I have just had a brilliant weekend, highlighted by holding my first two Merlin’s Metabolic Magic Classes. There are so many benefits to this type of Metabolic Resistance Training (MRT) workouts, from quickly improved fitness and sports conditioning, to fat-burning and body composition changes. These classes have been in the planning stage for well over a year, and it is wonderful that it has all suddenly come together and I can bring my passion to a wider audience.
Four dedicated people came to each class, eager to learn how MRT could help them to reach their health and fitness goals. I carefully designed multiple total body conditioning circuits using a bunch of ‘unconventional’ equipment such as battling ropes, resisted sprint harnesses, TRX, Alpha Bags, Slosh balls/bags, ViPR, Bulgarian Bags and more. The positive feedback was wonderful, and I am hoping that class numbers will grow as people hear how fun and effective MRT is.
Everyone brought their ‘A-game’ to the classes, and in spite of any pre-existing health issues fully embraced the training concept. Hopefully they won’t mind me pointing out that the oldest participant was 72, and none were in what I call in the first flush of youth. All totally exceeded my expectations, and would have easily out-performed the majority of people half their age.
For some reason, much of modern society has lost its backbone. In all walks of life people are looking for someone else to blame for the situations in which they find themselves, from the government, the health service, or the bankers, to their economic status or upbringing. The same is true of the attitude to health and exercise, with so many believing there has to be a quick fix, a pill, a potion, a diet, a specific workout or piece of equipment which will finally get them the results they desire.
I am going to be the bringer of bad news, but when it comes to being fit, healthy and of an ideal weight, you need a consistent work ethic when it comes to getting exercise, and an ability to use some restraint in what and how much you eat. Since you are reading this and likely subscribe to the Merlin Fitness blog, there is a very good chance that you don’t shy away from hard work and are not one of those people for whom the words ‘but’ and ‘can’t’ are common place.
I am fed up with listening to people reel off a list of excuses why they would exercise if they could, but……(insert flawed reasoning). As somebody with a long-term health condition which will almost certainly curtail my quality of life as I get older if not the quantity, I have absolute sympathy for those who genuinely can’t do any exercise. Just be very aware that it is a slippery slope once you allow yourself to set limits on what you think you can achieve.
It really doesn’t matter if you are in your 40’s, 50’s, 60’s or 70’s (or more), or have multiple medical conditions; there is still every reason to be as active as you can be. The use it or lose it adage is 100% true. Not one of my weekend clients ‘acted their age’ or more accurately what our expectations of people approaching middle age and beyond seems to have become. Just watching them was absolute proof that if you look after your body, move it in every way you can, and simply do your best in spite of any limitations, then you can continue to lead a very full and active life as you age.
I would go so far as to say that as you get older, then perhaps this ‘can-do’ mentality becomes all the more important. The road back from inactivity gets bumpier as you age, and if you start acquiring lifestyle related illnesses then even simple tasks can become a challenge. The possibilities in life will quickly become very small if you struggle to leave the house.
My Mum is a great example of the quality of life it is possible to enjoy if you stay active and take care of yourself. She is an absolute inspiration, not only to me but also many of her friends. The more cynical say that she has been ‘lucky’ with her health, but there is far more to it. She celebrates her 70th birthday in two weeks’ time, still goes to the gym multiple times every week, takes long walks, valiantly tries to maintain a big garden, lifts and shifts furniture (she has a passion for re-decorating), and is rarely defeated by any form of physical activity.
A good percentage of what she achieves is down to her positive attitude and independent nature. My Dad died very unexpectedly in 1999, and far from becoming somebody who used this life-changing event to hold her back, my Mum has continued to blossom and try new things.
A few years ago she took off to New Zealand on a 6 week tour of both north and south island, armed with little more than a couple of changes of clothes, a vague itinerary, and some cash. She had only a few nights of accommodation arranged with various relatives, but for the majority of the time stayed in hostels or basic hotels wherever she found herself. She claims that the only concession her fellow room-mates made was to allow her use the bottom bunk!
During her stay she took completed day-treks along renowned footpaths, ferry rides through fjords and into waterfalls, surfed down a sand dune and even took a helicopter ride to the top of a glacier (see photo). My Mum embraces life and everything which it has to offer. She fully understands that her fitness levels and above average health (which she works very hard to maintain) allows her to take advantage of these opportunities. She is off to New Zealand again early next year.
Age really is no barrier when it comes to staying fit. As we age, we may not be as fast, agile, or flexible as we once were, some bits of our body probably don’t work perfectly and improvements take more time…but none of that is a reason to give up or stop pushing our limits. When I look at many of my clients, particularly the ones who came to me to help them overcome health issues, then the main thing which changes in those who are successful is their attitude. They still have their arthritic joint pain, cardiovascular problems or neurological conditions, but their expectations of themselves and what they believe they can achieve has changed beyond measure.
They have gone from being victims of the cards life has dealt them, to champions who succeed in spite of, and often because of, the situation in which they find themselves. Nothing sharpens the mind more fully than the realisation that our time is not infinite, and that we have to make the most of every day.
Every one of the people in the Metabolic Magic Classes this weekend could have come up with very valid excuses why they shouldn’t or couldn’t do the workout. Did they…..no! I made some small modifications along the way to keep them pain free and safe, but not once did they complain, give up or take the easy option.
They are no different from you, me or anyone else. They simply did their best, worked around their individual limitations, and adopted a no-excuses attitude to getting it done. They recognise that investing in themselves today, gives them a more likely guarantee of a quality of life tomorrow.
I know people with missing limbs, people in wheelchairs, people with cancer, people born with heart conditions, and a whole host of other so called ‘disabilities’. Yet the one thing that defines those I choose to call my friends is that they are ‘no excuses’ individuals. They face their challenges in life head on, and never feel sorry for themselves or moan about their situation.
They don’t all go to the gym to formally get their exercise, but in whatever way they can they experience the joy of moving their bodies, embrace activity and have an optimistic sense of what it means to make the most of their life. They don’t settle for average or normal, but instead strive to be exceptional, and this positive attitude pervades everything they do. Most of all they take personal responsibility for changing whatever they need to in order to reach their goals.
It is no accident that one of the three core values at Merlin Fitness is ‘no excuses’. That is how I choose to lead my life, and fully intend to until the day I die. I won’t seek to blame others, accept less of myself than I am capable of, or put up self-imposed boundaries to give a false sense of acceptance of my situation.
People who become members of the Merlin Fitness ‘tribe’ pretty much fall into this category as well. We motivate and inspire each other to do our best with the opportunity which comes with every new day. Life is not easy, throws us curved balls when we least expect it, and will kick you and hold you down if you let it.
Become that ‘no excuses’ person. I know that it sounds corny, but this really is the only life which you will get. It ticks by one day at a time, whether you are making the most of it or not. In closing I will add the perfect Hunter S Thompson quote, “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “Wow! What a Ride!”
Your Merlin Fitness friend,
Beth
