Ripped at the Seams
I must have worked out at a gym several thousand times in my life, but tonight something unexpected happened that I have never had happen before, nor seen. I was doing an exercise on a mat and felt something a bit strange on my right leg, like a breeze. I looked down and saw that a seam had opened up in my running pants. I turned to look at the other, and then before my eyes, it split too. I then changed my position slightly and both seems split apart and proceeded to run up my legs like a slow motion scene from Magic Mike (I assume) and a thought flashed before my eyes that in a moment, I would be standing there in a gym shirt, and socks.
While I wasn't going commando, thankfully the splits were halted in their tracks by a cross stitched panel just above the knee. So I rolled them up and tucked them away, looking like a person going swimming in the 1920s, and continued my workout. I have no idea why the pants have done this and they aren't old, but all I can really put it down to is that I am getting so swole, I am turning into the Hulk and when I flex, my clothing tear apart. Tonight, the stitching around my calves just couldn't take the pressure any longer.
Don't skip leg day.
I don't actually have a leg day. I don't have any body part day at the gym these days. Instead, I turn up, stretch for twenty minutes or so, and then potter around doing random things with no real goals in mind, other than to keep moving with as full range of motion as I am able. There are no exercises that are specifically for chest, or back, or biceps, and instead I am trying to get groups of muscles working in better coordination and balance. I am also doing some interval training on a Spin bike alternating between light resistance at speed and heavy going slow. I am past the days of getting ripped (I never have been) and a six pack is only within reach if I am kidnapped and held captive somewhere experiencing famine. I have far too much fat on me, but I am not obese. I am heavy - kind of like a cannonball.
Not quite as smart though as a cannonball though.
But I was thinking whether I should set some more tangible goals for my journey, rather than just "do something" randomly. A goal would bring the focus on "problem solving" for the outcome. Random action is undirected and while it is still beneficial, it doesn't inspire much reflection or preparation. When there is a goal though, it is possible to explore conditions and variations that can improve the process and give more chance of getting closer to the goals themselves. Having the goal isn't the focus, but having a goal can help us learn.
I am sure there are studies on these kinds of things where for instance, the effort put in for someone who goes out for a run for thirty minutes, or someone who goes out for a run for thirty minutes who is tracking how far they get. They both might do the same thing each day, but I would expect that the one tracking and often trying to beat their own distance would have an edge. Having that reference point, means having a gauge to beat. Beat the clock, up the weight, travel a little further, last a little longer.
We are being tracked for a reason.
The reason that our digital tracking data and any other information is so valuable, is that with that information it is possible to influence our behaviours. I don't agree with this, especially since it is only available to sum, making at a scarce resource, and it is impossible to avoid all of the APIs. However, the value of data to influence behaviour is a good indicator as to why we should be tracking our data, if we want to change our outcomes. Because changing outcomes intentionally and with direction will mean changing behaviours, and setting new habits. Knowing our starting point and where we want to go is far more effective than randomly doing things in the hope it will move the needle in the right direction.
We should influence ourselves to be better.
The digital data extracted from us is mostly used to make other people wealthy, but we should be taking a page out of the book and applying some of the pedagogical and behavioural psychology learnings and leveraging what we can to improve our own outcomes, and that of those we care about. I think if we did this effectively, we would likely be less influenced by the manipulations of advertisers, because we will be more informed, more engaged, and more knowledgeable about what we actually need, rather than being told by an algorithm what we should do.
We can learn a lot from understanding how we are manipulated so easily. But first we have to recognise that we are manipulated, and then pick away at the seams until the pants fall off and we can see what we are dealing with underneath.
Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]
I agree that the first step in freeing ourselves from manipulation is to recognise that we are being manipulated, and then to take conscious steps to correct it. However, I have observed that many people prefer to be led without question; they like to be taken by the hand. This happens because they lack objective criteria and reasoning of their own, something they were not taught to develop from a young age.
The education most of them receive is designed to maintain a system that, in many cases, is oppressive and limiting. Instead of fostering critical thinking and autonomy, it focuses on forming passive individuals, conveniently adapted to the status quo. This lack of tools to analyse the world objectively perpetuates dependence on those who hold power or control information.
Objectivity is not something that is acquired immediately, but is developed over the years and through experience. You can try to impart certain standards to a young person, but they are not likely to fully appreciate them until they face difficult situations and experience the consequences of their decisions. Only then can they truly reflect and learn.
The same is true of the digital algorithms that dominate our daily lives. These systems use our personal data to deliver content that reinforces our most basic preferences and emotions. They constantly pander to us, feeding us what we like or are passionate about, rather than challenging us or broadening our horizons. In this way, we create information bubbles that restrict our ability to see the world from multiple perspectives..
