I was called over to assist with a special project for the Olympics. I have done work for them before and I have also worked in China and loved it. So it was hard to say no.
What my trip reminded me of is that America needs to get off the couch and back in the gym. We are a country that is not on our toes but on our butts. I have gotten many requests for help in other countries. But most of the ones I get here start off with how unmotivated people here are and how do you get that back. Motivation is a state of mind, no one can get you motivated unless you are ready to get motivated. Hence, you can cut out the middle man and get yourself motivated if you choose too. For example, you see a McDonalds, Jack In The Box, or Dairy Queen commercial. You just have to have what you saw on the TV. So you get dressed if your not already and you get in your car and drive to that place and you get your desired product. Did someone have to pull you, hold a gun to your head or bribe you to go, No. So it is not motivation we lack. It is the inner decision that we are going to get a particular thing done, and the willingness to sacrifice that we lack.
In China fitness is a primary way of life. They do not have the luxuries that we have here. Also the government and businesses can hold the people accountable for their fitness. Even the people overweight are still in pretty good shape.
Don’t get me wrong. Fitness is not the end all cure for our problems. It is however an important component to a complete package that we as individuals need, in order to be the best we can be. The complete package is our mental wellness, physical wellness and dare I say it, our spiritual wellness. When we have that complete package, we can be strong for ourselves, our families, our respected countries and our planet.
I know a lofty statement, but if we don’t start with ourselves then how can we help others reach their potential. I am not a psychologist (I just play one on the blog) or a pastor. So I won’t give you all the reasons we need to be mentally and spiritually strong. But I can tell you that being physically on top helps with the other two components. When you are healthier, you are sharper mentally and spiritually. You have more energy and determination to take on whatever you encounter.
But understand, one component without the other two can be a good thing, but you still will have a sense of incompleteness. It seems that the stronger you get in one area you usually crave to be stronger in the others as well. You need them all to be the best you can be.
The cool thing is that they are all obtainable. When you get off the couch and get in the gym you will be working on the physical. When you sit back on the couch, don’t just turn on the TV, exercise your mind. Learn something new or learn more about something you know, do mind puzzles, read a book. Constantly challenge your mind and it will grow stronger just like when you exercise your body your body grows stronger.
Spiritually, I can only speak about what I know. I am a Christian so for me and other Christians, read your word more, pray more, walk the walk more. I won’t comment on all the rest of you guys and gals, only that you have to strengthen that part of your life for completion.
Remember, happiness and sadness are only emotions and should not be our end goal. Being content with ourselves is the true goal we should be trying to reach. It takes all three components to truly reach that goal.
I will continue to do my part in the Fitness realm. I have a lot of you waiting for your Fitness Programs. I will get everyone of them out including all the new requests I am constantly getting.
Also, for all of you who have your programs. To make it easier for me to followup with you on a consistent basis, if you have MSN or Yahoo Messenger give it to me so I can stay in communication with you. I don’t want to give you a program and no support and email is cumbersome because of all the requests coming in.
I am headed back to China in 2 days, but while I am there I will be working on your Fitness Program. I also know, I still owe the Back Section of The Fitness Game and that is coming.
I hope what I have said did not offend anyone. If it did I am sorry, but I will not retract a word of it. I am speaking what I believe to be the Truth and from my heart.
Keep moving forward. Remember the word Can’t (when it comes to accomplishing a goal) only means you have not done it yet. Peace and good blessings to you all. Bye for now.
The point you made about happiness only being an emotion and should not be a goal is one of the truest statements I’ve heard in a long time. I think that just opened my eyes a little bit more. I cannot count the number of times I’ve blamed my laziness on my lack of motivation. Or that I haven’t gone to the gym because I feel guilty about having to leave the dog alone at home after being away all day at work. (The dog walks are no where near the exercise I get when I finally get to the gym). I even blame my boyfriend when he’s too tired to go to the gym and then I don’t end up going either. I’m just reinforcing bad habits here.
So we’ve decided a bit part of our change is going to be stopping our TV service. I think I should add in a limit of internet use a night as well, but I’ll take one step at a time. But since this decision (we haven’t even shut it off yet) I’ve already started setting up a music “studio” in our extra basement room for my “extra” time… I’m excited. I think that’s what I’ve been lacking for a long time as i think music is part of my spirituality if that makes sense to anyone.
So two things I’m taking away from here:
1. Happiness is just a state of mind that you create yourself and have full responsibility for.
2. Keep moving forward, try not to look back until you’re satisfied with the path you’re walking on.
EXACTLY!! you hit the nail on the head with this one! I remember the time when I wasnt mentally or spirtually strong I was at my biggest. I never wieghed myself at that time but I am 200 pounds now and Im sure I was at LEAST 250.
Its true that motivation is a choice. I have made that decision after a few workouts and am feeling GREAT! The energy I have from just a 30 min work out is all the motivation I need. Thanks for the great words of encouragement.
Please! Please! Please post the final part: The back section! This is the section I need the most. Or email me so I can make a program for myself with you.