"Everyone says, 'Give em hell. I keep telling them, all I do is tell the truth and they think its hell." - Former President, Harry S. Truman
What up,
So, I want to start by getting some administrative stuff out of the way first. The podcast is ready to go, and we are getting sponsored by Thorne Research, a very proactive and forward thinking company that is on the forefront of sports nutrition and overall health and wellness. My co-host and I will be rocking this week, tune in to this site for the link.
Second, thank you to all who wished me happy birthday last week; turning 40 feels good, even though there is a d-bag that stalks my blog only to try and trash me. Love ya dude!!!!
Third, I did win the Gator Half Iron Du last weekend, in less than desirable conditions, on an extremely unsafe course. A 2 lane highway with a bike lane on each side sounds good, until you realize the speed limit is 60, semis are on the road flying by, and there was essentially no support on the bike course, including 1 cop at the turn around. Not to mention, the race director changing the start time to 7:30, instead of 8, not making an announcement, then starting the race, while a couple of us were still in the bathroom. That's right, I started 2 minutes after the official gun went off, ran in an extremely pissed off state, and caught the leaders by the first mile.Yeah, I paid for it on the second run, but I always say, anger is a tremendous motivator to win. I owe my success to my coaches, as well as my friends and family who were very supportive during the winter, helping me gain a level of fitness I have never had and can continue to build on. Thank you - you know who you are.
Now on to the important stuff. Over the last month, I have been exposed to some of the worst health advice, a lot of whining, and a bevy of "woe is me" from good people who are over-complicating the road to better health and fitness. So the rest of this blog may seem insensitive, and that is probably due to the fact that I lack compassion. But folks, its time to have the tough talk again.
Let's simplify stuff - when it comes to nutrition - I support the Paleo method. I often refer to Robb Wolf who has basically made the Paleo diet idiot proof, not to mention, lay an extremely solid foundation as to why it is the way we, as humans, should be eating for life, not simply for performance. Understand what I am saying - Paleo is a lifestyle change, it is NOT a temporary fix, nor is it super difficult. Paleo is not just for athletes. Paleo is how people can enhance their lives, regain health and vitality, and avoid illnesses that are currently plaguing Americans, i.e. Diabetes, Heart disease, cancer, etc. The problem with Paleo- is that people are making it sound like its some unmanageable way to eat, or assume that it involves hunting animals and foraging for plants. Wrong on all accounts. The reason it seems hard - people are lazy. That's right, people are lazy. Paleo involves doing some things like cooking meals, instead of eating out, or eating pre-packaged garbage. I know, crazy talk. When I hear people say "I don't have time to cook" yet in the same breath discuss the plot of the most recent "Keeping up with the Kardashians", I have serious doubts about their time management skills.
So when it comes to nutrition here's the deal - either you seriously give a shit about living life without a bevy of pills to make it through the day, or, you are simply going with the "well, this is what happens as we get older" line of bs that makes me insane. Its a cop out, a weak excuse to maintain laziness and therefore justify their actions, or lack of action. I know people who are suffering from illnesses right now that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy, yet they are making the switch to Paleo b/c they understand its the road to better health. And they are discovering that Paleo works. I see this, while I hear others, who aren't suffering, complain about the inability to lose weight, constantly whining about "why can't I drop weight? Why am I being told I am pre-diabetic? Why isn't my body changing?". And that's the nice way for me to put it.
Here's the deal - you lose the right to bitch if you won't take the necessary steps to make a real difference. You want to drop weight fast? Get a "beach body"? Whatever the hell that means? You don't need a coach or a personal trainer - simply go to GNC or any supplement store, buy diet pills, hope to God your heart doesn't explode, or part of your colon doesn't fall out, and boom! Weight is gone. Of course in less than 6 weeks it will come back, and more, putting undue stress on your heart, kidneys, liver, etc, but hey, you looked awesome for 4 weeks!! How great is that! Come on guys, you are all smarter than that.
Your view of nutritional change is the same as any other - if you build it up in your head to be some over-bearing, herculean task, then it will be. If you view change as a negative, look at anything as an obstacle, then it will be. The real obstacle is looking you in the mirror. Paleo isn't about giving up eating well. Its not about losing the opportunity to enjoy life. That's absolute nonsense. Stop making things seem harder than they are. Its pretty simple - either you are in, or your out. And here's the thing - it doesn't affect me either way. It only affects you, and those closest to you - your significant other, your children, etc. What is life without pain or illness worth to you? I don't have that answer, but each of you should. I've seen many family members suffer from illness that was avoidable. It isn't about getting older, its about the unwillingness to change your ways. If a 59 year client changed her ways, and has found herself in the best health of her life, living with more energy, strength, endurance, mobility, and a greater sense of overall wellness, than a 30 something, a 40 something, what I'm saying is - anyone can do it.
Stop getting in your own way. Believe in yourself and your ability to change. You're worth it. You owe it to yourself. Stop complaining. Start doing.
I'm out.
Guy
