The Good Fight

Also known as Reason #763 to get your workout in. I was listening to something the other day where they were talking about retirement, savings, etc. As we all know, one of the fundamentals of retirement planning and savings is that there is incredible value in starting young. The younger you are when you start, the more time the money has to accrue interest and grow, etc. But regardless of how old you are, it is never too late to start. It struck me that the same is true with exercise, nutrition, and fitness.

We all have different reasons for working out. Whether we want to be better at our chosen sport outside the gym or manage our stress, or lose some weight, we all have a primary reason that motivates our exercise habit. I’d like to add another arrow to that quiver of motivation today and that is doing something good for your future self. Think of your health and fitness as a savings account. Good nutrition, consistent exercise, strength training are all deposits into the “feel good and stay independent when you’re older” account. High stress, fast food, sedentary lifestyle, poor sleep habits all equal withdrawals from said account.

• Not feeling like getting your workout in today? Do it for your future self.
• Prefer a burrito over the healthy salad you brought from home? What would your future self say?
• Stressed out and can’t sleep? Will whatever it is that’s weighing on you still matter when you are 87?
• At the grocery store and feeling the processed carb aisle calling you? Say no to chronic disease.

Now I’m not sure if this is all on my mind because I just had a birthday and am definitely not getting any younger or if it is because I’m just really motivated and impressed by the older athletes in our gym. I’ve also had some conversations with some of our members that get a little frustrated because PRs are a little fewer and farther between as we age. This is where keeping the bigger picture in mind can be helpful. Keep adding to the account and building up the reserve so that when age or injury or life circumstances begin to take their toll, you have a war chest of good decisions from which to draw.

“Your needs and the Olympic athlete’s differ by degree not kind. Increased power, strength, cardiovascular and respiratory endurance, stamina, flexibility, speed, coordination, agility, balance, and accuracy are each important to the world’s best athletes and to our grandparents. The amazing truth is that the very same methods that elicit optimal response in the Olympic or professional athlete will optimize the same response in the elderly.”

—Greg Glassman

CrossFit HQ has this on lockdown lately. CrossFit has always been infinitely scalable, but the more frequent posts of seniors, those with weight to lose, or those medically compromised are a truer reflection of the masses that can benefit from what we do. The focus is on fitness, health, and longevity rather than the “Fittest on Earth” throwdowns that once defined CrossFit. I am proud to be a part of this movement and believe it is where we can make the biggest impact.