EUGENIZATION.

Olympics time is a great time to point out the obvious, which is that world-class athletes make things look easy, even when things aren’t.  In fact, you could argue that the very definition of a world-class athlete is one who makes the impossible (or the incredible) look easy.

This makes sense if you understand sport.  Sport is an expression of human movement.  And more often than not, it’s not merely the effort you put into a movement - it’s the efficiency and biomechanical “sound-ness” of the athlete’s movement.  After all, there’s got to be a “best way” to propel yourself through the water.  There’s got to be a “most efficient method” to lift that weight over your head.

These movements are considered the fundamentals of that given sport.  What’s true is that every discipline, whether it be baking or judo, has certain fundamental theories, concepts, and executables at its core - and the top exponents of those disciplines are masters of the basics.  They’ve spent years and years at perfecting the basics, so that to a champion judoka, executing drop seoi nage is as natural as breathing.

Take a cue from the champs and focus on your basics:

• Proper nutrition.
• Progressive loading on the basic exercises.
• Adequate recovery.

Seth is so quotable:

“I discovered a lucky secret the hard way about thirty years ago: you can outlast the other guys if you try. If you stick at stuff that bores them, it accrues. Drip, drip, drip you win.”

My old training partner Gary used to sum it up similarly: “You get good by doing the boring s–t.”

Don’t clutter your routine or make your nutrition overly complex.  Just commit yourself to the basics, consistently, over time.

Over the next few posts, I’ll hash out a program template for a rank beginner, someone just looking to lose a little weight, feel better, and get healthier.  Then I’ll get to the skribit topics.  Promise.