In the more than five years since I began my twice weekly workout sessions with my trainer, Lorenzo, I have been given many challenges, both physical and mental to accomplish the tasks offered on any given day. It has been work, transforming my well-developed couch potato body and mind into one with athletic intent.
I have come a long way, no longer intimidated by the people or equipment of the gym. I have mastered many tasks like crunches, curls, and squats and am working at improving my planks and push-ups. For the most part I am achieving things I never thought I’d be able to do except for one thing; balance myself on one foot.
This morning’s routine for example included thirteen reps each of standing lunges, kettle bell squats, push-ups (full extension – not on my knees), superman quads, and a one minute plank followed by thirteen dreaded dead-drop one leg lifts.
If you’re not familiar with a dead-drop lift, the goal is to bend over at the waist, lifting up one leg up and back while reaching down to pick up cones set on the floor in front of you. Ideally your hands should touch the cones as your outstretched leg is at its furthest point out. Then, as your leg returns to the ground you return to the full standing position. Sounds easy, right? (Try it and see.)
Right now, this exercise is the most challenging thing I am asked to do in the gym. And, it seems that no matter how I try to focus, as soon as I bend over, my leg begins to wobble and although I may execute the movement, it definitely lacks the control and grace it should. Occasionally, one will be pretty good and I think I’ve mastered the movement, then on the following one my ankle gives way. Looking back, I think I even did better with this the last time it was a part of my routine weeks ago. Working to keep balance can be very frustrating.
I suppose I could make excuses on why my particular physical construction makes the dead drop lift an impossibility for me, but that would require the use of alternative facts. And although I might convince someone else that I am physically unable to perform the exercise, I would be hurting myself by not trying and possibly giving others an excuse to not even try.
The thing is, I’m not going to give up on it just because it’s hard or frustrating or uncomfortable because the fact is that these dead drop lifts are really important exercises to my over all well-being. Like it or not my body is aging and gravity it taking its toll. I need to work harder at keeping myself in control of each and every muscle to insure I am able to continue to fight the forces of gravity and remain upright when I choose to.