More than a year ago, I started a project I called the Year of the Body. If my math is correct, my year has been over for more than six months.
I never finished this project because I think it might be the greatest thing I’ve ever done. I liked it so much that I rolled it over. Welcome to The Life of the Body. Yeah, I don’t like that name either.
But you should do a Year of the Body, too. I think it will make things better. Not everything, but a lot of things.
You are not your body just like you are not your thoughts or emotions. But you can observe and understand and befriend all of them.
I think.
I’ve told you this, but in September 2017, I began working out regularly, abstaining from alcohol, and playing with my diet so I could cross off Life Bucket List Item #18 — something ridiculous about abs.
Now, I’m not complaining, but I still have not been able to photograph six visible abdominal muscles. Here’s the closest I got.
Another angle.
I have to admit that I really thought I’d have this project done and dusted by now because, frankly, I was fairly thin when I started and didn’t have that far to go.
Whatever.
I don’t have the six-pack, but I’m not unhappy with the results. One might even say that I’m downright chuffed.
I’m chuffed because I’m friends with my body and that’s invaluable.
Now you do a year of the body
So here’s what you do. Every single day, allocate some time for some sort of physical movement. Make a point of checking in with your body. While you’re doing the physical movement, really concentrate and talk to your body and think about strengthening the connection from your mind to the muscle you’re using.
Make a commitment to do that every day for a year. I really, really think the muscle mind connection is the secret to life. I’m about 40% certain of that fact.
Whenever you make a decision in that year, first ask your body what it wants you to do. Then do that thing. Most of the time.
It’s not the end result that’s important – although I cannot imagine the end result being negative — but it’s the process that’s important. You’re developing a relationship with your body and your muscles and you’re understanding how to make things better.
It’s a lifestyle. How are you styling your life to include movement?
What do I do as soon as I wake up? That’s the the thing I do. That sets the tone for the day. If I can, I work out as soon as I wake up. If, for some reason, I don’t work out right when I wake up, I scan my day for the next time I can fit it in. It’s always my number one priority because I know how much movement and gabbing with my muscles makes me happy.
The body adapts
My body really dislikes lazing about and not working out.
Unfortunately, my body has a very short memory. After two to three days of not working out, it forgets that it likes to move and is happy to laze again. My body adjusts to a new normal easily. I think everyone’s body does.
It takes working out four to five days in a row before my body really gets into it and remembers how much it loves to move.
After that critical stages passes, then, my body pesters me for the workout until I do it. At that point, I start to crave a workout.
That’s why the year of the body is so important.
It took me a long time to realize all these things. If I had stopped working out after a month, or even six months, I would not have really understood the mind body connection or how to enjoy the moment of movement.
19 months in and I’m still discovering new things.
Hard work giveth. Laziness taketh away.
Muscle tone goes away so quickly. Workouts get hard if you haven’t done them in a while. Sugar turns into extra flab before you’re even hungry again. Falling off the wagon is discouraging because you can feel like you’re going backwards.
Each day, it’s a decision. Am I going to make my body better or worse today?
I try to do better. If you ask your body and develop a relationship with your body, it can help you do better, too.
Aesthetically, the visible definition of my stomach muscles are fun. It’s definitely part of the happiness. But most of the happiness comes from engaging my body. I feel completely in the pleasant moment when I exercise.
I’ll still try periodically for the abs in the future, but not as ardently right now. I have until the end of my life. I’m still crazy happy with how I look, and more importantly, how I feel.
met a life coach once, and dude said people pay them all time for this wisdom:
“that the most important thing in your life – should receive an allocation of time proportionate to that importance.”
DUH!
also, I found that instead of going super hard, crossfit style, bust a vein in your face, I get more results (fat burning) finding that zone in which I dont get too sore, but not taking it out too easy.
and IMO, I’d argue your stomach (as is) is sexier than an actual chiseled six-pack
Hi. Looks like you are getting some nice results. Great job. I work out a lot but have not thought much about the mind-muscle connection. Thanks for the tip!
Muscle-mind connection = secret of life. I’m excited for you to discover it!
I actually rather agree with your last statement and I think that’s a big part of the reason I’m not so motivated to get the six-pack. For me personally, it’s possible to look too muscley and a six-pack might cross that line. But, it’s on the bucket list, so I want to do it eventually.
And totally agree with that life coach. I wrote down my five top values in life and try to make sure the hours of my day are devoted to my five values. My values are (1) fitness; (2) meditation; (3) writing; (4) social; (5) my blog/business/book #2/scrilla.
“Muscle tone goes away so quickly. Workouts get hard if you haven’t done them in a while.”
