[Mahler]

Mahler’s Monday Morning Motivator # 73 – Fitness or Fit-in

Good Morning, Guys,
I recently posted an answer to a question from a young man that got me to thinking about how we make the commitment to keep in shape. Basically the question dealt with how to get a weeks worth of workouts in to get in shape for school and be able to do this with all the other things that demanded attention. My basic answer was this. It's called "fitness" not "fit in." It shouldn't be something you try to do when you have a need to look good, like getting a botox injection.

It’s important to keep things in perspective. Staying fit is not just one of the many drains on your time and energy. It should be one of the things you do that make all those other activities possible and even enjoyable. I recently went on a 10 day vacation and made it to the gym 5 of those 10 days. Those 5 days weren't getting in the way; they actually helped to make my vacation better. I maintained my energy and stamina and enjoyed everything so much more because I was essentially charged and focused. The same can be said of my daily routine at work and at home. Regardless of what your fitness path might be, if you think of it as a chore, a job that has to be done, then you will soon lose interest. I’m not saying that we don’t think “I have to get my workout done, today.” But, when we think that, is it for the right reasons? Is it because we value what it does for us or is it because we have made it just another chunk of food on the already full plate of our lives? If it’s just a blob on the plate then it becomes very easy to say, “I’m not that hungry today. I think I’ll pass.”

You wouldn’t think of not brushing your teeth or bathing each day. Why? Because, the neglect of basic hygiene will make you subject to tooth decay, disease and, yes, social ostracism. Why should the care of your body, it’s muscle, bone, ligaments, tendons and nervous system be any different? I am reminded of a saying I read somewhere which goes, “If you don’t take care of your body, where will you live?” So, are you taking care of your body and, if so, by fitness or by fitting in? It’s your choice.

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Have a great week.

In Fitness & Friendship,
Mahler