BrendaT Live-Laugh-Love

I was going to post this in Facebook, but I sometimes think that long FB posts get skimmed over, so I figured a blog would be best.

Here is the picture that prompted today’s post. 🙂

Maybe a bit much to get the giggles, but if he kept moving, didn’t give up, and got through the workout, then he did a good job!

Here are some of my views on Modifying:

First, the word ‘modify’ is NOT a dirty word in the fitness world!  In fact, in my opinion, and in the opinions of MANY trainers and coaches way smarter and more experienced than I, modifying will help you learn better form and use the muscle you are working to its fullest potential, which in turn leads to the BEST quality workout!

Second, taking a break does NOT make you a failure!  If you are just starting your journey to a healthier and fit lifestyle, new to the workout, coming back from injury, or sometimes just having an “off” day, more breaks may be needed to make it through to the end.  Just try to keep moving if you can while you catch your breath.  Even if it is just a light march in place.

AND Third!  This one could be the MOST important!  IF you are a beginner or you are coming back from injury, or simply have one muscle group that is not as strong and needs to be slowly built up….DO THE MODIFICATION!  For Example….There is no shame in doing push ups on your knees!   This one is hard for me, because I could do perfect military style push ups before I hurt my shoulder.  But I need to build my strength back up and stop pushing it too fast.  So it is NOT just beginners, all of us need to use modifications some times.

Modifications help you perfect your form.  In fact, I believe that sometimes doing the modification of an exercise actually helps me slow down and concentrate on the muscles I am using.  Sometimes you get to the point that you start swinging weights, or just going through the motions.  And doing 50 squats in 30 seconds is NOT a good thing if you are doing them sloppy and with poor form.

Since becoming a Beachbody Coach, I hear excuses all the time like, “I can’t do that!” or “That program is too advanced for me.”  or “I couldn’t keep up with that!” or “I can’t do (fill in the blank), I am too uncoordinated!”  First of all, how do you KNOW any of that if you don’t try?  And second, there is ALWAYS a modification for EVERYTHING!  If you can’t figure it out, ASK!  There is always something different you can do if a certain move bothers you.

For instance, I since I have a lumbar fusion in my back, while doing acro yoga yesterday, one of the moves was flying whale.  I can be the base for whale, but I am not comfortable having someone’s feet in my lower back, but here are my friends Mahala and Shari doing and AWESOME job at it! 🙂

 

But I will say acro yoga is REALLY helping me with my trust issues.  Several weeks ago, I let Mahala the instructor talk me into letting her fly me.  Here is the picture taken for PROOF!  LOL!

And yesterday, I let both my friends, Gloria and Mr Bentley fly me!  I am getting there! 🙂

So, get over your “I have to be PERFECT to start!” mentality!  Take that first step!  And as always…..

MAKE today GREAT!!!