Higher Endeavors

When establishing a goal or attempting to achieve some feat there are certain steps that need to be taken. The steps can range from extremely simple to highly complex. Each step has its own place and potential benefits. In the U.S. a vast majority of people have health and fitness related goals and they want the quickest and easiest way to achieve those goals. Whatever magic pill or latest fad is in the media for their specific goal they will try. However, they fail to address the simple foundation of what they are trying to achieve.

Photo Credit: About.com

How many people put a lot of thought into their quality of sleep? How about hydration levels? Does the typical American diet provide enough fiber for the body to function optimally? These are all very basic concepts that deal with the overall functioning of the human body. If the body cannot perform the basic day-to-day activities that are required of it, how can it be expected to achieve any kind of higher endeavor?

Using the analogy of a pyramid, with the goal being at the top, you have to build a strong foundation and slowly build up from there. It is time to start addressing the foundation of the human body and once that is addressed it is possible to progress upwards and beyond. The results that are achieved simply by addressing foundational concepts may be surprising and may actually allow the attainment of the initial goal.

The typical American diet, high in acid forming grains and protein while lacking alkaline  forming fruits and vegetables, greatly affects the overall pH of the body. The human body works very hard to maintain a blood pH around 7.35-7.45. Going back to high school chemistry it may be remembered that a pH lower than 7 is acidic while above 7 is alkaline. Diverging too much from the ideal range in either direction can be potentially harmful, but the American diet subjects the body to a much higher acid-load than is optimal.

Photo Credit: flickr

Without getting too scientific in this article, understand that the negative health consequences of an acidic blood pH are many. One of the biggest consequences, in my opinion, and generally overlooked until recently, is the effect on osteoporosis. If the body is too acidic it will utilize stored alkaline buffering minerals in an attempt to regain the optimal pH. One of the primary stored buffering minerals in the body is calcium. Under acidic conditions the body will resort to pulling calcium out of the bones in an attempt to regain homeostasis, thus creating the potential for osteopenia or over time osteoporosis.

If you were to ask different people why they exercise, eat well, or engage in an active, healthy lifestyle you would find a wide variety of answers. Some people genuinely enjoy exercising while others detest it. Some people willingly eat foods that are deemed boring or tasteless to others because of there health benefits. What differentiates people in their ability to initiate and adhere to varying lifestyles?

Photo Credit: © RTimages - Fotolia.com

The self-determination theory, SDT, began to take form in the 1970’s as research was being done on intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. A continuum was developed to describe how intrinsic or extrinsic one’s motivation is towards certain habits or activities. By understanding the concepts behind SDT and the associated continuum, motivation can be evaluated and a shift towards the intrinsic can begin. This can bring more success to any future endeavor.