"The world can only be grasped by action, not by contemplation…The hand is the cutting edge of the mind." – Jacob Bronowski

Over my years in the industry, I've noticed a big difference between those who are in the shape they want to be in and those who aren't.  It is the same difference as the dreamer and the achiever; one looks to some intangible moment in the future, and the other actively pursues it.  This philosophy carries over into every other aspect of life, but fitness is a perfect context for analyzing these differences.  I believe the dividing line between these two is action.  The dreamer dreams, the doer does.

"Nothing will ever be attempted if all possible objections must first be overcome." – Samuel Johnson

The difference is the excuses.  The reasons to place a goal in the future and look to the current for all the things that keep the dream from becoming a reality.  "I'll do it tomorrow.  I've got too much going on today.  You don't understand what is on my plate.  It's just easy for you.  I've never been in shape.  I've got bad genetics.  I've always been heavy."  This is what I hear every day, and it all boils down to excuses not to take action.  Not to proactively work towards what you say you want.

"Unless a man undertakes more than he possibly can do, he will never do all that he can." – Henry Drummond

Every day I battle with this negative thinking and I will admit that it is the only thing that can render me useless as a trainer.  I can design the perfect program, oversee every detail of a client's nutrition and their workouts, be there to motivate and encourage, but all of my best efforts are in vain if the client isn't willing to sacrifice to reach their goal.  I can't want success for them more than they want it for themselves, and it is sad that this thinking is exactly what keeps the fitness industry alive and thriving: repetitive failure.

"I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles." – Christopher Reeve

Think about the largest, most successful gyms in the country.  Their life force is the large EFT base that pays their dues and never goes.  This allows profits to rise without crowding, making it possible to sell more and more memberships without packing out the clubs.  This is why there is always the newer, sexier style of training that everyone has to try because they didn't see the last program through.  We are ingrained to believe that blame is always somewhere outside of ourself.

"If you are to be, you must begin by assuming responsibility.  You alone are responsible for every moment of your life, for every one of your acts." – Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Now, I don't mean for this to seem like a rant, or to in any way discredit the effort put forth by hardworking gym patrons.  My purpose in this entry is to open eyes to the power of dedication and hard work in the face of opposition.  Within the context of fitness, this means doing what must be done day-by-day to accomplish a long-term goal.  This will involve sacrifice of short-term pleasure.  You will have to define your goals and make them non-negotiable.  You will face opposition on your path to success; you will face difficulty; you may walk your path alone and face criticism from those who lack the self-discipline that you are having to practice.  But in doing so, you will accomplish much more than simply losing or gaining weight.  You will learn character.  You will face life on the terms that are set before you and redefine them.

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." – Theodore Roosevelt

I'm not claiming that this is something that I have mastered; quite the opposite is true.  I have faced challenges and I have failed.  I have given in, fallen short, and compromised.  But I have learned these lessons along the way, and I only hope that they can provide hope and strength to someone else.  And that is why I enjoy what I do.

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