This is part of it, but I think that at least as big part is that it is easier to be led, than to make choices. And, it is easier to have someone else to blame, than take responsibility.
Which is why they need to be exposed to a range of difficult situations to solve that are important and impactful on them, rather than having adults do all thee solving for them.
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I enjoyed reading your post, it's rare to see a man who works his legs, the vast majority can't tolerate the pain. I have a friend, he is very handsome, he has a very worked upper body, but the legs. Very skinny, he hardly works his legs, he looks like bob sponge when he walks with chort It is nice to see a harmonious body in both men and women, Manipulation is everywhere there are people who believe that books are only to educate, but when you wake up you understand that it is another means of manipulation the best form of education is to question everything and learn from everything.
ewwww! ;D
Those who only work the "show muscles" spend too much time looking in the mirror at themselves :)
Tons of debate on that sort of thing. You can Google it and find lots of discussions on things like more weight or more reps. Stuff like that. It seems like everything else everyone has an opinion. I think it's great that you are just getting out and doing something. I usually just try to see if things get easier over time. If they do then I kick it up a notch. If they don't, then I just keep at it.
How I see it though is what I want to accomplish. If I was a power lifter, the exercises would be very different than if I was a swimmer. I think having that "goal" helps hone the workout to be more effective for need. I think for me, I am looking to be relatively flexible into older age, as well as having bone density and balance.
Flexible is definitely nice to have. I've thought about doing some yoga or pilates in the past. My goal is to build some new muscle so it can burn more fat. So far it hasn't been working out so well for me.
Luckily the pants ripped at the gym. What if they ripped as soon as you sat on the chair at the cafe? You got off easy :)
,
:D
I wish I could wear running tights everywhere, but it seems that only women can get away with it :)
That'll learn ya to ignore the tightness of your clothes when you're still trying to squeeze into them after all your gainz XD
I am going to have to soon only wear those horse arse trackies and singlets ;D
Horse arse trackies? The chaps? Not sure how much they'll help given where it ripped XD Though perhaps some of your fans might appreciate the view.
Poetic metaphor. I like it.
It is a visual one :)
When I was younger and was in good shape, I used to use a heart rate monitor when I ran on my own. I would make sure I had different runs I would set at different heart rate ranges. After about 3 months I remember I saw great improvements. I also kept a log of each run on paper after words down to how I felt before and after. Why I don't do things like that know I don't know other than I don't do anything but walk occasionally. I guess what I am getting at is I agree with what you are saying.
There is a weird human issue that when we find something that is working, we get bored and stop doing it. I reckon it is because we are looking for something new all the time, even if we don't need it. Will you start again? I have been kind of interested in checking out rucking for walking in the future - have you ever tried it?
I carried rucks for far too long in the military. After two back surgeries I have no plans to carry one again if I don't have to. I have a walking pad in the house that I currently walk on. Once it starts warming up I will be outside again walking with a partner.
Ah of course! I wasn't even thinking about that! :D
I think this is the way to do it. If I can get my feet in order some time, I will walk more and even buy some shoes to do it in the winter. Right now though, it is pretty impossible to do it for any kind of fitness, as I walk so slowly.
Oh man, bad feet is no good for sure. For me walking in the winter is more about my bad lungs and the cold air than anything. I walk real slow too. It is almost a shuffle, but it is movement which I need. Too bad I wasn't in Finland, we could walk togther.
A moment of reflection can mean a lot 👀
I believe that we should become more aware of our decisions, whether in sports or in digital life so that we can stay away from the trap of digital manipulation.
It seems so easy to stay aware, yet apparently, we aren't very good at it.
I've never thought about it like that, but I agree that tracking your performance can be very good for you as with the basic human instinct, you will always try to improve your previous scores. Just aimlessly wandering around, you are not striving towards new heigths.
Tip is not to go commando! Heh! ;)
Could it be that you exposed yourself to gamma rays without realizing it in your calves? Seriously. You know, I haven't been very consistent with physical training either. Imagine, in the first days of January, I installed the Actifit app, but I'm still lazy at home. You're right, setting goals and following them allows us to influence ourselves, and sharing them on social media can help others, under penalty of any malicious use by behind-the-scenes interests. Is it worth it? I think so, if we contribute to our own well-being and that of others.
I sometimes think what if something similar happens to my pants while at work. We should know some tailoring :)
word up cannonball, :P
PLS do NOT strip at the gym! j/k u do what u want.. 💪😉😁