Training Like an Athlete
I recently lost a bit of weight. Apparently, it was very noticeable to people who hadn't seen me in a long time. Many people asked how I did it, and a few were worried for my health and safety. They needn't worry.
Over the last several months, I have successfully whipped myself into the best shape of my life. It was no small feat. It has taken a lot of discipline, a change of lifestyle, and a concern for health and fitness that outweighs the desire to be lazy and unproductive. I am happy with the improved results, but I still do not think I am finished.
I adopted the mindset that I was in training for something really important. I'm not sure what that is at this point, it could just be the rest of my life. That's pretty important, I suppose. If I want to live a while longer, I will have to be able to be healthy and fit, so I can do all the things I want to do.
When in training, the mental challenge is what you have to overcome. Physicality can be worked at, but the self-discipline and mental stamina is what keeps you going and keeps you moving. If you force yourself into it mentally, your body will follow through physically.
And when you think you've gotten to the end of your exercise, you have to push yourself farther if you want to excel. If you eventually want to perform like an athlete, you have to train like one.
That attitude translates to more than just exercise. If you want to be a great writer, you've got to work on it. You've got to hone your skills, you've got to trim your proverbial fat, you've got to discipline yourself, and practice everyday. It's the same way if you want to be a great musician, firefighter, tax attorney, or museum curator.
If your labor is your passion, if it is what you love to do, than you have to treat it as a reward to yourself. If you set small goals for yourself, things that you can accomplish on a day-by-day basis, you'll set yourself up for small rewards along the way. Think of it this way, "If I run 5 miles and eat really healthy today, I can have a bowl of ice cream tomorrow." The memory of that ice cream is what keeps you running the five miles. You know how good it tastes, so that's why you want to keep running.
That's just an example. No, you can't eat a bowl of ice cream everyday.
But there will be days when you can eat more ice cream than normal. Just as soon as you finish that novel you've always wanted to write.
Everybody else out there is training harder than you right now. If you want to be a player in the game, if you even want to be drafted, you've got to train like you belong in the game. Then, once the game gets going, you have to train even harder. Athletes don't ease their way into the playoffs, and if you want to make it to the Super Bowl, well then you'd better be ready to play when the coach calls your number.
Training is a continual process, and one should not get discouraged when one encounters failure. Failure should motivate you to do better, to train harder. The Super Bowl is within reach. Athletes do it. What makes you any different?
If you want to make it to the Super Bowl of Football, the Super Bowl of Gingerbread Houses, the Super Bowl of Super Bowl parties, or the Super Bowl of glassblowing, you have a chance. Go for it.
Find what you love to do. Love it. Then do it.
Over the last several months, I have successfully whipped myself into the best shape of my life. It was no small feat. It has taken a lot of discipline, a change of lifestyle, and a concern for health and fitness that outweighs the desire to be lazy and unproductive. I am happy with the improved results, but I still do not think I am finished.
I adopted the mindset that I was in training for something really important. I'm not sure what that is at this point, it could just be the rest of my life. That's pretty important, I suppose. If I want to live a while longer, I will have to be able to be healthy and fit, so I can do all the things I want to do.
When in training, the mental challenge is what you have to overcome. Physicality can be worked at, but the self-discipline and mental stamina is what keeps you going and keeps you moving. If you force yourself into it mentally, your body will follow through physically.
And when you think you've gotten to the end of your exercise, you have to push yourself farther if you want to excel. If you eventually want to perform like an athlete, you have to train like one.
That attitude translates to more than just exercise. If you want to be a great writer, you've got to work on it. You've got to hone your skills, you've got to trim your proverbial fat, you've got to discipline yourself, and practice everyday. It's the same way if you want to be a great musician, firefighter, tax attorney, or museum curator.
If your labor is your passion, if it is what you love to do, than you have to treat it as a reward to yourself. If you set small goals for yourself, things that you can accomplish on a day-by-day basis, you'll set yourself up for small rewards along the way. Think of it this way, "If I run 5 miles and eat really healthy today, I can have a bowl of ice cream tomorrow." The memory of that ice cream is what keeps you running the five miles. You know how good it tastes, so that's why you want to keep running.
That's just an example. No, you can't eat a bowl of ice cream everyday.
But there will be days when you can eat more ice cream than normal. Just as soon as you finish that novel you've always wanted to write.
Everybody else out there is training harder than you right now. If you want to be a player in the game, if you even want to be drafted, you've got to train like you belong in the game. Then, once the game gets going, you have to train even harder. Athletes don't ease their way into the playoffs, and if you want to make it to the Super Bowl, well then you'd better be ready to play when the coach calls your number.
Training is a continual process, and one should not get discouraged when one encounters failure. Failure should motivate you to do better, to train harder. The Super Bowl is within reach. Athletes do it. What makes you any different?
If you want to make it to the Super Bowl of Football, the Super Bowl of Gingerbread Houses, the Super Bowl of Super Bowl parties, or the Super Bowl of glassblowing, you have a chance. Go for it.
Find what you love to do. Love it. Then do it.
posted by Leland J. Fischer at 2:47 AM
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