The Lunchbox

It isn't often that watching a 15 minute speech given by a strongman / powerlifter can inspire me in more than lifting. Similarly, it rarely happens that I tell people they need to go and watch the same presentation because of how powerful the message is about our lives. About a month ago, it happened, the rare message that made me think about training, nutrition, and life from a different viewpoint.

"Fill your lunchbox with something you love" - Clint Darden

If you haven't seen Clint Darden's presentations from the PLEXP2, you need to take 15 minutes and watch it (here's the youtube). I truly believe his 15-minute presentation could be the best 15 minutes you spend on the internet this week.

I could make this all about my lunchbox, but you really aren't here to hear me tell you about life. You're here because we have one big thing in common. Fitness.

Your fitness plan shouldn't be worse for you than being un-fit

How many times have you heard somebody talk about their new "diet" or their training program and it sounds like it's so miserable that even they don't enjoy it?  I seem to come across this at least once a week where somebody wants to make a change for the better proceeds to make radical changes which are so different than what they're used to they have no choice but to be miserable.  Creating a newer, healthier lifestyle doesn't have to happen all at once and it doesn't have to be monotonous and miserable.  In fact, we're far more likely to stick with the changes if they aren't boring and miserable. AND THIS IS THE KEY; find a plan you enjoy and you can stick with.
Why? Because we are learning more every day about how the mind can be the most powerful force in our routine. From the placebo effect all the way to general well-being, our mind has control and when we don't enjoy something, everything else seems to go downhill.

For example, I spoke with a lady the other day that was convinced she needed to give up her long runs and do HIIT training in order to burn fat.   While HIIT is effective, eliminating long runs had several negative effects for her.  By completely taking away something she loved and replacing it with something she didn't, it was mentally draining.  Instead of becoming healthier, her diet went astray, she became disenthused, and began missing sessions. The "all in" mentality she had with distance running was gone and replaced with an "eh." While the HIIT may be good for her, taking away everything she enjoyed was not.

The same applies to diets. Making massive changes to your eating style or your diet is likely to lead to non-compliance. Eliminating foods in one cold-turkey move can lead to cravings and for some people, sleep-eating. Changing your meal timing can have a similar effect. Any time you change how you eat, you expect changes in hunger, changes in energy, and moments of weakness. While most diet books and plans can tell you how to eat once you're on their plan, very few give you ideas about how to transition into the new style.

It's about loving what you're doing

So, if you want this journey to be fruitful and last you deep into old age, look back to Clint Darden's presentation and its relevance to health and fitness -- we all want to be the best we can be and while we should be "all in," "be the tortoise," transition slowly, and keep a little something you love in your lunchbox.