5 Reasons You’re Slaying The Game

I need to lose five more pounds. I need to get stronger. I need ten more pounds on my squat. Why is it we never stand back and I say, I have lost thirteen pounds.  I have nearly doubled my strength.  I have increased my stamina and endurance. Huh?

It’s easy to project the “need to’s” in the gym rather than reflect on your “have dones”.

Just like anything in life, really. As humans, most of us tend to focus on what we have not yet done rather than the remarkable things we have accomplished. My GOD we suck in that way, don’t we? But peep this.

You’re of Able Body

Let’s start with the essentials and do our best not to gloss over them, since it is so damn easy to take your working body for granted. You might have nicks, dings and soreness, or maybe even an injury, but at the end of the day you have a body with four working appendages, a healthy immune system, a fully functioning brain and the continued desire to make your body a capable instrument. Next time you think about disliking what you see in the mirror or are dissatisfied with your fat loss or body composition goals, picture that body missing an arm, leg or the ability to walk.

Want a kick in the mental ass? Observe an amputee or paraplegic getting after it in their training. That shit will set your self pity off to the side real quick. Appreciate what you have and continue to use it to its fullest capacities. If you’re doing just that, then you’re off to the right start.

You’re Doing It

Don’t get so caught up in where you are on the current curve of body composition, strength, or any other measurable output. Focus more on how you feel, your level of energy, your improved blood work, decreased stress and overall body of happiness work.

Body goals happen, but they don’t happen first in the long line of improvements. The reason for that is they are purely superficial, like the hood of a car they are merely the outer reflection of the internal working parts.  Your body always improves from the inside out. You might have a rusted hood but the fact that you are working on your engine and parts rather than just letting them sit idle under a rotted tarp in the garage makes you a success.

The shiny hood will happen.

You’re More Elite Than You Think

Take a quick inventory of your family, circle of friends, and co-workers. I am willing to bet that unless you are a professional fitness coach then you are a savage within that circle, and probably the guy or gal that all of your friends and co-workers want to look and move like. Here’s the thing, guys. The vast majority of people are totally content being out of shape and overweight. The majority of Americans don’t care about their health, we’re fatter, sicker, and unhealthier than ever before.

You are the motivated minority. Wear it proudly.

You’re More Informed

Information is everything. Learning about why movements work and educating yourself about the human body is literal empowerment. Understanding rudimentary nutritional concepts puts you ahead of 95% of Americans who don’t know the first thing about food science and dietary guidelines. Maybe you are as lean as you want to be, maybe you are not.  But chances are you are on the better path to those goals than when you started and that, is pretty great.

And forget leanness for a second. If you’re significantly overweight and have made yourself more healthy, start with the fact that you have derailed the risk of diabetes with your new approach.  The fact that your blood work is probably better and you are extending your life each day you choose to be active. I remember the day where I thought simply switching from white bread and pasta to whole wheat would solve all of life’s riddles. Where I had to buy a $5.50 pint of Muscle Milk from my gym after every workout. Where I thought if I ate a single molecule of carbs then I’d get fat. Oy.

It’s amazing how much you can learn in the right environment, and how much that environment can improve your perspective simply by offering information.

Your World is More Possible

Hopefully by now, we understand that the reason we go to the gym is not really to be awesome in the gym. Sure, it’s awesome to be awesome but chances are if you’ve been on a committed plan of fitness for a decent amount of time you find yourself doing more things, trying new activities, playing more sports and taking adventures you never had prior. That’s either a complete coincidence or part of a broader, more improved version of yourself that has the inner confidence and desire to take on new challenges. When you see yourself successful at physical development and movements you didn’t think you were able to perform, that spills over to the rest of your life.

It’s all about enjoying the journey and finding satisfaction in the process. Do that, and all the things you desire will manifest.

-Dave