Part One of the Support Elements series.
Support elements do exactly that – they support you and your goals.
In military units, there is what is called the main effort. Everyone else supports the main effort in accomplishing the operation.
Your goals are the main effort. Make no mistake about it.
– Commander’s Intent
Muscles are the ground level troops in your army. But you’re not going to get loyalty from them if you neglect to nourish them. It is fun to strengthen the muscles. We enjoy lifting heavy barbells and running, but our muscles are doing their utmost to resist that stress we love so much.
The following are resources you must make available to your soldiers on the frontlines. As the Commander, you must manage all logistical aspects of how and when your muscles receive these support elements.
Water
Hydration is the first line of defense. Not only do well-hydrated muscles literally support your skeletal system (they hold you up), water also improves cognitive function. You can think more clearly and react faster.
Imagine sending your soldiers into a firefight without a radio. They would have no way to communicate with other elements. In this metaphor, neither are dehydrated muscles able to communicate with you – the Commander.
You should use hydration as a short respite – a retreat from resistance.
Through perspiration and breath, you are losing water. So you must replenish your stores constantly.
Salt
Alas, there is a dichotomy when it comes to hydration.
When you over hydrate, it can lead to a damaging and potentially fatal condition known as hyponatremia as a result of extremely low blood sodium levels. Without electrolytes, the extra fluid places an extreme burden on the kidneys and disrupts the cellular fluid balance.
– Going Clear: Hyperhydration & The Prison of Belief
Salt is one alternative hydration option, see the below video from Dr. Dan Engle on mineral-dense Himalayan salt.
In sum, hydration is vitally important for you to achieve your goals whether they be in the gym, at the office, or in the home.
Adequate sodium intake supports the retention of water in the body while adequate hydration regulates the body by transporting nutrients and carrying waste out of the body.
Creatine Monohydrate
Creatine is probably one of the most researched performance supplements on the market.
The function of creatine is simple: it keeps your muscles hydrated. Well-hydrated muscles are protected muscles! They will be better supported – muscle fibers will be more efficiently recruited and muscle will recover faster.
In fact, supplementing with creatine-containing products means that you will need adequate water intake, and then some! Cramping and gastrointestinal issues come from inadequate hydration.
Research also verifies that creatine improves blood flow to the brain, and why wouldn’t it? Remember how hydration impacts cognitive function? If the body retains more water, it functions better. The brain is only another muscle of the body.
It should be noted: certain creatine supplements also contain other products, such as caffeine and even artificial sweeteners. They may support you as well, but you will want to consider the role they play in your diet.
Cover and Move
Since well-hydrated muscles are better supported muscles, you will enjoy greater mobility as well as durability if you are adequately hydrated. Dehydrated muscles cramp and fail when tasked with demanding work.
The term Suppressive Fire is, Fire that degrades the performance of an enemy force below the level needed to fulfill its mission. Furthermore, it is only effective for the duration of the effort – you have to implement all support elements in their proper quantity, and at the appropriate time.
You must also make these various support elements a part of your life. Consistently incorporate them into your daily routine.
Learn strategies. How can you effectively counter opposition? You cannot afford to lose hard won territory along the Warpath…there is only one direction in which the Warpath can be traversed. There is no going back – the enemy will fight you forever.
– The Warpath
Keep moving. Keep being intentional and deliberate in your fight against the enemy.
Warcloud Elite Fitness 