Once upon a time in the gym...

I remember growing up in the 80's and the music on the radio being softer. Looking back at the same time, I remember how the people were a lot harder.  Everyone seemed to have had a thicker skin, less complaining, less woe is me, and more willingness to grind through anything and everything.

Now you might be asking yourself, 'what the hell does this have to do with fitness?'......well allow me to explain....

Today as I look around at the fitness industry, which is very much a small reflection of our society at large, I feel as though things have changed on a human level, and not necessarily for the better.  I hear the music being played and so much of the lyrics and the beats and the attitudes give off a "hardness" that people hear and transpose onto themselves.  Then I actually look around and reflect on what is actually going on and I see how much "softer", thin skinned, whinny, and "path of least effort" seeking we've become.

I'm not saying everything is bad by any means. We've had a lot improvements on many levels, however, when it comes to our general composition, we've become softer. I see just about everyone, myself included, often looking for the machine, the pill, the program, the anything-everything-just something that will allow for less effort, less burden, less soul, less heart, less sweat.  

Progress has made most if not all of our jobs and daily efforts easier to some degree or another, but at the same time as a society we've moved in the opposite direction and become more whinny about the less that's left to be done.  Nowadays when I see people having to wait an extra 10 seconds for anything, they react as if such a large burden has been placed on them.  When you ask someone to do anything a little more laborious, they will react as if you're an alien with unrealistic expectations.  When you give someone the truth of the matter, they will take the same offense as if you had just insulted them. And when you look for someone to step up and actually grind their way to acknowledgment and success, you're left wanting.

So here's a little breakdown for you, when it comes to fitness:

1. Yes, you have to cut out the crappy food if you ever want to change your external appearance or your internal  health.

2. No, the music, the shows, the social media, and the other entertainment, that you consume and regurgitate, does not make you something that you're not "actually living" day-in and day-out.

3. Yes, you will have to show up, sweat, strain, and travel the long road if you want to succeed.

4. No, there is no pill, machine, or other accessory that can make up for a lack of work.

5. Yes, all of the above is actual fact and No, reading or hearing otherwise won't make it true.


Cheers to a little sip of hard reality!

Until next time,
Be Fit. Be Strong. Be Better.

P.S.  If you're looking for a little help with breaking some of your bad habits, here's a pretty good book that could help CLICK HERE.