Pushing the Envelope-More on Out of the Comfort Zone
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Dr. J offers his irreverent, slightly irrelevant, but possibly useful opinions on health and fitness. A Florida surgeon and fitness freak with a black belt in karate, he runs 50 miles a week and flies a Cherokee Arrow 200.
So last week, I did yet another post on pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. Remember my kickboxing experiences. I did that for a month & loved it BUT it was out of my comfort zone! Then a couple weekends ago, I went to THIS concert which for me, was out of my comfort zone.
I do post this a lot because moving out of the comfort zone can push us to new limits & amazing results not only with fitness/health but every other part of our life. I tend to use it more in the fitness arena.. still working on pushing out of the zone in real life ALTHOUGH I have done that at times along the way. Right now, it has been a bit harder for me mentally.
So, wonderful Dr. J saw the post & it got his crazy & smart mind a working!!! He wrote a really awesome post below. First, let me start you off with the picture he sent above & then you can see if what hits your mind reflects the post. I had a hard time getting this pic out of my mind!
Pushing the Envelope: By Dr. J
In aeronautics, the envelope is the outer boundary of all the curves that describe the performance of the aircraft. It is generally taken to be the known limits for the safe performance of the plane. Test pilots often test (or push) these limits to establish exactly what the plane is capable of doing, and where failure is likely to occur, comparing calculated performance limits with ones derived from experience. Test pilots call this pushing the envelope.
Because of the adventurous nature of aviation, its history is replete with stories of incredible bravery. One involves a small group of British pilots who endeavored to be the first to break the sound barrier With the conclusion of World War II and the necessary struggle for air supremacy, aviation had produced the fastest and most powerful planes to date.
With these Spitfires and Hurricanes, the British began a vain attempt to go faster than the speed of sound and conquer this next “barrier” in the history of flight. Their plan was to fly to as high an altitude as possible in the plane, point the plane straight for the ground, and “have a go at it!”
What these people did not know at the time was that because of structural and mechanical limitations, it was not possible to achieve this milestone in a propeller-driven airplane. Of the, I believe, nine young pilots, six men and one woman were killed in the attempt as they fought to control the uncontrollable plane. When interviewed, the two surviving pilots, one man and one woman, both told the same story.“When I realized that I could no longer control the plane and could not pull out of the dive, I just let go of everything and accepted my fate.” With this, and the increasing air resistance with decreasing altitude, the plane slowed down enough for these two pilots to save themselves. When they were asked as to how they could continue the attempt when seven of their comrades had perished, they replied, “it was our feelings of invulnerability which allowed us to press on!”
It seems to me that life can be an envelope that pushes back! Perhaps at one time you were more fit than you are today, and over time your fitness envelope has constricted on you.. Perhaps you are just starting to find your way around your fitness envelope. Whichever place you find yourself, you will enjoy and benefit from pushing some of the boundaries that you find.
When I first started running , I would run maybe a mile. That was tough. After I felt secure that I could be a runner, I used to ruin away from the house a little farther each week, that way I had to still get home, and I would add to the distance. I don’t know about you, but even though I’ve run in some small circles because situations demanded it, I much prefer to run in very large circles, or at worst a long out and back because I just like to see new scenery as I peek over the envelope’s edge.
In karate, I just started one day in College. I saw a martial arts club working out and I wanted to do what they were doing. I never imagined from that small beginning that I would push the envelope as I did, but I was proud that I could. Each little push and step along the path gave me the confidence that I could “press on.”
So push your envelope. You can get back to the old limits, and possibly advance from there, or you can reach your new personal limits.
If you decide to push the envelope into new territory with your diet, health, and fitness this year, there is plenty of information here on Jody’s site that will guide, encourage, and instruct you.
I suggest you don’t wait too long because the post office keeps raising it’s prices.
I want to thank Dr. J for visiting once again! His knowledge is invaluable! So, how are you "pushing the envelope today, this week or in general?
I also think CalorieLab is up & working again so check him out there. Sometimes the site loads slowly so if that is the case, don't give up. I sometimes open a new tab & work on something else till it loads.
PS: I know a few of you asked questions on my post yesterday. Due to the power outage yesterday, I am playing catch up so I will get back to you as soon as I can.. hopefully today! Thx for your patience!!!
