Do you like Physics?
I used to hate it. I had to take it in high school and in college because of my original major – a major that didn’t last very long, largely because of all the Physics courses.
I didn’t get it. It was supposed to be ‘simple’…the stuff that makes the universe work and all that, but something about it didn’t click.
I like to blame it on my teachers, as all students do. One we used to call “The Silver Fox” and the other liked to talk about space – as in outer space. Why would I care about outer space when I need to learn about computers?
Now I kind of enjoy it. I don’t know why, but as the years have passed I kinda dig it.
One law of physics in particular has been bothering me lately. Not me personally, but its effect on clients, both offline and online.
That law of physics is inertia.
I’ll spare you the real definition and give you the fitness version.
Inertia, as it pertains to fitness, means that when you stop working out, or eating right, it is very, very hard to get started again.
You might have taken a break over the holidays because life got too busy. I understand that. Life has a way of doing that.
Maybe you got a new job, added a job, or you had another child…whatever the reason, you stopped working out and now it’s darn near impossible to get started again.
That’s what inertia means when it comes to fitness, fat loss and working out.
The true key to inertia is the outside force. Something needs to get you moving. Something needs to get you back into the swing of things (or get you started in the first place).
What that “force” is, I don’t know. It’s different for everybody. And no, I’m not talking about the same ‘force’ from Star Wars. I may be a comic book and superhero geek, but a Star Wars geek I am not – they’re a whole different breed of geekiness.
For me, the outside force is largely vain. I’m afraid of getting out of shape. I’ve been there before and don’t want to go back. Sure I love the way being fit feels and the fact that I don’t get sick, but that’s secondary.
Having a vain or selfish reason is OK, as long as it gets you moving again.
However, the cool thing is that inertia can also mean the opposite.
It can mean that once you get moving, and start seeing some results, it’s very hard to stop you, unless some outside force stops you.
Your job, should you choose to accept it, is to find your outside forces and act on them.
Discover what’s going to get you up and moving again and discover what might try to stop you. Keep those in mind at all times and you will succeed.
I’d like to know what your forces are. What drives you and what are the things that get in your way. Telling someone helps, so fire away.
Have a great day!
Ed
P.S. – I’m serious about letting me know. I love hearing from you and getting your points of view.
P.P.S. – If you’re a Physics geek and I totally screwed up the definition of inertia just keep that to yourself because my definition fit what I was trying to get across. The last thing I need is The Silver Fox tormenting me.
The first thing you need to understand about me is that I believe ALL parents are superheroes...some just have a little too much flabby goo covering their Superhero Body. To learn more about The Fit Dad's story,
Great article! The things that drive me (as a single mom and volunteer Cpt of the Fire Rescue Dept) are:
**Being healthy for my children, and setting an example for them;
**Being fit enough to physically respond to incidents that require strength and alertness;
**Having the grounding time in the mornings and the energy to make it through a full time office job, volunteer services, and motherhood daily;
**Fitness and nutritional choices have allowed me to go off Blood Pressure medication and let my body heal itself – I never want to go back to that place again!!
You are right, it is very hard to get addicted to “good habits”. This is coming from an ex smoker and ex drinker that used to feel stressed out and sorry for herself all the time. I promise you, once you make these changes and cross that threshold it will feel so good that it simply won’t be an option to go back to old habits!!! By the way, I am turning 38 on 26Jan and this morning I put on my 10-year old daughter’s size ZERO cargo pants! I am stronger, thinner, and fitter than I have ever been in my life!!!! I hope that inspires your readers to get up and get moving!
That’s awesome Debi!!!
You are an inspiration not only to me, but to everybody who is looking to better themselves.
Plus I’m sure you just ticked off a bunch of women when you said you could fit into your daughter’s size zero pants. My mom would’ve had a few choice words for that comment!
Keep up the good work and let me know if you need anything.
Nice article.
My main motivation is my the effect working out has on keeping my spirit steady. (Especially in the winter) I spent a few years on anti-depressants, but have been off for years, which I credit primarily to working out.
Looking great, and keeping my body healthy are a close second and third.
Sometimes if I am really busy, I don’t work out for a week. It always feels great to get back into the groove.
Thanks for the feedback Cheri.
That’s great that you’re able to see the benefit working out has on your spirit and mentality. Winter is kind of maddening and anything you can do to keep those spirits up is great.
Let me know if you need anything.