, we often dwell on how daunting the journey is or how far, or how impossible to accomplish it seems. But, when we put one foot in front of the other, soon we'll be reaching our destination and will have accomplished all that we thought we could never do.
So, long story short: take the first step! Don't dwell on how impossible or how difficult or how long it will take. Just go, take the step and soon you will have reached your thousand miles and the view will be so special!
Go ahead!
I DARE YOU!
Nope, not kidding. In fact, if you know the full anglicized name, it is TAI CHI CHUAN, or, roughly translated, "great ultimate fist". It is a great martial art, and quite devastating when it is sped up.
Now, to study Tai Chi, it helps if you know some of the history and philosophy behind the art. One of the philophers that is prominent in the history of Tai Chi is Lao Tzu. He is often quoted because of the wonderful words of wisdom he shared. One of his pearls is the saying, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with just one step." I think that is an awesome saying and very motivational. I first read it as a child, when I was looking at my father's high school year book of 1967. He was student body president and they had a full page picture of him with some of his words of wisdom. It just so happened that my dad started off his insight with that quote by Lao Tzu. He didn't know the quote came from a Tai Chi philosopher, but it was appropriate nonetheless.
The great thing about that saying is that it helps put things into perspective. When confronted with life challenges, especially about getting into shape, we often dwell on how daunting the journey is or how far, or how impossible to accomplish it seems. But, when we put one foot in front of the other, soon we'll be reaching our destination and will have accomplished all that we thought we could never do.
So, long story short: take the first step! Don't dwell on how impossible or how difficult or how long it will take. Just go, take the step and soon you will have reached your thousand miles and the view will be so special!
Go ahead!
I DARE YOU!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
The Race
When we start an exercise program, or really when we confront a difficult situation in life, the inner demons attack our resolve and try to get us to quit, to give up. This is especially true of a new fitness routine. It is easy to start, but difficult to finish. The inner demons of doubt, insecurity, ignorance, and weakness try to rear their ugly heads and cause us to fail.
It is at those times that I refer to a poem that has inspired me since I was little. It still brings a tear to my eye sometimes, but only when no one else is watching. Hopefully, this poem will help keep you motivated, inspire you to fight off those demons and remember that the "Mind and Spirit is in charge of the Body".
The Race by Delbert H. Groberg
"Quit! Give up, you're beaten!" They did shout and plead,
"There's just too much against you now, this time, you can't succeed."
And as I start to hang my head in front of failure's face.
My downward fall is broken by the memory of a race.
And hope refills my weakened will as I recall that scene.
For just the thought of that short race rejuvenates my being.
A children's race, young boys, young men, now I remember well.
Excitement, sure, but also fear; it wasn't hard to tell.
They all lined up so full of hope, each thought to win that race.
Or tie for first, or if not that, at least take second place.
And fathers watched from off the side, each cheering for his son.
And each boy hoped to show his dad that he would be the one.
The whistle blew and off they went, young hearts and hopes of fire.
To win, to be the hero, that was each young boy's desire.
And one boy in particular, his dad was in the crowd,
Was running near the head and thought, "My dad will be so proud."
But as he speeded down the field across a shallow dip,
The little boy who thought to win, lost his step and slipped.
Trying hard to catch himself, his hands flew out to brace,
And mid the laughter of the crowd, he fell flat on his face.
So down he fell and with him hope. He couldn't win it now.
Embarrassed, sad, he only wished to disappear somehow.
But as he fell his dad stood up and showed his anxious face,
Which to the boy so clearly said, "Get up and win the race!"
He quickly rose, no damage done, behind a bit, that's all,
And ran with all his mind and might to make up for his fall.
So anxious to restore himself, to catch up and to win,
His mind went faster than his legs, he slipped and fell again.
He wished that he had quit before with only one disgrace.
"I'm hopeless as a runner now, I shouldn't try to race.
"But in the laughing crowd he searched and found his father's face,
That steady look that said again, "Get up and win the race".
So he jumped up to try again ten yards behind the last.
"If I'm to gain those yards," he thought, "I've got to run real fast."
Exceeding everything he had, he regained eight or ten.
But trying so hard to catch the lead, he slipped and fell again.
Defeat! He lay there silently, a tear dropped from his eye.
"There's no sense running anymore. Three strikes I'm out, why try?"
The will to rise had disappeared, all hope had fled away.
So far behind, so error prone, closer all the way.
"I've lost, so what's the use?" he thought, "I'll live with my disgrace."
But then he thought about his dad, who soon he'd have to face.
"Get up!" an echo sounded low, "Get up and take your place!"
