The Dao of fitness: Choose the middle path
By Lisa Vonnegut, co-owner of Bay Functional Fitness and Body Synergy FitCation, and personal trainer
We all have that friend who, after talking about getting fit for years, has really done it. She flexes her newly lean physique, drinks kombucha at your cocktail date, and discusses how “everyone” should “just do” whatever it is she’s done. Like any religious fundamentalist, she preaches her newfound piety for (insert-method-here). Odds are high she will lose her devotion, morphing back to her previous state (if not a little worse for wear) faster than the change occurred. To be truly effective, changes need to be sustainable. When converting to a new fitness religion, consider an Eastern approach: the Dao of Fitness. Walk the middle path and embrace the Three Treasures: Compassion, Moderation, and Humility.
Compassion. Creating a new habit takes tremendous energy. Your nervous system is designed to keep you exactly as you are, so overcoming inertia takes commitment and consistency. Setbacks are inevitable; the key is not to let them derail the process. Did you oversleep and miss a workout? Perhaps more rest was what you needed. Craving sugar? Perhaps you’re low on fuel and craving a doughnut means you need more carbohydrates and fat. It’s never a good idea to ignore and disparage the messages your body sends. Compassion and understanding will facilitate a new appreciation for and better connection to your unique needs.
Moderation. The faster you make a change, the less likely it is to stick. Fitness fads prey on your vulnerabilities and make empty promises that could ultimately be detrimental to your health. If you were previously sedentary, workouts 3–4 days a week will give you results. If you enjoy daily workouts, mix up your routine and pace high-intensity workouts with active rest. Eat enough so that you have energy, a strong immune system, and feel resilient to injury. Indulge occasionally. Practice simplicity as the absence of excess.
Humility. Find a happy medium between ego and self-deprecation. Recognize that there will always be someone more ideal than you think you are. At the same time, validate your own accomplishments. Can you do more than you used to? Are you feeling stronger and more energized? Did you stick with your plan for a day/week/year? Ask for help when you need it. Allow yourself to feel like a beginner, even if you think that you “should” know better.
The philosopher Lao Tzu said, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”
Avoiding the glamour of the last fix is difficult when others preach the transformation of the latest trend. But when embarking on your own fitness pilgrimage, remember the Middle Path provides steady forward movement.