Mahler’s Monday Morning Motivator # 127 – Questions-Part II

[Mahler]

Mahler’s Monday Morning Motivator # 127 – Questions-Part II

Questions-Part II




“When undertaking any new endeavor, there are bound to be questions.” Hey, that’s how I started last week’s installment. What gives?

Well, actually, I only covered one side of the issue, as it were, as far as questions are concerned. The other side of that well worn coin has nothing to do with the questions we ask of others, but of course, the questions that are asked of us. When I think back to the beginning of my lifestyle change, I can recall very vividly certain kinds of questions. Interestingly enough, regardless of the actual wording, they can be grouped into five categories. These are the questions of concern, curiosity, comprehension, caveat and conspiracy.

When I first decided to change my lifestyle, revise my nutritional habits, and start a program of exercise, I noticed some dramatic changes. These were changes that I was pretty pleased with and even proud of. How funny that the first questions I heard at the outset of the journey were, “are you sick?” or “have you been ill?” Friends and relatives were actually concerned with my health. I think now, what a shame it is that we have been mired in a world of poor health and nutrition for so long that a choice to be healthy is, at first, viewed as a precursor to illness.

Continuing with any drastic change and getting over the bumps in the road, you fall into a routine and soon the questions evolve into those of curiosity. Make no
mistake, these same people are not interested in doing what you do. They are just curious as to why you do it. It’s great to talk about your program, but realize that you are an entertainment to an audience that is not going to come up on the stage and perform with you.

Eventually, with the results that you get you may encounter the occasional person who really wants to understand what you do and learn from you. These people seek comprehension and often advice. These are my favorite questions, but, alas, this is a very small percentage in the catalogue of queries.

Keep in mind, there is no logical progression to the series of questions. Some are amusing and can be laughed off. Some will require your full attention to give a meaningful and truthful answer. One thing for sure is that, mixed in with the concerned, curious and those that try to comprehend, you are going to get your fair share of the final two, which are very closely related.

The caveat questions are the ones designed to warn you that you are doing something wrong for reasons that seem very valid to the person asking the question. How often you will hear things like, “Isn’t that dangerous?” or “Isn’t that bad for your _____?” Please fill in the blank with words like, knees, shoulders, back, or whatever part of the anatomy is appropriate. To be quite frank, while worded as such, they are not really questions at all. They are criticisms designed to shoot holes in your plan and, what’s more, to justify the inactivity of the questioner. After all, isn’t it easier to say, “you shouldn’t do that” than it is to say “I can’t do that?”

A close cousin to the caveat is the conspiracy question. Know it or not, the person asking the question is trying to undermine what you have accomplished. And, what is most surprising, these are questions that often come from people that are closest to us. You have all heard them. They challenge why you eat a certain way or refuse certain foods, why you maintain a particular schedule or make time for your fitness pursuits, why you don’t do something anymore or why you now do something that you never did before.

Of all the questions I have had asked of me in the last several years, two stand out and, come to think of it, one was not even addressed to me. At a birthday bash for my sister, she came up to me at one point and said that a group of her friends asked her “is your brother in the Marines?” No answer was necessary, of course, but the facial muscles got a workout with the big smile I sported for the next few minutes.

The other question, I had an answer for. A friend at a neighborhood gathering pulled me aside and asked very seriously, “are you in training for something?” My answer has become my universal response to many questions since. I turned to him and said, “Yes. I’m in training for the rest of my life.”


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Have a Great Week

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

[BeachHead]

Good words Mahler! My mom has often told me, "Your health kick is just a phase, you'll grow out of it an be 'normal.'" Your experiences remind me of that.

Some people just can't seem to understand how nice it is to be healthy. This morning on a class run, I blasted by everyone in the last 1/2 mile. It feels good to be able to do that! That is why we do what we do!

[GG300]

The more drastic the lifestyle change the more we are doubted. Sometimes that is just the inspiration you need to push you on the weak days.

Thanks for putting it into words Mahler.

[RacerBill]

"I’m in training for the rest of my life."


Succinct, incisive and profound. This is my new favorite MMMM quote.


I, too, got the "have you been sick?" line. I had to add to my Christmas letter that the weight loss was intentional, and the hair loss was natural.

[FishrCutB8]

Again, well done. I've begun answering those questions with a question: "Why do you ask?" Their answer inevitably determines which route I take in explaining things. Pearls before swine....