"You were not meant for failure here, get up and win the race!"
So far behind the others now, the most he'd ever been.
Still he gave it all he had and ran as though to win.
Three times he'd fallen stumbling, three times he'd rose again.
Too far behind to hope to win, he still ran to the end.
They cheered the winning runner as he crossed first place.
Head high and proud and happy; no falling; no disgrace.
But when the fallen youngster crossed the line, last place,
The crowd gave him the greater cheer for finishing the race!
And even though he came in last, with head bowed low, unproud;
You would have thought he'd won the race to listen to the crowd.
And to his dad he sadly said, "I didn't do so well."
"To me you won," his father said, "You rose each time you fell."
And when things seem dark and hard and difficult to face,
The memory of that little boy helps me win my race.
For all of life is like that race, with ups and downs and all,
And all you have to do to win is rise each time you fall.
"Quit! Give up, you're beaten!" they may shout in my face.
But another voice within me says, "GET UP AND WIN THE RACE!"
Now, as you go about trying to establish a fitness goal and accomplish your fitness dare, I challenge you: "GET UP AND WIN THE RACE!"
It is at those times that I refer to a poem that has inspired me since I was little. It still brings a tear to my eye sometimes, but only when no one else is watching. Hopefully, this poem will help keep you motivated, inspire you to fight off those demons and remember that the "Mind and Spirit is in charge of the Body".
The Race by Delbert H. Groberg
"Quit! Give up, you're beaten!" They did shout and plead,
"There's just too much against you now, this time, you can't succeed."
And as I start to hang my head in front of failure's face.
My downward fall is broken by the memory of a race.
And hope refills my weakened will as I recall that scene.
For just the thought of that short race rejuvenates my being.
A children's race, young boys, young men, now I remember well.
Excitement, sure, but also fear; it wasn't hard to tell.
They all lined up so full of hope, each thought to win that race.
Or tie for first, or if not that, at least take second place.
And fathers watched from off the side, each cheering for his son.
And each boy hoped to show his dad that he would be the one.
The whistle blew and off they went, young hearts and hopes of fire.
To win, to be the hero, that was each young boy's desire.
And one boy in particular, his dad was in the crowd,
Was running near the head and thought, "My dad will be so proud."
But as he speeded down the field across a shallow dip,
The little boy who thought to win, lost his step and slipped.
Trying hard to catch himself, his hands flew out to brace,
And mid the laughter of the crowd, he fell flat on his face.
So down he fell and with him hope. He couldn't win it now.
Embarrassed, sad, he only wished to disappear somehow.
But as he fell his dad stood up and showed his anxious face,
Which to the boy so clearly said, "Get up and win the race!"
He quickly rose, no damage done, behind a bit, that's all,
And ran with all his mind and might to make up for his fall.
So anxious to restore himself, to catch up and to win,
His mind went faster than his legs, he slipped and fell again.
He wished that he had quit before with only one disgrace.
"I'm hopeless as a runner now, I shouldn't try to race.
"But in the laughing crowd he searched and found his father's face,
That steady look that said again, "Get up and win the race".
So he jumped up to try again ten yards behind the last.
"If I'm to gain those yards," he thought, "I've got to run real fast."
Exceeding everything he had, he regained eight or ten.
But trying so hard to catch the lead, he slipped and fell again.
Defeat! He lay there silently, a tear dropped from his eye.
"There's no sense running anymore. Three strikes I'm out, why try?"
The will to rise had disappeared, all hope had fled away.
So far behind, so error prone, closer all the way.
"I've lost, so what's the use?" he thought, "I'll live with my disgrace."
But then he thought about his dad, who soon he'd have to face.
"Get up!" an echo sounded low, "Get up and take your place!"
"You were not meant for failure here, get up and win the race!"
So far behind the others now, the most he'd ever been.
Still he gave it all he had and ran as though to win.
Three times he'd fallen stumbling, three times he'd rose again.
Too far behind to hope to win, he still ran to the end.
They cheered the winning runner as he crossed first place.
Head high and proud and happy; no falling; no disgrace.
But when the fallen youngster crossed the line, last place,
The crowd gave him the greater cheer for finishing the race!
And even though he came in last, with head bowed low, unproud;
You would have thought he'd won the race to listen to the crowd.
And to his dad he sadly said, "I didn't do so well."
"To me you won," his father said, "You rose each time you fell."
And when things seem dark and hard and difficult to face,
The memory of that little boy helps me win my race.
For all of life is like that race, with ups and downs and all,
And all you have to do to win is rise each time you fall.
