How does one blog?

This blog is for those of us who are trying to find our purpose in life. There, I said it. This blog’s going to tackle the big questions – questions we’re too afraid to ask anyone, not least ourselves. Questions like these…

• What is the purpose of my life?
• If I were to die tomorrow, what legacy would I be leaving behind?
• What are my wildest dreams and my most crippling fears?
• What are my grandest achievements so far?
• How do I move on from trauma – big or small?

Or my personal favourite

• Where am I?

These questions call for a holistic approach. For the longest time I’ve been trying to work out what it means and what it takes to have a healthy, compassionate life. Here’s what I’ve learnt so far…

• Fitness is not health
• Mindfulness, compassion and meditation have incredible potentials for personal growth
• Discipline of gratitude

We would fare far better if we learned to consider gratitude a discipline of the heart – one that requires attention and consistent practice. It requires practice when it’s easy and even more practice when it’s difficult. And the more we train ourselves to that end, the more we are able to access it when we most require it.

• Know your food

What’s my niche?

Some blogs preach paleo, primal, Crossfit, HIIT, Tabata, etc. and seem to think that’s the only way to lead a healthy life. Then there are the less hardcore blogs that dish up all that information without actually making a judgment. This blog will try to make a judgment. E.g. I’m not a paleo advocate, nor do I Crossfit (at least for the time being).

Common to many health/fitness blogs is the admirable theme of self improvement. Frequent taglines are something along the lines of ‘how to look great and feel great’. This blog’s no different, except it’ll include a spiritual dimension. We all want to look great – whether naked or clothed – and feel great, but how often do we stop and ask ourselves ‘why?’ Why do you want to look great? What do you want to achieve by feeling great? Only when we consider the spiritual dimension can we appreciate our motivations behind our quest for perfection.

 

 

DAY ONE

Impulse purchase of the day: GMB F1 PROGRAMME

What do I want to get out of F1?

• Look amazing naked. I’m in the best shape in the history of Lucia!
• A heart-friendly, sustainable way to train. I’ve been lifting weights since I was 14. I might’ve discovered Crossfit this year and got a personalised training programme, but something’s missing.
• Something new, something challenging, something like gymnastics. Perhaps getting into GMB is my way to realise my unfulfilled gymnastic dreams. My parents signed me up to gymnastic class, but soon the instructors told my parents to take me home because I was ‘too tall’. I was 7 years old.
• Stronger core for DB.

What was my first-ever GMB workout like?

Today’s workout focused on balancing. I had a quick walk through the manual, videos, etc. then jumped right into the warmup and workout.

The way GMB programmed the warmup is extremely comprehensive. It engages every muscle in your body and makes sure you break into a sweat by the time you start the workout.

There was a lot of new moves that I have to learn. I found some moves manageable (e.g. Front Scale), some fun (e.g. Crow Holds) and some impossible (at least for now, e.g. Tripod Tucks). I’m still working towards my handstand – my wall walks are certainly improving.

Tomorrow…onto strength.

Handstands

Free handstand tutorial from GMB. I haven’t done a handstand in 15 years. I really want to work towards a strongman move before 2013.

I’m getting back into training this week. DB is keeping me busy but I’m still on the lookout for a strength/skills programme. Will I finally “commit” to CrossFit or give something like GMB a try?

Mobility links! Having driven 500km on Saturday then a long DB sesh on Sunday, my hip flexors so desperately need stretching.
http://www.goldmedalbodies.com/movements-improve-your-hip-flexibility/

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