Do what you can–what does that mean?

Start where you are and do what you can. Sounds simple, but what does this mean?  

Often people will engage in conversation about health or fitness. I get this a fair amount because they know I work out, and for my age, I’m in pretty good shape.

We start out talking, and there is genuine interest, and then we get to the why they cannot exercise. The points are factual, and they are sincerely disappointed and even look somewhat defeated. I understand because, at one time, that was me. I’d had a car wreck in 2003 that busted up my right knee pretty bad. So I get it when people “can’t” exercise. What I also know is it’s not true!

The folks are not making excuses or lying or trying to get out of exercise; they BELIEVE they cannot exercise, and it’s powerful. They probably had a doctor tell them they couldn’t do certain things – I was told I’d never run again (I run marathons now – stubborn and maybe a little extreme), and that thought has stuck in their heads I can’t do.

Here is how I always respond – Start where you are and do what you can. My best example is my friend. He’d had back surgery and had suffered pain and gained weight. He’s a brilliant guy and loves a good debate. I’d not seen him for years, but when we got together, he was stunned at how my wife and I looked. He was surprised when we got up in the morning and ran the hill by his house – something he considered impossible.

We talked, and he was super knowledgeable. He began to question me on everything – it’s a game he plays where and he wants to test your knowledge before he listens – been like that his whole life.

He explained to me what he couldn’t do. He couldn’t do anything to compress his spine, he couldn’t run, and he couldn’t do pushups; in fact, he had issues walking.

All real, all true; and the norm. We tend to focus on what we know. He was focused on what he used to do to get in shape but could no longer do. 

We talked through all the issues, and then I asked if he remembered Robert Blake from the TV show Beretta. Blake had back issues and would lift weights hanging from his ankles.

That stopped him; he said, “I get it; try the other direction.” He had an old ‘Total Gym’ where he could pull – he could work the muscles without compression.  

Next, I asked if he could swim. When we were kids, he was always in the water. He lived on the ocean and talked about sharks and depth. I mentioned the Y down the street, and he said he’d check it out. Then we talked about nutrition, how you can cut out a couple of small bad habits, and make huge differences.

Fast forward to the next year. He and his wife were swimming a half-mile every day. They had lost 40 lbs. each, mobility had improved, his wife was running the hill, their lives were better, and he felt good. We stay in touch and help each other stay on track.

There are so many ways to exercise, so many little things we can do to improve our fitness and health are focused on what we can do.

My wife experienced the same things as my friend. We were out of shape, and I focused on what I could no longer do. Fat and out of shape, I accepted it until I had a wakeup. We began over a decade ago and have never looked back.  

Our lives are so much better today in our 60’s than they were in our late 40’s and 50’s. We’re in better shape, have more energy, more mobility, and are healthier. A couple of side benefit – we weigh less and wear smaller size clothes.

We are not professional bodybuilders that have done this forever. We are regular people that made simple adjustments in our 50’s that allow us to be fit. The commitment is not in hours every day; it’s a half-hour a few days a week. The best part is ANYONE can do this!

It’s a lifestyle we enjoy, and we’d love to share our knowledge with you.

If you want to make some changes, gain strength, get fit, and do so in the comfort of your home, we provide a non-judgmental, highly supportive environment with coaches that tailor a plan for you personally. We meet you where you are and work with what you have. If this sounds right for you, give K Factor Coaching a call.

Every journey begins with a single step. Are you ready to start your journey to better fitness? Take action and contact K Factor Coaching today. Stop the yoyo and go to no more diets!

Side Note: One of the best documentaries I’ve seen is Beyond Weight Loss, By Tom Odar. Explains this stuff in an easy to understand entertaining way. It’s worth watching.