In Time Out, part two of PerformancePro’s Festive Fitness guide, director Dan Boulle offers some suggestions on what to watch and read for inspiration.
To recap in part one of PerformancePro’s Festive Fitness guide, Dan takes a somewhat wry look at the season ahead. Plus, there are tips on how to enjoy AND look after yourself, thrown in for good measure.
Time Out over the Festive Season
So, you’ve got your partying under control (see part one). The booze levels are moderate, your mince pie tank is only half full and you haven’t insulted any carol singers… yet.
Let’s turn to sources of inspiration when you’ve some down time. Here are some ideas…
Time out with a book or two
In Part one of our Festive Fitness Guide, we mention Malcolm Gladwell’s book, The Outliers: The Story of Success. In his acclaimed book, Gladwell takes us on an intellectual journey through the world of the best and the brightest, the most famous and the most successful. He asks the question: what makes high-achievers different?
You may be aware of my latest endeavour to improve mine and everybody else’s sleep. With this in mind, I’d really recommend Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker. He is Director of UC Berkeley’s Sleep and Neuroimaging Lab and, in this groundbreaking exploration of sleep, he explains how we can harness its transformative power to change our lives for the better. I found it an incredible read as it lifts the veil of mystery around sleep. It will also help spur you into action.
Time out with a film
Have some fun with Pumping Iron a fascinating look into the world of body building during the mid-seventies featuring Arnold Swartzerniger and the Incredible Hulk himself, Lou Ferigno. Needless to say, science has moved on a fair bit since this was made, but for harmless fun it’s well worth a look. I should also point out that the rather dubious supplements taken by incredible hulk are not on PerformancePro’s ‘recommended’ list!
Time out with TED
I’m sure I’m amongst kindred spirits when I talk of the relief and inspiration a TED Talk can provide, especially when a time out over the festive frenzy may be called for.
So, before you throw yourself under the nearest santa sleigh, take a look at www.ted.com. TED is a non profit devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks viewed on line. I love it! It’s informative, educational and just bloody interesting. You can feel your brain growing and as such it is the perfect antidote to the potential Christmas overload. If you have kids (or not) check this one out Grit: The power of passion and perseverance by Angela Lee Duckworth. She left a high-flying job in consulting, to teach maths to seventh graders in a New York public school. She quickly realized that IQ wasn’t the only thing separating the successful students from those who struggled. Here, she explains her theory of “grit” as a predictor of success.
Time for more?
Why not revisit PerformancePro’s Christmas Reading list from last year. And for a quick fix, we recommend you into our ever expanding archive of PerformancePro Fitness Insights.
The year ahead
As you take time out to recover from the past year, you will no doubt start to think about what you would really like to achieve in the coming year. When it comes to your health and fitness, we’d like to help.
So why not get yourself a massage and/or book in for a consultation with one of our team. Together we will help you shape your fitness approach for 2019.
It’s fitness as usual at PerformancePro over Christmas and New Year. If you want to train over the holidays just let us know, we’re here for you.