Good morning, guys.
My thoughts and prayers go out this morning to those who will be affected by hurricane Wilma. To all in her path, may you be safe.
On Friday, I completed the final exercise of Scrawny to Brawny. Over the weekend I was faced with the question of what to do next. A fitness journey does not really have an end, but many destinations and stops along the way. This week will be my planned rest week with some light maintenance and a little more running. While thinking about possibilities for my next routine I recalled the plight of a few guys I know.
For the past several weeks I have had correspondence with a number of friends who have had setbacks. An injury, a change in schedule, an illness can all make us lose focus and stray from the course. Sometimes it’s none of these, but just a lack of willpower or a feeling that we are burned out or just not getting anywhere. Our goals seem to elude us and so we just give up trying. It’s not unusual and it’s not failure. It happens to all of us once in a while and sooner or later. The big difference is in how we react.
I take inspiration from the reactions of others to adversity. I delight in the enthusiasm of a friend who was injured and can’t wait to get back to his routine. I am motivated by another, who just lost interest and one day walked by the weights in the basement and did a routine and regained his enthusiasm. I am touched by yet another, fighting illness and disability, who is thankful for the gains that he has made and what he has gotten from his journey.
We all face setbacks in our lives and in our fitness goals. Where we want to be and where we are can often seem worlds apart. That thought can often sidetrack our plans, our enthusiasm and sap our spirit. It is a thought that can prompt us to give up, to give in and say, why bother.
Giving up is like a period of mourning, lamenting something that has been lost. Loss of determination, loss of enthusiasm, loss of commitment, you name it. But, as with the more serious losses in our lives, when we mourn the passing of a friend or loved one, we know that eventually we have to move on, to regroup and go forward. That gap between where we are and where we want to be can be bridged. Just knowing where we want to be can be a great motivator. Getting there is just a matter of steps and of time.
Every journey has its perils, its delays and its setbacks. Overcoming them is part of the plan. After all, what is the alternative? Do we simply end up sitting by the side of the road watching life pass us by? Yes, sometimes we need to sit by the side of the road, to catch our breath, to check the map and make sure of our course. Then we need to get up again and move on. Our destination is out there, somewhere, waiting for our arrival. When we get there, its merely a stop to regroup, take a look at the compass and plot our next course. There is always another destination, another goal. If not, what is our purpose? Why did we begin in the first place? Fitness, like life, is not a journey with an end, but only a continuing succession of new beginnings.
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Have a great week.
In Fitness & Friendship,
Mahler
__________________ In Fitness & Friendship, MAHLER
______________________________ __________________________ There is no light at the end of the tunnel. You carry the light with you.
I've gone through some personal issues which have kept me out of the gym for too long. When I got up this morning I thought this would be the day to go back. After reading this the choice of not going there tonight has been eliminated.
Thanks again, Mahler.
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"A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have."
You are about one of the wisest people I know Mahler. Thank you for those great words.
I, too, had to decide on a new routine this weekend but was so excited by my newly acheived goals I couln't wait to choose from so many great pre-planned routines.
When I was fencing, I always said that what makes a Champion.. is not how they win, but how they react to defeat.
I'm glad that there are people teaching the same thing but in so much better words.
To all who take inspiration from the reactions of others to adversity :
When I paralysed at 28, took me 2 years to learn to walk again, but over 20 years later.. I'm still learning stuff that I would never have thought of or learned if it hadn't happened to me.
As always, thought-provoking, John. Thanks for continuing to inspire.
And, Marykaa, thanks for sharing your story with us too. You've obviously walked the talk on this topic.
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"Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you are right." - Henry Ford
"UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." - Dr. Seuss
"Life is no brief candle to me. It is sort of a splendid torch which I have got hold of for a moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations." - George Bernard Shaw
*smile* but I must say.. to me my story is so ordinary.. I talked about in my log.. just to put in perspective where I come from for my present training, and was really surprised at peoples reaction.. I never compared it to some accomplishment.. usually I'm just glad where I'm at...... thanks for reminding me that I DID do something good : )
Originally posted by gymrat:
[QB] You are about one of the wisest people I know Mahler. Thank you for those great words.
