Longevity

Why We Do What We Do

Everyone's plan sounds plausible to themselves

When you actually do it for 50 years you'll be wearing the results

About my past - it sucks to outlive your family - until you consider the alternative

In my family there were
Two of us - Mostly athletic and healthy

A different two of us relied on petroleum-based biochemical stimulation
Both of the people who were on medication were hooked in by a single idea

They essentially believed something inside them that was broke and needed to be fixed
The tension between the four of us was so palpable and contentious it had to be avoided

Spoiler, humans need rest - it's not always go-time - it can't always be go-time

The two unhealthiest people were talking about "no time, no energy"
Both had terrible food and sleep habits

These two people shared a lot of traits
Including being tied up in blood and body problems
There was psych medication and stimulants which didn't help
There was not traditional sports, weights or physical work - which would have helped

They were signed up for and bought into Red Bull culture
It's a life of wanting hare over turtle - then ending as a slug
That speedy fast culture is exhausting - where does it get you?
My spirit animal is more turtle and less hare - pace matters for swim

These four people were frustrated - over the years we became elusive for words

The two *healthiest* people each had activities
That were scheduled into weekly and monthly calendars
Neither of them needed physical activity to be scheduled as weekly items
They didn't need to be scheduled because they were naturally planned for

True vitality doesn't need an appointment or a reminder
It's something the people legitimately want to keep doing
These people continue self-scheduled activities long term
They do them in spite or travel or sickness or conflict of plans
It's probably not for vanity and wanting looks, though it could be
More likely - it's to keep up activity, practice, investment & exploration
At least for those who do it long term - it's probably more Vitality and less Vanity

Some things you just have to see it - if you can't or won't see it, I can't show you

I am they who identify as turtle - that means slow - no need for fast
What's funny? I was the slow swimmer - yet with cheat codes I'm lightning fast
It's amazing - with gear, after warmup, and when that blood becomes oxygenated
To this day I still laugh that anyone ever considered me to be a fast swimmer - absurd!

It's been a few years now since my mother has passed over - bless her sweet soul
She loved being in the pool so much - she spoke of it enthusiastically and often
She even introduced me to her aquatics instructor who was quite a number

She had my brother out at the pool every day during summers
Also her first two grandbabies in the lake and other beaches
My mother was a swim instructor from the very start
She definitely saw the value in swim early in life

Hypothetical scenario shows people squared off

"Eating a carnivorous diet will extend your life span" - please pass the butter

See how contentious life is? A person could hate you for life
Just for making that statement at the table
People still fight over the value of butter

I don't know if my readers eat meat or not - this is just for a point
This is a complicated question that probably involves your blood type
It probably involves things way too complicated for right here right now

If you do eat meat - Or if you don't like carnivores - I hope it doesn't divide us
That said, If you don't eat meat - You might struggle to maintain energy and protein
Am I being contentious? Perhaps - Was that my plan? Definitely not in this case

It's sad but true - it's been shown that vegetarians struggle with diet long term
It's not impossible to be a large vegetarian - blue whales eat only plankton
They seem to be doing fine and they become huge - but they eat all day

Maybe that can work for you also
Yet in my experience as an earthly creature
I find that my body does better with access to meat
That's me - my experience - my observation of experience

It's my observation - I'm not trying to change your diet - I'm trying to get you to the choppa
Your diet is not my goal - your food is not the end result of my advocacy as a sports coach
You have nothing to prove to me - or to yourself - your body says what works - if you listen
Not everyone listens to what is happening - Inside their own body - I cannot speak to that

I saw a vegan psychologist on TV - She tried to convince the world her dog was vegan
The producers brought two bowls of food - doggo went to the one with real meat it it
The so-called expert looked like an utter buffoon - perhaps others are still correct

We can agree - or we can agree to disagree and I'm fine with both of those options
Regarding me and health - I'm 52 now - my drug-riddled alcoholic family members..
They disagreed with me several decades ago and I said "let's give it some time"

I quietly accepted their accounts - I let them attempt to do whatever they want
They lived with it until they didn't - medical boundaries are a very real thing
I definitely respect all boundaries not just the ones that make sense to me

I let things play out - only to watch my mom admit she'd been prideful
It was one of the last things she ever said - her message in a book
She wanted to make sure I could hear her words in her own order
It was a huge concession that she made in a book from death bed
She was big to do that - & I harbored no resentment by that time

Guarding it so closely for her entire adult life was silly
That was not for me to say any more beyond a point
Thankfully we were able to find agreement
During the latter and final parts of her life

It was never my goal too say "I told you so" or rub it in
I wanted her to have the same energy she saw in me
She constantly claimed - she was wanting for herself
Sadly she did not accept the true role of conditioning

What is my point in all this?
If you are hanging on
To a weird broken habit
Perhaps it's time to let go

My grandfather was proud US Army
At first he was with underwater demolitions
Later, I met a fascinating martial arts swimmer

Then I met the person
Who taught me about the Liver Cleanse
Both encounters were immense breakthroughs

I met 9 Swim Angels and counting
Now I'm a swim boss too -
Hope it works for you

By solving problems one by one
Nearly anyone can do what I did
If they are patient and consistent

I didn't have lots of things people have
What I had was a burning driving desire

Anyone can absolutely
Attain nearly any realistic goal
That has been realistically set forth
Humans are incredible like that

Lifelong athletes are regular people
You know how people get shredded?

Aside from building their muscles
They work the largest muscles in their bodies
They focus muscle groups on "occupational movement"
Their movements target the biggest muscles for max burn

It's occupational therapy without an injury or disability
People get shredded by doing funky little exercises
With a wide and diverse menu of different actions

It's not by doing a billion silly crunches
Sit-ups are great but they only target
A small portion of your abdomen
In a very short range of motion

Each activity has different risks associated
Lunges and squats will make you get shredded
They work the hamstrings and gluteus maximus (your tail end)
Those two muscles are by volume, the largest muscles in your body
By working the largest muscles in your body, you convert the most energy

If you want big arms - build your own triceps - it's the biggest muscle in your arms
Target muscles in your body - that are physically large - that's how we do fitness

My favorite body conditioning concept - is to not use weights at all
There is something special about relying on many different poses
Where the power of gravity alone produces the conditioning
My favorite way to do sit-ups is hanging out of a tree

Crunches don't target the largest body muscles
. Sit-ups would enhance the looks of a person
Who is already is extremely good shape
Someone with excess body fat
Benefits from lunges or squats

Lesson Summary

In his reflections on life, the author shares insights into longevity, health, and fitness:

• Over 50 years, the outcomes of our actions become apparent.
• Four family members' health disparities were influenced by their lifestyle choices.
• Rest is crucial; constantly hustling leads to exhaustion.
• The importance of consistent physical activity and healthy habits is highlighted.
• True vitality doesn't require reminders; it stems from a genuine desire for well-being.
• Embracing a sustainable pace in life is likened to the approach of a turtle over a hare.
• Despite differing dietary choices, understanding and respecting individual needs is crucial.
• Long-term commitment to self-care activities reflects a focus on vitality over vanity.
• Body conditioning principles emphasize working the largest muscles for maximum benefits.
• Occupational movements and diverse exercises play a key role in achieving physical fitness.
• Targeting major muscle groups like hamstrings and triceps aids in effective fitness training.
• Utilizing gravity and diverse poses can lead to impactful body conditioning without weights.

The author shares personal experiences, familial health struggles, and the significance of respecting individual lifestyle choices with a focus on holistic well-being.