Ha! Wait till you get in your 40’s 🙂 Yes this is true. The way I see it, you only get one body in this life, so people who abuse it confuse me. Most Americans take better care of their cars than their bodies, which is depressing.
Great job, keep at it, it never gets easier!
Oh goodness, I’ve never thought about it, but I think you might be right about the cars analogy.
#inspired
Hashtags!
Jealous. And too lazy 🙂
I’m lazy too, but this I make time for. 🙂
I am going to do it! Thanks for your timely message. It is very odd how after some progress I reward myself with a bit of rest, which turns into and extended break somehow. Result is feeling worse ever and knowing I need to get back on it, but its going to be harder. Detox starts today after Easter over indulgence.
thanks again.
PS. Given your recent meditation experience I think you may have meant to reference the ‘present moment’ when you said “I feel completely in the pleasant moment when I exercise.” Present is pleasant 🙂
Agreed. A reward or a treat should never be NOT working out because working out feels so good when it’s done! A reward or treat should be something you give yourself after you work out. Like, maybe a biscuit.
I think present moment would work too, but I meant pleasant. The moment is pleasant and I’m in the moment. 😀
“Feel completely in the pleasant moment” – love that phrase!
Cool! I know my comment adds nothing to your comment, but I feel guilty if I don’t reply to my comments.
This is so motivating! I’ve been hitting the gym daily for about two months now. The progress is slow-coming, but I do feel better. Will keep it up for at least a year to see result! 🙂
Two months is great! I think after you pass six weeks, you got this. You already got this!
I think you have accomplished your goal. What you are exhibiting is much more aesthetically appealing than looking behind your skin at your muscles. They are there. Enjoy the skin. Give it some credit:-)
There is, however, a green juice recipe using citrus and celery that will shrink a belly.
I always think I can do better. 🙂 But thanks! What’s the recipe?
Good job! I’m currently in the proces of getting in shape myself. I’m 41yo, healthy and certainly not overweight. I’ve been working out regularly for quite a number of years now, but in my experience it is more difficult than ‘just doing it’.
Getting in shape involves more than just working out and eating healthy. It also means kicking bad habits. Mine are (Indian-/Thai- and Indonesian) curry and wine. You need to replace bad habits, keep motivated at working out and make it your new lifestyle (habit). To me that is the hardest part, but I’m slowly getting there. It helps talking to people who share the same ideas :).
JUST DO IT!
You mean that doesn’t help? 🙂
Well, actually, that did the trick. Thanx! 😀
Oh good, cause that’s really all I got.
I know you’re retired, but you should do some part-time modeling!
Haha. I’ve applied for that type of job. Kind of. We’ll see!
This is great advice!….which I’m definitely not going to take. Am faaaar too lazy. I see very quick results when I use weights but then I get disinterested/bored within a week. I try to take a long daily walk, and succeed maybe 3 times a week for 40 to 50 mins per. Running seems too hard on the body (mine anyway) – on the knees, joints, etc. – especially if done on asphalt which is the only flat surface near me that wouldn’t involve driving to get to it (which is its own absurdity: driving someplace to exercise!). But every single time I go for a long walk, I hear MMM’s wisdom in my head [I’m paraphrasing here]: “If you’re happy with the results you’re getting from your daily walk in lieu of an actual workout, by all means, keep it up.” But I just keep walking and then checking the scale every Friday and saying, “Hmmm.”
Running sucks. 100% agree.
I’m also very lazy, but I don’t have a job, so I can squeeze things like this into my life. Especially if I make it a high priority.
Just found your blog from Mr. Money Mustache’s and plan to devour it. I quickly read your bucket list and was shocked how many of the entries align with my own, including this one (or a variation of it – to get my body healthier). One stood out to me however – #35. If your mission to see the world ever sends you out my way to Nova Scotia I know a beach where you could find one guaranteed. I’ve been finding them there my whole life; the ocean floor millions of years ago is preserved in those cliffs.
Your bucket list item of get healthier is better than the six-pack one. I don’t even know if it’s physiologically possible to get my goal.
But welcome! I’m excited to have you here and would love to visit Nova Scotia for some fossil hunting. Yay!
Only way I got into running was to set a goal to do a 5K in 35 min by age 35. Now at 43… I can still maintain that. But you can’t make me run outside, or without my headphones. Dad died early of a heart attack so I gotta do the cardio even though weights are what got me into the gym in the first place. My weights goal is to get back to six pull ups (a shoulder injury two years ago derailed me for way too long). Linda Hamilton in Terminator 2 will always be a fitness inspiration — those arms!
Pull ups are my dream! I’ve done a few, but never more than one. Eight (what I think of as a set) is my goal that I’m nowhere close to.
Wow – amazing results! great to see what can be achieved
Thanks! I think it’s pretty amazing too!