Not a lot of actual execution on the business side of things , as there are still a few kinks to be worked out, but I truly enjoy writing and sharing some of the philosophies that I have abided by and, with enough membership, possibly a discussion forum can be opened up to bounce some ideas around
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This morning I was pondering the subject of passion ---- its hard to use the term "passion" when you think about someone grilling up a family pack of chicken to feed himself for the next 4 days (passionately grilling ) - , or passionately flipping a tractor tire (passionate tire flipping) , or passionately riding your trainer for 40 minutes while watching sportcenter
Its a funny word to be sure, -- but I'm obviously not talking about the relationships we have with our lady friends (or gentlemen friends) in this website -- i'll leave that to the capable (and passionate?) hands of Dr Phil McGraw
The passion I'm talking about is the passion a person has bundling up and getting outside, or getting down to the gym , when every fiber of your body says "stay in bed" ---
--- attacking your day like a bear swatting a salmon out of a river
When you get mad just thinking that somebody half a country away is potentially doing more than you, or is riding faster than you, - so you correspondingly ride faster, lift more, go to bed earlier , avoid poor food choices -----
--- all so you can show up at first race of the season and sheepishly say if asked "eh........... haven't been doing much, - I really just dusted the bike off a couple days ago "
Then you make everyone else hurt bad, because that's what you did to yourself in the off-season
Passion courts greatness, but greatness courts failure* - Too much rampant enthusiasm can lead to burnout
Passionate people can do great things, but without a solid plan for long term success, the passion will burn like a shooting star, then can just as quickly burn out and plummet back to earth like a dead meteor
Passion can also be misguided and shallow --- this is common . People can be like frogs, hopping from one lilypad to the other , constantly looking for that one thing that can make them happy
My take on passion regarding our fitness pursuits is that its a valuable attribute when it can be harnessed somewhat
-- attacking every day with wild eyed and crazy fervor is great for a while, but eventually you have to settle into a more manageable, more consistent routine to keep the burn out to a minimum
And here is where I can draw a parallel ---- Its much like the beginnings of a relationship, where at first, you're crazy about each other, enjoy talking to each other and think about that other person all the time
This transitions into a longer, more drawn out comfort zone with your other party -- ideally, your admiration, respect and love for her/him continues to grow even if you don't feel like talking on the phone or even going out in public with them anymore
The litmus test of a relationship is not how it is doing at month 3 or month 6, but how it is doing at year 5, 10, 15, etc.
Basically, how sustainable is the relationship === and how sustainable is your fitness plan
Initially, someone may feel like riding their new bike 400 miles a week, or rowing their new Concept 2 60,000 meters a week, lift weights 3 hours a day , etc. --- but these are not sustainable practices for many and if the transition is not skillfully made into a longer term relationship, burnout occurs, and that is when your bikes, rowers, gym cards etc, start collecting dust
Same with a relationship -- many don't make it past the transition area when the buzz wears off and you start getting comfortable with each other
- "I'm bored with you"
"You're no fun anymore", "Its not you, its me"
"This isn't workin' out, Dalton "** etc etc etc
This segue ways me into my next rant about new years
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Right now we are deep into the Christmas season, - a week out from the big day . then comes New Years . Right now , all the gyms and fitness emporiums are gearing up, because the first Monday after NEw YEars, they are going to get hit hard by well meaning folk who want to change
People have taken stock in their lives , and want to do better
They excitedly show their wives/husbands/ etc brochures from cool places like Cabo or Bermuda and proclaim that they are going ! As soon as they are fit, tanned and swimsuit ready
Go into any gym that 2nd week of January (Mondays are typically the busiest days at any gym any time of year) -- look around , - fast forward to April, 80% of those folks will be gone and you'll be left with the same 20-30 guys/gals that were there back in November
By June , the teeming masses are still chubby, pale and weak ---- only this time, its like a cocktail -- a cocktail of chubby, pale, weak, and a liberal dusting of failure around the rim --- your dreams of going on a cool vacation are dashed because you are still an ugly piece of shit , so just pack up the mini van and your fat fuck kids , sigh and go to Branson instead
Your mind wanders a bit --- You imagine yourself in your cabana getting into those size 34's you haven't been a ble to fit into for 8 years, while your beautiful Miss parades around in a sarong to the admiring eye of many -- you meet her out front to enjoy some hot Jamaican days (and hotter nights) -- and mee-maw has graciously taken the kids for 2 weeks -- Life is good - damn good !
But instead --- your fat, pimply ass is staying in a fly infested time share/log cabin type of thing with 90% Missouri humidity -- while your wife that you don't appreciate anymore (and secretly are beginning to hate because she has fat calves ) goes shopping with your brat kids at some factory outlet mall, and afterwards you have plans to go see Ray Stevens .
All the Glenlivet in the world can't wash away that kind of shame ----- oh, wait a second, -- you're in Branson -- that means your too poor for Glenlivet, so you get Cutty Sark instead , not that you'd know the difference
So be careful with the New YEars Resolutions folks - By June or July , it would be much nicer to sip Pina' Coladas and Red Stripes than Cutty Sark poured into a dingy hotel glass
* quote attributed to Roy McAvoy - Tin Cup
** quote attributed to BRad Wesley - from the greatest movie of all time - Roadhouse
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