If you’ve been following my newsletter, you might have already noticed me talk about the differences between “movement” and “fitness” and the idea of 23 to 1.
It’s all part of a bigger idea I’m fleshing out about having a practice and making movement, not just part of our everyday lives, but a habit. Habits are a hot topic these days, because “how we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” ~Annie Dillard.
One simple idea that has shifted my perspective on movement and habits, is this metaphor of “Dials and Switches.”
Dials are spectrums… < 1———2———3———4———5 >
Dials allow for flexibility and adjustability.
Don’t have time for a 1-hour workout? (Dial turned up)
What about a 30 minute workout? (Dial turned halfway)
What about a 5-min walk around the block? (Dial turned down)
Switches are binary… On/Off - Black/White - Yes/No
Switches leave no room for grey areas; They are all or nothing.
Don’t have time for a 1-hour workout? I’ll just do it tomorrow. (Switch “Off”)
Ended up eating that delicious cupcake that’s restricted on your very particular diet? I’ll start again on Monday. (Switch “No”)
“Dial Mentality” is sustainable because we can’t be “On” all the time; It gives us wiggle room.
“Switch Mentality” is what leads to the typical Yo-Yo effect that keeps us spinning our wheels.
It’s a small shift, but an important one, nonetheless.
To Better Habits,
Galo Alfredo Naranjo