"Quit! Give up, you're beaten!" they may shout in my face.
But another voice within me says, "GET UP AND WIN THE RACE!"
Now, as you go about trying to establish a fitness goal and accomplish your fitness dare, I challenge you: "GET UP AND WIN THE RACE!"
Friday, September 12, 2008
Spoonful of Sugar...
Don't know if any of you are "Mary Poppins" fans, but I like the humor and think it is one of Dick Van Dyke's best pictures, other than "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang". But, I digress. One of my favorite songs from the movie is when Mary Poppins, as a new nanny for the two children, is trying to get them to take their evening 'medicine'. In order to entice them to take their medicine, she tells them, in song, that "...just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down...". In those simple words, a profound message of tolerating a difficult situation is taught.
When trying to begin exercising, or trying to get into better shape, it is often difficult to get started, difficult to make the committment, or difficult to begin/start an exercise or lifestyle program. But often, once you start, it is easy to keep going.
Like the song from Mary Poppins, often when you try to get started on exercising or getting into shape, it is just like having to ingest a foul tasting medicine. You know it is good for you, that it is something you should do, but it can carry with it a foul or harsh taste. The 'sugar' to help the 'medicine' go down can be any fun activity or item that helps you get started in exercising. It can be as easy as a new exercise outfit or shoes, or maybe 'exercising' by going golfing, playing a game of soccer, or going 'window shopping' by walking in the mall. Any of these activities is like taking a 'spoonful of sugar' to make the 'medicine' of exercise become easier.
So, go out, watch "Mary Poppins"; then go find your sugar and get exercising!
When trying to begin exercising, or trying to get into better shape, it is often difficult to get started, difficult to make the committment, or difficult to begin/start an exercise or lifestyle program. But often, once you start, it is easy to keep going.
Like the song from Mary Poppins, often when you try to get started on exercising or getting into shape, it is just like having to ingest a foul tasting medicine. You know it is good for you, that it is something you should do, but it can carry with it a foul or harsh taste. The 'sugar' to help the 'medicine' go down can be any fun activity or item that helps you get started in exercising. It can be as easy as a new exercise outfit or shoes, or maybe 'exercising' by going golfing, playing a game of soccer, or going 'window shopping' by walking in the mall. Any of these activities is like taking a 'spoonful of sugar' to make the 'medicine' of exercise become easier.
So, go out, watch "Mary Poppins"; then go find your sugar and get exercising!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Return to Running
Lucky for me, I have not suffered a severe injury recently. What does this matter? If I had, it would preclude me from running, or returning to running. Maybe that is not such a good thing, after all.
As I have stated, I am in the Army. Being in the Army, we run. Now, when I was enlisted, we ran all the time. Depending upon where I was stationed, I either ran M-F or MWF.
In the Army, we take a fitness test, called the Army Physical Fitness Test, or APFT. If you query it, or Google it, you can find that it is broken down into male/female and age divisions. There are three events: 2-minute push-ups, 2-minute sit-ups, and 2-mile run. You get a 0-100 score for each event, and then those three scores are added together for the composite score with a 300 possibility. When I was enlisted (for eight years), I can honestly say that I never scored less than 290, except in basic training. I even "maxxed" it a few times with perfect 300 scores. Then, I became an officer. Since becoming an officer, I have rarely scored above 230. Why? That is subject to various different excuses, but suffice it to say, I haven't been exercising as regularly or consistently as I should. Therefore, I am not ready for the 2-mile run.
That brings me back to the topic at hand: Returning to Running. Today was my first run in probably a year. My children just started running in cross-country, and I have an APFT coming up. As a result, I was able to finally kick myself out of bed and go run this morning. Now, I did not do it as a Physical Therapist would prescribe; something about mechanics having the worst cars, doctors being the worst patients, etc. I went out and jogged 3-miles. It took me 25-minutes, but I did it!
I realize I should gradually return to running; that would be the smart thing to do. I teach people all the time on the importance of gradually progressing an activity to safely increase tolerance to that activity. For someone that is injured, that would mean going from pool walking/jogging to elliptical machine to treadmill walk/jog to track to street running to (in the Army) formation or group running. But, as I am not truly injured (just my pride), I can begin running, albeit at a slow pace. I will listen to my body and adapt as necessary; I know what to look for (see "cardinal signs of inflammation" on Google).