I/QB]
Poor guy doesn't know may people.
Just kidding, great post Mahler.
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Stats:
38 year old coach to my 8 year old son, 6 ft tall jungle gym to my 10 year old daughter, 184 lb husband to my wife of 15 years and a 11% BF fitness addict best friend to all 3 of them.
Originally posted by gymrat:
[QB] You are about one of the wisest people I know Mahler. Thank you for those great words.
I/QB]
Poor guy doesn't know many people.
Just kidding, great post Mahler.
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Stats:
38 year old coach to my 8 year old son, 6 ft tall jungle gym to my 10 year old daughter, 184 lb husband to my wife of 15 years and a 11% BF fitness addict best friend to all 3 of them.
Jamie is not looking too scrawney these days. You may have some trouble with that. The retreat is going to be awesome if all the guys attend that have told me they were planning to.
Mahler
__________________ In Fitness & Friendship, MAHLER
______________________________ __________________________ There is no light at the end of the tunnel. You carry the light with you.
Jamie is not looking too scrawney these days. You may have some trouble with that. The retreat is going to be awesome if all the guys attend that have told me they were planning to.
Mahler
__________________ In Fitness & Friendship, MAHLER
______________________________ __________________________ There is no light at the end of the tunnel. You carry the light with you.
Awfully wise words, John! Thanks for reminding us that "ordinary" people, people we know and chat with every day can do extra-ordinary things and inspire others. That's truly an accomplishment!
MaryKaa: I'm gonna have to look up your log now and read more about your story. That little tidbit is nothing short of amazing!
Casper: Just you wait, fat ass!
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Gifted SmartAss Master Class Graduate
Originally posted by Mahler: Jamie is not looking too scrawney these days. You may have some trouble with that. The retreat is going to be awesome if all the guys attend that have told me they were planning to.
Mahler
Thanks for the compliment, John! [img]smile.gif[/img]
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Gifted SmartAss Master Class Graduate
Originally posted by Bond007:
MaryKaa: I'm gonna have to look up your log now and read more about your story. That little tidbit is nothing short of amazing!
There isn't that much more.. didn't think it was important.. (but by all means do drop by, always glad to know that someone is looking in on my log)
hey.. You just gave me an idea though.. maybe I WILL post something here on the Training Discussion.. not about the hardships I had.. but about things I did to get strong legs again.. who knows.. might help someone for something.
[img]smile.gif[/img]
Mahler, you have fantastic timing with a great post. I have had a few setbacks with a back injury and a busy work schedule. It is amazing how quickly you can drop out of your routine and fall off the good bandwagon. I have recently just started to hit the iron again and I look forward to another fitness journey.
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Motivation determines what you do...Attitude determines how well you do it
Hey Mahler, I just want to say thanks for posting this and with perfect timing also.
Im 17 and worked out for months never missing a day, and then about 4 months ago I just lost it and gave up. But Ive been reading around on here looking for motivation to get going again. I even went so far as to put my gym membership on hold (with no intent on returning anytime soon). But this was that last little push that I needed to see to get me going again.
I still have an old copy of that Death by bodyweight routine and Im going to use that to get myself a little prepared to get back in the gym again. I just thought a thanks was in order.
Nicely written John, thanks for always being there for motivation. I soon will have a new reason to stay motivated, a son! Chasing him and keeping up will be my next physical achievement.
how timely is this?! i've been horrible about exercise and diet for the last 6 months (at least...) and i just started jogging this week (monday was my first time to jog, ever!) and cleaning up my diet again (maybe I'll finally put a dent in that giant cannister of oatmeal in my pantry!). This is my first time back to any sort of fitness site in about the same amount of time...
anyways... it's good to get my feet wet in the fitness world again...
I just got to this now. Like a few others have said: perfect timing!
There have been many times this past year when I have said to myself: "I guess 405 is just NOT gonna happen. Maybe I'm not built to be a real lifter...?" And I'll tell ya, the MMMMM's and the other guys here have been more than just a small part of my drive to continue.
Instead of running full speed ahead with a twisted ankle, I think I'll take that breather on the side of the road, let it heal, get up and start walking again.
Linear Mode