Dr. J offers his irreverent, slightly irrelevant, but possibly useful opinions on health and fitness. A Florida surgeon and fitness freak with a black belt in karate, he runs 50 miles a week and flies a Cherokee Arrow 200. So last week, I did yet another post on pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. Remember my kickboxing experiences. I did that for a month & loved it BUT it was out of my comfort zone! Then a couple weekends ago, I went to THIS concert which for me, was out of my comfort zone.
I do post this a lot because moving out of the comfort zone can push us to new limits & amazing results not only with fitness/health but every other part of our life. I tend to use it more in the fitness arena.. still working on pushing out of the zone in real life ALTHOUGH I have done that at times along the way. Right now, it has been a bit harder for me mentally.
So, wonderful Dr. J saw the post & it got his crazy & smart mind a working!!! He wrote a really awesome post below. First, let me start you off with the picture he sent above & then you can see if what hits your mind reflects the post. I had a hard time getting this pic out of my mind!
Pushing the Envelope: By Dr. J
In aeronautics, the envelope is the outer boundary of all the curves that describe the performance of the aircraft. It is generally taken to be the known limits for the safe performance of the plane. Test pilots often test (or push) these limits to establish exactly what the plane is capable of doing, and where failure is likely to occur, comparing calculated performance limits with ones derived from experience. Test pilots call this pushing the envelope.
Because of the adventurous nature of aviation, its history is replete with stories of incredible bravery. One involves a small group of British pilots who endeavored to be the first to break the sound barrier With the conclusion of World War II and the necessary struggle for air supremacy, aviation had produced the fastest and most powerful planes to date.
With these Spitfires and Hurricanes, the British began a vain attempt to go faster than the speed of sound and conquer this next “barrier” in the history of flight. Their plan was to fly to as high an altitude as possible in the plane, point the plane straight for the ground, and “have a go at it!”
What these people did not know at the time was that because of structural and mechanical limitations, it was not possible to achieve this milestone in a propeller-driven airplane. Of the, I believe, nine young pilots, six men and one woman were killed in the attempt as they fought to control the uncontrollable plane. When interviewed, the two surviving pilots, one man and one woman, both told the same story.“When I realized that I could no longer control the plane and could not pull out of the dive, I just let go of everything and accepted my fate.” With this, and the increasing air resistance with decreasing altitude, the plane slowed down enough for these two pilots to save themselves. When they were asked as to how they could continue the attempt when seven of their comrades had perished, they replied, “it was our feelings of invulnerability which allowed us to press on!”
It seems to me that life can be an envelope that pushes back! Perhaps at one time you were more fit than you are today, and over time your fitness envelope has constricted on you.. Perhaps you are just starting to find your way around your fitness envelope. Whichever place you find yourself, you will enjoy and benefit from pushing some of the boundaries that you find.
When I first started running , I would run maybe a mile. That was tough. After I felt secure that I could be a runner, I used to ruin away from the house a little farther each week, that way I had to still get home, and I would add to the distance. I don’t know about you, but even though I’ve run in some small circles because situations demanded it, I much prefer to run in very large circles, or at worst a long out and back because I just like to see new scenery as I peek over the envelope’s edge.
In karate, I just started one day in College. I saw a martial arts club working out and I wanted to do what they were doing. I never imagined from that small beginning that I would push the envelope as I did, but I was proud that I could. Each little push and step along the path gave me the confidence that I could “press on.”
So push your envelope. You can get back to the old limits, and possibly advance from there, or you can reach your new personal limits.
If you decide to push the envelope into new territory with your diet, health, and fitness this year, there is plenty of information here on Jody’s site that will guide, encourage, and instruct you.
I suggest you don’t wait too long because the post office keeps raising it’s prices.
I want to thank Dr. J for visiting once again! His knowledge is invaluable! So, how are you "pushing the envelope today, this week or in general?
I also think CalorieLab is up & working again so check him out there. Sometimes the site loads slowly so if that is the case, don't give up. I sometimes open a new tab & work on something else till it loads.
PS: I know a few of you asked questions on my post yesterday. Due to the power outage yesterday, I am playing catch up so I will get back to you as soon as I can.. hopefully today! Thx for your patience!!!
