Weekly Recap 5/3-5/9/2020

Another week has come and gone and that means it is time for the weekly recap. We are switching it up a little bit this week and have an article, a Youtube video, an Instagram post, and a Facebook post. They each cover different topics from ditching the scale to why generalized statements about movement can be harmful to how principles of strength sports can bleed into other areas of your life. We hope you enjoy the variety coming at you this week. Check them all out below.

Article of the Week

5 Principles of Competitive Strength Sports That Transferred to My Design Career by Sin Leung

Strength sports can have a bigger impact on our lives than we can ever imagine when we first start. Most of us start lifting for health reasons but quickly find out that there is more to take away from the barbell. Sin Leung goes over 5 principles that she has learned from competing in powerlifting that has helped her in her career. I think many of you will be nodding your heads in agreement when you read this article. We have all learned unexpected lessons from the barbell that have helped us in our everyday lives, relationships, and/or careers. Give this article a read to see if you can relate to these principles listed by Sin Leung.

Youtube Video of the Week

Should You Ditch the Scales? by Ben Carpenter and Sohee Lee

This video from Ben Carpenter and Sohee Lee is one that I think everyone should watch. It gives a different perspective to the “ditch the scale” message that I have heard a multitude of times. While the scale is only one tool or measurement and doesn’t tell the entire story when it comes to weight management, it CAN be a very useful tool, especially when used daily. It can help track progress over the long term and can give information on how your bodyweight can fluctuate depending on factors such as not drinking a sufficient amount of water, eating a high sodium meal, having your period, etc. Watch this video to hear about all of the research that supports weighing yourself everyday. This isn’t to say weighing yourself everyday or at all is good for everyone either. The video is just meant to give a different perspective on weighing yourself since I am sure many of us have heard the message of ditching the scale and that the scale doesn’t matter.

Instagram Post of the Week

Ryan Horn (@ryanhorn45) has the Instagram post of the week with his post about keeping things simple when it comes to coaching clients. Rather than making everything sound complex just to impress clients or gain respect, it is more beneficial to your client to keep it simple and help them understand things clearly. Clients will respect your more if they understand your process and can see the hows and whys of their program.

Facebook Post of the Week

Our Facebook post of the week is from Travis Pollen. He covers why blanket statements about movement can be harmful and how coaches need to be aware of the language they use when speaking to clients. At RTL, we talk a lot about nocebo and how the words you use can have negative effects on beliefs and outcomes. It is important as a coach to be mindful of the words you use and to also keep in mind the individual you are speaking to. Different people will need to hear different things based on their past experiences and current beliefs. The next time you are having a conversation with an individual aim to be aware of what you are saying to them and avoid making generalized statements.

“Blanket advice about movement does harm.
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Consider two people, Person A and Person B. Person A does barbell back squats on a physioball with reckless abandon. Person B is afraid to bend over, even to pick up a light object.
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Now consider the following two messages:
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1️⃣ “Form is overrated! Movement quality doesn’t affect injury risk.”
2️⃣ “Lifting weights is dangerous! The human spine isn’t designed for that.”
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These messages will affect Person A and Person B very differently.
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For Person A, message #1 will reinforce their already irreverent beliefs and reckless behaviors. Message #2 might make them think twice about their risk taking.
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For Person B, message #2 will reinforce their already fearful beliefs and avoidant behaviors. Message #1 might make them think twice about their risk aversion.
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See the problem?
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Depending on the recipient of the message, generalizations like these can perpetuate damaging and debilitating narratives – omnipotence on one extreme and frailty on the either.
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Movement professionals need to realize that the general population is comprised of Person A’s, Person B’s, and everyone in between. You might think you’re talking only to Person A’s, but plenty of Person B’s are lurking, too.
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As an educator, my goal is to gradually shift people towards the middle of the continuum and away from the extremes.
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I want to give people who are overly fearful permission to move more freely during low-risk activities. I want to give people who are overly irreverent a healthy dose of reality regarding legitimately risky behavior.
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I believe there’s an optimal point on the continuum for every unique person, biased slightly in one direction or the other based on their history and current abilities.
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To help people understand my message, I have to provide context. I have to clearly address my target audience. I have to clarify the experiences that color my perspective. I have to avoid generalizations and acknowledge exceptions to every rule.
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I challenge my fellow practitioners -- especially those who have been guilty of making sweeping generalizations in the past -- to hold themselves to the same standard.
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#fitnesspollenator”