[Johnka]

Excellent, Mahler.

[EdChap]

Brilliant, John!

[ParanoidAndroid]

Nice one Mahler.

I think my favorite question that I've been asked is"Why do you eat so much vegetables? You are going to make yourself sick"

[galya]

Nice words again as usual, Mahler.
I love it when people say: "why don't you live a little?"

[Mahler]

Originally Posted by galya

Nice words again as usual, Mahler.
I love it when people say: "why don't you live a little?"

To that, I would say, "Because, I have plans to live a lot."

[galya]

LOL

[BamaDave]

Good one as always, John!

I find that questions from friends and family have died down. After almost 5 years, I think they are used to my lifestyle. Nevertheless, I still get them at times. Just a few weeks ago my Mom got onto me in a restaurant for never living a little and letting go of the diet. This, as I was pounding down the tortilla chips and salsa as though they were about to go out of style. I think it was in response to my not ordering a massive dinner like almost everyone else at the table, even though we had recently left a family reunion where we had been eating all kinds of junk! Go figure.

[emartin10]

Thanks John, awesome words. I agree with Bill - that's a great quote at the end there. And with Dave, most of my friends have accepted that I'm "weird" and accomodate, to the point of picking very healthy restaurants, "so Eric can eat too." It's great!

Thanks John!

E

[OldGuy]

Great one, John. Thanks.

[jj]

Originally Posted by Mahler

, “Yes. I’m in training for the rest of my life.”

Another Mahler great, I like this one as good as "there is no light at the end of the tunnel, you carry the light with you"

Both of these are great quotes. John I am glad you made the choice to lead a healthy lifestyle. I myself always tell my wife I am training to see my son's grandchildren. Nice one!

JJ

[ninja]

"It's a f*(&ing pretzel"

[K-Court]

Originally Posted by RacerBill

"I’m in training for the rest of my life."


Succinct, incisive and profound. This is my new favorite MMMM quote.


I, too, got the "have you been sick?" line. I had to add to my Christmas letter that the weight loss was intentional, and the hair loss was natural.

I agree, Bill. It's a great line. We really do need to put together a collection of "Mahler Quotables" one day!

[Lisa~]

The caveat questions are the ones designed to warn you that you are doing something wrong for reasons that seem very valid to the person asking the question. How often you will hear things like, “Isn’t that dangerous?” or “Isn’t that bad for your _____?”

Mahler, you are my new signature line!

I've got a story for you. Just Monday I was showing this guy how to do an RDL. An older gentleman walks up and listens, just stands close and listens and watches my demonstration. Then he says, "Isn't that a really bad exercise for your back?"

I told him, "IF you do it badly it certainly can be, but done well it is an excellent exercise for your glutes and hamstrings!" I'm not sure if he believed me or not, but he at least stuck around to see the guy get it right and get excited about finally being able to feel it in his glutes. So maybe the old guy will be converted. Well, maybe! I can hope can't I?

[FlyinM]

The caveat questions are the ones designed to warn you that you are doing something wrong for reasons that seem very valid to the person asking the question. How often you will hear things like, “Isn’t that dangerous?” or “Isn’t that bad for your _____?” Please fill in the blank with words like, knees, shoulders, back, or whatever part of the anatomy is appropriate.

Great words, John. It won't be too long before you start hearing 'Aren't you too old to be deadlifitng that much weight.'

Bump for the Prime Motivator......

[RobLL]

Lisa, second post up, In all of my time in gyms (let alone gym class in high school- 50s), or in physical therapy I have never had a dead lift, or picking up things, explained to me in what I think is the correct way. That is, how I now define them. Maybe you do all of the time.

Dead lift, not done with the back (per NROL keep that moderate curve in your lower back), otherwise you don't move the back, its just along for the ride), Lift with your hips, and perhaps with your knees. Regular dead lift uses more knees,, RDL not very much. Again it is your hips (bringing your butt forward) that does the lifting.

Other explanations probably say the same thing, but until I came up with my own wording they did not quite completely register. Rob

[Mahler]

Originally Posted by FlyinM

Great words, John. It won't be too long before you start hearing 'Aren't you too old to be deadlifitng that much weight.'

Mike,
Too late. I have already heard that one. I guess I could respond to the person asking that question with, "who the hell else is going to carry you when you're fat and feeble?" :p

[FlyinM]