How To Transform Daily Tasks into Fitness Opportunities: The Power of the Hip Hinge
Reading a magazine this week, there was an ad from a large manufacturer promoting their sketchy slip-on shoes.
“No more bending over! Never touch your toes again!”
This is a terrible way to go through life.
It is akin to telling someone that they do not need to learn how to swim…let’s just drain the pool!
Ridiculous.
Being able to hinge at the waist with healthy hips is essential for many activities of daily living.
It is not a luxury - it is a necessity!
The hip hinge is used for picking up laundry baskets and grocery bags, lifting up a child, or putting on shoes!
Too many people have chosen to take the path of least resistance. For example, ordering from a store and having a worker bring the bags out to the car.
DON’T DO IT!
Park the car in the spot furthest away from the store, walk into and around the store pushing a cart that grows increasingly heavier, lift items into and out of the cart, then carry the bags to the car.
Avoiding daily work is a detriment to health and longevity.
When it comes to putting on shoes, do not just settle for being able to reach down and tie the laces. Use it as an opportunity to improve balance, coordination, and flexibility!
Each day, practice balancing on one leg while simultaneously lifting the other leg to put on a sock. Switch feet. Then repeat with each shoe.
Do not give in to the temptation to find the easiest way to achieve a task.
Do the work.
Lean into the challenges of life.
Accept that just because something can be done with less effort, does not mean that it should be.
By exerting more effort on a daily basis, life will become easier and more fulfilling.
