SHAME
Whats a humorous pic of a robust gent riding a bike have to do with this column? Plenty --- these writings are not necessarily directed at elite athletes , but if anyone reading this happens to be one, -- I've got some material you can appreciate too
I like the guy in the pic and I like the message
--- It says to me ----- "I don't let shame get in the way of my workout !"
I might not agree with the color choice - but the guy is out there, loud 'n proud
How many people say things like --- "I'm too out of shape to go to the gym" -- or
"I feel humiliated wearing gym clothes" ---- or "What if people are watching me? - " , "I'm too fat to get on the mountain bike trail, the kids will run over me"
I'm going to quote a friend's text to me from yesterday because there's a tie -in. He's also on the subscriber list, so thanks for the quote
"Lately I've noticed that excuses are cornerstones in weak performance of almost anything"
Don't let your insecurities turn into an excuse
- Maybe you don't have the ideal physique for cycling togs right now -- not everyone is built like Schwinn Armstrong--- but if you like to ride, lycra spandex with a chamois pad for your rear is the most efficient thing to wear to enjoy that activity, regardless of your size
So if you imagine the feeling of people looking at you -- relax, they're most likely not. But if you still think they are , just repeat this little mantra to yourself once or twice ---
--- IF that person has a problem with me or my appearance - that's their problem . That's not my problem!
Your wearing spandex or sweats because you're working on your problem --- so if you imagine a little bit of scorn directed your way - just quietly saying - That's Not my Problem --- puts it back on the other person ----
put it behind you , - downshift the bike and sprint off, or turn the treadmill up a little faster -- squeeze out another set of squats just to prove you can if your on the weights that day--
-----or just stay the course - if your workout calls for a slow and steady slog for an hour -- no sense in deviating from your path because of a little insecurity
--- other people's problems are not yours, - so as I said , don't let a little bit of shame turn into an excuse
------ I guarantee he is not the least bit worried about whether some stick-like hippie mountain bike dweeb thinks he looks cool or not anymore
.......... one more time to close out this train of thought
THATS NOT MY PROBLEM !
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I know that I am trying to bring these columns around with a more direct focus on the busy claims professional , or anybody with odd scheduling parameters - and I will get to that, but here lately a lot of my musings can really benefit more people than that
I am guessing the average American spends a good portion of their 20's somewhat neglecting the fitness equation while they work on things like a) that first big job b) starting a family c) working towards their first house ---- things like that
And thankfully, in your twenties and even into your early thirties, - you still have youth on your side and perhaps your appearance really didn't start to slide too much
Somewhere in there though, that extra 5 pounds you typically pick up during the holidays starts to hang around and before you know it, you've packed on a little extra
For a while its cool, - you might even be wearing the same clothes, and your wife may think your chubbier face is kind of cute --- but doesn't the "cuteness" go away as soon as the shirt comes off ?
Ladies, don't think I'm entirely letting you off the hook here, it happens to you too ---- you just have the huge advantage of being better looking than us going in , so its a longer slide to hit the bottom - LOL
If you are in that 35-45 year old age bracket, right now I hope you are doing well and are poised to enter your peak earning years. In some ways , getting older can bring excitement because of this. I hope you can afford nice homes, to put back for your retirement, anfd if you want a toy or two, you can probably treat yourself occasionally -- not to mention in these years, you are finally starting to get enough scratch put together to take a decent vacation occasionally , without it breaking the bank
--- But wouldn't you enjoy the vacation more if you weren't tired and run down? It'd be nice if you didn't have to wear a t-shirt to slosh around in the waves at the ocean, huh?
The late James Gandolfini, of Sopranos fame, was only 51 years old when he passed. He was on vacation in Rome with his son. In the wake of his tragic crossing over, I read a few doctor's reports stating that the vacation heart attack was actually a pretty common thing---
- you take an out of shape caboose overseas, its exciting, so you add stress to your system trying to see and do everything on your itinerary - then you cap it off with lavish meals in the evening which can further constrict your blood vessels for several hours afterwards --
--- this is not quite a recipe for success.
Gandolfini had a number of other risk factors reportedly --- being a smoker , and reportedly a drug abuser earlier in his life. But, fans of the show can see a physical transformation over the shows 8 year run from a guy who looked like he might have been a former linebacker early on in 1999, to just another fat anonymous schlub in 2007
That's how it starts --- initially those first few pounds aren't that bad (like 1999 Tony Soprano), but left unchecked, you turn into a person who probably has a hard time getting out of bed
At 51, James was also in that "peak earning year" range as well
Sooner or later, your work years are going to be done ---- and I truly hope we all have a say in the matter and do it on our terms --- wouldn't retirement be better if we had a bit more left to give?
If we irresponsibly squander our health in our thirties and forties, --- things may start looking pretty grim 20 years further
I still communicate with quite a few amateur athletes who compete in age group competition, -- a handful of triathletes, bicycle track racers and even a couple of guys who race motorcycles --- everyone complains when they hit a "milestone birthday" like 40, 45, or 50 etc. ---
I tell them -- Relax - you get to move up an age group and will have the opportunity to dominate for a couple of years !
-- Now that's something to look forward to !
As always, help the site out by forwarding this on to a friend or co-worker if you like what you read, and drop me an email at Dougmcbride@fitclaimspro.com to be placed on the active subscriber list
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