Day 52: Fit

An important reminder, an important truth.

Action

Look for one area of your life that does not fit.

Standard

Make the pieces work together.

Today’s Reading

I first heard that the word “fit” came from an Old Norse idea meaning “to knit.” Steve Ilg shared that with me, and the image stuck. Something fits when the pieces come together so naturally that we wonder how we failed to see the connection earlier.

Being fit is also task-dependent. I bristle when someone is crowned “the fittest person on earth” because of one race, contest, or obstacle course. The fittest person might be your elderly neighbor who arrives at the door with soup and love before you realize you need either.

That kind of fitness does not sell much equipment, but it is real. It is the ability to meet the demands of your life and remain useful to the people around you.

Your training should fit your age, goals, schedule, equipment, and responsibilities. A wonderful program that you cannot follow is not a good fit. A diet that makes every family meal miserable is not a good fit. A routine that gives you great abdominal muscles but destroys your sleep, relationships, and enthusiasm is not a good fit.

Real fitness means knitting health, work, family, movement, and service into one life

.As much as I like training, true “fit” (ness) is being well knitted.

Coaching Vocabulary

Fit: The quality of having the right pieces work together for a specific person and purpose.

Reflection

Which part of my life no longer fits the rest?

This lesson is adapted from Dan John’s book, Fitness Forge, originally written as Tools of Coaching. Learn more at danjohnuniversity.com/bookstore

Training changes with time…being “fit” is always about being knitted.