Diaries of a Fitness Junky, Understanding the Fitness Driven Mind.
Understanding the Fitness Driven Mind
If you have committed yourself to fitness, to living a healthier active lifestyle, you most likely have experienced some adversity and maybe even some misunderstanding on your journey.
I say misunderstanding because outsiders don’t understand why you do what you do. And no matter how hard you try, some will never understand.
Often those whom have committed their lives to fitness and health are criticized, even by those whom are supposed to be their biggest support, become their biggest adversaries. Yes even sweet old grandma who still sends you a birthday card with $10 in it every year. Those whom have told you your whole life you could do anything you want as long as you put your mind and heart into it. They never said except fitness.
The major point they are missing is this; living a healthy lifestyle takes a lot of heart and a lot of mental strength. It’s not just a hobby, it’s a lifestyle.
A few paragraphs ago I said journey because if you have truly committed yourself to fitness and health, you are in it for the long haul. Fitness is a part of your life and will always be a part of your life. God willing yes you will see me in 40 years still getting my workout in at the local gym. I won’t be throwing around big weight but I will be training for functionality. As you change, so does your goals, so does your training.
We are the minority
Those whom have committed their lives to health and fitness are still the minority compared to the rest of the world. Obesity is still a huge epidemic and people are dying too young because they don’t take care of their bodies. Most people are too busy with their regular day jobs to have the second job of maintaining their body. I say job because working out, staying healthy is a 24 hour a day job. Most people don’t have the heart or the strength to do what we do day in and day out all year around. It takes an extreme amount of discipline and perseverance to get healthy, and it’s even harder to maintain.
There is a difference between being selfish and being self-absorbed
The biggest misconception that I have seen is that if you are fit, others automatically assume you’re selfish, prideful, and that you only care about yourself. In reality some of the most selfless, giving people I have ever met have been friends I made at the gym or through the fitness industry.
Yes we are self-absorbed with our bodies. That doesn’t mean we only care about ourselves. Just like a project at work that you devote your time and energy, our bodies have become the project. A project that you have to give constant attention to or you will not reach or maintain your goals. Things like missing meals and workouts can add up and really set you back.
The difference is this project is one that will last for your lifetime. By putting your efforts into your body you are hopefully extending your life. You are giving yourself the opportunity to not just live, but live a quality life that helps you to maintain functionality.
It’s not just about looking good, it also about feeling good
Of course I want to look in the mirror and see what I like. Yes I compete and I am judged off my appearance and how my body is proportioned. What’s even more important to me than looking good? Feeling good.
The gym is my therapy, it’s my haven. When I have had a hard day or something is bothering me, I go to the gym and I take all that stress out on the weights. Afterwards I immediately feel better. The body releases hormones that stimulate happiness, they are called endorphins and they really do make you feel better.
Health Effects Everything
When you are healthy, all aspects of your life improve. You have more energy, you are able to put more effort into things. You become empowered and therefore all aspects of your life improve. You are able to get more done around your house, have more energy to put in a work and do a better job. The energy and ability to spend quality time with loved ones.
The Body is Beautiful
Another big misconception is that those who are healthy or in shape look the way they do because they want attention from the opposite sex or are looking to hook up. That we check each other out at shows and it’s all physical.
In reality we admire each other. We admire the human body as a work of art. Much like a Picasso or a beautiful landscape scenery. We realize and appreciate all the time and effort that it took to get to the level a person is on. We have a mutual respect for one another.
The best way to understand someone whom lives a healthy lifestyle, try it out yourself. Who knows you might even like it, you might even become a convert to the world of fitness.