“I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free”
Michelangelo
Your body is constantly remodeling itself. Constantly changing, for better or for worse. This internal and external renovation is not a random process out of our control. On the contrary, we have a direct influence everyday on the final product. In fact, it’s more of a work in progress and it’s never too late to aim for an upgrade.
Two critical elements in the sculpting process are lifestyle ones that are under your direct control. With you as the artist, exercise is the chisel, and the foods you choose, the raw materials.
Exercise is a powerful stimulus that causes predictable specific changes in your body including structural, hormonal and biochemical ones. Yes, remodeling even takes place at the cellular level. The overall result is very positive for your body both internally and externally. A stronger, healthier, more resilient you.
Your exercise program needs to include three key components: cardio; strength; and flexibility. Cardiovascular or aerobic work is for the most important muscle in your body, your heart. Strength training is an essential part of the sculpting process. It goes way beyond what you might see on a bodybuilder with their obviously strong muscles and exterior. Strength training rebuilds body from the inside out improving the structure and durability of your bones, tendons, ligaments and so much more. Flexibility training or stretching gives you the elasticity you need for ease of movement. And don’t forget to work your core- it is the center of your fitness universe!
Food is not only an important fuel but also can have either positive or negative effects on your system and your frame. Your choice either way. Learning to make the right food choices involves being smarter about both the quality and quantity of the things you put in your mouth. Learning more about good carbs and friendly fats, staying well hydrated with water, and realizing once and for all that extreme diets don’t work, not for the long run.
Perhaps Jack La Lanne said it best: “Exercise is King. Nutrition is Queen. Put them together and you’ve got a Kingdom.”
So much of how your body functions, thrives or fails is under your direct control with your lifestyle choices. For example, 70% or more of premature deaths are lifestyle related and preventable. Exercise and nutrition are cornerstones but other factors like genetics, stress and luck also play some role. All of this can be seen vividly in amazing exhibits like BODY WORLDS. I strongly recommend that you visit this extraordinary exhibit if the opportunity arises. It will change the way you treat your body- like the priceless work of art that it truly is.
FitTip
Help your body re-invent itself- more durable than ever- with the right exercise and food choices. Make the sculpting process work for you.
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