Posted by truth2beingfit at 7/27/2010 9:00 PM 
Categories: Guest Posts, Wellness, Health, Workouts, Challenges
Tags: challenges Wellness Dr. J health Believing workouts
Categories: Guest Posts, Wellness, Health, Workouts, Challenges
Tags: challenges Wellness Dr. J health Believing workouts
As always, the man behind the shades speaks in simple logic.
I agree wholeheartedly that there is good information on Jody's site. The drawback is, that most of the people reading it are people (the choir) who are also preaching it -- just as with my own blog.
How will I push the envelope this week?By giving the address of this blog to (at least) 10 new people who I believe really need to read, and can benefit from what is here.
If anyone else reads this comment, I encourage you to do the same.
Really, are we here for each other, or to make a difference for those who we are not currently reaching....?Rhetorical.
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Roy, that is a great suggestion to us all! I think I have to do that more often. People come up & ask me things but I never give them my blog site...
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My envelope pushing (actually next week) is having my sister come to visit me for a few days. She's a bipolar (more on the manic) control freak. Although she is seven years older than me, she has always run circles around me -- most people find her exhausting...I sure do. I am committed to keep up with her next week and retain a sense of humor about anything she says or does. I love her, but she's a handful (putting it extremely mildly).
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Marsial, that sounds like a workout but I bet you are up to the task at hand! Thx for visiting! When things calm down, I will spend more time on your site!
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The difference between fulfillment in life and just going through the motions is that ability to push beyond your comfort level and persist when the going gets tough.
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Karen, YES! I do push past the comfort zone for sure in my health/fitness arena. I have in real life too but right now, a bit weighed down due to life things but I am trying...
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Okay, I am sitting here asking myself what I can do. The two of you are a powerful force
And nice to meet you Dr. J
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Kare, THX! Keep trying cause Dr. J has lots to say!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Wow! I can't believe that I can actually read this site without an Internet server error!!
Yeah, CalorieLab needs a serious attitude adjustment, and I hear that they are working on it. In the meantime, please be patient. That's pushing an envelope for me. You know how surgeons are always in a hurry!
Roy, as usual, asks the questions that can lead us all to better ourselves and those other important people in our lives.
Marsial, hopefully your sister will meet you somewhere in the middle! Good luck with that!
Thank you, Karen-(F.J.), and Karen, and THE JODY!!!
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THANK YOU, Dr. J!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Oh Envelope pushing! I am in the midst of a full scale postal overload...LOL..
My pushing the envelope is to USE the tools in my tool bag instead of just lugging them around in case!
everyday steps, actions, to get me where I intend to go... To push the envelope is to get if a stamp and let it go!
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Jules, you are definitely doing it!!!
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First, I love this combo post. Hearing the two voices is very inspiring. With regards to trying something new, outside my comfort zone, I am typically willing to try new things if someone else will do it with me. There is comfort in that for me and it helps me do things I would not do otherwise. With regards to pushing the envelope on fitness, Dr. J., I liked your aviation analogy (the story was really interesting and thought provoking). I have been trying to push my fitness boundaries a little bit everytime I workout and while that doesn't seem like it would be scary, it kind of is. This very morning I opted out of exercise and I couldn't really say why - sure I have some time pressures today - but now that I think about it - it is because I was afraid if I pushed too hard, i.e., worked out too many days in a row, that I might do too much and get injured. I know that sounds weird, but that is really what was going on in my head. After reading this post I realize that I am a little afraid of pushing my fitness boundaries. I think I always have been, although when I was younger, it was much easier to do so and I was much better at it. I am going to have to give this much more thought. And...I loved the picture!
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Karma, thank you for sharing & your comment! I agree with Dr. J..... listen to the bod... sometimes we actually can do more & other times, not. It takes time to understand the bod but you will....
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I have been pushing the envelope a lot with biking this year. Isn't it funny how sometimes you are pushing the envelope and don't realize you are actually doing it?
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Lori, now that is the way to do it!
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Karma, I agree that it is important not to get injured. You know yourself, rather than pushing too much on those days, perhaps learning to do an easy recovery workout is a good idea.
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I'm pushing my limits with my workouts this week WOO!
Thanks for all your words and wisdom. I'm going to do some stretching tonight
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