Welcome to the Underground Functional Fitness Newsletter
“My friends make me”
Unless your friend has a moustache, was born in Austria,
heads up an elite unit of secret Gestapo policemen, and you refer to them
affectionately as ‘Mein Fuhrer’ the chances are they don’t make you do
anything. The first step to conquering the problem of peer pressure and social
habits is to be straight up with your friends. Three things could happen…
1)You say “not for me thanks”. They
say “don’t be a wuss I’ll get them in”
Failed
2)You say “to be honest I’m trying
really hard to cut the booze and the burgers so I look ripped on holiday. I’m
fed up of getting up every day and feeling crap about myself!” They say “Fair
enough I should start doing that! Shall we train together?”
Succeeded
3)They still reply “don’t be a wuss
who cares!!”
In this case you need to think very seriously about who you
consider to be friends.
I surprised myself the other day. I went to boot camp, begrudgingly. It was testing day, and I do not enjoy testing day. It’s enough for me to get to the gym, let alone have to be tested, but I knew it was important and so I persevered.
Each test day there are three different categories to perform – sit-ups, push-ups and 2000 meters on the rowing machine. Obviously, the goal (or the hope) is to improve each time.I was a bit crabby that day, and mumbled something under my breath like, "I suppose I'll do worse this time." I got down in to the modified push-up position. The test was to do as many push-ups as one can until "fail," in other words, until your muscles are shivering and shaking, and you cannot push your body up off of the ground one more time.
So, I went at it. Before long I was at thirty and then forty, followed by fifty, fifty-five, and fifty-seven.Determined to hit a round number, I made it to sixty -- and that was it. Not only could I not get up, I couldn't even roll over. However, I was shocked. I did 30 more than I did one month ago!
I truly couldn't believe that I had made that much progress. Was I really getting stronger? Was all that work I was doing really more than misery and pain? I went faithfully to the boot camp three times a week for the past month, but each time I felt worn out. I was working on modifying my diet, as well, but I just couldn't believe that I had actually progressed to that level.
I am reminded that gaining strength in the Lord is quite similar. There are times when we are going through some serious "resistance training." Not only are we working against intense pain, sadness or suffering, but we feel like we want to resist having to do it. In the process though, we learn that staying committed to the Lord is the key to our growing stronger in Him. We develop perseverance over time (unfortunately, it's the only way that perseverance can be developed) and this adds to our strength. We learn more about what to take in to our minds (the truth) and what to fight to leave out (the lies). We develop a focused faith that takes one day at a time.
1 Peter 5:10 says, "And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."
Strong, firm and steadfast. That is what I was feeling, physically after realizing that I had become stronger by being committed to coming to the boot camps, eating well and working hard. I didn't give up, even though I wanted to at times. Spiritually, it may be a bit different, but God gives us opportunities to grow stronger in Him as we stay committed to Him, watch what we take in to our minds and hearts and pursue a life of obedience to Him. Don't give up. It's not always easy to do the right thing, but blessings do come along the path.
Be strong in the Lord, dear reader. God uses our circumstances to strengthen us for the calling that He has for our lives. Trust in Him. Obey Him. Seek Him. You will grow stronger and stronger, and you may even surprise yourself one day.
Self myofacial release is the initial component of the 4-stages of corrective excercises, established by the National Academy of Sports Medicine. By working with the foam roller, you will force the muscle tissue to relax and allow for proper length tension capabilities. (insert link to you tube videos)
Don't forget about our referral program! For every 4 people that you refer and they sign up, you will get $100 in Fitness Bucks! And for every 12 people you refer and sign up, you get dinner for 2 at Johnathan’s Bistro and free babysitting provided by Coach Brown.
