Exercise Sucks!

So why is exercise so difficult? Why is only 13% of the population exercising on a regular basis?

Why aren't gyms stacked, packed, and racked to the back during ALL 12 months of the year?

Why isn't home-gym equipment part of everyone's home decor? Why is it so unusual that when one sees a "six pack" of rectus abdominis, we swoon, awe, and gawk

Because exercise sucks, that's why!!!

I realize coming from someone who makes his profession in the fitness industry, my aforementioned comments might seem counter-productive, self-destructive, or just plain odd...

But let's all be honest, if exercise were easy, simple, or (seemingly) gave us the same enjoyment as a double martini at Mosaic, a kraut-laden polish sausage at the "K", or having sex with our significant other, WE'D ALL DO IT!!!

Am I right, or am I right?

Furthermore...let's analyze exercise in a group setting (i.e. the gym):
What we're asking of people is to dress up in clothes that don't fit, are too tight, show too much, or don't cinch where we need to be cinched...then ask them to jump, lift, push, pull, step, run in ways that seem odd, or don't fit their idea of functional everyday movement...then we put them in front of OTHER PEOPLE who look and do exercise better than them???!!!

(sarcasm ahead)

Man, I don't see the problem??!! What's the big deal? Expose people to potential wardrobe malfunctions, while jumping and jiggling, in front of pretty people, in an ego-laden sub-culture...

(more sarcasm ahead)

I just don't see the issue, do you?!

(sarcasm ends here)

Well, of course exercise is hard, humbling, difficult, and an up and down journey. The great experiences in life are NEVER EASY. It's hard, takes great discipline. It takes commitment, dedication, support from others, and expertise from those in the fitness industry.

But as one of my wonderful training clients, Cherryh Butler (one of INK magazine's supremely talented staff writers) says, "There are days I don't want to train, but I have to...I need to...I have to be there!"

So, does exercise really suck? For ALL OF US, there are those moments (I myself, had one today!). But find an exercise environment, a support system, a personal trainer, a group exercise class: all the components that are going to make you successful in your fitness journey...


...then...


MAKE IT HAPPEN! YOU are worth it!

FRANKS & BEANS!

Men's Locker Room Ettiquette

(please, for the love of Pete!)

1. I don't care how good you think your bod looks, WEAR A TOWEL, washcloth, sock, loin cloth, something...when you get in and get out of your clothes. (You're not that pretty)

2. Wear flip-flops. I don't want to be sharing your feet filth and fowl. It's enough that you're sharing the visual of your "franks and beans" (see 1)

3. Reserve your phone conversations for OUTSIDE the lockerroom. I don't need to know how popular you THINK you are!

4. If you have to apply comforting powder to your unmentionables, please turn TOWARD your locker and NOT toward me!

5. WASH YOUR HANDS after you finish filling the porcelain. I do know where your hands are going--straight to the 50 pound dumbbell I'll be using in about 17 minutes.


thanks for trying to make the lockerrooms a better place to temporarily inhabit!

ZZZZZZ's--Do you get them?

Calorie counting, carb counting, yoga, bench press, step class, 5k's...that's it, right?

WRONG!!!

We have to SLEEP!

"Sleep???!!!"

That's right...sleep. Our bodies will not function appropriately if we're not getting an adequate amount of sleep. It's just that simple.

We must set goals to begin to reach 7-8 hours of sleep on a consistent basis. Your body demands it. It really does. When you begin a new exercise routine, you will soon discover that your sleep habits improve. This is not an accident! You will feel tired (a natural tired)--not exhaustion due to high-stress levels and poor diet (which is what most people feel when they say they're "tired!")

Begin today...we need to begin making sleep a priority. It's so critical to rounding out your complete new LIFE-CHANGE!

For me, each morning, I do a quick count (after looking at my alarm clock digits) of just how many hours I received the night before...good habit to get into and hold yourself (and ask your trainer to do the same!)

HOW SHOULD I SLEEP?
The Way to Sleep: Sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees. This allows for the appropriate digestion to occur while you're sleeping along with the spine to find correct alignment while sleeping.

Avoid: Sleeping on your stomach. When we sleep in prone position, the back is forced to lie in an unnatural state for too long. Is the prone position good for stretching and working in the gym...yes. But avoid sleeping this way all night long!

OKAY...YOU'RE DONE READING THIS...GO TO SLEEP!!!

-D.W.B.L.