Neck Up Fitness

Lately, I’ve been obsessed with Trainers Talking Truths, an ISSA podcast dedicated to exploring the fitness industry and uncovering the whys and hows of personal training talking directly to the industry experts and the certified trainers. What I have learned in the first 32 episodes (I started from the beginning) has not only intensified my motivation in building a business in health, wellness and fitness, it has also helped me to discover an interest in an entirely new area - the science behind it all.  But that’s a topic for another blog at another time.

A few episodes into my new podcast obsession I heard Jenny and Dan, the podcast co-hosts, speak about something they call 'neck up fitness' and it wasn’t until recently that I had a stop-you-in-your-tracks moment when it finally hit me what they were talking about.  No, not exercises for your neck.  Rather, before you can begin the life-long journey of living healthy - it starts neck up.  That means, the food you put in your mouth, the way you think of your personal health and fitness and how you view health and fitness in general.  It means you have to be clear on what you, the individual, are looking to achieve and whether this is just a fad you are chasing or a lifestyle you are willing to maintain.  And until you are ready to answer some tough questions and provide yourself with HONEST answers, anything you work on below the neck will be much harder to achieve, if able to achieve at all.  This is a philosophy I stand behind.

Now, that is not to say that you are doomed to live an unhealthy and sedentary life.  Maybe you aren’t ready to take that step or make that change in your life today.  But there is always tomorrow.  There is next week or maybe even next month.  Heck, you MIGHT even have until next year.  But one thing is for sure - every day we wake up is a gift and we can’t know for sure that we will wake up tomorrow. Because the truth of the matter is, every day we wake up we are one more day closer to death.

Ok…. That got a little dark.  And while I don’t want to go down that route, it doesn’t change the fact that there is no denying that sentence is true. So let me challenge you - right here and now - to go grab a pen or pencil and a sheet of paper and write down your answers for the following questions:

1. Do you want to watch your children or grandchildren grow up? 

2. Do you want to be able to play with your kids or grandkids at the park or be able to go on bike rides and other outdoor adventures with them? 2a. Are you currently able to do this?

3. Do you want your children or grandchildren to lead healthy and active lives? 3a. Do the people in their lives lead by example?

4. Do you have stairs in your house that you worry one day you won’t be able to go up or down?

5. Do you circle department store parking lots to find the closest parking space because the walk is too far for you?

6. Do you have a pet who relies on you to be able to take them on walks or give them a bath?

7. Do you want to lose weight for a short period of time (a single event) or to keep it off for your life time?  7a. If yes, what is the reason behind why you want to lose weight?

8. If you could be healthier or more active are there things you would like to do that you are limited in doing now?  8a. Do you focus more on what your body can’t do rather than what it can do?

9. Do you understand why you eat the foods that you eat? 9a. How do you you feel after eating a meal?

Don’t worry - you don’t have to show anyone your answers.  These are for you.  But now that you’ve written your answers, how do you feel?  This is the time for you to reflect.  If or when you are ready to start that conversation and learn more about the philosophy of neck up fitness, I am just an email away. Let’s chat.  You’ll be amazed at what a simple conversation can spark. Email me at vanfamilyfit@gmail.com

And let me be clear, when I say 'neck up fitness,' I don’t mean ‘fitness' in the sense of performance like running a half marathon or deadlifting 200lbs.  I simply mean making a deliberate effort based on YOUR wants to make small changes that will impact your physical activity level and nutrition choices that promise to give YOU your best, healthiest life, for the rest of your days.