The Purposefully Primitive Manifesto
Who we are
Why we do the things we do in the way that we do them
Who we are
Why we do the things we do in the way that we do them
"Fitness" is a terrible word. Most fitness professionals abhor the word fitness. Yet they demonstrate inarticulate frustration when asked to offer up a substitute word. I have a 2-word phrase that the real fitness pros love when I share it with them. These are people who are actually able to get real results, tangible, indisputable, measurable results for their lucky fitness clients. Imagine that. My alternative two word substitution phrase for the word fitness is physical transformation. Those two words really sum up what all of us who pursue the fleece of fuzzy fitness -- we're actually after physical transformation. Following along with our Krishnamurti-inspired line of reasoning, once we agree to substitute the word fitness with the phrase physical transformation, the next logical question becomes: how does one define 'physical transformation?
Out of these two words, physical transformation, grow four words that define and give purpose and context to the phrase. In order to achieve a physical transformation we must do two things: add muscle, lose body fat. We physically transform ourselves if we are able to add a significant amount of shapely, functional muscle and are able to radically reduce our body fat percentile. More muscle, less fat. That is the motto of the Purposeful Primitive.
Fitness adherents will often bristle at this "oversimplification." They might protest saying, "well I engage in fitness because I want to become a better tennis player." Or I want to run a marathon." Or "I want to lose 30 pounds in time for my class reunion." Performance in any athletic activity dramatically improves if the individual acquires more functional muscle mass while losing ample amounts of body fat. Anyone seeking to look better for an upcoming event will look at their absolute best if they add muscle and lose fat. You name a fitness-related goal and I can assure you the acquisition of that goal can be achieved by adding ample amounts of muscle and losing 25 pounds of unsightly, unhealthy body fat.
In order to add muscle and burn off stored body fat, the Purposeful Primitive uses four disciplines operating in four parallel arenas: resistance training, cardiovascular training, brain-train and nutrition. The Purposeful Primitive establishes end goals in each of the four disciplines and reverse-engineers a goal based on a twelve week timeframe. Weekly mini-goals are established in each of the four interrelated disciplines. Each week small incremental steps are taken towards the end goal in each discipline. The Purposeful Primitive always has a transformational goal and always works his way towards the ultimate goal. When the ultimate goals in each of the four disciplines are achieved, physical transformation becomes reality. Establish predetermined weekly goals and set about working towards each weekly goal in an incremental fashion. The predetermined physical goal is simple: add substantial amounts of muscle while dramatically reducing body fat.
The Purposeful Primitive uses retro methodology. These are of the athletic elite in each of the four parallel disciplines. Every effective "fitness" program needs a resistance element, a cardiovascular element, a sound nutritional strategy and a mental approach that amplifies, not hinders, progress. There is a nice symmetry to the Purposeful Primitive flow chart....
Fitness
Physical Transformation
Add muscle -- Reduce bodyfat
Resistance training Cardio Brain-train Performance Nutrition
Physical Transformation
Add muscle -- Reduce bodyfat
Resistance training Cardio Brain-train Performance Nutrition
4 subdivisions 4 subdivisions 4 subdivisions 4 subdivisions
Resistance subdivision
1. use free weights
2. trigger hypertrophy
3. feed and rest battered muscle
4. exceed capacity in some way
Cardiovascular subdivision
1. monitor frequency
2. monitor duration
3. monitor session intensity
4. use a periodized cardio game plan
Brain Train subdivision
1. willpower is finite
2. enthusiasm is self-sustaining mental fuel
3. master instantaneous pre-lift psyche-up techniques
4. master sustained psyche for long term adherence
Performance Nutrition subdivision
1. lean protein & fiber carbs are the backbone
2. eat wholesome, tasty, nutritious foods in ample amounts
3. detoxify the chemically poisoned body
4. coordinate performance nutrition with exercise to oxidize bodyfat
How easy would it be to add four further subdivisions to each of these sixteen meaty subdivision topics...one could easily think of four more pertinent sub-sub-divisions about, oh say, "why lean protein and fiber carbohydrates form the structural and philosophical backbone of the Purposefully Primitive nutritional template."
A. Lean protein provides amino acid critical for the healing and growth
B. Fiber carbohydrates dampen insulin secretions and are nutrient rich
C. Lean protein is difficult to compartmentalize as bodyfat.
D. Fibrous carbohydrates are difficult to compartmentalize as bodyfat.
We could easily do the same and amplify four times over on each of the sixteen subdivisions spread over four disciplines supporting a four word mission statement under a two word goal tucked beneath a single nebulous word: fitness. 1, 2, 4, 16, 64...
From the nebulous fuzzy word fitness springs two very clear words expressing a solid and complete idea: physical transformation. Wow -- there is true grandeur is that simple two-word phrase: physical transformation! This phrase expresses the ultimate goal of every fitness journey: utter and complete physical transformation -- we all want to trade in our body, undergo a metamorphosis from an ugly, earthbound caterpillar into a gorgeous, ethereal, multi-colored celestial butterfly.
How do we physically transform? To put a slightly finer point on it, the irreducible core goal of the Purposefully Primitive is to systematically add muscle and reduce stored body fat: add muscle, lose bodyfat. How do we add muscle and lose bodyfat? We find that answer in the supporting layer of the Purposefully Primitive pyramid: The two phrase four word mission statement begets a four discipline/eight word floor that identifies the modes and methods used to achieve physical transformation. How easy it was to provide four subdivisions of subtlety to such meaty areas. Each of the four disciplines has four identifying characteristics. The four subdivisions within the four disciplines create 16 cumulative sub-subdivisions; these are still evenly spread amongst the four interrelated disciplines. How easy to further imagine a 64 sub-sub-subdivision pyramidal base. All from amplifying the four disciplines.
When these four interlinked disciplines are practiced properly and executed in a balanced fashion, physiologic synergy occurs and progress accumulates at an astonishingly fast rate. A rate far faster than what can be achieved practicing one, two or even three of the four elements to the exclusion of even one of the four disciplines. Unless all four are in place and practiced in an evenhanded fashion, synergy is unachievable. Only the even application of all four elements ignites synergy. Better to do a little of each than a whole lot of any one, two or even three disciplines.
Next week: dealing with the four disciplines simultaneously....
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