Just a quick ramble to start your week.
The following is a basic tenant of Taoism:
Things in their original simplicity contain their own natural power, power that can be spoiled when that simplicity is changed.
This principle seems to hold true in today’s world, where we seem to live a daily struggle of trying to force the square peg into the round hole.
Whether it’s food, your workout, or the people in your life, it’s good to always keep this principle in the back of your mind.
Now, the most obvious NUTRITION application/interpretation of this principle is that “natural unprocessed foods are best”. But, if we take it a step further, we also see the application/interpretation that we should not FORCE nutrition, and that ‘original simplicity’ can also be the foods that you like eating.
After all, forcing yourself to eat unprocessed, organic, raw foods all the time doesn’t really fit into the concept of ‘original simplicity’, unless this is something that you really like to do.
The same goes for working out.
The most obvious WEIGHT TRAINING application/interpretation of this principle is that “The basic lifts are the best”. But, if we take it a step further, we also see the application/interpretation that we should not force exercise.
So The point of this ramble is this, when you see/here/read principles such as this, it is important to remember that in order to make it truly work, you need to start from the inside and work out from there.
So start with your own original simplicity, what works for you, what is best for you when you are in your ‘natural state’ (not trying to be someone you are not)..then work from there.
A little ‘out there’, but hey, it’s the Monday after the Superbowl.
BP
I cannot agree more. I just wrote a summary on one of the most popular 5×5 programs ever. One point I made explicitly is that while many folks swear by the major compounds, they aren’t the be-all, end all when it comes to development.
If one has an impingement, flexibility issues, anatomic differences, etc, exercise substitutions are perfectly fine. The main focus should be on continual improvement and progression.
I hate it when folks say that the bench press is the best chest builder while every other movement is inferior. What if you have long limbs or have overdeveloped delts? What if a neutral grip is better fit for your shoulder girdle? What if the bench press puts you at a high risk for injury due to previous rotator cuff issues? It’s simply not worth the hassle when so many other movements would be a better fit.
I am done with my rant!
thanks for unconventional post, Brad.
hey Brad I was wondering if people that do eat stop eat ever get low blood sugar or hypoglecemia effects because of fasting?
Simply Fantastic! the KISS principle … Keep It Simple Stu—-!
They shouldn’t
Hypoglycemia is actually a fairly rare condition, does not happen in health individuals taking a break from eating in clinical trials.
B
Hi Brad.
I’m a total believer in the simplistic lifestyle. People over-complicate things thinking “tough-going” is the answer to everything in life.
I was just wondering, though about the ESE thing.
When I fast in Ramadan, there’s no food OR drink till dusk – but that is purely religious.
In ESE, going 24 hrs without water would be excruciating. So please correct me if I’m wrong, that non-caloric drinks are O-kay while following ESE.
Thanks!
Hi Harris,
You are correct, non-caloric beverages are highly recommended.
B
Brad, I’m getting into competitive powerlifting and have been fasting to cut weight, but I was wondering if you knew whether fasting was good for increasing strength, or if the decrease in calories is actually detrimental. I’ve wondered this for a while. Thanks.
I don’t see any reason why it would improve your strength, but I also doubt it would decrease it.
B
Brad, this is not relevant to this post but I came across a website claiming to be a miracle product to getting ripped and it showed your picture of before and after shots with an alleged name of JackMan but claiming to be you and your progress from using the product. I just thought you should know because it could be damaging to you especially when the site if a load of BS!
Here is the site:
http://www.stevegetsripped.com/dnp.php?sub=TJPHB300
Best,
Kevin