Yes, I am still alive. And so is this website, despite not being updated with new content for quite sometime. In fact, this site may be more alive than ever, and I'll explain why. So far into 2016 has been quite uneventful, yet probably the most enlightening couple of months I've experienced in recent memory. Days tend to be quite routine for me at this point in my life, as I'm sure many of you reading this can relate. It's the same old song and dance, and as the expression goes, "same shit, different day." Those of us who like to workout, lift weights, go to the gym, be a bro and all that good stuff tend to get make their workouts the "highlight of their day". Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with being a fitness enthusiast and wanting to be healthy. But for many of us, and I say us because I include myself in this population, tend to get too wrapped up in the "lifestyle". I say "lifestyle" with quotes because it's become some fabricated, manufactured style of living that has somehow been force fed into many of the avid gym-goers minds. I'll get into some of that here in a bit. Before I digress too much, I'll make my point right here, and you can probably guess what it is from the title of this piece: DON'T MAKE YOUR LIFE ALL ABOUT THE GYM. MAKE IT FIT INTO YOUR LIFE. I'm talkin to all you bros, cross-fitters, meatheads, squat-girls, fit-fammers, and IIFYMers out there. I'M A RECOVERING FITNESS JUNKIE that's the title of a recent article I read by a fantastic writer in the industry named Nate Green. You can check out the article HERE if you'd like, i highly recommend it if you're reading this. His article really resonated with me on just about every level, and I could relate with almost every experience he mentions. I've often felt I was alone in feeling this way, but I've heard and shared quite a few similar experiences that other fitness enthusiasts have had, and it seems to be a common occurrence among people who take their enthusiasm to the extremes. In many cases, it starts out like this: Almost everybody gets into lifting weights because they're looking to improve the way they look, whether its to gain muscle mass, lose body fat, or both. For most, the initial stages of trying to improve their body composition is a daunting and overwhelming task, this is why so many people fall off the wagon early on in their processes. But the ones who dredge on and make visible progress often benefit tremendously, and the benefits carry over into all aspects of their lives. They no doubt become healthier, more energetic, happier, and most importantly more confident with an improved self image. What's the problem, then?? The phenomena of visible, physical changes brought on by your own doing is quite addicting. In fact, i'd say it has the effect of a drug. The psychological consequences it brings about are interesting, to say the least. This is where all the bros, cross-fitters, meatheads, squat-girls, fit-fammers, and IIFYMers are conceived. I can't speak on behalf of everyone, but for most people, an insatiable sense of "I NEED MORE" develops. Whether it's more muscle, more weight on the bar, more visible fat loss, there's an objective now, and you'll do whatever's necessary to accomplish that objective. You've all probably witnessed the behavoir that can develop from this "quest" to be the fittest version of themselves they can be, The silly amount of meals most people carry about and shove down their throats each day, the ubiquitous gallon jug of water the meatheads tote around. The name brand workout shoes, knee-sleeves, lifting straps, and hardcore t-shirts they sport at the gyms. And of course, the perpetual talk about how much a crossfitter can crossfit as they're cross-fitting (cross-fitting? is that the present tense verb?) And worst of all, the 6-7 a days these people spend at the gym, trying to fullfill the "more is what i need" prophecy. This type of behavior can lead to superiority complex where most people walk around with a sense of "I'm better than you because I workout and eat boiled chicken breast 5 times a day." Whether you'd like to admit it or not, I'm certain you've felt that way at sometime in your "ultimate fitness quest." BEING FIT WON'T MAGICALLY MAKE YOU A BETTER PERSON, AND BEING SHREDDED WON'T MAKE GIRLS LIKE YOU. A lot of the bros and meatheads tend to view lifting weights as a means to an end; the end being some celebrity-esq life where the sun shines brighter and women flock to you like the salmon of Capistrano. Sorry, but that's not the case, and it never will be Deep down inside we all want to look great, but so often people become deluded with the idea that being physically attractive will make you an awesome all-around person and everyone like you. In fact, I'd be so bold as to say the opposite of that really happens. ' People who feel the need for others approval and admiration tend to miss out on a lot of other important things in their life. Opportunities are blown at the expense of making trips to the gym. Relationships with friends and family are thrown by the way side by the social activities you miss out on because you want to stick to a diet. Career and work performance suffers. But it's okay! because you have six-pack abs and a 315 bench press to match. Come on, now. What's the point of looking phenomenal when you're a jerk to everyone around you and gave up so much to attain that physique? TAKE HOME POINTS
Once again, I don't mean to fit-shame any particular group of people, but I'm speaking on behalf of my own personal experiences and many other individuals. Working out and excessively training will often lead to a sense of apathy towards something you once felt tremendous enthusiasm for. This is known as getting burnt out, and this happens very often. If you're someone that hasn't yet been consumed by the gym-going-lifestyle, consider yourself lucky and do what you can do avoid it. This doesn't mean stop lifting weights and going to the gym, but always be sure to find time to fit other activities and hobbies into your life. And most importantly, always make time for your friends and family. ALWAYS. Take a good introspective look at yourself and prioritize some of the things going on in your life and ask yourself, "Is this where I want to be?" "Is what I'm doing currently getting me to where I want to be." Hopefully the paths you've chosen have provided your life with some direction, and if that's not the case that's fine. But the gym should never be an obstacle that may impede you from furthering yourself. If you find yourself feeling a bit burnt out by working out or see any of the issues mentioned here, take some time for yourself and re-evaulate what's really important to you in your life. Having the best WOD and abs shouldn't be at the top of that list. Live in the moment, enjoy time spent with those you care about, travel, eat fantastic food, and somewhere in there make some time to get a workout in. It really is that easy.
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