Now is the time to begin. It is the time to begin to return to fitness, time to get your life back on track. If I might paraphrase George Romney (Mitt Romney's dad) in a quote, "If not now, when? If not (running), (what)?" Running is a great activity to free clogged bowels, to lift the spirit, to increase tolerance to activity, to free the mind, and to get you in shape. Is it the only way? No, but it is a good way. If you are healthy enough, go out tomorrow and run. Your body will thank you. If you aren't healthy enough yet, gradually "return to running" with the above stated progression: pool walking/jogging to elliptical machine to treadmill walk/jog to track to street running to formation or group running.
See you on the road!
As I have stated, I am in the Army. Being in the Army, we run. Now, when I was enlisted, we ran all the time. Depending upon where I was stationed, I either ran M-F or MWF.
In the Army, we take a fitness test, called the Army Physical Fitness Test, or APFT. If you query it, or Google it, you can find that it is broken down into male/female and age divisions. There are three events: 2-minute push-ups, 2-minute sit-ups, and 2-mile run. You get a 0-100 score for each event, and then those three scores are added together for the composite score with a 300 possibility. When I was enlisted (for eight years), I can honestly say that I never scored less than 290, except in basic training. I even "maxxed" it a few times with perfect 300 scores. Then, I became an officer. Since becoming an officer, I have rarely scored above 230. Why? That is subject to various different excuses, but suffice it to say, I haven't been exercising as regularly or consistently as I should. Therefore, I am not ready for the 2-mile run.
That brings me back to the topic at hand: Returning to Running. Today was my first run in probably a year. My children just started running in cross-country, and I have an APFT coming up. As a result, I was able to finally kick myself out of bed and go run this morning. Now, I did not do it as a Physical Therapist would prescribe; something about mechanics having the worst cars, doctors being the worst patients, etc. I went out and jogged 3-miles. It took me 25-minutes, but I did it!
I realize I should gradually return to running; that would be the smart thing to do. I teach people all the time on the importance of gradually progressing an activity to safely increase tolerance to that activity. For someone that is injured, that would mean going from pool walking/jogging to elliptical machine to treadmill walk/jog to track to street running to (in the Army) formation or group running. But, as I am not truly injured (just my pride), I can begin running, albeit at a slow pace. I will listen to my body and adapt as necessary; I know what to look for (see "cardinal signs of inflammation" on Google).
Now is the time to begin. It is the time to begin to return to fitness, time to get your life back on track. If I might paraphrase George Romney (Mitt Romney's dad) in a quote, "If not now, when? If not (running), (what)?" Running is a great activity to free clogged bowels, to lift the spirit, to increase tolerance to activity, to free the mind, and to get you in shape. Is it the only way? No, but it is a good way. If you are healthy enough, go out tomorrow and run. Your body will thank you. If you aren't healthy enough yet, gradually "return to running" with the above stated progression: pool walking/jogging to elliptical machine to treadmill walk/jog to track to street running to formation or group running.
See you on the road!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Getting Started
Life is hard! There is no doubt about it. Sometimes I think back to childhood, where everything was school and looking forward to summer, only to look forward to the new school year. Then, as we entered into junior high/high school, we began to deal with and learn about stress, only to find that it only got worse.
There was a time in my life, even after high school and college, when life was easier. It was when I was organized, focused, and had goals with steps to accomplish them. Now, I barely make it through a day, stumble along with no focus, barely meeting the minimum. What happened?
Well, I could blame it on being married, having children, working, trying to complete further education, etc. But ultimately, it is because I have pushed off my responsibility upon others. It is time for me to take a step back and look at who I am, who I want to be, and how I can get there.
My mother, the angel that she is, shared an important poem with me when I was a child. I came across it the other day, whilst I was trying to find my focus, trying to organize my life by organizing my "stuff". I re-read it and remembered the power within it. So, I am sharing that with you all. Maybe it will help you remember who is in charge of your life so you can re-claim it.
Invictus by William Ernest Henley. 1849–1903
OUT of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
There was a time in my life, even after high school and college, when life was easier. It was when I was organized, focused, and had goals with steps to accomplish them. Now, I barely make it through a day, stumble along with no focus, barely meeting the minimum. What happened?
Well, I could blame it on being married, having children, working, trying to complete further education, etc. But ultimately, it is because I have pushed off my responsibility upon others. It is time for me to take a step back and look at who I am, who I want to be, and how I can get there.
My mother, the angel that she is, shared an important poem with me when I was a child. I came across it the other day, whilst I was trying to find my focus, trying to organize my life by organizing my "stuff". I re-read it and remembered the power within it. So, I am sharing that with you all. Maybe it will help you remember who is in charge of your life so you can re-claim it.
Invictus by William Ernest Henley. 1849–1903
OUT of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
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