A Body in Motion

“Don’t watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going”. -Sam Leveson

“A body at rest tends to stay at rest, and a body in motion tends to stay in motion, unless acted on by a net external force.”-Isaac Newton, 1st Law of Physics

Remember how in high school physics class, there was a lesson on “Newton’s Laws of Motion?” If you’re like me, you’ve probably wiped a lot of your high school lessons from your mind. At the time, none of them applied to your real life. We were too busy with homework, trying to fit in, and being involved with extracurriculars. But, as I was reflecting on people’s lifestyles, Newton’s First Law of Motion came to mind. Newton hypothesized that “A body at rest stays at rest unless an outside force moves it.” Conversely, “A body in motion stays in motion unless an outside forces stops it.” Basically movement and rest are opposites. The only way to change direction is to put another force into play.

Let’s look at a body at rest first. Whenever something rests for a long time, it usually goes “bad.” Stagnant water takes on mold and bacteria. Old milk curdles. Your old trophy on your cabinet collects dust. Same with your body. I’m not saying that too much rest will make you grow mold or smell like spoiled milk. However, going from rest to movement takes more effort when there has been a long duration of no physical activity! Think of it as shaking off the dust. There will be some difficulty when going from a stagnant lifestyle to an active one.

Next, consider a body in motion. There are so many unstoppable forces in this world. Once they gain enough steam, they can barrel through anything in their path. For example, a train a full speed needs a mile to stop after the engineer applies the break (if you don’t believe me, google it). A wildfire can decimate the majority of a forest before it is stopped by firemen. A tornado can run through anything in its path once it develops. Momentum is a powerful force! It can carry anyone further than they could have imagined. Therefore, when people exercise consistently, it’s difficult to stop moving! The thrill, the adrenaline, and the results combine to create a desire to continue moving in that way.

You may be asking, but how can I go from stagnant to unstoppable? The key is the “outside force!” There must be something pushing you to begin and continue an exercise routine! The best motivators are ones that come from within. Examples include “I want to be able to play with my son and not get short of breath”, “I want to prove my old self and my doubting co workers wrong”, or even “I want to impress my crush I see at the store” (silly I know, but still a good reason!). However, it is tough to motivate yourself. If so, utilize things that motive you from the outside. Read something inspiring. Listen to motivational music (some listed below). Join a recreational sport league. OR, recruit a friend to be your workout buddy! All that matters is that you MOVE and it works for you!! As always, eat, move, and improve!

Some motivating songs for you:
“Hall of Fame” by The Script
“The Touch” by Stan Bush
“You’re The Best” by Joe Esposito
“So Alive” by the Goo Goo Dolls
“Dreams of Reality” by Fame or Juliet
“One Day” by Charice
“Brave” by Sara Bareiles
“Just Keep Breathing” by We Three Kings
“On Top Of the World” by Imagine Dragons
“Demons” by Magnetic North

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