and Why Passion is Key

By Simone Smith

What does it mean to be fit? Back in the days of early man, fitness was a matter of survival and reproduction. Since then, our lifestyles have changed significantly, causing humanity to move from a necessarily active to a much more sedentary way of life with a new set of issues to deal with health wise.

From the convenience of food to working at home and a million ways to stay fit, I turned to a local fitness expert for insight and advice on keeping motivated and staying on track.

Physical movement has always been part of our daily lives, but over time, beyond simple survival, specific movements were slowly developed, passed down, and refined for use in battle, protection or competition, dance or communication, celebration or religion; but movement for health reasons did not come about until later.

The earliest concept of health in relation to physical activity was noted around the time of Confucious when it was found that certain diseases were associated with the physical inactivity of the Shaolin Monks from their long term practice of sedentary meditation. At that time, a form of “moving meditation” began to be developed to promote health, muscle development, the stimulation of internal organs, and increased longevity, a practice that would become Kung Fu and the beginning of the martial arts movement.

Pre-Industrial Revolution, the global population was generally more physically fit, simply by the amount of time and effort required to live on a daily basis, but the innovations and technological advances since have led to not only more comfort, convenience, and leisure time but also to a more sedentary and unhealthy lifestyle that we’ve tried to address as a consequence.

From leaders such as President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s establishment of the President’s Council on Youth Fitness in 1956; to President-Elect John F. Kennedy, who called physical fitness a defining principle of his administration; to the jogging boom of the 1970s, the Jane Fonda workouts of 1982, the popularization of gyms and fitness centers, rise in personal trainers, home fitness equipment and now with fitness apps and trackers; have we found anything that really works?

In addition, with more research, we’ve learned not only how important movement is for us physically but also how important it is for our mental and emotional health as well.

As a professional brain coach and memory expert, Jim Kwik says, “as your body moves, your brain grooves.”

This quote refers to studies that show how exercise increases heart rate, blood flow, and oxygen into the brain, releases positive “feel good” hormones for a better mood and lowers stress and anxiety. In addition, a UCLA study also shows an increase in the amount of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which has shown to increase learning and memory in addition to “supporting functional recovery from brain injuries.

Basically defined now, to be fit means that you are in good physical and mental health, in a general state of well-being, or that you can function efficiently and effectively in work and leisure at various life stages.

So, what do we do? If we’re not “required” to be physically active for our livelihoods, how do we get motivated and stick to it? To help answer these questions, I asked a local expert, the man affectionately referred to here in Santa Margarita as “Workout Dave” (of course!).

David Pomfret grew up in New York, where he was always active and involved in sports, from gymnastics to diving, and later became a track athlete as a sprinter specializing in the Pole Vault through college. After graduating with a degree in Biology/ Pre-Med in 2000 from Bucknell University, David followed his passion to the Central Coast.

By making this move, Dave was able to further his skills as a Pole Vaulter joining the Sky Jumpers of Atascadero to train under local coach and legend Jan Johnson, the 1972 Munich Olympic bronze medal winner, while also pursuing his Masters Degree in Kinesiology at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo.

After obtaining his masters degree, Dave went on to coach Track and Field at Cuesta College for 15 years until leaving to focus more on his family and purchasing Studio Fitness for Women, rebranded as Equilibrium Fitness for Women in San Luis Obispo. Along with his wife Brittany and staff, their familyrun business offers an “overall fitness approach focused on helping women stay healthy, balanced and fit through all stages of life,” providing services that include metabolic testing, education, and nutritional counseling in addition to a fully equipped gym and fitness classes.

If you’re anything like millions of other iPhone users and me, you may have noticed a new fitness app that came with a recent update. You know, the one with the rings. Input your age, height, weight, and fitness level, and it gives you a goal of “active calories burned” to close the ring. I found myself becoming neurotic, having to use the app all the time, or my activity didn’t count.

Asking Dave about my experience and his thoughts on apps he laughed and told me I’m not alone.

He said to “take fitness apps with a grain of salt. Although they can be good for motivation and data, the metrics of counting steps, actively burned calories, etc.., just don’t fit each individual, and the constant notifications can be distracting, taking you out of the moment”. Also, “calories burned will never out do what goes on in the kitchen.”

Over the pandemic, there was a move to home fitness equipment and apps, but people missed out on the social aspect of classes and meeting at gyms prompting a resurgence of gym memberships.

All considered, what’s Daves best advice? “Consistency, but the key really is to do what you love to do and to move your body for pleasure, not to lose weight or to reach some arbitrary goal; otherwise, you will fall off track quickly.”

“Whatever activity you find most fulfilling is the best thing, and set process goals vs. product goals; for example, say you love playing Pickleball, meet at the court twice a week before breakfast. Love hiking or backpacking? Walk a minimum of three days/week, gradually adding distance or frequency.”

Dave also explains, “incorporating some weight, balance, or flexibility training and occasionally stepping out of your comfort zone will make you even better at what you already love to do.”

So, what are you waiting for?

Find your passion, add some friends for accountability and enjoyment, and have fun, and fitness will follow.

Gina Fitzpatrick

President/CEO

Paso Robles Chamber