All the King's Children

The King had 3 children.

The first one runs long distances and competes in annual marathons.

The second is an aerobic instructor.

And the last one is a couch potatoe.

The king's assistant wanted to start a training program but didn't know how to get started. So she cornered each one of the children and asked them what they did to stay in shape.

The first one told her what he did and invited her to come train with him and his training partners later that day.

After seeing the other runners arrive she couldn't help but realize how "bony" and skinny they were. It wasn't quite the "look" she was looking for.

She remembered how most marathon runners are extremely skinny and don't look healthy. Plus she remembers the look on runners' faces while running, not quite the look of happiness and fun.

Next time you watch runners go by, see if you draw the same conclusion.

So she decides running marathons and long distances isn't her thing.

A bit disappointed, she goes to speak to the aerobic instructor.

He also takes the time to show her what he does. While he's talking she remembers seeing article upon article of experts concluding that slow long cardio is dead and has been dead for a long time.

There is no benefit to sustaining an exercise at the same pace for hours at a time. It actually weakens your heart compared to strengthening it. All it does is make your body very efficient at NOT burning fat.

She graciously thanks him for his time and pretends she's late for a meeting.

A meeting with the Couch Potatoe.

When she walks in she sees him sitting on...the couch. He doesn't seem to be doing much but she can't help but notice his lean physique.

"How do you stay in shape" she asks? You always seem to have that extra time to sit around and do nothing.

"I do have extra time" he replies but I don't do nothing. I use that extra time to educate myself, meditate, read, play, paint, and write.

"So how do you keep your body in such great condition?"

The secret is in the Intensity.

I complete my workout as fast and as Intense as possible. Almost as if there's a time bomb clicking away beside me forcing me to end my workout quickly before it goes BOOM.

That's one of the secrets, the others can be found here.


Sifu Martin

P.S. The moral behind the story is train smart, train fast and train with intensity.