Picture this alternate story…
Bob: Hi, I’m Bob and I want to learn about how to get fit.
Alex: Oh hey, I’m Alex. That’s so cool you want to get fit.
Bob: Yeah, I’m interested in learning about it and probably ready to commit to whatever the process is.
Alex: Awesome. First of all I don’t claim to be an expert on everything related to fitness; I intend to be learning and adapting my whole life. That said, there are some solid, core principles that you can build on to get fit and stay fit. I would be glad to cover those but I also want to ask if you have specific questions in mind already.
Bob: Well, I know I don’t want to inject anything, or take 30 pills a day, or starve myself, or eat only 3 things for the rest of my life. I’ve had friends and relatives do those things, which seem kind of crazy, and it never lasts.
Alex: Sure. Sometimes in trying to pursue fitness people grab hold of whatever is on TV, or whatever their friend is doing and run with it. There are a lot of fads out there and there always will be. The core principles of fitness are well established and have been proven out over time. In fact, those core principles are things I’ve practiced in my own life for 23 years. I can tell you from my own experience that they work.
Bob: That makes sense. But, I don’t know if I would want to – or need to – do all the specific things you do, or some other guy does, to be fit. There is room to build on the core principles and find a way that works for me specifically, right?
Alex: Absolutely. Customization of the finer points or specifics enables us all to get where we want to go in a way that really works for us as an individual.
Bob: Okay, let’s cover those core principles so I can get started, or at least know what I’m looking at as far as a commitment.
Alex: You bet. Food, rest, flexibility, cardiovascular training and strength training are the core principles. Food and rest are often overlooked, but they affect your capacity to work out, and they strengthen your body after a workout. Flexibility training enhances your ability to move and reduces injury from activity. Cardiovascular training keeps your heart and lungs working, which enhances both quality and length of life. Strength training keeps muscles and ligaments strong. Specifically, I eat mostly organic, sleep 8 hours, stretch daily, lift free weights and use an elliptical machine for cardio.
I remember the core principles this way: Eat, Sleep, FaCeS. I think of the faces of those I love, and how I want to see them and be active in life with them. If that is helpful for you, great; if not, cool. Putting the principles into practice is what matters.
There are many specific ways to implement these core principles so that you can find a mix that works best for you. Change the specifics all you want, but the core principles always work.
Lastly, I will be glad to talk with you about your fitness quest. I will share from my own experiences, others’ experiences and things I’ve read. If you have a question, feel free to ask me. I may not know the answer, but I bet we can find it faster together than separately!
QUESTION: Imagine that Bob and Alex are talking about Jesus, his message and what it means to follow Jesus. What would be the core principles he would share if Alex a) knew them and b) just wanted to help Bob see the truth with no additional motives or agendas?