The outward appearance of making any kind of change in our behavior or our bodies tends to seem overwhelmingly complex.
The countless details and decisions of when should I do “X,” what is best, what is right, and what is wrong is paralyzing resulting in default behavioral strategies that are incoherent with our goals.
It’s like going to a restaurant and looking at a menu that is reminiscent of a coffee table book. There are main dishes of all kinds. Which one should you choose? How hungry am I?
Your waitress offers you a choice of side dishes and you stare at the list of 20 possibilities.
Should you choose broccoli, a sweet potato, or a salad? If you go with the salad, what kind of dressing? Do you want that on the side?
Unable to determine the best course of action from the complexity of decisions to make, you default to french fries.
Let me offer you a potential savior.
Complexity arises from simple rules repeated.
In nature, one only need to appreciate the branching of a tree. The simple rule of growth for a tree is to split one branch into two branches. Rinse and repeat. Over time, the result is what appears to be this incredibly complex structure reaching upward and spreading out in all directions.
When nature finds a simple rule that works, it uses it over and over. In humans, we actually use the same “tree” rule in regard to how we form the vast network of blood vessels in the body. One artery splits into two and so on to such a degree that each cell of your body gains access to the nutrient rich blood supply.
The dendrites emanating from your nerves to allow communication with other nerves follow this rule too. One branch splitting into two and so on. In fact, this process is called dendritic arborization (arbor = tree, see the neuron photo above).
Perhaps it’s the constant need to produce information to sell and the innate desire to seek novel information that has led to confusion and paralysis by analysis. Instead of identifying the simple rules upon which success is based, we sift through an ocean of minutiae that makes little to no impact.
What’s the best time to exercise? (Simple answer: Whenever you can or whenever you like to exercise)
Which supplements should I take if I exercise? (Simple answer: a select few, if any, if you eat a variety of foods. See Chapter 11 in ALL GAIN, NO PAIN for guidance of simple supplement rules)
How much sleep do I need? (Simple answer: Whatever is best for you. You can figure out how much you need with the simple process explained in Chapter 13 of ALL GAIN, NO PAIN)
What exercise is best for [insert name of muscle here]? (Simple answer: exercise all of your muscles with a variety of exercises)
You’ll find that most of the answers truly are quite simple or up to your preferences and individuality.
I wrote ALL GAIN, NO PAIN to solve the problem of this seemingly endless complexity. Once my patients and clients had resolved their pain issues or recovered from an injury, they had many concerns and questions as to what to do now that they felt good again.
I gave them simple rules.
1. Understand a little about how your brain and body work
2. Follow the No Pain Principles that promote rest, recovery, and resilience to stress
3. Follow the All Gain Principles that promote better movement and resistance to stress
Simple rules… repeated.
Your comeback starts today.
Get started on your pain-free comeback to the gym today
