Becoming Fit for Life #054: Higher Fitness Skills, Health and Society, Balancing what Matters
🧠 What you should focus on for health, Why it is good for society to have healthy citizens, and how Roger Federer continues to perform at a high level
This week in building health 👇
The ‘Levels’ of Working on Health
A client asked me this week:
What is the most important thing I need to focus on to work on my health?
And in the moment I said: “Just keep showing up, and trust that we’ll see improvements over time.”
But the question stuck in my head, and I sat down to really give it some thought. So if I had to make a list of things that matter (from least important to most important) here is what I would say
The ‘Levels’ of Working on Health
Exercise and Eating Habits
Mixing up Movement
Understanding Nutrition
Learning to Listen to Your Body
Breaking Negative Thought Patterns
Celebrating Wins and Achievements
Having Long Terms Goals
Changing Your Core Beliefs
Most People Only Want to Focus on 1, 2, and 3
It’s always the same questions
What foods should I eat?
What are the best exercises?
How can I lose weight quickly?
How do I build muscle?
(These are good questions by the way, but they put the cart before the horse)
Practice the Higher Level Skills and 1, 2, & 3 Get Sorted
Remember, if you’re in it for the long term, you’re going to have to focus on higher level skills.
They are the foundation for long-lasting improvements in your health.
While exercise and eating habits, mixing up movement, and understanding nutrition are important, they are just the starting point.
Practicing the higher level skills let you address the root causes of your health issues and make lasting changes.
These skills will also help you develop a holistic approach to your health and well-being.
Making it More Explicit in My Work
I’ve been toying with the idea of being more direct in helping people with those higher level skills.
It’s a puzzle because people come for 1, 2, & 3.
But I know that 4 to 8 on the list work best.
Here are some ideas I’m exploring:
Instead of solely focusing on exercise routines and meal plans, I could provide resources on breaking negative thought patterns, listening to your body, and setting long-term goals.
Emphasizing the significance of a holistic approach to health and well-being, considering physical, mental, and emotional aspects
Collaborating with experts in fields such as psychology, mindfulness, and personal development to offer comprehensive support
Creating a community or support system
More updates on this soon!
My favorite health things for the week
// one
Fitness: The Foundation for Creativity and Culture
12 minutes | Anthony Vennare
While we often link fitness directly to physical health, its impact extends far beyond our muscles and bones.
When your body is sound, you can think more clearly, you are in a better mood, you can contribute more to society.
A fit populace isn't merely a matter of individual health; it's interwoven with cultural vibrancy and nation-building.
By prioritizing fitness, we're not only nurturing our bodies but also fueling our minds and fortifying our societal fabric.
// two
The Pandemic’s Legacy Is Already Clear
18 minutes | Ed Yong
This article is one year old but it got reshared again to me today.
Its main idea is this: We made health about individual choices, but we ignore the systems and the environment.
Things like pandemics, obesity, and even things like loneliness, are not individual problems to solve, but community issues we need to face together.
I’ve long believed that we need a more integrated approach to health.
This article is a reminder of that.
// three
Roger Federer: ‘You cannot be alone at the top’
21 minutes | Simon Kuper
I like this article because it shows how to be a long term performer, you have to be able to understand what really matters.
When you’re younger, it’s easier to pour 100% of your energy into a single pursuit (like sport, or a career, or a vocation).
But at time goes on, there are other important things you want to balance, and learning how to balance different, equally important, sometimes competing values is an important skill for longevity!
Until next time
I’m working on a resource that will help people break the inertia and simply get started moving.
It’s called 5-Minute Movements
I’m making it public on December 1, but will actually start sending out beta versions next week.
(If you want to get them early, test them out, and experience it ahead of everyone, let me know 😁)
Can you think of a friend who this could benefit? Please share it with them!
Have a Healthy Weekend
— Javier Gomez