On average it took 66 days to learn a habit. A cue is always needed to activate the habit. For example, you see an ice cream parlor and you feel like having an ice cream. By taking action, you get the reward; the icecream. By considering what that reward entails and why you actually want that reward, you are able to change. You need time to practice and repeat a new behavior before it becomes a habit and feels comfortable. On average, it takes six weeks to consolidate and integrate the new brain structures (as a result of your behavioral change) with the existing neural networks in the brain. Your brain creates a new preference pattern (with regard to our behavior). That means it doesn't require much attention anymore. It then becomes your new habit.
“We are what we regularly do” – Aristotle
In those six weeks you will have a lot of discipline in the beginning. And you will become aware of the things you want to change, so you learn to recognize the “cue”. Suppose you have a jar of candy in front of you. Then you are triggered to eat them, but if you place a jar with snack tomatoes in front of you, you are aware of what your actions might have been if it had been candy. You want to change the “bad habits” into a good habit. You want the 'reward' or you know how important it is for you to have that new trait. Unfortunately, you sometimes lose motivation. Your 'reptilian brain' then tells you that what you always did was right. It wonders whether it is really that important now, or whether you could perhaps start later. Stepping outside your comfort zone is the motto.
(connective) tissue
More and more we are realizing that the connective tissue in our body, also called fascia, is more than just the “sack” around our muscles or the thing that pulls the wrinkles out of our faces. If you look at the body, you can say that the connective tissue forms the big picture and even influences our entire system. It concerns your muscles, the muscle fibers, the nerve pathways, around and in your brain. It contains several receptors. The most common and mysterious mechano-receptors found in the fascia are interstitial receptors and are also called free receptors. They provide the body with constant feedback about mechanical changes in tension, stress, feelings, temperature and so on. We call that interoception. This is defined as the awareness of your own internal state. Although we have only recently begun to understand it, interoception is necessary for our sense of embodiment, motivation, and well-being (Farb 2015).
So motivation. And well-being.
Maybe you thought motivation was something you thought. But now it turns out to have something to do with how your body is put together. And you know what's so beautiful? We train your motivation and your body by not only focusing on muscle strength, but also on your fascia. Did you know, for example, that up to 30 % of your muscle strength is caused by that “white stuff”?
You can train your fascia with the aqua bags from Ultimate Instability, among other things. Because you do not always make the same movement due to the waves in the water, your body is continuously learning how to best maintain your stability. Your connective tissue is therefore triggered to move differently every time. If you often sit or stand in a certain position, the connective tissue becomes more and more packed together and this causes hardening. By pulling it apart, everything can flow better. You could say that the instability of the aquabags actually makes you very stable in your behavior and movements.
Traditional training does not look beyond 1 or 2 joints. Enforce trainers are trained to look at the bigger picture and therefore ensure that you learn to move properly. That your new behavior becomes a habit and that you stay motivated in our training. The first step you need to take is to take action and contact us.
Petra Kerkhove
Enforce Franchisee & Master Trainer
petra@enforce.nl
Schedule a free coaching session or take the online membership test
Does this sound good and are you also ready for a fitter & healthier life? Then schedule a free coaching conversation now Join me or one of the other master trainers! 100% risk-free, the first step has never been easier!
Are you still in doubt? Then take the no-obligation online membership test: 6 short questions (only 1 minute to complete) to discover whether Enforce suits you!
