In many ways, physical activity can be compared to investing. Both require discipline, hard work, patience and produce delayed gratification.
And for those who are willing to commit to a long haul, the dividends can be fantastic.
This week, I'll present a few tips for maximizing your investment in your long-term health, and I'll present an exercise that can help you make regular deposits toward your goals.
I'm not a financial adviser, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night. (Insert laugh track here.) But seriously, I imagine that financial advisers face the same challenges that fitness professionals do in terms of meeting their clients' expectations. Because investing and physical activity take time to produce results, there is a natural sense of impatience among those new to the game. People want to see their accounts grow rapidly -- just as they want to see their body fat melt away in short order.
One piece of advice that I try to impress upon every new client is "commit to the process." Simply wanting to lose weight or improve fitness is not enough. Each day, the little things people can do will move them closer to their goals or farther away from them. Whether it's not ordering the cheesecake or making time for one more mile on the treadmill, we all make small choices that change our long-term results.
A commitment to the process, one expressed in act rather than mere words, results in nearly automatic choices that aren't difficult to go on making day after day. Waking up at 6 a.m. for four days a week isn't something unique or special, but part of the process. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables each day doesn't seem like a sacrifice; it's a natural activity.
The best part is, the earlier in life one commits to the process, the more fruitful the results will be.
This week's exercise is a perfect addition to the process, as the basis for the movement never goes out of style. The Bent Over Concentration Curl will challenge the biceps and core with a simple but effective technique.
1. Select a pair of light- or medium-weight dumbbells. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart while holding a dumbbell in each hand.
2. Lean forward at the waist while keeping the lower back flat. Slightly soften the knees. Allow both arms to extend in front of your body with the palms facing forward.
3. Curl the weights upward with both arms by bending the elbows. Make sure you do not allow the elbows to slide back toward the torso as you perform the curl.
4. Slowly lower back down and continue performing consecutive repetitions at a smooth pace until you've done 12.
5. Perform two sets of 12.
As the days, months and years of investing in your health begin to accumulate, your body will pay you back with huge dividends. But unlike financial investing, a true commitment will never result in a down year. (Winky face emoji!)
Matt Parrott has a doctorate in education (sport studies) and a master's in kinesiology and is certified by the American College of Sports Medicine.
ActiveStyle on 10/23/2017