Fitness Myths

OK, here it is: the first ever installment of the Sunday rant. Are you ready? Here we go. . .

When did Americans become so lazy? We are a country founded on action and upward movement, going from good to better to best. How did we get to the point where nearly one in three people are classified as morbidly obese? Where the most popular and prolific exercise campaigns revolve around the easiest, least uncomfortable way to get fit? I always see adds for the latest and greatest fitness tool that will "take no effort" or "work in as little as 5 minutes a day." Just a few that come to mind are the shake weight, the ab rocker and that ridiculous belt that is supposed to shock not just your gut but your entire body into a tanned, ripped mountain of chiseled muscle. . . while you are sitting on the sofa.

To me, this trend of easier-is-better fitness says two things: 1)Most people are lazy and avoid physical discomfort at all costs, and 2) Most people have very little idea what it takes to improve their physical fitness. I say most people because the easy route fitness products like shake weight would not sell if people knew what they were doing. (My trainer buddies have a shake weight in the gym, but I'm pretty sure its for comedic purposes only.)

 

 





The truth is there is no easy road to fitness. It takes hard work,  desire and consistency. The "after" model for any and every fitness product ever marketed looks that way because of countless days/months/years of work. They sweated and endured pain. And they got off their sofa to do so. People try to sell the "magic bullet" of fitness. It is a myth.

And another thing; there is a distinct difference between the pain of work and the pain of injury. If you run a mile and your legs are sore and your lungs burn, that is feedback from your body saying "I am not used to this level of work." If you then slam your finger in the car door, that pain is your body saying "hey, jackass, your finger is broken now because you just slammed it in the door." Pain is feedback. Just because you hurt after a workout doesn't mean you are injured or you shouldn't do that exercise anymore. Listen to your body. The more you listen, the more you learn to treat pain as information and adjust accordingly. That said, rest and recovery days are critical to getting better. More on that at a later date.

So put down the shake weight, take off the shock belt and go do something that takes you out of your comfort zone. Push yourself. Sweat. Take your friends, take your kids, take your significant other, really anyone that will go with you, the more the merrier. Misery loves company. Sloth is contagious. So is fitness. Which one will you spread?

Get up, get out and get some.

Jack

PS - When you are choosing your activity, it doesn't actually have to be painful or miserable. Playing touch football in the park or going for a hike are perfectly acceptable. Just stay off the sofa.