What are you missing?
Photo Credit: Steven Van Elk
Several coaches at my gym have been telling me the same thing for a few months as I learn new weightlifting techniques . . . “You’re going too slowly. You need to stop THINKING and JUST GO!” The latest conversation was the most enlightening as the coach explained that I’ve trained myself to rely on slow-twitch muscles and I’m completely missing out on the fast-twitch muscles that give us fast, short bursts of energy. Going through the list of sports I’ve done over the years, yes it seems my favorite ones- like hiking and cycling- lean heavily on short-twitch muscles.
Intriguing! I was a bit stunned to realize there’s a whole avenue of power to which I have access but somehow haven’t been utilizing. The life lessons weren’t slow in coming after I got that insight. While I’m still working on tapping into my fast-twitch muscles, I’m also wondering where else in life I might have missed out on an amazing resource nearby to propel me forward. What springs to mind for you? Maybe nothing. And perhaps that’s by design too. I had no idea I was not taking advantage of an available power source until others (repeatedly) pointed it out to me.
It seems for some things, in order to even get a glimpse into “what we don’t know we don’t know” we may need to not only try something new, but also be open to feedback about how it’s going.
When I asked the coach who had explained about the different muscle groups why it mattered, he mentioned there are several benefits to using both types of muscles. Not only does it let you execute a wider variety of activities, but it’s also better for overall health. Additionally, I learned using fast-twitch muscles can lead to better sleep, among other things, and that’s a benefit I wouldn’t bypass.
Curious about where you may be leaving power untapped in your life? One place to start might be to simply dive into something new, perhaps an activity that’s been on your bucket list but that you’ve not quite got to yet. I’m eager to see how developing my capabilities in the gym will impact my results there and if I’m honest, I’m even more curious about where this insight might lead in other areas of my life.
It’s time to explore! Are you open to experimenting with something new? You never know what hidden abilities you may uncover and how they’ll impact your life for the better. NOW is the best time to start to maximize the years you’ll have to reap the benefits from your discoveries. Carpe diem!